enjambent22,
How's it been going???
I had a dilemna how to answer your last post - I remember many many years comparing how I eat to how someone else eats, in hopes of finding things in common, and most especially of solving challenges.
It's taken me quite a while to realize that doesn't help me. I even began a weekly support group thinking I could get help from others, but even after three years of this group, I wasn't getting what I was trying to.
Macrobiotics is quite a myesterious trip - so you want to get as much help from others as possible, yet on the other hand, it truly is a solo adventure.
Whatever the other foods are that you eat now, is part of your solo adventure. Telling you what I eat won't make any difference.
But in spite of all that, there are things one can learn from those who are more experienced. I with others have had that privilege in Simon Brown's discussion group, of which there was a wonderful discussion on losing weight, which ironically started when the wife of someone who wanted to gain weight began the discussion:
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group...s/message/1132
I encourage you to join the discussion group and look up the above message, which will have all the discussion replies in the same place.
Basically Simon advised me personally to eat only whole grains, none that have been processed (bread, crackers, noodles, etc) or none that have been cracked, split, etc (oatmeal, couscous, bulghur) - I know this may sound difficult for someone who is short on time and wants more immediately ready food - but it's been a great challenge for me. I found I was eating much better. Also he encourages using much more vegetables. Both ideas were good for me.
Then again, each person's situation is individual - so you have to look at lots of factors. Come join us at the discussion, maybe you'll get some good ideas.
Klara