Help for picky eaters

The problem:
'I’ll eat anything sweet, and I don’t like meat, chicken or fish. I eat side dishes mostly, and I suppose that is why I have so much weight to lose. So what's a woman who doesn't like eating healthy foods to do?'

The solutions:

1. Go tropical.
   'I, too, have a sweet tooth. I've tried to incorporate a lot of tropical fruits such as mangoes and unsweetened versions of dried fruits, raisins and dried pineapple into my diet to satisfy it.'
2. Give up sweets altogether or limit them to only after meals.
   'I went cold turkey with the sweets, and I haven't had a craving for them yet. I do not eat high-protein, high-fat foods, but I do eat lots of vegetables, fruit and some high-fibre bran cereals. Also, try drinking a lot of water or calorie-free flavoured water. It keeps you full and hydrated.'
3. Be prepared.
   ’I’ve gained weight recently because I am a busy student who doesn’t have time to stop and eat, so I tend to grab whatever is easy. Now, I carry fruit and fibre bars with me. Strangely enough, I stopped craving sweets once I stopped eating them. But if you absolutely have to have them, eat something that's sweet but not fattening, such as dried fruit or fresh fruit, a fat-free pudding, fruit salad, fruit sorbet, or a low-calorie chocolate bar.
4. Try vegetarian protein.
   'You don't have to eat animal products to get your protein. Beans, for example, are a low-fat and filling alternative. Peanut butter, nuts and cheese are also good choices — just watch out for the fat content. I eat three moderate meals a day and three small snacks, so I'm eating about every four hours. This has really helped me keep my energy level up.'
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