Need help improving your eating habits? Check out these tried and tested solutions from iVillage members.

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.'

5. Go for high-fibre carbohydrates.
   'Try a revised version of the protein diet. Cut back on your sugar and white-flour products, but stay with the high-fibre carbohydrates. Give it a week and you'll be accustomed to it. Try something like two scrambled eggs and a piece of multigrain toast with butter for breakfast. Have a grilled chicken salad for lunch with lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers and cheese. Check salad dressing labels and get one that’s lower in carbohydrates and fat. For dinner, whether at home or in a restaurant, I have a lean meat entree and ask for double veggies in place of rice or potatoes. And limit how much bread you eat! Also, drink even more than the standard eight glasses of water a day.
6. Apples and water keep hunger at bay.
   'I have three 400-calorie meals a day, and I make sure I have at least one fruit and two vegetables. My sweet cravings are satisfied by eating apples. Drink a half-litre bottle of water three times a day, and don't spend more than 30 minutes on each bottle. And if you really have a craving, eat - just don't overdo it.'
7. Be sensible.
   'Do 30 minutes of fat-burning exercise every day, drink lots of water and get enough servings from all the food groups. Stay away from fad diets and eat sensibly. If you don't like meat, make sure you eat plenty of legumes, pulses and occasionally have a handful of nuts or seeds (bear in mind these are high in fat). Follow the diet that you plan to keep for life.'