My diet got a bit out of whack and I'm having to get back on the horse with careful tracking. Anyway, the low carb (low like Atkins) may be really good for diabetics (or pre-diabetics) in terms of blood sugar, but medical studies have shown that have so few carbs can be demoralizing to people on the long term. Hard to sustain a day to day diet in which you only consume like 50 grams of carb in a day. 
The super-low carbohydrate portion of the Atkins diet only lasts for two weeks. After that it works its way up at 5-10 grams a week as long as you're losing weight. Somehow the first two weeks have come to represent the entire thing.
	
 
		
		
You have a pickle guy? Cool.
Although, for awkward pick-up potential, nothing beats Stanley Bolander going up to that Aussie ME in the first year of Homicide all "My partner says you tend to have crabs."
	
 
		
		
Trudy, but even then, some people can't do it for 4 weeks.  I know what you mean, because I was on modified Atkins for 6 weeks years ago.
	
 
		
		
 Stop eating foods that have sugar in them for no good reason ( why does peanut butter have sugar in it? eat natural peanut butter because it has no added sugar) 
I have been trying to cut back on sugar too, and I have definitely started to read labels more often.  Why does tomato paste need added sugar?  I add a little fruit juice to seltzer to try to fool myself into thinking I'm drinking soda.  
	
 
		
		
The truth is, my mom being a hippie goddess is probably the only reason I watch my diet, ever(I wish I had a manual for my metabolism, I swear...you guys would get it free.) Although I do actually like to eat grapefruit and stuff, I have an urge toward garbage, that, if I'm completely honest, bathing-suit season is not a very strong incentive for...even if I knock myself out, sumus quod sumus(we are what we are...thanks, Garrison Keillor)
ETA: Did I ever tell you that my crazy stepmonster(and her untreated eating disorder) used to feed me till I puked? Seriously, I think watching me eat was her porn for a year...I didn't always hurl, but I thought I had something to be concerned about...digestion-wise...
	
 
		
		
If you want to cut down on anything, don't make it so it feels abusive or dispiriting or you won't do it for long. I don't think our eating habits need to be self-abuse. 
I couldn't agree more, le n. I am a fan of moderation in all things. 
For good healthy snacks that stave off cravings, I like nuts, trail mix (which is still nuts in a way), and those wee clementine oranges. A friend recommended olives, and those are good too. 
For me sugar is tempting, but I can feel satisfied with a little bit, so I'm OK there. But I see it in Franny, the intense craving of sugar, so I am trying to be careful about what kinds of snacks I leave around the kitchen. And I pretty much discourage the juice drinking since I figure she gets enough sugar from all the fruit and the health bars ("health" bars) she eats. 
	
 
		
		
The average (  american?)  diet is  around 60+% carbohydrates.   I  try  to keep  it  under  50%( for my  diabetes) .   This  is  hard,  but  very  doable. 
I broke  the  eat  all  the cookies problem by  eating 6 times  a  day.   I  broke  up  my meals so  I  was  eating very  frequently.   It is  pretty  easy  to stop at  two  cookies  when 1) you  aren't  too  hungry  and 2) you are going to  eat  again in  a  few  hours.   
	
 
		
		
 I add a little fruit juice to seltzer to try to fool myself into thinking I'm drinking soda.
Bitters! Fancy flavored bitters! Cardamom bitters and about two drops of rose syrup in soda water is delicious.
	
 
		
		
( why does peanut butter have sugar in it? eat natural peanut butter because it has no added sugar) 
I don't like natural peanut butter because of the texture. And because it's not sweet enough. Shut up.
	
 
		
		
Bitters! Fancy flavored bitters! Cardamom bitters and about two drops of rose syrup in soda water is delicious.
I keep thinking I need to invest in some bitters, but then I get overwhelmed by the options.