I am a picky eater, which is why I am so out of shape. I don't eat any fruits or vegtables, except corn and pickles, so my diet consist of alot of meat and breads. So my diet consist of hambugers, pizza, etc... I drink a good amount of soda, but have cut back alot over the last year.

Is there anyone else like me? With my diet in mind, what foods should I avoid (stop eating), what can I eat? I have cut down on my portions but I am looking to make a change.

Thanks
Rob

You've taken the first step. That of recognising that your diet needs to change.
The next step is to make the actual change.
Find fruits that you like and stock up. Promise your self that you will replace a part of the unhealthy food you eat with 2 to three servings of fruit every day.

Start drinking plain water. Start with two 8 oz glasses a day and work it up to around 10.

Once you get used to eating fruit, then find some veggies you can eat raw like baby carrots, cucumbers, tomato, baby corn, green peppers, tender cabbage, bean sprouts, sugar snap peas, baby spinach. Buy small quantities and reduce some more meat and bread on your plate and replace it with veggies that you have sprinkled with some ready made low fat dressing.

Meanwhile continue to eat the 2 to 3 servings of fruit.

Once you are used to eating raw veggies try cooked ones like steamed or stirfried green beans, broccoli, bok choy, spinach, swiss chard, carrots, peas, zucchini..... the list is endless.

Once you are used to this, add other vegetarian foods like canned kidney beans, chick peas and other beans that you see at the market.

Switch to whole grain bread and whole wheat bagels. Replace carbonated beverages with non-sweetened fruit juices and low fat youghurt and skim milk.

Learn to cook so that you do not have to eat out at fast food joints. Find someone who can help you learn cooking and arrange to take lessons.

Take these steps one at a time so that you do not feel overwhelmed. We all have some veggies and fruits we dislike and some we like and some we love. Find your own likes and loves by experimenting.

I agree with Renuka -- take cooking classes.

What?! Really?! Yup.

I used to be the same way. Many times the reason why we don't like foods that are good for us is because we grew up eating meals that were poorly prepared. When my wife and I were on our honeymoon we ate a very nice 5 star restaurant. I had mixed vegetables as a side dish and was going to push them away. My new bride, bless her dingy heart , said, "Try them." I'm glad she did. They were deee-lish.

From then on I realized it wasn't vegetables I didn't like. It was how they were prepared! So, I learned how to prepare foods in way that is healthy and tasty. There are still vegetables I'll never eat even if they're dipped in gold (beets -- ugh), but at least I'm eating more veggies.

Also, if you have a Sweet Tomatoes restaurant in your area, try going there and experimenting. I started by substituting raw spinach leaves for lettuce. I love it! You get the idea.

Best wishes!

Heh. I was just thinking about how much fun it is to take apart an orange.
Gotta go now, must have orange, I've been summoned.