With some issues with random weight gain, sudden higher cholesterol, an upcoming wedding, and a plain desire to eat a bit better, I have had to do some more specific research.
I am currently attempting to try all new kinds of dairy product substitutes. I have been able to use So Good Original (every month or so) pretty successfully, but too much of that isn't great for me. Skim, 1%, and 2% are milks I can not have often, but they taste the best in most drinks especially. I am trying to find a nut-based milk that does not have a taste that is off-putting but remains a healthier option.
Still working on it.
Other changes I have made have actually been really great so far:
I have been eating rye bread (more soluble fibre) which I love, and plan on switching to rye crackers and rye melba toast.
I also did a thorough search on granola bars I would be able find at regular grocery stores. After reading label after label after label, the best choice seems to be the Simply Protein line. Great source of fibre and protein, low sugar, low sodium, low fat, low potassium, and low cal. The Cocoa Raspberry is my favorite so far. The only caveat is the price... it is pricey... but worth it if my health improves.
Luckily the yogurt I usually get still stands as one of the healthiest choices. (Activia). Which is awesome.
For cookies (because I get major cravings) I keep baby teething Arrowroot cookies around. Just a touch of sweetness but not so delicious that I want to eat an entire box in one sitting.
Items like barley, oats, fruits, veggies, nuts, beans, etc... are almost always readily available already, which makes things easier as well.
And did I mention how much I love drinking tea? Non-caffeinated, of course. Loooooovvvvvvve me some herbal tea.
Another bonus is that I am already used to (and truly enjoy) eating lean meats, lots of fish (salmon, tuna, sardines sometimes, cod, basa, tilapia, etc...).
So the new, better, meal plan is working out. I still indulge in a treat once in a while. I do not completely deprive myself of anything, but instead have dramatically reduced my portion sizing. Pretty sure I would be a miserable shrew if I had to completely give up every kind of chocolate for life. So really, allowing myself a bite of chocolate once every few days is actually doing society a service... ;)
Want to know the best part of all??
My appetite has now decreased to a point where I have to fight, some days, to reach my recommended calorie intake for the day. I will always stand by reducing portion sizing over time to help my body become more and more used to eating less food (and eating less bad food in particular).
Now if my body could respond to all of this effort relatively soon, that would be the epitome of success in this endeavor.