Hello,
First of all, congratulations on finding us here
It does feel strange at first to share stuff with "strangers," but one thing I've discovered is that everyone on here is going through essentially the same things. Look at the various forums and find one that appeals to you. Find a "buddy" and share journals - everyone needs a buddy
First of all, under the "Quick Links" bar to the right, look at the page "Which low-carb plan is right for me?" It will give you a good overview of the various plans and each encompasses. You'll also find references for the "main" book for each plan. Some plans have websites, such as
http://atkins.com/ where you can find a wealth of information. I personally like Atkins because it is very easy for me to follow and only count carbs.
I've found that my confidence and my outlook on life has increased exponentially as I've realized that I am doing the best possible thing I can do for my body and my health by improving how I eat. I don't know why, but this WOE makes me feel powerful, which I never experienced on a low-fat diet. I get a lot more of a feeling that "I choose to eat this and not that" which, coupled with losing weight, is a great self-esteem booster for me.
The great thing about low-carbing is that it really isn't that expensive. I've found that my grocery bill hasn't increased at all.
* Buy the value packs of meat and freeze it for later use. I don't eat red meat, but use a lot of ground turkey - which is typically much cheaper than ground beef.
* Look for what veggies are on sale in any given week. I can usually get lettuce for under a dollar. Spinach is usually inexpensive, is versatile and is packed with nutrients. Celery, broccoli and cauliflower are all usually cheap, as well.
* Don't forget frozen veggies (avoiding mixes with corn, potatoes and carrots).
* Eggs are a staple of mine and are another inexpensive item for your shopping cart.
* Splurge on things like good butter, olive oil and dressings. These are things that you'll only be using a tablespoon or two at a time, so they'll stretch. Look for those with no added sugar.
* Cheese!
* Most cereals are $3 to $5 dollars a box. For about that same amount, you can get (AFTER induction) a loaf of low-carb bread or some yummy low-carb tortillas.
* Generally, shop the perimeter of the store where the fresh foods are and avoid the aisles with all the processed foods. However, when you first start your plan and are familiar with what you can eat, take a leisurely stroll through several different grocery stores. Read labels and familiarize yourself with what your area stores have to offer. It will make things easier on you in the long run.
I haven't been at this too long myself, but I'd be happy to provide any information and help I can