What I suggest is not to commit yourself or make any big announcements. Start with a 4 day meal plan of recipes and have it all shopped and/or prepared) for the first 2 days. Just tell yourself that you're going to try it for 4 days, and if you're OK with it then you'll continue as long as you feel like it. Don't put pressure on yourself. There's an entire spectrum of strictness and you have to decide what's right for yourself in each situation. Like any change in habits or lifestyle it becomes the new normal after a short period of time. If you're more strict there's a good chance you'll have a dramatic change (for the better) in the way you feel within the first 4 days.

I really mean "dramatic". My change in energy level and alertness was very noticeable and I used to have an energy sag in the afternoons that I thought was some type of chronic fatigue syndrome (I thought something was wrong and even asked my doctor about it). I later figured out it was caused by my high fat, high processed-sugar eating habits that were sending my system into overdrive. I also used to have to take antacids after almost every meal. No more.

If you or your wife are willing to be a bit adventurous, experiment with new spices and seasonings, seek out new recipes and cook at home this is going to be OK. You may find yourself saving money on food because you'll eat home more, bring food more, and even if you only buy organic non-GMO groceries it's still less costly than meats and fish, and prepared foods.

Breakfast -- Forget about traditional heart-stopper breakfasts. If you're fantasizing about bacon-egg-cheese on white bread then you're not ready for this. Think in terms of non-traditional breakfasts... as if you're in another part of the world. Food is food, so it doesn't have to be labeled breakfast food or dinner food. My typical breakfast is fresh fruit with steel cut oatmeal sweetened with a bit of maple syrup, coffee (with almond milk). If we have berries we add them to the oatmeal, or we cut up the fruit and add it. A banana or some nuts might be a mid morning snack. (Nuts add protein and fat but are very high calorie so not too many). An alternate is whole grain bread and avocado spread. Or yesterday's leftovers from lunch or dinner, or a veggie burger. (Costco carries the best black bean burgers and lots of other vegetarian/vegan options, and look for Annie's frozen foods in the health food dept of your supermarket).

Lunch and dinner -- better to bring your lunch and eat dinner at home. Generally we cook extra dinner and have leftovers for lunch the following day. I'll send you Jan's current favorite recipes if you PM me with your email. If you eat restaurant food you'll have more options with Indian, Asian, middle eastern. Any Italian restaurant will make pasta with your choice of tomato sauce (fra diavolo or marinara or lighter tomato) and with veggies, no cheese. They usually have a pretty good range of mushrooms/olives/veggies and you can also order a pizza piled high with veggies, no cheese (I add crushed red pepper to taste). Mexican restaurants offer veggie and rice and bean burritos, or veggie fajitas, again no cheese. In a diner? Soups, salads, or a club sandwich (ask them to substitute avocado for the bacon, optionally hold the mayo or substitute salad dressing if it seems too dry, and they might also have whole grain bread). Japanese restaurants usually have a selection of veggie sushi. You get the idea.

If you're interested in talking, PM me with your phone number and we can chat more.