Thanks for the info. I have four 10# bags of lump charcoal just setting there and a good smoker. What if I smoke bone in and skin on chicken breasts but not eat the skin or fat?
There is no doubt that not eating the skin or fat is a good thing. Unfortunately, it will still be more fat than if you cooked it without the skin or fat as that juicy texture of the chicken when you cook it with the fat, is fat in the meat.
However, white meat is drier than dark meat. You can make great skinless chicken thighs and drumsticks that will be delicious. You can even get decent chicken breasts if you cook them carefully. If you take the skin off but leave the bones in, you will also get moister more flavourful chicken.
I lost 40 pounds, lowered my blood pressure and lowered my cholesterol mainly by cutting back on the size of the portions of my meat. I now eat 4 ounces of steak instead of 10. I have ham (I go with leaner loin hams) but I have 3 to 4 ounces. I make up for it by eating great side dishes. I also eat a piece of fruit every morning and after every meal. It helps make you feel full and cut snacking.
Snacking was my downfall previously. Chips, chocolate bars, cookies, etc are just something that shouldn't be eaten. They are loaded with fat and sugar. If you need a snack, try a piece of fruit or a bowl of all bran cereal with fruit. Both fill you up and aren't loaded with sugar and fat.
I have eaten ribs, pulled pork, chicken with crispy skin, and all the things that you shouldn't. I just don't do it all the time and I limit myself in portion size.
You can't have a regular dessert every day but you can have it on special occasions. You can have an ounce of cheese, some fruit and port for dessert (you have to try it, it is great).
Leah is right about fish. Four ounces of fish is a lot more volume than four ounces of meat. It can be cooked many ways including smoked.
Another thing that really helped me was planting some of my own vegetables. You really get hooked on fresh vegetables when you are pulling them from your own garden. The exercise doesn't hurt either! Start small and increase your garden if you feel like it. You would be amazed how much food you can grow in a four by four bed. Check out a book called The Square Foot Gardner.
If you cut your meat portions it is more important than the kind of meat IMHO (try and go to lower fat choices won't hurt though).
Life does not end with eating and living better. It starts! If you cut your meat, increase you vegetables and fruit and get some exercise, I hope you will live long and prosper!
Disco