Hi L.---I too, have heard great things about how many nutrients are in the acai berry. I use it occasionally in my smoothies. I buy it frozen at Whole Foods. Yes, it is expensive. But acai should only be a small part of your nutrition and healthy eating plan.
I am currently undergoing certification to be a Wellness Educator and have learned some great strategies for good health. You really want to think about adopting a wellness plan for yourself, which doesn't include the word 'diet' in terms of losing weight. Choose your diet, all the food that you eat, on the basis of what will promote optimal health. It should consist primarily of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes, using animal products sparingly. We should be eating 9 to 13 servings of fruits and veggies each day, and a large variety is probably more important than the quantity (think in terms of color-different colors provide different antioxidants). Also, concentrate on getting as much fiber as you can with these foods. If you get adequate fiber, you will fill up before you could possibly eat too many calories. Think nutrient dense, low calorie. Again, the 4 food groups that I mentioned will fit this requirement. Dr. Neal Barnard, www.pcrm.org, said in a lecture that I attended, that for every 10-12 grams of fiber you add to your diet, you eat 200-300 fewer calories. EAT FOR HEALTH, NOT TO LOSE WEIGHT. If you do that, you will lose the weight. I also think that with this attitude, you won't feel deprived. Over time your tastes change and you wonder how you ever ate some of the things you did before.
I have access to a number of strategies and can help you develop a plan to change your eating habits. I do not charge for consultation. I just really enjoy helping people. Please feel free to contact me at any time with questions. I would also like to invite you (and any other mom in the Detoit area) to a health education event on Jan 22 in Troy. The group that I work with sponsors these as often as possible. It will help provide knowledge and support that you could use in establishing optimal diet and lifestyle habits. Call me at ###-###-#### or send a personal email to ____@____.com. I look forward to talking to you. In health, D.