@kpost2 We were able to kick soda and expensive non-calorie drinks with flavorings for water. My husband ditched diet soda for Propel - little powder packets that contain some electrolytes and natural flavors but no sugar or sweeteners. The one labelled for 8oz flavors his 24oz water bottle. I use a liquid flavoring without sugar, sweeteners or coloring. I go with what is avaible locally, so currently it's one called Enhanca from the local HEB. I use a different one in Minnesota but can't remember the name right now. In cold weather we also drink (unsweetened) herbal teas.
As for changing your diet, the key to success for me was "baby steps." Over a period of time, I would subtract one bad choice and add one good one, then wait at least a few weeks to make the next change. And I learned to keep the undesirable stuff out of the house, office, car... For example, potato chips are not here - but we have popcorn cakes, which have much less salt & fat. And they can be a real good snack topped with a little peanut butter or cheese or a bit of guacamole.
What kind of changes are you trying to make?

Hey kpost, I'll begin by making full disclosure: I'm have a galloping bias about the place of diet: after reading T.Colin Campbell's magnum opus The China Study in 2008 and after flirting with vegetarianism off and on since teenage, Campbell's book resulted in me forthwith becoming committed to a low-fat, whole-food, exclusively plant-based way of eating. Since then I've not knowingly eaten animal flesh or animal lactation products. Also, I use no cooking oils in my food prep. You can get all the fat you need from high fat foods like avoacados, olives, soy milk and so on.
You're on the right track ditching the dairy. I agree fully with your mother's position regarding medicines, though I part ways with her regarding supplements. Take Hippocrates lead and let your food be your medicine. Eat real food; pass the supplements. Our bodies have no more need for cow's milk than we do for giraffe, eland, tiger, or hippopotamus milk. Indeed humans are the only species to continue eating milk beyond weaning (and on top of that, the milk from another species).

Animal based foods place added burden on the human body since we're not well adapted by our evolutionary history to consume them in the abundance the average person does now. MAC AND BRONC place enough burden on our bodies, why up the ante by eating dead flesh? Don