I found that just switching from regular products to low-cal can help. Lite bread is only 40 calories per slice while most other bread is 80 per slice. Cheese and some lunch meat is the same way. I substitute sour cream for mayo to save calories, too.

Eggs are a good source of protein. They keep you from getting hungry and are easy to digest.

But I think the real secret is as has been said before---Write it down. Get a calorie counter and pre-plan what you expect to eat all day. Make sure your portions are the right size and stick to 1200 to 1500 calories a day.

Two broiled cheese sandwiches on light bread with low-cal cheese are only 220 calories. Add an apple or banana and you won't be hungry for a snack. Tuna, drained and mixed with chopped carrots, green pepper, onion and just enough sour cream to bind it together is another good way to get protein with less calories. (Tuna in water is about 190 calories per can)
It's a pain to calculate every meal, but soon you will have a list of dishes that you can choose from and you won't need to count so often; just choose from the list and you know how many calories.

Sounds easy. But it takes commitment. I fell off the commitment wagon but still watch my diet. It's easier if the good stuff isn't in the house. With a family that's going to be hard on you.