To think my GP is MAD to recommend this diet to my DH

[tryingtobemarypoppins2]

"Pigs to Twigs"

From what I have read so far its a slightly nicer Aktins diet. Loads of meat, fat and green veg.

I am really shocked she told him to get this book for a few reasons:

1. Its a no carbs diet
   
2. Its a bright pink book aimed at women
   3)She didn't weigh him or take his BP and he has over 5 stone to lose
   
   She is a lovely GP but I really thought she would handle a very proud young daddy who is really struggling with his weight a whole lot better. His weight gain is odd as the rest of our family are within the ideal weight range and eat far more than him. His job is highly physical too.
   
   AIBU or are no carb diets back in fashion?

[quaere]

pigs to twigs... fucking hell

[miniwedge]

Really?? There is a book called Pigs to Twigs??

Fuck me, there's nothing like a bit of healthy body image is there.

Unexplained weight gain should be looked at medically surely? Had he been keeping a food diary? Is that why she has gone straight to diet before thyroid etc?

[SloanyPony]

Okay ridiculous book title and pink cover aside, is it crazy for a doc to recommend a low carb diet - not necessarily.

Stats show than men in particular tend to do quite well on low carb diets. Many lose good amounts of weight without being overly hungry, and for many it lies well psychologically

So she might be recommending it in an evidence based way, based on the the success of that kind of program with young otherwise healthy men, as opposed to thinking its the ideal way for everyone to lose weight.

YANBU to question it, and anything a GP says, as informed consent is the way to go.

[compo]

Are you sure he eats healthily when you're not around? Like in lunchbreaks, coffee time etc

[Hassled]

I would go to another GP and start again. If you feel the weight gain is odd then that's reason enough to have more of a conversation about it. Does he feel well in himself? Energy levels OK, etc?

[FellatioNelson]

It's a take on Atkins yes, and it's excellent, as all low-carb diets (done well and properly) are. Not only will he lose weight, and eat much more healthily but he will probably lower his cholesterol levels as well, and be less likely to become diabetic. I'm glad GPs have finally come round to low-carbing. It make perfect scientific sense and the hysteria surrounding them is unwarranted.

[SloanyPony]

Also, not trying to be pedantic here but its not a no-carbs diet if it includes green veg.

You dont have to be eating piles and piles of non-starch polysacchride rich vegetables to clock up a reasonable carb count - it might be (and I haven't seen this book) that its based more on a 40/30/30 type ratio which can have enormous health benefits.

Might be clutching at straws there though, like I said I haven't seen the book.

[Morloth]

Low carb works. I lost 75kgs and have kept it off over 7 years. It is hard work and you have to stay constantly on the ball, but it works.

[LittleCheesyPineappleOne]

My senior GP friend is on that mad Dukan low carb diet at the moment. He looks bloody miserable but the weight is falling off him. I would be entirely unsurprised if he was recommending it to patients.

AFAIK there is no diet which is proven to lead to permanent weight loss (ie significant numbers still at healthy weight after 5 years), so you may as well recommend low carb as much as WW, or SW.

[ColdComfortFarm]

It is written by India Knight and a friend, and the title is all in her typically jokey, self-deprecating style. it is a moderate low-carb diet, and men do tend to lose more weight, more quickly on this type of diet. I think being 'shocked' is OTT. Also the fact that the book has a pink cover is surely irrelevant?

[SloanyPony]

How does HE feel about it? Did he say it was ridiculous? Does he see himself following the diet and enjoying the weight loss journey on it?

If so, and he came home quite bouyed about it, I wouldn't be too negative. Presumably he went out and bought the book. Or is he saying "uh no not sure about this"?

If he's otherwise positive, I'd zip it and see how he does. It might be just the ticket.

[thisisyesterday]

i think it's silly to recommend any kind of fad diet

she should be telling him to look at LONG TERM ways of lowering his weight and keeping it down, as well as keeping himself healthy in general

so, increase in exercise and a sensible eating plan (ie, anything in moderation, smaller portions etc etc)

[FellatioNelson]

Also, please don't make the mistake of confusing low carbs with no carbs. There are sufficient carbs, you just get them from vegetables, some fruits, and the small amount found in dairy products. Eating anything that contains processed sugar or white starchy foods will always make substantial weight loss very hard, as it will cause his insulin levels to go awry and make him feel hungry all the time, and as fast as his body can 'burn' stored energy it will be converting the carbs his eats to yet more stored energy (ie. fat).

Pig to Twig is a very user-friendly 'fun' diet book, but if you want a more reassuring detailed explanation of how and why it is the way to go, read Robert Atkins or Lesley Kenton, or Gary Taubes.

[FellatioNelson]

Low carb is not a fad any more than low fat is a fad.

[FellatioNelson]

In fact, looking at methods of weight loss and weight control historically, I'd say low fat is the fad!

[MollieO]

It is actually called 'The Idiot Proof Diet'. Maybe that is why it was recommended to your dh .

[tryingtobemarypoppins2]

Ok so the pink cover - I'm being light hearted...!

I think we both though he would have a few blood tests, get told to keep a food diary then go from there. Perhaps see a dietition, I'm not sure.

Its good to hear that low carb diets have health benifits....I just thought they were celeb diets and were unlikely to be stuck to long term.

He really doesn't over eat. I am 5ft:5 and 9 stones, we eat the same breakfast and tea, for lunch he has 2 yogarts and a cheese and ham sandwich and an apple. He is a builder and working like a mad man all day. I have had a look for an sneaky snacks....not found any evidence and he only has the odd beer once a month......It doesn't make sense for him to be so over weight.

[tryingtobemarypoppins2]

cheeky MollieO :)

[MollieO]

It does work - I did it but fell off the wagon a bit and need to get a grip. The only thing I found hard was having a low carb breakfast. The rest was easy. The book is very funny and not at all preachy. There is a website too.

[FallingWithStyle]

Everything FellatioNelson said!

[Sidge]

GPs tend not to refer if they can help it - it costs them money. In most areas dietitians are hugely overworked with people needing specialist dietary advice rather than being there for general weight loss.

Blood tests are rarely needed for most overweight people unless there are other ways in which he's symptomatic. The GP may send him for bloods after a month or two of following a weight loss plan if needed.

I think it's not a bad thing for your GP to recommend him a sensible weight loss plan (having said that I haven't read the book but reduced carb diets are very good for some people, especially those with insulin resistance). Our local GPs can send patients to Slimming World or Weight Watchers but never give dietary advice themselves as they acknowledge their lack of knowledge!

Get your DH to keep an honest food diary of everything that passes his lips including all drinks and snacks, including portion sizes. It's unlikely that he's 5 stone overweight by eating the same as you,

[montmartre]

Morloth - you have lost 75 kilos?

Wow! That is amazing, and must have been really hard work- well done.

[Alibabaandthe40nappies]

YABU.

My DH has been doing this for 10 weeks and has lost almost 2 stone. He is eating healthily, it's re-educated his mindset around food, he has more energy and focus than ever before.

Why not try reading the book before you dismiss it? I did it with DH for 6 weeks before I got pregnant and lost over a stone. There is much evidence to suggest that lower intake of carbs is much healthier and more sustainable over a long period (ie the rest of your life) than low fat and low calorie which encourages your metabolism to slow down.

marypoppins - the answer to whether he eats secretly will become clear if he starts doing this diet. If he sticks to it and loses weight then you will have your answer, yes he has been eating secretly.

[iamamug]

I have been doing this diet and it does work. It makes sense not to eat stodgy sugary food. The only strange thing is that you can eat cream and mayo (but not milk!!??)
The book is excellent and there is also a recipe book. Highly recommend it and men find it much easier to do. Good luck.

[tryingtobemarypoppins2]

I do worry how we will eat as a family though??
Does your fridge end up looking like a butchers?