Mumsnet Talk

Hello and welcome! I have been low carbing since February,have found it easy,have lost 2 stone and feel great! I have done a fair amount of reading around the subject and it all makes perfect sense to me,except everytime the media print sensational stories about 'low carb linked to heart attacks in women' etc etc, I can't help feeling a bit unsure! Can you point me in the right direction for reading about lonqer term effects of low carb/high fat woe? I am 70% convinced that this is my woe for life,but get a bit scared at times!
Thankyou!

Oh fuck a duck! You didn't give me much notice of this one, did you?!

Is he coming to the Towers?

Why isn't this thread stickied, by the way?

You have other webchats happening much later on in July that are stickied - but this one, happening next Wednesday, isn't - not really much of an advance notification, is it?

Marking place (since this thread doesn't seem to be stickied)

WHY DOESN'T THIS HAVE A STICKY?

<applies manual sticky>

This means I will have to read the book (it has been lurking on my Kindle for weeks)

<sellotapes thread to top of active convos>

It's really easy to read, Mme - and definitely worth it before Wednesday

I've been low carbing for a few weeks now and love it!

Weight loss, improved hair and skin condition and energy levels through the roof. I have an underactive thyroid and was in despair at my tiredness, bloating and weight gain despite my level of thyroxine being stable for twelve months. All the doctor kept telling me was to increase my fibre, eat more vegetables and fruit, whole grain bread and pasta and the inevitable low fat mantra. I could weep for the time lost following that rubbish advice.

So, how can we get this message through to the medical world in particular? And how can I stop my friends recoiling in horror when they see me reach for the double cream and say "but you've lost so much weight you don't want to put it back on again by eating cream". <despair>. Or the classic "Are you trying for a heart attack?!" usually said jokingly but with an element of concern because of the rubbish press low carbing receives.

Looking forward to this chat.

So glad we are getting this web chat.

My husband and Mother in Law are both dealing, very successfully, with their Type 2 diabetes using a low carb diet. My MIL's Doctor is very anti this approach, despite her blood sugar being beautifully controlled and wants her to take Metformin and follow a low fat, high carb diet. He would also like her to take statins because as a diabetic she might be at risk of heart disease.

She has tried to talk to him about the research she has done but he is incredibly dismissive of this and she is starting to have a bit of a crisis of confidence as of course most of her friends think she should do what the Doctor says. At the moment she has a prescription for statins but hasn't had it filled.

Does Doctor Briffa have any advice that might make her feel better about what, to her, seems a very radical approach by not following her Doctor's advice?

no!! I will be stuck in work and unable to log on

I have just started reading his books (which are great and very easy to read btw) in search of a way forward for my current health issues.

As a long term veggie I was encouraged down the low fat high carb route from an early age. Two years ago gallstones were found and gallbladder removed as I was not responding to the prescribed no fat diet.

Two years on I'm still in pain. Looks like it was not my gallbladder but sphincter of oddi dysfunction and they got it wrong about the gallbladder

here's the problem - I cannot get any support from the health service other than eat a low fat high carb diet. I have explained in great detail the effects this woe has on my weight and mood with no success. Why they cannot accept that carbs are like crack to my body I don't know!

so I am no low carbing as I know it works. Added to this I have taken the decision to reintroduce meat. My long term aim is to go for low carb and lower fat and cut out the processed food so to me it makes sense to no longer be vegetarian. How I explain this to my gp next week without him thinking I am completely bonkers I don't know

I've been following a low carb diet since September and by the end of the year I had lost 2.5 stone, cut my antidepressant dose in half and gone from a borderline pre-diabetic fasting blood glucose level of 5.6 to a pretty perfect 4.0. I've also discovered that I have issues with wheat - a little makes me windy and more than that makes me painfully bloated and wreaks havoc with my digestive system. I'm very good at avoiding wheat at home but I'm not so good at checking for hidden wheat in restaurant food. I know if I had a diagnosis of coeliac disease then I'd be a lot better at checking for hidden wheat but I'm not keen to eat a "normal" diet for six weeks in order to get a diagnosis.

My question is:
If I am coeliac would I do more damage to myself eating a small amount of hidden wheat maybe once a fortnight for the rest of my life or by eating a normal diet for six weeks in order to get a diagnosis?

I just don't know where to start with the questions, as there's so much I'd like to ask you!

But i suppose my main one is this. I have read a couple of your books now, and receive your newsletter every week, linking to your blog. I've also read Gary Taubes' The Diet Delusion and Why We Get Fat - and I'm persuaded that low carb is not only a good way to eat to help lose weight, but also that it is much better for our longer term health. And as someone whose father is an insulin-injecting, Type 2 diabetic and whose mother died from breast cancer, I can only see low carbing being a positive step for me.

But why is it that the medical profession still advocates low fat rather than low carb - despite all the evidence against it?

I've been low-cal dieting since new year - and put on 2 kg.

I started a low-carb 'diet' 2.5 weeks ago and have lost 2kg.

I am a bit concerned re the saturated fat, the cream,cheese, meat aspect. Have i just been 'conditioned' into believing these are 'bad' for me? Or is Low-carbing useful for weight-loss, then I should go back to my fruit (really miss it) and low-fat yoghurts?

Hi and welcome to Mumsnet.
I have been low carbing since feb and finding it so easy and I feel so much healthier. I have also got my DH to low carb also which has cleared his IBS symptoms up completely.

My question is in relation to exercise and low carb.
I believe you do not advocate as such, doing lots of cardio to help weight loss on a low carb diet. My DH has to do 40 - 60 mins of cardio (runs, weighted runs) 3 to 4 times a week as part of his job. He also does weights 3 to 4 times a week for strength. Is it still possible for him to lose fat while doing this level of cardio and low carb at the same time? and how can he help his body cope with it all?

Thanks

Dr Briffa (swoons)
Thank you for coming to talk to us. What is your professional opinion of the Swedish study which has been sensationalised in the British media?

Also (sneaking in an extra question hoping Oliviamumsnet won't notice) do you think we will get to the point where supermarkets are catering more for low carbers? Every prepared salad I pick up has pasta or rice in it. I am following a low carb diets which is fine when I am at home or work but out and about proves more of a challenge

Hi

Have been following low carb having read your books and finding BiWi's thread on here. It has made me review my ds diet and he now has much less carbs. He clearly follows my family body type, hefty, and if eats carbs his belly distends. Whats your view about low carbing for children?

sorry just re-read my excited garbled mess and realised I didn't ask a proper question

essentially its what biwi said. Why do you think we are still led to believe that low fat is best by health professionals? Is it ignorance of the mounting evidence against this stance or is it simply going to take time for the message to filter through and the advice given adjusted?

I've been low-carbing for the last 9 years and I'm convinced of the health benefits. I've seen many people swap and change between low carb and 'normal' eating over the years and it seems to me that women never go back to those glorious first weeks where the weight just falls off whereas men seem to get similar results each restart.

What do you think causes this difference between the sexes?

<scuttles off to get kindle version to read before Wednesday>

Low carbers often recommend nuts as snacks. My husband has a very severe allergy to all nuts, so we don't have anything like that in the house. Do you have suggestions for good alternatives, other snacks and best ways of replacing any particular oils or nutrients that nuts provide?
(I haven't read your book yet, but have heard good things about it so will be doing)

My husband has Parkinsons Disease and has had some muscle wastage. Your book Escape the Diet Trap seems to be geared towards weight loss. Husband does not want to lose weight - he wants to put it on - so how might your way of eating be adapted to his needs? (it's working brilliantly for me by the way - but my goal is indeed weight loss)!

Marking my place. I would really like to try low carb but I don't eat meat. Is it possible? There are only so many eggs I can eat.

marking place, very excited :-)

Welcome to Mumsnet.

As a follower of a low carb diet I am finding I am loosing very small amounts each week even tho there are tonnes to lose, I believe I am following the advice correctly tho eggs do not feature in my diet, is there any food I should ensure I eat to increase weight lose or just plod along as I am?

Thank you

What are your views on the health benefits/downfalls of a vegan diet?

Sharon - I'll distract Olivia while you get your extra questions in.

<wafts gin bottle around thread>

Fantastic! Love your blog Dr Briffa.

What are your favourite low carb foods?

Welcome to mumsnet Dr Briffa. Love your book, and lost weight with the diet initially but then started finding it really hard to stick to in terms of time commitment for making meals. I work full time and prepare meals for five people not including myself every day. They're fussy about eggs and veg, and they like pasta and potato based meals, so I was having to make separate meals for them and in the end I gave up and joined the majority.

Really annoying as your diet suits my health so much better than anything I've tried (I'm coeliac with PCOS related insulin resistance). Have you any ideas on recruiting/influencing carb-addicted family members? Thank you!

Why have we lost our sticky already?

See - already slipped off active convos.

Please can we have the sticky back again?

<passes Blu-tack to MNHQ>

I would like to ask about intermittent fasting. I have lurked on the wonderful BIWI's threads and lost 1 stone in 12 weeks by low-carbing, but I break her number 1 rule - thou shalt eat breakfast. I never eat breakfast and tend to eat each day within a 6 to 8 hour window, but it wasn't until I read your blog that I realised that this was IF and not necessarily wrong. Is IF something you recommend to women to increase weight loss? Thank you!

Is it possible to eat low carb on a budget? What are your best recommendations for high protein budget food?

I'm afraid I haven't read your book as we have very little money to spare, and basically my DLA is how we pay for food.

I need to lose weight, but don't actually eat a great deal to start with. I have ms and therefore find exercise very difficult and painful. If I were to eat less I would spend most of the day fainting (I've tried it so I know!). I have fresh fruit and veg every day, past a couple of times a week, rice at least once a week. We cook from scratch every day so none of those ready meals or anything like that.

Would your regimen work for me, do you think?

Ooh how wonderful.

I think the Escape the Diet Trap book is brilliant, so easy to read but not at all patronising and more importantly not full of pseudo-science.

I would also like to ask the question why nutritionists the world over are still so wedded to the low cal principle.

BUMP!

MNHQ, are you scared he will take away your and and we will need a <steak> emoticon?

Oh good idea!

I know I've already asked a question and I'd really like that one asked for the sake of my own future health but I think I have another one which is probably more important:

I believe you mentioned in "Escape the Diet Trap" how eating an overall acidic diet leads to calcium being leached from the bones. I would have thought that carbonated water would be acidic (carbonic acid) and therefore contribute to acidity in the diet and thus to leaching of calcium from the bones but I've read claims of a pH of 7 on some fizzy water bottles. Is fizzy water normally acidic, neutral or basic? Also, is soda water any different? Should we all stop drinking carbonated water altogether to prevent diseases such as osteoporosis?

Olivia - I've been hearing reports about how svelte and lovely you are. I hope these are true? And can I claim the credit?

Olivia, I've replied to Rachel's email re the name. Of course you can have it back (though it would be lovely if you would un-ban ArtexMonkey, as a little quid pro quo <tries it on>)

Oh, and my question for the real DrJohnBriffa:

A few years ago you told Patrick Moore off for drinking normal tea. Do you still think he should switch to green tea or can he carry on as he is?

You've lost albs? I hope you find him/it/them soon ...

Jux Escape the Diet Trap is £3.99 on ebay including delivery

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/160835993808?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649#ht_1034wt_1139

Hello Dr Briffa, very pleased to see you here!

Please could you explain how caffeine affects insulin and what the knock-on effect is on weight loss (or gain)? (Or whatever it is, if it isn't insulin.)

Also (another sneaky second question) how do you feel about sugars in whole fruit - are they as problematic as refined sugars? Taken in quantity?

Thank you!

Hello Dr Briffa. I too am very pleased to see you here. Although we do have BIWI and she is a very close second to you as an expert

I would be interested to know, if it's not a daft question, approximately how many carbs can a person eat in one sitting, before a rise in insulin levels occur.

Thank you!

BIWI I've been lurking on your threads for ages, you taught me everything I know and it's thanks to you that I feel and look as good as I do <preens>

Apologies for the hijack, but credit where credit is due and all that

Just send money ...

Hi John. I'm an Australian naturopath (you and I are sometimes at the same seminars ) and insulin sensitisation is a major part of my clinical practise. As you and I are singing from the same hymn book on many issues (insulin, vit D etc.) I thought I'd ask your opinion/clinical experience with paediatric nutrition. It distresses me to see so many of my patients and mum friends giving their babies pasta, baby rice and dessert at every meal. Is there a baby philosophy or guidebook you follow? What do you think of the Nourishing Traditions mob? I personally think they (and the WAPF, from whom they form their ideology) are a little way-out when it comes to childhood nutrition and weaning. Personally, if I tried to get my patients to give their newborn babies ground liver in a bottle I doubt I'd be in practice much longer! I've had a look at Nina Planck and many of the other books touted by the Weston Price followers, but it just doesn't sit right. I still find myself advising that babies should start on fruit and veg, continuing to proteins, with unrefined carbs making up a significant proportion of each meal. What do you think? Really interested to know what your research has been and what you advise in clinical practise.

Echinacea, what you say is quite interesting. My family lived in Italy from my babyhood until I was 3 or 4. Mum says I was weaned on sweetbreads. We were all eating liver from about 1 yo, and love it to this day.

Waves at Time! Didn't know you were a low carber too. It is fab isn't it - as is the wonderful BIWI.

I'm so excited about this and swooning. Sadly also having night sweats, hot flushes and an early-ish menopause at 45.... I've just finished reading your book and can't wait to get started as it all sounds so sensible / logical and I would like to lose about 10 lbs. Is anything else I should do or take to help ease my way through the menopause?

Ruggles - I've found that low carbing helps with the hot flushes, to a degree. Sugar can be a trigger. As can alcohol but I have ignored that bit of information

Hi Post Yep, it was BIWI's thread that got me started on it a couple of years ago. After many years of low fat, calorie controlled diets, and feeling rough, I feel like a spring chicken! So many years wasted!

But so many years gained too Time. Imagine, you could still be doing that horrible low fat stuff! I was just bragging on another thread about how much my blood pressure has dropped on this WOE.

Thanks BIWItheBold - eeks - that's interesting, especially as my tolerance booze as well any more..

That is true Post! Thanks to low carbing I have also gained glowing skin, high energy levels and no more low moods. I feel positively 'normal' Also, something I've noticed, is that even though I have lost weight, 'things' haven't dropped, iyswim? I'm not saggy like a deflated balloon, I'm perky and toned, without exercise. Tis fab!

So is this doc encouraging a low carb diet then?

No, it's wider than that. As a general principle, his work (along with others, like Gary Taubes) reviews much of the scientific literature and studies over the years that have attempted to 'prove' that fat is the cause of coronary heart disease (amongst other diseases), whereas in fact carbohydrates are the culprit.

Cutting down on carbohydrate will encourage weight loss, but it is also a much healthier way to eat, longer term.

That's a very short synopsis! (And I hope it's an accurate one ...)

Thanks BIWI. I used the Atkins 10 or 11 years ago and found my energy levels increased (I have ME so was very noticeable to me), but only for two weeks and then it went back down, never to return. I also found it very expensive to do, so I don't think I'll be joining you all.

I've realised that over the years since I've been with dh I've changed my eating habits from being fairly naturally low carb to making meals that are much more potato or pasta based without really realising as dh doesn't really like the food I used to make for me but is more traditional 'meat and two veg and lots of potatoes'.

Along the way it's meant I've gone from being a size 8 to a size 20 (OK so a few extra things I like have slipped in too like chocolate and always drinking fruit juice or squash as I hate water/milk/tea/coffee etc)

I'm now really trying to do something about this but a few years ago dh had a heart attack when he was 40 and he is now very concerned about his diet, to the point that he always buys low fat versions of things, cuts fat off everything, refuses to touch butter or cream, etc. as he had had high cholesterol and is on the standard medications that you have after a heart attack.

So my question (eventually, sorry) is - how compatible is your way of eating with somebody who is a potato lover who has convinced himself that he has to eat everything low fat and lots of potatoes and pasta to keep himself healthy - how can I persuade him otherwise?

Thanks!
(oh and if you can recommend some low carb drinks that taste nice too please... sorry, I know that's a second question but that one's for me rather than dh!)

Olivia - nobody is missing out if they don't have carbs with their meals!

Hello Dr Briffa and welcome to MN. I have read your "escape the diet trap" with interest and following a recommendation on MN.
I have been following LC way of eating for over a month now and have reached my goal in terms of weight loss. I shouldn't lose anymore weight but would like to maintain the current weight.
Do you have any suggestions of an easy to follow maintenance plan? what carbs can I add safely? can I introduce small amounts of rye bread? or maybe a "cheat day"? I wonder whether trying to follow the 80/20 principle, as the paleo guys do, would make me more likely to stick to LC "for life", rather than give into the carb temptation one day and just reverting to old, bad habits.

I was hoping to be able to come to MNHQ today to meet you, but sadly that's not possible, so I'm going to be very cheeky and ask another question.

I understand that calorie counting/trying to restrict calories is not a long-term approach to losing weight. However, I have read elsewhere that as you approach your goal weight that the amount of calories that you eat is something that you should be aware of.

Is this true? At what point do we need to be at least aware of, if not count, the calories? Can you still eat too much, even if the diet is focused on fat/protein and minimal carbs?

Echinacea - cheeky hijack - what, in a nutshell, is the position on vit D that you mention that you share with Dr Briffa? thanks!

Vezzie, if you look at the front page of Dr Briffa's website you'll see one of his most recent blogs was on the anti-depressant effects of Vit D. He also believes high levels of Vit D are associated with lower levels of heart disease, MS and some forms of cancer. Basically Vit D is a good thing & we don't get enough of it!

I have not heard of this book or the author before so perhaps I will have a look for it.

My question: Dr John, could you explain why I am finding it so hard to lose weight while on sertraline, and what I can do about it? Is it anything that a low carb diet could help with?

Vezzie, what PostBellum says, plus much more! I recommend everyone in the UK take vit D supplements, as sub-optimal levels predispose to autoimmune diseases, type two diabetes, depression, osteoporosis - I could go on. I put all my patients on a minimum of 3000IU per day.

DrBriffa I have been following BIWI's low carb bootcamp from the beginning and have lost 17lbs and gained a whole lot of energy. However I have found it very difficult to maintain my usual energy levels when I go for a long cycle. This doesn't apply when I do cardio at the gym but this is a session of about 45minutes as opposed to 3 hours when cycling. What can you suggest I do to improve my energy when cycling without going off my low carb diet?

The NHS has been advocating high carb, low fat for years and the more we seem to take this advice as a society, the fatter and sicker we seem to be getting. The way to eat is LISTEN TO YOUR OWN BODY! There is no one diet for everyone but increasing protiens and fats usually has a health giving effect and helps our body balance hormonally. Question- is the high carb diet that is reccomended by the NHS actually being dictated to us from the Pharmaceutical industry to make us fatter and sicker and keep their profits soaring higher as the health of our nation gets gradually worse? Do you thing the pharmasutical/NHS want us healthy?? there is no profit in eating healthy and drinking fresh water. FOOD FOR THOUGHT.

Hi Dr John
My DH and I are following the principles in your book. I am definitely addicted to carby foods especially sugar. My DH had high cholesterol (7 point something?) and has been told my doc to reduce it through diet. When he asked what diet she said airily, "Weightwatchers or Slimmining World." Both low fat regimens. Will following low carb and higher fat reduce his cholesterol? He needs to lose 4 stone, I need to lose a stone.
Thanks!

Afternoon!

Runs in late...

Would your answer to letticepetticoat also apply to the link between eating red meat more than 3x a week and cancer?

Who else - in the UK - apart from you and Zoe Harcombe, is advocating a low carb way of eating though? Because most of what I see in the media tends to still rubbish it.

Hi Dr Briffa and welcome .

I am currently changing over to vegetarianism. Can I follow this way of eating and go low-carb?

Thanks

Who else - in the UK - apart from you and Zoe Harcombe, is advocating a low carb way of eating though?

BIWI, you are doing a pretty good job! I have you to thank for my svelte summer figure!

Dr Briffa, have you tried cauliflower base pizza (on BIWI's recipe thread), it is amazing, drools at thought of slice in fridge for after this chat

I've read your book, receibe your weekly emails and visit your blog and I've even met you in person!

Probably best to mention that I'm not a stalker, just interested in lots of thing you discuss.

So my question is, is there a resource where I can go for answers to questions like how do I know if I'm getting enough/eating too much salt? Can I really eat pork scratchings? How can I beat the sugar cravings that some days consume me?

I'm going to be naughty and ask another question.

This is Mumsnet afterall, how do you feel about introducing a low carb diet to children?

Thanks

Quejica

Hello!

One final thing. You say no 'rubbishy starchy carbs'. How do I tell the difference, and what are good carbs?

Ah yes, I've read one of his books - he's responsible for getting me into low carbing in the very first place! He doesn't seem to write much that's especially high profile though

<goes off to Google>

Welcome Dr Briffa, following the low carb diet has changed my body shape for the better even tho weightless is slow with lots to lose but it has improved my sleep and bowel issues which have made my daily life a lot brighter, thank you.

Does it matter which form the potatoes take ie chips, mash, roast, boiled, steamed?

Sucks up to Dr Briffa by linking his book

www.amazon.co.uk/Escape-Diet-Trap-John-Briffa/dp/0007442432

You going for commission, NMP?

I do find breakfast a bit of a problem though. Is it eggs, eggs or eggs on this woe?

Hi Dr Briffa, great to see you I hope you answer my question about insuline because I have tried to explain it to my biologist-father and fell apart.

ooh good question Olivia, my dh has been advised to eat a lot of spinach and broccoli after he had cancer and we found juicing a good way to do this with some added carrot or orange juice.

STEP AWAY FROM THE ORANGE JUICE!

Sorry - not my thread ...

I'm trying to do low carb but am also calorie counting. My weightloss is happening but slowly should I ditch counting the calories and eat more fat (only having olive oil as my fat at the moment, no nuts, yogurt, cheese etc)?

Not me of course BIWI - I'm too scared of you.

Not you Olivia - as if I would dare criticise you - another poster.

By the way, have I told you how svelte you're looking?

what sort of biscuit do you recommend?

yes

sorry

MNP
Welcome Dr Briffa, following the low carb diet has changed my body shape for the better even tho weightless is slow with lots to lose but it has improved my sleep and bowel issues which have made my daily life a lot brighter, thank you.

DrJohnBriffa
Well done you and thank you. Do you feel what you're doing is sustainable, but that's possibly the most important thing of all if you're looking to get continuing benefit.

Yes I feel it is sustainable with the odd lapse and the improved way I feel and also the increased ability to 'see' the nasty effects when I lapse help steer me to a better path.

It was a real revelation to me to realise recently that being hungry isn't just about having an empty stomach, (we, in the Western world, probably never really have empty stomachs!), but that it's controlled by our hormones. And that eating (too many) easily accessible carbs actually makes us hungry. Presumably, therefore, if we're keeping our carbs low, we could simply move towards eating whenever we're hungry, rather than sticking to the conventional 'three square meals a day'?

(Apologies as this is probably my millionth question)

thanks, crack cocaine better for waistline I should think

have serious question though - is the body building fat stripping 40-40-20 (protein carbs fat) spread across 6 tiny meals a day a form of low carbing and in line with your approach?

Hello Dr Briffa - posted question upthread, being cheeky and reposting "Have you any ideas on recruiting/influencing carb-addicted family members? Thank you!" Evening mealtime is a bit of a conflict in our house - your way of eating suits my health best definitely but I have an ongoing battle with my husband, son, niece and nephew who keep asking for 'a nice healthy pasta' 'something a bit lighter' etc.

Lol at RAMPANT HUNGER AND UNCONTROLLED EATING!

I haven't eaten for 17 hours now, I am looking forward to my small slice of cauliflower pizza in a minute then won't eat until my chilli with cauliflower rice this evening.

Nothing I do is uncontrolled!

Oh this is interesting.

I have been told Im insulin resistant due to PCOS. Im due to get my ovaries out in a few weeks and will go on HRT for a few months at least.

Do you think following your diet straight after my hysterectomy would be a good Idea and why?

Thanks!

Oooh, you looked up the thread and answered me! How very kind and lovely you are, people hardly EVER do that on a web chat. Look everyone here's another link to the lovely Dr Briffa's book buy it immediately

What about the connection between a fatty diet and gallstones?

Sorry I every mentioned orange juice .

I'm back with another sneaky question. I am really interestd in the idea of a lower carb diet for children due mainly to the bad effects grains etc have on people.

My DC are skinny minnies and I do worry about cutting their carbs too much incase they waste away (with not having much fat on them). How low carb can you safely go with children without affecting growth (they are 4 and 6)?

Do you feel a pressure to stay slim so that you are a shop window for what you advocate?

I know I've already had a question but Olivia has had lots <narrows eyes>

<looks at the clock>

This has been brilliant. Thank you for answering so many of my questions and apologies to MNHQ for blatantly breaking the webchat guidelines

Thank you - what a great webchat

I don't do breakfast so do IF and have 2 meals a day, more if I want, but have noticed a huge huge drop in my intake now that I am following the low carb way

Thank you Dr Briffa - you've been fantastic!

Many thanks DrJohnBriffa and MNHQ

Thank you Dr Briffa

Thank you so much



no for you!

That's a biscuit in case you were wondering...

Thankyou Dr Briffa.
<scuttles off to sign up for the blog>

Ask him to have a look at my Bootcamp rules and tell me what he thinks, or if there is anything he would change. (Please!)

Thank you - that was the best webchat!

Surely that's sashimi then Rachel Sushi is rice, sashimi is fish

or meat...

BIWI - Ask him to have a look at my Bootcamp rules and tell me what he thinks, or if there is anything he would change. (Please!)

Change rule number 1, Dr Briffa said it is ok not to have breakfast and I am convinced that not having breakfast has accelerated my weight loss, and it does seem to be the meal at which people struggle to know what to have to eat.

Thank you for my earlier, sending you some too

His answer to my question was very helpful .

Thank you MN & Dr Briffa - that was a really good webchat. Sometimes the guests answer so few questions, it is annoying - but this one was fantastic.

Hi John. I found your book very enlightening and it made me think about nutrition and the horrors of the food industry. Who knew Quorn was so evil? I must say though, that upon trying to follow the nutritional 'diet plan' of the book, I did actually gain 3 or 4 pounds in a fortnight. I was so hungry when cutting out bread, pasta, and other similar carbs that I filled up on nuts and then gained weight. I don't think it agreed with me. As someone with blood group A, if you follow the blood group diet then people of my blood group fare better on cereals and vegetables/ fruit, which isn't allowed in the Diet Trap book. So I would question whether the plan works for all blood types.

Well, veggie77, if you were

a) hungry
b) eating nuts

then

a) you weren't eating enough
b) you were also eating too many carbs, just in a different form

That was a brilliant webchat. Thank you so much.

Hi MNHQ - I had to go out and didn't get a chance to say THANKYOU to Dr Briffa - please pass it on and tell him he is a great web-chatter! It was genuinely interactive, which most guests don't manage to do. ACE!

interesting stuff bwiw link me to a good starter thread of yours if you would....as you seem the resident expert!

Latest chat thread, with all the rules

I have to look at the role of fish oils and vit D in ms. I thought I'd done that when I was dx - 8ish years ago [basically, they are good]. Does anyone know anything about this? Does Dr John say anything in any of his books?

Not sure, but I know he talks about Vitamin D in his blog here

Great web chat - thanks

Just caught up on webchat - bit disappointed he didn't answer my question and note SOME people (OliviasvelteMumsnet) asked more than one question

Seriously it was really good and I lurve Dr Briffa just a wee bit more after that

Oh hello!

Did they not let you leave MN Towers then?!

Good morning Dr Briffa and thank you sooo much for answering my question. I am very evangelical about this way of eating and it's almost like a cult feeling now to spread the word!

Ow, am not too late. I watched your You Tube video which had been recommended to me on the Minimins weight loss website. Really interesting to listen to and I would recommend it to anyone who has a quiet hour. I also have your latest book.

I have lost 2 stone 4 pounds since March 10th by low carbing and cutting out as much sugar as I can. I have another stone to go which I am addressing at the moment.

Dieting really is a state of mind though isnt it, we eat for any other reason apart from hunger which is why we get fat in the first place. So do you have any tips for keeping focus which is what I currently need as I am no longer losing as I keep straying from the golden path to loveliness.

Oh bum, yes I am too late. Doh! It is Thursday today!

SecondhandRose - come and join the Bootcamp threads. Plenty of support and jollying along in there and me shouting at people occasionally to keep you focused!

Here it is: www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYXMxSRE5tQ

Thankyou BIWI, I will come and find you.