Considering cutting out wheat and sugar

[NotConnie]

I am becoming convinced that for me, wheat is the spawn of the devil. It causes me massive bloating, makes my skin manky, and it also seems to cause more intense carb cravings. That makes no sense to me; I can eat potatoes and rice and beans and be fine, but wheat seems to set me off on an eating frenzy.
Now of course, most of my favourite foods contain wheat - bread, cakes, biscuits, pasta. So I realise that giving it up is going to be quite a challeng.
Has anyone else done this and what was your experience? Did you notice any benefits?

Secondly sugar is a problem for me too. Again, like wheat it sets off food cravings but I can accept why in the case of sugar, because of how it affects blood sugar etc.

I'm thinking of doing a kind of moderated starchy carb diet (I need to lose quite a bit of weight), cutting out wheat and sugar, but will include small amount of potatoes and rice, probably not every day. I won't limit non starchy veggies.

Again, has anyone tried similar?

[teaandthorazine]

Yes, lots of us . It's a very smart idea, and has made a world of difference to my skin, moods, weight and general well being.

There is a paleo/primal thread running here atm which is effectively wheat/sugar free. It's worth joining to get a bit of support and menu ideas as giving up the wheat staples can take some imagination at first. Try marksdailyapple.com or The Primal Blueprint (if you haven't already!) for extra motivation in ditching wheat and sugar.

Lots of people do find that they're fine on rice and beans but it's still a good idea to limit them a bit.

[teaandthorazine]

of course, if you also feel like you've got a lot of weight to lose, you could give BIWI's Bootcamp a go, its great but pretty hardcore

[NotConnie]

Thanks tea. I've just opened the paleo and primal thread in another tab so will read that today. Also Primal Blueprint, I'm sure I saw a cookery book in the library the other day with that title, I'll have to have a look at it next time I'm in there.

I do need to lose quite a lot of weight but I'm ok with slow weight loss. I'm more concerned about the other problems that I think wheat and sugar are causing me at the moment. Great to hear about the skin and moods improving!

[CiderwithBuda]

I did and found it great. I'm doing the above mentioned bootcamp at the moment but am planning to move to wheat and sugar free eventually.

Am down 5lbs in a week on the bootcamp. It officially started yesterday but I started last Wednesday. Have a look.

[Oblomov]

Agree.
I am a diabetic and have been advised to follow Dr Bernsteins diet. Very very very strict. Eat meat fish and very few veg. ZERO carbs. I am plucking up enough courage to start to. It is a major change in my life to cut out pasta, bread, potatoes, crisps, sugar and chocolate. And just every food stuff I like. BIWI's camp is a very good place, for you to atleast view.

[awaywego1]

I'm sure we all eat too much wheat and cutting down can only be a good thing. Beware though-I became gluten free (for health reasons) last year and lost not an ounce of weight so it's not always a sure way to lose without making other changes.

[Imnotaslimjim]

I eat almost wheat free (though not sugar free as sweeteners don't agree with me) I have coeliacs disease, so do my best to avoid it. I know for some they have to completely cut out gluten but I'm ok allowing a little in my diet

Like you, I bloat and get spotty and also have the most horrific mood swings. And 1 piece of toast can lead to the whole loaf very easily!

I'm following slimming world as well, and have lost 2 st so far

[teaandthorazine]

Sugar free doesn't mean sweeteners though, slimjim. I wouldn't touch them with a barge pole!

[Yonihadtoask]

I am sure you will see the benefits very quickly. I know when I have bread and chocolates etc I bloat, and become uncomfortable.

I have been following a paleo diet (a quite strict first phase) for just over a week - no coffee, booze, dairy,sugar, wheat, rice, potatoes, tomatoes.. and the list goes on. The first few days I felt like death - sooo tired and a headache from hell. However am feeling much lighter and springier now. It's a bit extreme, so you wouldn't have to go that far.

Have you ever read anything by this guy James Duigan ? Some good recipes - and easier to follow.

[NotConnie]

Very encouraging posts, thanks everyone.

I'm reading both the paleo and primal and the bootcamp threads for menu ideas and have downloaded Primal Blueprint and a book called Wheat Belly to my ipad.

I've got my fridge filled with good food, nothing processed, so I'll be doing a lot of cooking! I only have myself to cook for, so that's much easier than when there are DC and DP/H in the house too. I've emptied my kitchen of pasta, tortillas and cake. I don't keep bread in the house anyway because of my inability to eat it in small amounts. Gave the pasta to my neighbour and the rest is in the dustbin.

I'll come back and update the thread with how I get on.

[lilacclery]

I know it's been over 2 years since you posted NotConnie but how did you get on?