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?

Oh yes, definitely take the psyllium husks initially. After that they really do become Superpoos as described in detail in the book.

No he's not. Mad I mean. It's a good way to lose weight especially if you have a lot to lose.

I can thoroughly recommend this, after years of unsuccessful dieting this was one diet that worked for me and was relatively easy to stick to (not starving all the time)
The IPD book does explain the basis behind why low carb diets work (and are good for you!) but if you really want the sciency stuff I agree with the earlier poster who recommended Taubes book 'the diet delusion'
My partner has to eat carbs and it was never a problem making meals to suit us both with just an addition or substitution for one meal

Well sat down tonight, had a good read and made a meal plan. BUT it does mean breakfast we won't really all eat the same and lunch and dinner will be adapted for DH and me as we have a 6month old and 3 year old. Although with BLW it won't be a problem, its more my 3 year old who will need carbs IMO for good health.

My DH lost 2 stone following the "Idiot Proof Diet" (Pigs to Twigs is the website).

It is IMHO an ideally blokeish diet - unlimited MEAT and fried eggs and yummy cheese and no boring old fruit or veg etc.

Don't work for me tho - I'm veggie and need a high-fibre diet due to IBS.

But definately a sensible recommendation for your DH.

MaryPoppins, my dc eat a lot of rice, I have a rice cooker and they have rice with whatever we happen to be having. I also parboil and freeze potatoes in pairs so they can have roast potatoes quickly but I'm not tempted to do more for us. They also have corn, carrots and peas which dh and I don't eat. It's all very doable but I think you should get over to the forum to introduce yourself and pick up lots of tips.

After the first 2 weeks you might want to investigate protein shakes for breakfast, I'm a big fan due to their speed of preparation in the morning.

I will be restarting myself on Sunday after a very lax, carb ridden holiday and to be honest I can't wait because I always feel so much better for living low carb.

I would go back to the GP and ask for a referral. Do they have a weight lose clinic? I would also ask for blood tests and blood pressure (I'm shocked if this wasn't checked).

Is it a female GP? If so maybe she just doesn't get men, who normally have to be dragged in kicking and screaming, and will say "okay" to whatever is suggested.

If there is a local "well man" clinic maybe your DH could go there?

With your DH I would have thought a food diary, and him recording if he does have a sneaky Mars bar, tea with 6 sugars, or donuts from a client would be the most helpful first step. (And very cheap.) Oh don't forget liquid calories too.

He could also try Weight watchers, who do have men.

I really like that tip about the roast potatoes Alouiseg I might adopt that!

I agree, been carb eating for about four or five days again, and frankly I feel like shit in comparison to not eating them. I've meeded matchsticks for my eyes the last couple of days - and the bloating . Don't know why I do this to myself really.

YABU

a) If he has 5 stone to lose why would she need to calculate his BMI, it must be pretty evident

b) What's the pink cover got to do with it?

c) Far better to be on a low carb diet than be morbidly obese

d) I have not read all the other posts so no idea if this is one of those threads where it's all gone nuclear and turned into a debate about blood diamonds or something. If so, apologies.

e) I lost four stone on Weight Watchers 6 years ago and kept it off. It be right sensible and I highly recommend it.

I wish him luck!

Its a good question that twopeople asks above - I was going to raise this earlier but couldn't be assed with the maths but I've done it now

There are 3400 calories in a pound of fat. So to gain a pound of fat you need to overeat by 3400 calories.

If he has gained this 5 stone over the past decade, he could have done that by overeating by just 65 calories a day. That's about one apple.

70 pounds in 5 stone, 3400 calories in a pound of fat, 3650 days in 10 years.

70x3400/3650=65

Technically there should be a bracket in that equasion

(70x4300)/3650=65

When I say "there are 3400 calories in a pound of fat" what I mean is that a pound of human fat is equal to a calorie surplus of 3400 - or that to burn a pound of fat, you would expend 3400 calories.

OP, lots of men secretly eat.

My dad does, he eats a fish supper on the way home, then has tea at home.

He keeps stacks of choc bars hidden in his desk.

It is fairly rare for someone to get fat on air. I don`t mean to sound mean, but I am a champion secret snacker myself.

Have you noticed the amount of burger vans in layby`s and next to DIY shops? They cater to men on diets I guess...

Then why not give the actual Atkins book? Nice blokey orange cover. Lots of verbaige, no pictures...Basically same thing as Idiot Proof...

Ah just realised this was DS not DH.
Well I reckon you can absorb the info in Idiot Proof Diet and filter it through to DS - partic with regard to choosing complex slow-burn carbs instead of quik-fix sugary stuff and so on. Try to get him to go a bit more low GI in general.

YABU. I can only echo what everyone else has said. It's low-carb not no-carb, super-effective, encouragingly written (yes aimed at women but there is a forum, called Pig2twig, which has lots of men on it too), honest about the process of weight loss, full of delicious recipes, and easy for the whole family to do as long as those who are not trying to lose weight have a carb on the side.

I've done this diet twice (had thyroid problem which meant I put on a lot of weight) and have painlessly lost almost 2 stone each time. Also, in doing this I have eliminated blood sugar swings and insulin surges (helpful since I had gestational diabetes and am 50% likely to develop it again at some point later in life); got in control of my eating and my attitude to food; learned heaps about nutrition; and my cholesterol has never been better.

I am evangelical about this diet and will be on it (at least the maintaining part which they call Phase 3, and which is more or less a low-GI way of eating) for life.

In fact I had to educate my GP about it. She initially advised against it, then revised her opinion when she saw me 3 months later and asked what I'd been eating. Last I heard she had lost 2 stone on it herself.

If your DH can't bear the pink cover and wants something that feels more scientifically grounded, give him Gary Taubes' The Diet Delusion. Low fat, high carb is the way most of the world gets fat, not thin.

Oh, and also I'm not sure enough people have said this, but when doing this diet I feel amazing: I have loads of energy (no mid-afternoon slumps); my skin, hair and nails are better (doubtless big concerns of your DH's); everything just feels as if it's working as it is supposed to.

Sloanypony - but as you get heavier, your metabolic rate rises.
Can't do the maths but you need rising calories to maintain rising weight. A fixed amount of extra calories will take you up a certain weight and then stablise you at that point (depending on variables like exercise etc). So an extra 65 calories a day will not lead to 5 stone extra weight, because to maintain that amount of extra weight requires a lot more than an extra 65 calories a day.

My dad used to say that, over a year, he gained a stone by driving rather than taking public transport to work (the 20 minute walk he avoided may have burnt up, say, 75 calories). He did not keep on gaining weight (which if your theory is correct he should have done) but simply stablised at a stone heavier.

He lost a stone when he sold the car and began taking public transport again.

Just a update and perhaps a serving of humble pie for myself. In 3 weeks DH has lost a stone!!

Well done your DH!

Nothing wrong with low carb diets. It refers to avail carbs (so starches and sugars) rather than fibre which are also a form of indigestible carbs and are beneficial to health and are generally allowed on these types of diets.
It's a bad name, but what of it?

You just need to make sure you're eating good fats (MUFA and PUFA rater than saturated or trans) and good quality protein.

It should work fine.

Eggs, tomatoes, mushrooms - nice brekky and sstill relatively low carb.

Good luck to him

Thanks ladies!

Wow that's brilliant MP! I'm quite tempted - sounds like a good way to shift my post-holiday blub