Live webchat with Dr John Briffa Wednesday the 4 July 12-1pm

[RachelMumsnet]

In response to popular demand we're delighted to invite Dr John Briffa for a live webchat next Wednesday 4 July at 12 midday.

Dr John Briffa is a doctor, award-winning health writer, and former columnist for The Daily Mail and The Observer. He is author of eight books on nutrition and self-help. His latest, Escape the Diet Trap has been widely discussed across the Mumsnet Talk boards.

In Escape The Diet Trap, Dr Briffa says you can 'achieve successful, sustainable weight loss without consciously cutting back on food and without the need for exhausting exercise'. One Mumsnetter describes the book as '...brilliant. Really easy to read without being patronising, and an eye opener with all the studies he cites. Really makes me feel that I am following a healthy diet for the first time in ages'. and another says, 'His advice is smart, sensible and rooted in Proper Science - but it's still controversial. Perfect for a webchat!'

Join us over lunch (extra helpings appear to be acceptable ) at noon on Wednesday 4 July to chat to Dr John Briffa, or if you're unable to join us on the day, post a question in advance on this thread.

[DrJohnBriffa]

@NotMostPeople

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?

I've answered this elsewhere, but not sure exactly where!

[OliviaSvelteMumsnet]

And,
sneaks in another question. Where are you on Vegetable juice?
Not smoothies but veg juice.

[DrJohnBriffa]

@NigellasGuest

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)!

Actually, Escape the Diet Trap is geared (in my mind) to healthy eating. For me, it's basically the best way to eat to optimise health and wellbeing. I don't have any experience with Parkinson's disease in clinical practice, but most individuals who adopt the sort of diet I advocate simply feel much better globally.

[DrJohnBriffa]

@OliviaLMumsnet

What about fruit for the rugratschildren?

Fine, in general. But if they went a day or two without, it would not be a disaster either...

[DrJohnBriffa]

@MNP

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

There's no magic here, I think, other to avoid the foods that are most likely to cause fat deposition and hunger (that's sugar and starchy carbs, I'm afraid).

[NotMostPeople]

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.

[BIWItheBold]

STEP AWAY FROM THE ORANGE JUICE!

[DrJohnBriffa]

@OliviaLMumsnet

Hello DrJohn

Thanks for coming. I have lost 8lbs since end of April and love your book.

I am concerned RL may get in the way and I may not be able to join in so am posting my quick question for you:

My DH is a real slim jim and does not have the greedy gene that I do.
We try to eat together in the evenings (often late, he has a long day before he gets home so we usually eat after 8, often later).

Sometimes it's easy enough to e.g. for a roast meal I will just bypass the yorkshires and the spuds BUT sometimes I worry that he is missing out on the carb sides of things.
How can I best make sure that he is eating well on this WOE too?
TIA

Is you DH famished when he gets home? If he is, he'll 'need' a ton of carbs. Some nuts in the late afternoon or early evening may keep him out of trouble.

[BIWItheBold]

Sorry - not my thread ...

[DrJohnBriffa]

@BIWItheBold

STEP AWAY FROM THE ORANGE JUICE!

Agreed.

[MelodyPondering]

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)?

[NotMostPeople]

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

[DrJohnBriffa]

@OliviaSvelteMumsnet

And,
sneaks in another question. Where are you on Vegetable juice?
Not smoothies but veg juice.

Quite like veg juice, but overall the diet needs to be SUSTAINING and veg juice isn't, generally. Much better than fruit juice because much less sugary and perhaps more nutritious too.

[DrJohnBriffa]

@ItsAllGoingToBeFine

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

I believe it's almost impossible to eat a truly nutritious diet on a vegan diet - it leaves individuals at risk of a range of deficiencies (B12 deficiency is most widely recognised). Over time, sometimes years, I've seen it lead to people becoming steadily weaker and lower in mood. I admire the ethics and morals many vegans have, but can't find it in myself to advocate this way of eating on health grounds.

[OliviaSvelteMumsnet]

Thanks Dr John

at BIWI it was VEGETABLES not oranges.

[DrJohnBriffa]

@TunipTheVegemal

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?

Don't remember this at all. Don't even think tea was in his 'basket'. Coffee was, and I told him to relax about it...

[DrJohnBriffa]

@vezzie

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!

The major problem with caffeine for some people I think is not any influence it has on insulin, but it's ability to disrupt energy and/or blood sugar levels and sometimes drive hunger. I short, some people are less hungry (and have more stable levels of energy) without it.

I'm much more relaxed about whole fruit then I am foods with added (refined) sugar, but I think fruit is generally over-rated as a food. Berries are best, probably (low sugar and also very nutritious).

[BIWItheBold]

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

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

[Alameda]

what sort of biscuit do you recommend?

[DrJohnBriffa]

@MelodyPondering

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)?

The potential benefit of having more fat is feeling better sated and for longer so that, we hope, you'll eat less automatically and without hunger. The only way to know if to try, though carrying on as you are is also fine if you're happy with the results and think it's sustainable.

[DrJohnBriffa]

@PostBellumBugsy

Fantastic! Love your blog Dr Briffa.

What are your favourite low carb foods?

Meat!

[DrJohnBriffa]

@Alameda

what sort of biscuit do you recommend?

Is this a trick question?

[DrJohnBriffa]

@Quejica

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!

I do think intermittent fasting can accelerate fat loss, but many women (or men) do not find it necessary or want to do it. I used to believe in the 'three meals a day mantra' and it's only been in the last couple of years that I've had to review that opinion and embrace the idea that there's nothing inherently wrong in extending the time between meals AS LONG AS THIS DOES NOT LEAD TO RAMPANT HUNGER AND UNCONTROLLED EATING!

[Alameda]

yes

sorry

[OliviaSvelteMumsnet]

Thank you for heads up on veg juice too
I have a proper juicer and when I do have veg juice I feel like I can literally feel myself getting healthier as I drink it.