I don't understand this at all - to mash or not to mash!

[SpiderCharlotte]

I was talking to my consultant last night and was saying that I'm bored with my breakfasts and looking for new ideas etc. (I don't like cereal) I've been making banana pancakes - i.e. an egg mixed with a mashed banana. She told me that I should be counting 4 syns for the banana and that if I made an omelette on its own and ate that then ate a banana then the banana would be free.

Now I get the idea of that when you're using loads of fruit in a smoothie or cooking down a dozen apples for apple sauce, but I really don't understand this at all and she had to start class so I didn't get the chance to ask her. It's one egg and a banana whether it's a pancake or an omelette and a banana. The calories/nutrition etc will be exactly the same surely. Can someone please help me understand?

[NabooThatsWho]

There’s no science behind syns. It’s a load of cobblers. SW encourages disordered eating (‘free’ food anyone?)
Do you never wonder why Supermarket slimming ready meals are high in Syns, yet SW ready meals are HIGHER in calories and fat etc yet lower in Syns?
The only way to lose weight is to eat less calories.
Look up calorie deficit.
And follow Rebelfit on Facebook.

[InfiniteSheldon]

I thought Rebelfit had stopped piggybacking on every SW thread talking bollocks but it would seem not. We see you trying to get free advertising.

[SpiderCharlotte]

Well SW is working for me, so I'll keep doing what works. I never had any intention of synning my banana, I just wondered what others thought about what my consultant said and why it would be such an 'issue'. I feel using common sense for these things is more important (to me) than being so strict with the plan.

I also agree with @cocoabasher. I hate muller lights and haven't had a mugshot in my life. 😊 I don't see how eating freshly cooked food and substituting processed sugary snacks with fruit is 'disordered' eating. I think that's nonsense tbh.

I'm not interested in Rebelfit. People should do what works for them, whatever it is.

[Perpetuallytiredzzz]

I honestly think if it’s not affecting weight loss just stick with it, especially if it’s helping you avoid eating other higher sugar/fat etc options . I’m not 100% convinced by how syns are calculated so try and take a common sense approach to it as I want my eating habits to be sustainable, but I also know some people like to be extremely strict with their diet which is up to them of course

[LeekMunchingSheepShagger]

Mashing bananas doesn’t stop you losing weight. It has the same number of calories whether it’s mashed or whole.

[SpiderCharlotte]

I’m not 100% convinced by how syns are calculated so try and take a common sense approach to it as I want my eating habits to be sustainable, but I also know some people like to be extremely strict with their diet which is up to them of course

Agree with this 100%. I don't want to be so strict that I get stressed out by this stuff - as soon as I feel like I'm on a 'diet' I'll fall off the waggon spectacularly.

[InfiniteSheldon]

Obviously a banana has the same calories whole or mash but your propensity to over eat will be increased. In Slimming World foods can be eaten in any quantity as long as there's no chance of you overeating them. Bananas are filling mashed bananas aren't. Personally I mash them occasionally but am careful to only have one.

[ALittleBitConfused1]

I was told that mashed fruit means your body absorbs the sugar quicker and as your body isn't working as hard to break it down (because you've done that for it by mashing it) it means it has a syn value.

[MikeUniformMike]

An enzyme in saliva breaks down carbohydrate. Mashed up food requires less chewing so is broken down less.
Chewing also makes you feel more satisfied with your food.

People who eat slowly tend to be less likely to put on weight.

Eat your banana omelette really slowly and make sure you chew it well.

[TinklyLittleLaugh]

Absolute bollocks. Surely just cutting out the crap and eating unprocessed food is far more sustainable than this syns malarky.

[Shortfeet]

It’s utter bollocks.
Enjoy your pancakes