We always eat above our BMR with MFP, We SAFTFBS and we are EMTWL.

[ShirleyKnot]

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Quick question...i'm getting into a rythm with this now and getting the calories about right and starting to get there with the fat/carb/protein ratios, but i've set mfp to show me sugar and saturated fats as well now and realised i am usually over their set sugar target. Mostly in fruit and things but for example i allowed myself a bit of chocolate cake in todays meal plan because i needed to top my calories up so thought i'd use a treat to do it today. That fits fine with my calories but is loads of sugar. Does it matter? Is it just carb/fat/protein ratios i need to worry about or should i be looking at sugar too??

O wise and wonderful WOEers, please tell me about couscous. Is it very carby?

I have nothing to eat tonight so I'm really hoping for an encouraging answer here.

Two weeks off the sugar! Thanks knitknack . I am about agave nectar, though. Bloody love that stuff, and have been necking using it for years 'instead of sugar'. FFS.

It is carby...but if you mix it up with some protein it'll be fie I'm sure - unless you're low carbing?

I know we need to saftfbs but as ours are old and of dubious accuracy can anyone recommend any good scales. For making sure bmr/tdee is accurate, obviously. I am a strictly stand on the scales once a week and not at all on a period girl .

Wrong answer, Shirl. Not what I wanted to hear.

I'm sort of low-carbing. But mainly no-bad-carbing. I'll see how couscous affects my diary.

Two weeks?! That's fantastic! Sorry 'bout the Agave - I only know because I bought some and got all excited and then looked it up and got sad and now my eight year old has it on pancakes and waves them in my face :)

CJ I think it depends what the alternatives are! We have couscous probably once a week, as a variation from pasta, and I definitely find that I get less of a post-carb slump from couscous.

bibbity - how does sugar affect you? It makes me feel slow, sluggish, slightly prone to depression and paranoia, so when I'm in rational mood I steer clear.

I haven't cut it out, but I do try and be a bit more aware of how I eat it. For example chocolate cake is fine if it follows a steak, but I would hesitate to eat a big slice on its own in the middle of the afternoon now, because I know that a huge crash would follow.

What about xylitol as a sweetener? Wikipedia doesn't seem to have anything bad to say about it! Or stevia? Are they ok?

Right I have a challenge for you all if anyone fancies it? who wants to recommend me some new (to me!) veg to try? I warn you, I'm a very fussy bugger. But I am trying?

Veg I like:
Peas
Sweetcorn
Carrots
Broccoli
Baked beans
Spinach
Cauliflower
Courgette only if chopped up super-small and in a sauce, for example

It's mostly a texture thing. Runner beans are too stringy and just take forever to chew. Broad beans are gritty. Peppers are too crunchy (unless chopped up really small and fried and in a sauce). Aubergines feel like pork fat to me. Leeks I like but again only in a sauce/risotto/pasta bake, I'd struggle to eat them just as a side. Ditto mushrooms.

Right, when you've all stopped rolling your eyes? anyone up for the challenge? I'm going to the supermarket tomorrow!

Oh and all salad/rawness is out?!

Minnie, I find most veg are utterly transformed by roasting.
Yesterday we had swede cut into small cubes and very slowly roasted wirh onions and sage; this evening I've just roasted a load of onions, peppers, and courgettes (no aubergines in the shop), and added them to a tomato sauce to make ratatouile. Tomatoes halved and roasted with garlic and basil can be eaten hot or cold.

Celeriac goes well done this way, also leeks. Maybe you don't like them because you've only ever had them boiled or steamed, which is dull.
Broad beans have to be skinned, imo - tbey're lovely with pasta and ham/bacon. I don't really bother with runner beans myself tbh.

The Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall veg book has some gorgeous recipes - you could probably google and find lots of them. But you might find them too involved for this stage of experimenting with new tastes, so maybe just stick to whacking in the oven with oil and seasoning/garlic at this stage.

Anything here inspire you?

Thanks Shotgun - previously when I've tried roasting veg I've just ended up with small burnt pellets (mmmm!). I've seen this broccoli recipe on Pinterest which sounds good, maybe I could try the same principle with some other veg?

Oh, I do like butternut squash. And sweet potato.

Ahem? what does celeriac actually taste like?

alibaba I don't think sugar affects me particularly badly. Carbs generally can affect me with shaking sweating crashes but I've stayed nice and stable with that since eating like this.

Best to just do it I reckon, Minnie - what've you got to lose? .
can't really describe the taste of celeriac. I supose it's quite a strong taste in the way swede is strong - but doesn't taste like swede. Maybe try it mashed with potato to start with. Fennel is another good one for roasting. And beetroot.

Runner beans are delicious, but you have to string them and then slice very fine.

I agree about roasting things, it is the best way. That or stir-fry.

I've tried fennel once - it tastes horribly of aniseed, yes? That'll be a no from me I'm afraid?

Might try some celeriac. What about asparagus? Too strong?

Yes to a veg chef. I gave up on veg boxes years ago, though. Too many green potatoes hidden at the bottom.

I gave up with a veg box too. Too much that didn't get eaten, too much mud - but also, yes it was organic but it wasn't British enough of the time and the food miles were a real issue for me.

Strawberry fridge porridge done ready for the morning, today's raspberry was yummy!

Minnie- Kale? It's so good for you and if you like spinach you'll probably like it.

And when it's in season samphire is gorgeous. I think that has lots of minerals too.

I'm just having a smoothie, I put a banana it as I thought the peanut butter and cacao powder would disguise it- unfortunately not, so what fruit would go with peanut butter and cacao? I'm thinking strawbs or cherry?

I know what you mean about the veg boxes. My dp works for a well-known organic food co and can get discount on the boxes, but we don't get them for the reasons mentioned! My excuse is that my dad has an allotment so we often get free veg from him, though recently it has been less productive due to pests and the weather, and I am ashamed to say I've been slightly relieved at not having to deal with all the mud and slugs! Think my mum is too!

Could you put a peeled chopped apple in your smoothie, and maybe leave out the cocoa, spicy?

I had the chocolate protein powder this morning. I'm still not completely sold on it, tbh, and I'm not sure it's making enough of a difference to my protein %age to make it worth it. But I have one more sample to go, so I'll finish that anyway.

ok, so I can ignore the sugars since most of mine comes from fruit, and I'm not giving that up, but I'm still tending to be very low on proteins.Even my egg breakfast this morning (can only manage 1 egg) doesn't seem to give me much. Any tips?