Why We Eat (Too Much)

[TooExtraImmatureCheddar]

Has anyone come across this book? It's written by Dr Andrew Jenkinson, who is a bariatric surgeon in London. Basically, it's about how to lose weight by lowering your body's natural set weight point. This may take a long time but it's sustainable and doesn't fuck your metabolism.

The book goes into a lot of detail about the causes of obesity, because he says it's important to understand why people are getting fat in the Western world. It pretty much comes down to eating too much omega-6 fat and sugar. The overall volume of food people eat doesn't matter.

I'm trying to work out how you would cut that out practically and I wondered if anyone had tried it. It sounds like going lower carb but not low carb as in low carb diets. He suggests eating low-carb breakfasts and throwing out bread (and anything else baked). I eat toast for breakfast most days and sandwiches for lunch. I'm trying to work out practical alternatives that I actually like.

Porridge
Full fat unsweetened yoghurt
Bacon and eggs
Omelettes
Soup
Oatcakes and cheese
Salads

Other rules include no takeaways or fast food or crisps etc, and no snacks, mainly because most snack food is carb-based with vegetable oil in it.

Speaking of Indian food, ghee has a reasonable omega 6/3 balance for cooking.

I had duck with cuc and onion the other night Tired. I wasn't that hungry tbh so it was enough. But if you want something more I'd go for something like beef in black bean or beef and mushrooms with bpiled rice. Or something from the English menu, lots do steak etc.

I had Indian last night, asked if they cooked in ghee or veg oil and they said veg butter so assume its some sort of veg oil/ghee blend which I'm fine with once a week. Had chips instead of bread, really want to avoid wheat.

Bizarrely I'm usually constipated on diets, but I have been more regular than normal. I suspect I am slightly intolerant to wheat, used to have IBS symptoms when I was younger and always suspected wheat was the trigger.

Having steak tonight with med veg and roast new potatoes and then sunday dinner tomorrow so a weekend easily on plan. Have half a bottle of wine in the fridge I will finish as well.

Ok, so I know the main incentive is for better health rather than weight loss, and I’m only wanting to lose around 7-10lbs anyway (exclusively from my belly & middle by the way, classic sugar consumer’s weight distribution!) but I was worrying a little bit about all the fat/carb combos I’ve been eating and just wanted to make sure I wasn’t actually putting weight on. Checked this morning and I’ve lost 2lbs! Really pleased with this and it has reassured me that I’m doing the right thing for my health.

@HighlandCowbag I suspect I have a problem with wheat too, I’ve definitely been having less bloating etc since cutting it out

Popped into Waitrose to buy olive oil for frying (I have nice stuff for drizzling). The label on the basic stuff says 'olive oil composed of refined olive oils & virgin olive oils'. Is that ok? Does it being 'refined' make it bad?

Using the veg oil up tonight to make nigellas Tuscan fries

I'm using a mixed olive oil where I don't want the flavour of butter for frying. Obviously it's not as 'good' as something totally unrefined, but as many of us are finding, the benefits of this eating plan come from minimising rather than totally eliminating.

I had a 3lb loss when I weighed in this morning which I'm over the moon with - especially as I had a 'bad' day last Sunday. That's the best loss I have ever had in a single week!

Excellent abracadabra! 3lb a week really encouraging

I've not dare weigh myself, going on how i feel, I've several stone I want off.

I've also lost weight (although not sure how much as my scales have broke) but I can see the difference and feel it in my clothes. I'm quite slim anyway but have a lost a few of those stubborn pounds. Is anyone else worried we're not doing it right, if we're losing weight already? If the way we are eating is like another diet are we just going to lower our metabolism and end up fatter, like he warns in the book? Im eating a lot less because I've cut out all the snacking and bread that I used to eat so much of so I suppose it's inevitable I'd lose weight. I'm eating a lot of fat though in my meals which I'm really enjoying

Is anyone else worried we're not doing it right, if we're losing weight already?

I'm really hoping this will be a forever way of eating for me, and what will happen is that my weight will settle naturally, within a healthy zone for my height. At the moment I'm still a stone and half away from the highest 'healthy weight for my height' on BMI charts. I'm hoping that, as I am not restricting, my body will get the message that we live in times of plenty!

I'm the same re way of eating. I'm not saying I won't ever have sugar or wheat again, or that I won't have the odd pasta meal etc. But I really want to get used to eating like this for at least a month before I eat wheat or sugar.

I've bought some pickled beetroot, balsamic vinegar (could have sworn I had some but I don't apparently), 2 swordfish steaks and a big tub of philadelphia for next week. Also some cornflour incase I need to thicken gravy or something. Steadily building a stash of useful stuff if I'm not having processed sauces etc.

Roast beef tomorrow and I got a slightly bigger joint than what I needed and will use it in some way on monday. I may try a stroganoff type thing actually.

For me this is going to be the staple way of eating for me (I hope) and pasta / chocolate / a biscuit will be a treat. I’m having a Coke Zero with my lunch because the sun is shining and I fancy one. But I won’t be having one every day because that’s no good.

I had two pieces of dark chocolate with hazelnuts yesterday and that’s absolutely fine for me. I’m enjoying eating healthily.

With regards to losing weight, it’s most likely a by-product of cutting out wheat and junk foods. It’s not a bad thing at all, relax x

It's unusual not to have a big initial drop in weight when you start eating more mindfully - all that water being released from glycogen stores hence the peeing!)

@PickAChew aaah yes, the peeing!

a big tub of philadelphia for next week

A tip on cream cheese - Lidl cream cheese is 59p a tub and I think has a much nicer texture than Philadelphia - it's a slightly dryer texture if that makes sense.

Re weight loss I’m hoping that Dr J’s assertion that it’s about quality not quantity is correct and our bodies won’t be trying to hold onto fat as we’re eating well. But I am a bit confused as to how the body can differentiate between a diet and not a diet, but I’m assuming it has to do with sugar, wheat, seed oils etc...and not returning to previous bad habits?

Have just had my eyes opened to what he says about 'food deserts'. Was out in my nearest big town today for the first time in ages so thought I'd 'treat' myself to a browse round M+S food store and get something nice for my lunch. I used to love doing that as there was always so much tasty and (what I thought was) healthy food. However there was hardly anything that wasn't carb-heavy or made with veg oils.

Really just limited to leafy salad (without the dressing) or fresh fruit. Ended up getting a tomato and rocket salad with balsamic which I added smoked salmon to (realised afterwards it was honey-smoked, but not to worry) and a pot of Greek yoghurt.

It was very tasty, but most of my usual go-to lunches were ruled out despite me always thinking I was being healthy choosing them rather than grabbing sandwiches.

Marscapone and berries are my go to low carb dessert. And chocolate mousse with very high cocoa chocolate. Just 6 eggs and chocolate very easy to make and a good way to use up surplus eggs from my hens.

@samthebordercollie do you have a recipe? That sounds great!

Ohhh chocolate mousse Sam. I also have hens and an influx of eggs. Mousse sounds a lot more interesting than quiche or omelette!

Yeah, it's dead easy, ingredients 6 eggs and 200g of 70% cocoa chocolate.
Separate the eggs and whisk the whites with a little salt until stiff. Melt the chocolate (I use a microwave but be careful not to burn it) and mix the egg yolks and melted chocolate vigorously. Add a quarter of the egg white mixture and mix in vigorously, then gently fold in the rest of the egg white mix.
I stick mine in a big bowl where everyone helps themselves, or you can use ramekins if you are more worried about the aesthetics
Put in fridge for 3 hours before serving.

Ooo thank you! Love the idea of that. Much better than shop bought crud.

I've just made cloud bread which we're having with a vegetable stew. It looks like a really light bread, I wonder what it will taste like. I thought I'd have raspberries with double cream if I feel like a pudding. I'm amazed how I haven't craved sweet things yet as I've been a daily chocolate eater forever. I have caved to wine a few times though

Oooh, that cloud bread looks lovely. I must have a go at making some myself. I've got some pate that it would be a good vehicle for.

@Arbadacarba I've just had a taste and it's delicious! It's VERY light though ( I suppose why it's called cloud bread) so I don't think it would withstand spreading of any kind 🤣 I used a recipe where you add psyllium husk which gives a more bread like feel to it.

I've seen a few different recipes online. A shame it's too light to spread but I could slice the pate and lie it gently on top, I guess.

My husband bought himself a box of Ritz Crackers today, which are a particular weakness of mine - gaaah - so I need some sort of substitute to keep me from dipping into it!