Why We Eat (Too Much) Thread 2

[TooExtraImmatureCheddar]

Shiny new thread to continue on with! I hope everyone keeps going.

For any newbies, this thread is based on a book by Dr Andrew Jenkinson. The main principles are to cut out sugar, wheat and ultra-processed foods, while eating fresh natural ingredients. It works!

Previous thread: thread 1

Absolutely agree @Billybagpuss, during any previous diet pretty much all I thought about was food - when can I eat, how much, how long until my next meal, how many points or calories have I left... It was exhausting!

I also have a packet of sweets in my cupboard that I have had no inclination to eat. In the past they would not have lasted a day let alone the 2 months I've had them now!

Have just enjoyed pan-fried cod with broccoli, courgette and peppers stir-fried in soy sauce and sweet potato mash for lunch. Making chicken curry this evening.

You’re doing so well, @Tiredandbored. for me it was health related as I was getting so many pre diabetic symptoms. The weight loss has been a happy side effect.

Well done on weight loss!! That’s incredible.
It’s such a great WOE isn’t it. I do feel better without UPF’s clogging my system. More alert, alive and my mood is so so much better.
This morning was a mad dash breakfast so grabbed some oat cakes and a banana.
Lunch was a Greek salad drizzled in avocado oil. Never had this type of oil before but it’s delish!!

Hi again everyone, I'm just popping in. I lurk on this thread because I follow this way of eating, but I use a different thread for weight loss support and can't keep on top of the admin of more than one!

Anyway, I just had a question for @Billybagpuss, if you don't mind? What were your symptoms of prediabetes? For some reason I keep convincing myself that I am (or possibly was, pre-weight loss) prediabetic. I have been having some odd symptoms in the last year or so and of course all roads in Google lead to diabetes!

The possibly irrational fear did give me the motivation to lose weight, but I should probably find out if it was (or is) actually irrational.

@TheLeadbetterLife of course I don’t mind, I will preempt by saying I have never discussed this with anyone vaguely medical not even my gp friends. I’m dr shy at best of times not least when they have the draw bridges up due to pandemic.

I was getting blurred vision, constantly wanting to nap, itchy (let’s not go there) wanting to go to the loo a lot and not getting much notice from signals when I did. Headaches but that’s not on the list but I guess it links with the vision thing. Really bad hot flushes, again not on the list, obviously menopause but haven’t had even 1 in 2 months now.

I stopped sugar on 6 March and by and large they all improved within a couple of weeks, the headache took longer but that coincided with my first covid jab so could have been that.

Hi all. Still following. I have lost 10lbs now in 6 weeks. But the massive plus for me is how much less inflammation I am suffering from. Its literally transforming!

Can I ask about polenta, worstershire sauce and tinned tomatoes? Are they allowed?

Also, I get confused with cheeses? There never seem to be any ingredients on the back to check? Is all cheese ok? I have bought a camembert today and plan to have it for tea with some salad?

Thanks

Tinned tomatoes tend to be just that, very slightly processed to store them but the ingredients tend to be just tomatoes. Tomato sauces on the other hand can be really high in sugar. I’m not sure about polenta, but Worcestershire sauce would be a no from me as I am avoiding sugar.

Oh and cheese is good

That's interesting about the intermittent weight loss theory from Australia.

I've lost a stone in 8 weeks so I've tried maintaining but just keep losing...this is not a problem I've ever had before!

I'm hoping it'll be ok and I won't put the weight back on!

I have 1 1/2 stones to lose to be classed as just overweight which on previous diets would really depress me but in this WOE I feel quite optimistic!

Is anyone finding they react differently to food now? I've eaten out a few times and had an upset stomach.

The first time was a street food place and I think it might have been the deep fried things that made me feel quite sick. The second time was a nice ish pub where I had pork belly which I thought would be fine...I was not fine!

I was ok after having plain steak and salad and another time I had sea bream so maybe I just need to choose carefully. It's hard to know what some things have been cooked in though. (This sounds like we eat out all the time but have had a run of birthdays)

@Billybagpuss I feel the same about the weight loss threads. I keep trying to lure people over here!

@CornedBeef451, I have felt really ill in the past after eating out when following an eating plan similar to this. I'm not sure what the specific trigger is, but I suspect a lot of fast food and restaurant meals use UPF ingredients and unhealthy oils etc. Clearly our bodies cannot tolerate those things, but we build up a tolerance to them when eating them all the time.

I'm trying to be careful about ordering simple meals with plenty of veg when eating out, but it's impossible to know what all is in them.

@Tiredandbored it is startling how quickly you lose the tolerance for some things.

I was convinced I had food poisoning after the quite "nice" food truck food but I was the only who reacted and we had all shared the same food.

I ate out with my tiny thin friend again and she asked about my diet and again said I MUST eat biscuits. I think as she has always been tiny she can't imagine what it's like being fat and addicted to sugar! She also described someone as SO huge, she must be size 16, not realising I'm a size 18/20. She is a good friend, if a bit mad sometimes, so I knew not to take offence.

I did end up having a dessert but had a small one that came with a hot drink. It was a very cute fruit crumble with custard which was nice but way too sweet. I couldn't finish it and it was tiny!

I have a work colleague who eats terribly but is very slim. White toast, chips, ready meals and no veg. I have to keep reminding myself that she is one of the people described in the book who are not genetically susceptible to putting weight on. Realising this has actually helped me accept it without becoming jealous as I am most definitely not one of those people! I can now turn down a slice of cake even when she is having one without feeling annoyed.

I do (privately) think she may be risking other health worries with all the UPF food she eats, but people are very focused on the weight aspect and assumption that if someone is slim their diet is healthy.

@Tiredandbored

I have a work colleague who eats terribly but is very slim. White toast, chips, ready meals and no veg. I have to keep reminding myself that she is one of the people described in the book who are not genetically susceptible to putting weight on. Realising this has actually helped me accept it without becoming jealous as I am most definitely not one of those people! I can now turn down a slice of cake even when she is having one without feeling annoyed.

I do (privately) think she may be risking other health worries with all the UPF food she eats, but people are very focused on the weight aspect and assumption that if someone is slim their diet is healthy.

Skinny fat is definitely possible. Although you don't see it there is unhealthy fat stocked around organs which can cause major health problems. I have a plumber friend who eats no fruit, very little veg, lunch is 2 cakes. He is skinny but has bad skin and I'm sure inside he isn't very health.

I've had a bad couple of days. Succumbed to sugar.

Its so bloody addictive!

It’s me back again ... I name changed.

I’m ignoring the rest of mumsnet. Will stay in this little oasis with you kind souls. It wasn’t just my thread...I’ve noticed lots of nasty/ mean replies to other OPs. It was really getting me down reading the rude and snipey replies. Is mumsnet always like this, or is it the weather I wonder?

I feel the same about this WOE compared to traditional diets. I would also have chosen the kitkat! It’s a no brainer when you are in the “I just deserve a treat” mindset trap. Now I don’t buy chocolate (or look at it in the shop) and it’s liberating! I’m free! I’ve not had any treats for at least 3 weeks (not counting wine). Don’t miss them. I’m sure I’ll eat something treaty soon- but at a party / day out. Not at home on a regular day.

I’m about a month in and I’ve lost 11 lbs. I’m starting to feel lighter around the middle, so that’s good.

Also, I no longer have chronic hip pain or IBS. It’s just gone. It must have been the inflammation.... how incredible that changing my diet has had that impact in such a short timeframe.

@TheLeadbetterLife You can ask your GP for an hba1c blood test if you suspect you have pre-diabetes. They carry out this test as part of the NHS ‘health checks’ which everyone should be offered from age 40 I think

Hey @BrightSharkwelcome back

I only drink wine too, I even declined pimms last weekend due to the lemonade.

Yay @BrightShark, I'm so glad you've stayed! Don't let the negativity on the other threads get you down, you know this WoE is working for you and that you are able to stick with it long-term. Fabulous weight loss and really glad to hear the health benefits you're experiencing, fantastic!!

Thank you so much @Billybagpuss and @Tiredandbored you are very kind

Yes it works for lots of us, judging by the posts on this thread.

Well done to everyone on the losses - and the health benefits. It’s fantastic reading your success stories, so motivating.

@BeenAsFarAsMercyAndGrand don’t worry, just get back on it.

Place marking as I'm up and down with weight loss since before DD8 months and during TTC. Haven't been a healthy weight for years and could do with losing 2 stone ASAP.

Just ordered the book by Dr Andrew Jenkinson as I really need to crack into why I'm overeating. Today had friends round and ate so so so much dessert to the point of physically feeling unwell and sick. Absolutely ridiculous, looking impartially at it. Need a carb reset but still breastfeeding.

[quote BrightShark]@BeenAsFarAsMercyAndGrand don’t worry, just get back on it.[/quote]
It's made harder by the fact that my DH eats lots of sugary food. He's an adult, and he has a right to eat what he likes, but seeing the biscuits right there when I go to the kitchen makes going cold turkey very hard.

Would he compromise by buying biscuits that you don't like? My DH also enjoys having biscuits with his cup of tea, but I intentionally buy him biscuits that don't appeal to me. It takes away any temptation if I'm having a bit of a wobble.

Welcome @GalaxyGirl24, glad to have you along with us for the journey!

There are some biscuits I like less than others, but I do like all biscuits!

The only exception would be biscuits with nuts in (I'm allergic), but we keep our kitchen fully nut-free, and I wouldn't want to risk not doing so.