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A space to talk openly about weight loss journeys and challenges. Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. You may wish to speak to a medical professional before starting any diet.

Original poster

Why We Eat (Too Much) Thread 2

999 replies

TooExtraImmatureCheddar · 14/05/2021 22:52

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

OP posts:
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14
Tiredandbored · 27/05/2021 21:17

Anyone watching the programme this evening?

TrevorTheMushroom · 27/05/2021 21:20

@Tiredandbored. I'm just about to start watching it on iplayer.

Tiredandbored · 27/05/2021 21:22

I'm slightly behind as well, so only a few minutes ahead of you. Already shocked at some of what I've heard.

Gensola · 27/05/2021 21:34

Watching it now - also quite shocked Shock

Tiredandbored · 27/05/2021 21:35

Our children are 3 times more likely to become obese than us Shock

2 in every 3 calories eaten by children and adolescents comes from UPFs.

😥

TrevorTheMushroom · 27/05/2021 21:40

Yeah, the 2 in 3 calories statistic shocked me.

The Dad in the family from Lancaster makes a good point about how much expensive it is to eat healthily.

Tiredandbored · 27/05/2021 21:40

Really interesting how much more he began craving food on the UPF diet.

TrevorTheMushroom · 27/05/2021 21:45

This reminds me a bit of the film Supersize Me.

Tiredandbored · 27/05/2021 21:46

@TrevorTheMushroom

Yeah, the 2 in 3 calories statistic shocked me.

The Dad in the family from Lancaster makes a good point about how much expensive it is to eat healthily.

The doctor at the start made a really good point about how it will take more than personal decisions to deal with the obesity problem. Until there is legislation to make UPFs more expensive and we see things like fruit, veg, meat and fish subsidised so they are more affordable, people will keep buying the cheaper option no matter what impact it has on their health.
TrevorTheMushroom · 27/05/2021 21:56

Yes, I thought he made a lot of sense. It's the food environment that needs to change to make the biggest difference. People haven't all just suddenly had a failure of willpower, something else has changed. Hope we do see fresh foods subsidised in the not too distant future otherwise healthy eating is going to feel like a privilege.

JeffVaderneedsatray · 27/05/2021 22:01

So, an interesting day.
This week I have REALLY struggled with eating. It has been cake central at work and I have eaten more shit and crap than I can count.
Today I took a hunk of cheese instead of my usual break time cereal bar and avoided the cake because, well, enough is enough! I also had a high protein lunch.
The massive difference was that when I got home I did not find myself face down in the bread bin. And thus later in the biscuit tin.
So I feel more positive and thus determined to make tomorrow a good day too.

I have a dance competition on the 10th July. Currently I can barely make my way through a dance let alone up on my toes and with good jumps etc. I need to be healthier and have more energy by then.

Tiredandbored · 27/05/2021 22:02

"I'm not enjoying it, but I can't stop"

That has 100% been me in the past when eating UPFs.

Flossie44 · 27/05/2021 22:07

Cornedbeef - that’s really interesting regarding semi skimmed affecting blood sugars.....

A question about butter....do you store it in the fridge or out of the fridge?? 🤔

Had a bit of a crap food day today..went out for dinner with friends to a mexican. Wasn’t that hungry so had a cheese quesadilla, guacamole, salad and halloumi fries 😂. Total cheese overload again!!

samthebordercollie · 27/05/2021 22:12

The doctor at the start made a really good point about how it will take more than personal decisions to deal with the obesity problem. Until there is legislation to make UPFs more expensive and we see things like fruit, veg, meat and fish subsidised so they are more affordable, people will keep buying the cheaper option no matter what impact it has on their health.

The big food companies are too powerful as are their government lobbies.
I wish something would happen, but I don't think it will be anytime soon 🙁

OhGodNotThisAgain · 27/05/2021 22:16

I just can’t stop eating sugar. It’s making me miserable. I cry every time I scoff a chocolate bar down but I just keep buying chocolate.

TrevorTheMushroom · 27/05/2021 22:17

@JeffVaderneedsatray I'm working from home still but probably the only thing that I don't miss about going into work was all of the cakes/biscuits/chocolate etc. that was sat in the kitchen (and I work for an organisation that does health research!). Makes it quite challenging to be healthy. Interesting that the cheese and higher protein lunch kept you full for longer. A few people on here have noticed their appetite gradually decreasing from following this way of eating. Hope you have a good day tomorrow.

Tiredandbored · 27/05/2021 22:18

@JeffVaderneedsatray, what style of dance do you do? Well done on the improvement today, hopefully remembering how much better you feel after eating well will help you the next time you're surrounded by cake. It is very hard when there's so much temptation everywhere!

@Flossie44, I keep the packet of butter in the fridge but a butter dish in the cupboard. Use the fridge butter when cooking, cupboard butter when spreading.

Tiredandbored · 27/05/2021 22:22

@OhGodNotThisAgain

I just can’t stop eating sugar. It’s making me miserable. I cry every time I scoff a chocolate bar down but I just keep buying chocolate.
There is definitely an addictive element to these foods @OhGodNotThisAgain, but you can overcome it. I can't have anything in the house that tempts me. I've no problem with things I don't find appealing, such as my DH's onion rings 🤢 but if I have any of my favourite treats in the house I have zero control. Can you clear out your cupboards of your trigger foods and replace with healthier alternatives?
TrevorTheMushroom · 27/05/2021 22:26

@Tiredandbored

"I'm not enjoying it, but I can't stop"

That has 100% been me in the past when eating UPFs.

His wife replied: It's a lot like marriage Grin Grin
HighlandCowbag · 27/05/2021 22:27

I don't think things will change soon either Sam, there is too much money involved. And as much as he says it's bigger than personal choice, it's more than that. People work long hours, often both parents working full time. So when you get it at 6pm with starving kids and you are knackered yourself do you start making a shepherds pie from scratch or microwave one for them?

I'm ok atm because I'm only feeding me. After next week all evening meals I'm going to aim to be free from UPF. Dd is veggie which is as extra layer to deal with and also cooks for herself and is mainly lazy with it. Ds is fussy with veg or anything spicy or strong tasting etc. Can't see either of them eating what I am eating. Dh will eat and enjoy traditional stuff like shepherds pie or omelette etc, but isn't a fan of fish unless it comes from a chip shop.

But am going to try. Uni finishes next week until end of September so got a couple of months to really focus on it. Once I've got dinner sorted, will start on lunches and snacks. Ds moves up to year 3 so wants packed lunches. Pita but at least I can control it.

The programme was pretty shocking. I'm going to make dh and dd watch it and possibly ds. There's a balance tho, he's already a lot more aware of weight and calories than dd was at the same age.

Tiredandbored · 27/05/2021 22:49

I just keep reminding myself that every decision to replace a UPF with something unprocessed is a step in the right direction. I'm not going to be able to change everything about my kids' diets in one week, but perhaps over the next 6 months I can make some lasting changes.

Tiredandbored · 27/05/2021 22:51

Can we all keep sharing good recipe and meal ideas on here as I find it really useful to get ideas and inspiration from all of you ❤️❤️

OhGodNotThisAgain · 27/05/2021 23:45

@Tiredandbored I don’t have any of these foods in the cupboard though because I eat them as soon as I get them. I’ll eat chocolate or crisps as soon as I get them home. The thing I need to get control over is not buying it in the first place. I need to avoid the snack aisles in the supermarket but I just give in every time.

samthebordercollie · 28/05/2021 06:04

A question about butter....do you store it in the fridge or out of the fridge?? 🤔
I keep the one in use in the cupboard, the 'reserves' are in the fridge. Unless it's very hot in the summer, nothing worse than rancid butter!
Whenever French friends come over they don't understand, they all keep theirs in the fridge. It must be British thing with their cold houses Grin

Billybagpuss · 28/05/2021 06:34

@OhGodNotThisAgain

I just can’t stop eating sugar. It’s making me miserable. I cry every time I scoff a chocolate bar down but I just keep buying chocolate.
This was me in March and was the trigger feeling I needed to make me quit sugar.

The David Gillespie book Sweet Poison helped me to stop, it’s been 12 weeks now, the afternoon cravings have stopped mostly although yesterday I kept day dreaming about Cadbury creme eggs.

3 rules:

Only eat stuff you’ve prepared from scratch
Avoid added sugar
Party food is for parties

Other than that you can eat what you want so it’s not a diet.
My motivation was health related as I was getting pre diabetic symptoms but the 1.5 stone weight loss so far is a happy side effect and a good motivator to keep going.

Also in the book, he says fructose is the really bad one as it bypasses your body’s energy receptionist and goes straight to the liver where it gets converted to store as fat. In wine all the fructose is fermented to alcohol. so at weekends I still have wine. I’m not missing the stuff mixed with lemonade at all.

Good luck @OhGodNotThisAgain give it a try, the first couple of weeks are not easy but so far it really is worth trying.