Why We Eat (Too Much) Thread 3

[TooExtraImmatureCheddar]

We’ve chatted as much as we (used to) eat! New shiny thread for more support.

General principles:

No sugar
No wheat
No processed foods
Honourable mention to tipping the balance of omega 3 and 6, but that’s mostly achieved by doing the above.

Everything else is fair game!

@TheLeadbetterLife I don't believe in the magic of keto, a calorie deficit is a calorie deficit. The v. low carb has shifted bloat for an event this weekend. I am at target weight but have problems controlling my hunger and binge eat and drink. Would the book help with this IYHO?

In my honest opinion I can’t possibly know whether it would work for you.

For me, I was inadvertently following most of the book’s plan before I read it - it’s mostly the same as Michael Mosley’s Mediterranean diet, but with added stuff about stress, cortisol and omega 6.

I’m a glutton and can still binge from time to time, but it’s not because I feel hungry. I almost never feel hungry since starting to eat this way.

As I understand it, eating more fat and protein stops hunger, because it doesn’t spike blood sugar and consequently insulin and the hunger hormones. Carbs / sugar put the whole system out of kilter.

I still sometimes overeat because I love the sensations of eating, and I love a feast (and probably also for complex psychological reasons related to my childhood, but let’s not go there).

@TheLeadbetterLife. Thank you. I am similar. Def. finding the lower carb higher fat is controlling spiking but just feel zapped of energy. Have downloaded a sample. Def. sounds like it's worth a look. x

Also I would say, if you’re comfortable counting then count. I’ve got about 2 kilos to go to my target weight and I am counting carbs and calories to an extent, because I need to get over that line.

For the past month my weight loss has stalled, but I was less strict with the carb counting, due to a pile up of social events. However I was probably 90% sticking to this plan and I had no sense that there was a risk I would slide back into gain. I want to get to my target then use this plan for maintenance.

If you’re feeling knackered though, you probably need to eat more. The best thing about the book is how it explains the science of metabolism. I feel I have a much clearer understanding of how my body works and what a calorie actually means in practice now.

@TheLeadbetterLife. Thank you that is so helpful

@Sackofspuds not all calories are equal- that’s the biggest diet myth.

The book explains why and several documentaries (bbc what we’re feeding our kids, Australian that sugar film) show what this means in reality.

It’s more about what you eat than how much... but at the same time what you eat can lower your appetite which helps with weight loss.

Personally I would stop counting calories and you will start to listen to your body.

I felt terrible previously on low carb like you describe. I haven’t felt this way with this woe. Have way more energy.

It's certainly very interesting, I'm keeping on reading!

Do you ever crave sugar or dessert? How does it work practically, like if you go out - is it difficult to stick to? In your experiences, does it make you obsessed with food like your typical diets?
I definitely eat too much processed stuff - grabbing stuff in a rush! What do you grab in a rush with this woe?

When I go out I just eat what I want, including puddings. Life's too bloody short. That said, I do try to go easy on the bread basket these days.

Re: obsession.

It's early days for some aspects of this (keeping carbs under 80g, omega 6, de-stressing), so it's definitely occupying a lot of head space for me. Other aspects I've been following for over a year and they've become more ingrained habits.

I'm hoping that over time most of it becomes second nature, but I also accept that eating is my vice and that, to an extent, I probably do need to obsess about it for my own sake (as a recovered alcoholic or ex-smoker might).

I'm new to this, too, but have also been doing a version of this since last Oct, with very pleasing results.

However, like @TheLeadbetterLife my weight loss has stalled.

The book really explains the science behind this and is a very good read. I also watched That Sugar Film last night, which says very much the same thing, albeit with a rather quirky presentation. I have known about this theory of sugar for some time, having read the books by Kathleen Des Maisons about sugar sensitivity in the 90s. Reading the Jenkinson book has illuminated the lightbulb once more!

Re snacks etc: I am going for hard boiled eggs (do a few in advance and put in fridge) and lovely cheese. Probably rather too much lovely cheese. Saturday is weigh in day for me so we will see if this strategy has worked or not.

Oh and lots of fluid. I have sparkling water, and following a super suggestion on here yesterday, I had some cinnamon tea when sugar cravings hit, and it really helped.

I've eased back on my gym exercise also : am nursing an injured back and also think it could be counter productive in excess- stimulating the appetite. I definitely want to continue with the gym as it's so good for controlling stress. It's odd that I enjoy the gym. I normally loathe noisy environments but I find it's the one place I can successfully zone out. Also, it being three minutes from my door helps!

And then there's the dog walking which is non negotiable:D. I will also go easy on Pilates as I suspect that might have contributed to the back issue .

Thanks so much for your honest replies!

I haven't got to the stress part of the book, but I know from my own academic research (I'm a mature student) that stress and trauma contribute to weight gain via a number of mechanisms. If anyone wants any further reading on how to tackle this, from a non-food-related pov, let me know!

I'm reading the audiobook btw... Whoever is reading it has the lowest, loveliest voice!

Re the calorie counting, to be fair if you're going to limit carbs to 150 or lower, you are calorie counting even if you call it carb counting. And while I totally agree with the sentiment, a calorie IS a calorie, it's how the body recognises that calorie that matters. This WOE allows the body to treat those calories correctly.

@TooExtraImmatureCheddar Thanks for the new thread
@BrightShark & @Aria999 I had a copper coil after Depo too. Other than the actual fitting of it, it was hassle-free. If you do go down that route, please be sure to have it taken out when recommended. For reasons best not gone into here, I didn't and now have actinomycosis. It's not active and requires no treatment yet but nevertheless I'd prefer not to have it 🙂

Jeff I was called into work urgently to help a friend out (I normally work for myself at home). I didn't have time to take food and are all of the caramel rice cakes in the cupboard (it was that or instant noodles). I hit the wall too. I was in bed at 9 last night without haggling done my steps. I had a banging headache this morning too. I'm now fortified with farm cured bacon and kimchi scrambled eggs and am starting to feel a little more human.

Ohh, I forgot! The weight trend is downwards despite caramel rice cakes (does a little happy dance).

@WeKnowFrogsGoShaLaLaLaLa Sorry you've been poorly. Hope you feel better soon

Here is the recipes and menus thread

@Aria999 and @badlydrawncat alas my body did not like the copper coil and ended up with anaemia. Hence the depo which hasn’t been great either

@BrightShark
That sucks, I'm sorry.

Day 2 of no coke here. Feeling very bleary-eyed.

Well done! I think it will get easier.

Yes keep at it, drink plenty of water! Have you got any dark chocolate in? It's a source of caffeine so a square or two might give you a boost if you're not a coffee drinker. Just whatever gets you over the withdrawal hump.

I might pop out and get some chocolate, from the health food shop so I'm not tempted by shiny red cans. DH has been instructed to buy some nice fizzy water when he does the shopping later.

If anyone's done it successfully before, how long did it take to stop getting cravings? I've given up for a week before but then always caved in to the cravings.

It's not something I've ever done, so I can't speak from experience I'm afraid.

If you're popping out, would it help to get some things in that might feel like a treat (like cheese, Greek yoghurt, or even roasting a chicken to pick at), but would be in-keeping with the plan, and just letting yourself eat as much of them as you want while you get past the coke cravings?

That's a good idea, @TheLeadbetterLife. Just focus on killing the cravings rather than following everything perfectly--but also plan so it's as on-plan as possible.

Yes exactly. Maybe some naice ham or chorizo type things too, if they float your boat. Anything that will distract you!

@CatherineCawood

Here is the recipes and menus thread

Thank you! So much to read as well as the book but I seriously need to do it.