Why We Eat (Too Much) Thread 4

[TooExtraImmatureCheddar]

Hi to all regulars and lurkers!

Here's the 4th thread, based on the ideas in Dr Andrew Jenkinson's book. We've seen some amazing losses on these threads, and the benefits for me can be summed up as 'no counting, no starving'.
We don't count calories, and if we're hungry we eat. We're focused on quality.

General eating principles:

No sugar
No wheat (which reduces unhealthy carbs)
No ultra processed foods, and in particular no processed/ultra refined oils
Honourable mention to tipping the balance of omega 3 and 6, but that’s mostly achieved by doing the above.

His principles also include trying to sleep more and reduce stress, and take regular (moderate) exercise.

If any of this sounds promising, please feel free to ask questions and come and join in!

That's so helpful @Tiredandbored thank you

Does anybody know if almond milk is ok?

For those just starting the book recommends doing it 1 step at a time. So first make everything from scratch, then start looking at what you are eating and tweak it. He does say that it's no good skipping to the end, you need to read it all to understand the science.

Good day yesterday. Had indian eggs fkr lunch (fried onions and cherry toms off in butter, added a spice mix I can't remember the name of, cracked 2 eggs into the pan and scrambled them up), then shepherds pie and veg for dinner.

Leftover shepherds pie for lunch, then takeaway for tea cos Friday. Also have a wedding tomorrow evening, not sure what food is going to be there, dh says its pie and peas, but I am sure there is a buffet later as well so hopefully can forage something from that. Sunday I think we are going out for dinner, hopefully will find a carvery or something.

NSVs this week. Bra felt horrible, digging in and very pokey. Had a rummage and it's because its too big. So need to find my next sized down ones out, am sure I have some almost brand new ones I bought last year then realised they were too small. Running leggings I only ever wore for running are now comfortable enough to wear to do ponies in and not want to rip off the minute I get home. Wore a hoody I was going to charity bag as it was a bit tight, didn't realise it was that one, and actually it fits now.

And amazingly, I bought 3 outfits for the wedding. 2 dresses and a trouser suit. Although the dresses didn't suit me, they did fit (boobs are usually the problem) and the trouser suit doesn't make me look like Goth Tellytubby (it's black) and is actually quite flattering and I could have probably got away with a smaller size even though its Lipsy which dd says comes up small.

That’s great @HighlandCowbag !

@PrincessofPeeves

I think almond milk is probably not great because (1) nuts are high in omega 6 and we're trying to increase our omega 3 ratio, (2) dairy is a good source of omega 3 if from grass fed cows and (3) dairy is a good source of fat which we are trying to eat more of.

Having said that if you need it for some reason eg you are dairy intolerant then you should probably have it. This woe is about starting with the parts of it that work best for you and seeing what happens. It has to be easy and fun so you keep doing it.

I had gazpacho with ground flax seed stirred in mid morning, and for lunch had a big salad from what was in fridge, including a few olives, red pepper, avocado, kimchi and hard boiled egg. A bit random but tasty.

Dinner will be salmon, spinach and new pots with greek yog and berries for pud.

Did my reformer pilates class after two weeks' break, and some gym for good measure. Oof.

I know from past experience that post hols can be a danger point for letting healthy routines slide and am determined not to let that happen this time.

And well done highland!

It's interesting to see the pattern of weight loss on this thread.

Lots of us seem to lose quite a bit initially, then stay at the same weight for a while (the 'plateau') and then without really doing anything different we start losing again.

Another 1lb down today, that's 2 this week ! And I thought I was done!

Thanks @Aria999 - I have it in porridge as I don't feel I can justify the calories of whole milk but guess I'll justify!

One of the best things about this woe is forgetting about calorie counting. I use full fat milk, yoghurt and butter, and also have a dash of double cream on my porridge if I feel like it. Still lost weight.

I agree @Words !

@PrincessofPeeves I can't remember if you have read the book yet (?) but the basic premise is that the body is perfectly capable of controlling its own weight through a combination of hunger and metabolism changes and it really doesn't matter much how many calories you eat. Your body can heat up to burn off any excess, for example (I often have hot nights when I'm losing another lb).

The problem comes when the body's feedback mechanism for knowing how fat it is gets disrupted. By too much sugar / too much omega 6.

Great explanation there!

What sticks in my mind also is his comparison with thirst and liquid intake.

That is a self balancing system in the way that our food intake and appetite should be and are naturally ( and can be again if the principles are followed.)

Yes, great explanation. Thanks @Aria999 ! I'm finding some of the changes I need to make confusing regarding milks and meats mainly. For example, the milk in porridge thing: I'm not keen on full fat whole in porridge because it makes me feel a bit sick. But the alternative milks are always very carb/omega 6 heavy. The best substitute (I think?) is coconut milk because the 6/3 ratio is better. But I'm wondering if I'm better just knocking all nut milks on the head. I don't want to mess up what I'M otherwise doing well

@PrincessofPeeves I like to drink alternative milks too (I eat dairy, but don’t like to drink milk for some reason) and it’s definitely a grey area. Technically they are processed and lot of them have a lot of additives.

I’ve been having an oat milk that is just oats, water and salt. But as you’ve said it has more carbs and I guess the fibre from the oats has been drained out. But if you’re having it with porridge then you’re getting the fibre, so maybe that’s not so bad? Especially if you could add in some healthy fat like flaxseed…

Real coconut milk might be a good option too.

@MrsBloatymcbloatface that's useful, I hadn't thought about oat milk!

Do you need milk for porridge? I always make it with water.

Don't fancy it with water, but I also use milk subs in smoothies so need to figure it out. I think oat milk is the best call

Veg smoothies I should add!

@MrsBloatymcbloatface can I ask what oat milk you use?

@PrincessofPeeves it’s called Plenish. I had been buying a different one until I realised it contained rapeseed oil 🙈

To be honest, I’m not sure if Dr Jenkinson would approve of oat milk as once you strip away the fibre it will have a higher GI than oats…but at least it won’t have Omega 6.

But oats do have omega 6.

@PrincessofPeeves could you just use skimmed or semi skimmed milk?

Oh no @TheLeadbetterLife I had no idea and didn’t think to check as porridge seems to come up so much on this thread! I just don’t know if I can give up nuts and oats

I eat oats and nuts every day. I wouldn’t worry about it too much. I don’t go in for porridge because i think the GL is too high, plus I live in a hot country. I eat raw rolled oats with yoghurt.

I use the rough rolled oats too, heated with fruit and milk (have been using almond but will switch)

Thanks Lead. I prefer raw oats in yogurt too. I think I’m just going to focus on cutting out processed food and sugar for now, as well as eating more Omega 3.

Hopefully cutting out all the processed seed and vegetable oils in packaged food will make some difference. Is anyone else shocked by how ubiquitous these oils are?

Princess, I may have given you some bad advice about the oat milk. It might have as much omega 6 as almond, so I’m not sure what would be best.