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Weight loss chat

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.

Why We Eat (Too Much) Thread 5

1000 replies

TheLeadbetterLife · 12/01/2022 23:13

Happy New Year regulars, lurkers and newcomers!

Welcome to thread 5 of discussion, encouragement and advice inspired by the book Why We Eat (Too Much), by Dr Andrew Jenkinson.

The basic principles of this "diet" (it's not one in the traditional sense, as it's meant to be a permanent set of changes), are as follows:

  • cut out ultra-processed food
  • massively reduce sugar, carbs, refined flours and wheat
  • eat a wide variety of vegetables, whole grains and fruit
  • eat full fat dairy and other healthy fats like extra virgin olive oil
  • improve the ratio of omega 3 to 6 by eating greens, fish, eggs and grass-fed meat, and cutting out ultra-refined seed oils

Important lifestyle changes include getting plenty of rest, relaxation and sleep, as well as taking a moderate amount of exercise (or more, if you like that sort of thing).

You don't need to count calories (in fact, you shouldn't), though it may help to count carbs or glycemic load, at least to begin with, until you get the hang of it.

Some of us share recipes by following each other on Copy Me That - www.copymethat.com/recipebox/the-leadbetter-life/6661160/

As well as the book mentioned in the title, the principles are similar to those espoused by the likes of Rangan Chatterjee, Robert Lustig, Tim Spector and Michael Mosley.

There are many successes on this thread, and the main thing is that we are aiming to make permanent, sustainable changes to adjust our weight set-points downwards.

Join us!

OP posts:
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34
Aria999 · 23/03/2022 16:40

I eat a lot of omelettes too but have always taken the approach that there should be more cheese than egg. I don't actually like the taste of egg much.

Aria999 · 23/03/2022 16:45

Also omelette is lighter if you add a little water to the egg mixture, and fluff it around with the spatula a bit after pouring into the pan (pulling repeatedly from edge to middle)

picklemewalnuts · 23/03/2022 18:31

I quite like egg! Though I've never bothered with omelettes, preferring scrambled. If we're avoiding bread, though, and omelette makes a good vehicle for the mushrooms etc!

Pudding today, rhubarb and raspberries with full fat Greek yogurt. Yum.

Heartbeats0708 · 23/03/2022 20:12

I love eggs, in any form. I need a better pan for omlettes!
I feel like I'm eating far too much. I know it shouldn't necessarily be about calories, and everything I've eaten today has been "right" I think but I feel like I've eaten way too much for this to be healthy? I'm premenstrual so hungrier than usual and craving carbs/chocolate.
Two eggs, a little mayo, 2 ryvitas.
Mixed bean salad with olive oil/white wine vinegar dressing (lots of chopped up salad bits and about 2/3 of a tin mixed beans).
Bolognese bake (handful of wholemeal pasta, mince and vegetables, cheese on top).
Any pointers?

picklemewalnuts · 24/03/2022 06:55

That doesn't sound like too much to me. But then, I'm not the best judge!!

I know I can eat a lot on slimming world and still lose weight. Nutritious foods are not necessarily energy dense, so you may not be eating as many calories as you think.

And we are supposed to be reassuring our body that food is plentiful and energy doesn't need to be hoarded, so...

samthebordercollie · 24/03/2022 07:27

@Aria999

Also omelette is lighter if you add a little water to the egg mixture, and fluff it around with the spatula a bit after pouring into the pan (pulling repeatedly from edge to middle)
Haha that's exactly how I make my omelettes and I always get complimented on the consistency of them!
picklemewalnuts · 24/03/2022 07:55

I think they cook quicker like that, so they don't get rubbery!

50FootWave · 24/03/2022 08:10

I agree, @picklemewalnuts, sounds like barely anything, @Heartbeats0708!!

I had a phase a couple of weeks ago where my appetite was voracious. I blame the perimenopause. It settled down, but don't worry; if you are sticking to the good stuff, you'll be fine.

I am full of cold today. But the sun is shining!

picklemewalnuts · 24/03/2022 08:17

I'm supposed to be post menopause, but I still get a slight cycle- ravenous carb seeking days when I'll cram in anything that sits still long enough! I go with it, but try and have lots of healthy snacks available so I cram fruit before biscuits!

I have the slimming world 60g of cheese at the back of my mind, too. They are calcium, so don't count! A bit like taking a vitamin Grin! I can have two chunks of cheese with no guilt or shame!

I do 'get' that it's allowed anyway, but it takes a while to reset your brain!

picklemewalnuts · 24/03/2022 08:20

Oh, and yesterday was an official weigh day. I weighed with shoes and in normal clothes (sometimes I know I need to cheat the scales and dress extra light!). I put on half a pound, which is great bearing in mind last week was a holiday that involved ice cream, cake, and 2 really good meals a day!

On holiday we have a big breakfast, a snack/cake/icecream lunch, and a good dinner. It feels really indulgent and 'holiday', but probably isn't when you take into account the extra activity!

Heartbeats0708 · 24/03/2022 09:39

Thanks for the thoughts! I think it is a case of resetting my thinking. I've done SW successfully before so in theory I know I can eat a lot and lose weight, but the full fat dairy in particular is taking some getting used to. My body is definitely enjoying the plentiful food!
I'm avoiding the scales for a little while, but great news for you @picklemewalnuts!

picklemewalnuts · 24/03/2022 11:24

I get so darn hungry when I eat breakfast! I've been told I should to help address the binge eating, but it's not my usual preference. I'm off for some fruit salad and a cube of cheese..l

samthebordercollie · 24/03/2022 13:12

@picklemewalnuts

I get so darn hungry when I eat breakfast! I've been told I should to help address the binge eating, but it's not my usual preference. I'm off for some fruit salad and a cube of cheese..l
I find it easier to avoid breakfast completely for this reason! A bit off topic, but is it possible to be post menopause and how do you know? Is it when your body adjusts to the lack of oestrogen? I was imagining having to take HRT forever as your body will always lack the sex hormones you had when younger, and therefore the uncomfortable side effects will persist.
picklemewalnuts · 24/03/2022 13:49

Ah, I wasn't using 'post meno' in anyway scientifically- just as in, definitely more than a year past my last period (though I managed to have an extra one 18 months in and am waiting for a precautionary scan).

My understanding is that after some years we seem to adjust to the lack and can reduce the HRT. I'd guess it's something to do with everything else having slowed down so it's less of a deficiency. But as you can tell, I'm no expert.

I've been on it 6 months and I'm not convinced it's helping my symptoms but I have other conditions with similar symptoms that confuse the issue- under active thyroid and fibromyalgia.

I'm interested in maintaining bone and heart health, even if I don't get the emotional and energy level benefits some do.

Meals today, by the way:
20g oats with milk
Mushroom and blue cheese omelette, 2 ryvita with butter.
Fruit salad with full fat Greek yogurt
Planned- Savoury mince pie with filo pastry/spring roll wrapper top. Sweet potato fries.

But I'm hungry again, so will be down on the scrounge again shortly! It's like a ravening beast lives in my stomach...!
Maybe a bullet proof coffee, or a latte...

picklemewalnuts · 25/03/2022 14:48

Today's meals:
40g oats with milk, left overnight.
Jacket potato with minced beef, from last nights dinner. Cube of cheese
Greek yog.
Pulled pork with roast butternut squash.

I have grapes in the freezer that make a great sweet treat when my sweet tooth kicks in, which it regularly does.

TooExtraImmatureCheddar · 25/03/2022 15:09

I absolutely have hungry days! I think it's important to eat to hunger on those days so long as you stick to the principles. Your body needs to know that you aren't restricting calories. I have done this and weighed myself daily and it made zero difference to weight loss if I ate a lot or a little (or at least not yet - it might when I have less to lose).

Aria999 · 25/03/2022 16:14

Yes I agree I have never experienced any difference to weight based on how much I eat with this plan, only if I overdo the carbs or sugars.

Heartbeats0708 · 25/03/2022 20:49

Thank you for the reassurance. I think I probably do overdo the carbs a bit just now but it's settling into not eating the wheaty ones. I feel like I need to show myself that I can still feel fully satisfied without those!
Today I discovered the deliciousness of oatcakes, with hummus, cheese and cucumber.
Was out for lunch but had a salad that I really enjoyed.
And dinner was chicken and vegetable curry and brown rice. I've decided to continue using the pastes I always have because theres just a small amount of oil and sugar in there- not enough to make a significant impact and the flavour/convenience factor win!

picklemewalnuts · 26/03/2022 07:38

Sounds good Heartbeats! I've lost another pound today, and am wondering why... given that I've cooked with oil for the first time in literally years, had full fat yogurt etc. I feel like I'm eating more, but still losing weight.

I realised that while I'm eating more, I am actually restricting my carbs. If I have a jacket potato for lunch, I don't have carbs with dinner. If I have rice planned for dinner, I have an omelette for lunch.

So in addition to avoiding wheat, I'm generally reducing carbs- but not in a noticeable, 'feel hard done by', way.
When I did LCHF years ago, I was far more aggressive in reducing carbs and it was harder to stick to. I maintained the attitude of anxiety around food that I'm keen to get rid of now!

I'm feeling really good about it!

Words · 27/03/2022 06:26

Great to read about all this progress!

For those who like Greek yoghurt and like messing with food, making your own is fun. I got a cheap yoghurt maker from Lakeland and it's great. In use every week! I read that UHT made the best yoghurt and was very doubtful, remembering the unpleasant taste from childhood. Well it tastes fine to me now and does indeed make lovely yoghurt.

Back from my walking trip. The dog and I clocked up almost 80 miles on the fells in the most unexpectedly glorious week of early spring weather, up at dawn every day. We stayed on a sheep farm and it was blissful! I remained on plan with the exception of a huge plate of fish and chips ( the batter off plan, the oil was beef dripping so ok!)

I haven't lost any weight which I find slightly surprising as I feel lighter, my clothes are loose and I feel very, very toned and strong. By volume muscle does weigh more than fat as it's denser so maybe that's it!

Heartbeats0708 · 27/03/2022 11:04

Great news @picklemewalnuts! The anxiety around food really resonated with me, it's the full fat dairy that I've trained myself out of having that's taking the most getting used to. I absolutely love cheese and worry that I can easily eat way more of it than I'm supposed to!
Sounds like a lovely week enjoying this glorious weather @Words, I feel healthier but I don't think I've lost any weight. Having said that, I didn't lose any when I was starving myself and miserable either so at least I can enjoy good food again.
I'm making a frittata today for work lunches, haven't decided what to put in it yet and haven't made one for a long time!

picklemewalnuts · 27/03/2022 12:49

Heartbeats, I'm still rationing cheese a la slimming world. But I've had full fat yogurt all week. It's so nice, it really does scratch a different itch from the skinny stuff.

I'm doing that later, @Words . I use UHT as it's simpler for yogurt, but I only have skimmed so I'll add some cream in as I got some for Mother's Day cakes!

Saturdays meals:
Cheese chunk
Bacon, egg, wedges, beans
Lamb and olives.

Sundays meals- lunch very off plan!
Bread and marmite, cakes, cakes, scone, cakes. I didn't enjoy it as much as I expected, to now know that a scone is enough. The cake is too much.
Roast chicken with purple sprouting broccoli and roast parsnips.

Can we roast the veg in goose fat? It feels so wrong...!

Aria999 · 27/03/2022 13:11

@picklemewalnuts that's great. That was a lot like my experience of this - i was very hesitant to begin with, then came the dawning realization that it was really working!

Yes to the goose fat. Or butter or olive oil.

@Words 80 miles, wow! You must be so fit. Sounds amazing. I love to get out on the hills, though it isn't the same with little kids in tow. Around here we have craggy forests rather than mountains which is nice in its own way but not quite the same.

picklemewalnuts · 27/03/2022 13:18

Gosh, I missed that! 80 miles, wow. That's more than 10,000 steps a day 😹

Heartbeats0708 · 27/03/2022 18:27

I've had a wildly off plan day today (afternoon tea type dinner) and although there's no denying I enjoyed the taste at the time, I feel absolutely awful now. So bloated, so sick. The indigestion was not worth it!
Looking forward to getting back on plan tomorrow.

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