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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 6

1000 replies

TheLeadbetterLife · 15/07/2022 10:59

Whoops, we let thread 5 get away from us a bit there...

I'm going to boringly copy-paste the previous thread opener, because it's too hot to be imaginative.

Welcome to thread 6 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:
Thread gallery
29
Aria999 · 19/09/2022 18:47

Hi @Chuckiegg!

Not sure about the timeline on the tea but I did have sugar in it long ago, and now I like it without.

How strong do you have it, could you leave the bag in a little longer to get more tea taste?

Words · 20/09/2022 10:06

Hi @Chuckiegg and welcome - is it actually the taste of the sugar you're missing, rather than the tea? I'd second the idea of making it stronger if so, or perhaps experiment with different kinds of tea?

I've now got my full results through from my health review. My BMI is 25.9 -slightly over still, but it was 34.7 at the worst point. Just a few more pounds to go.

My BP is an amazing 117/77 -was far higher than that two years ago.

Heart disease risk is tiny.

Cholesterol is now expressed as a ratio - presumably of 'good' to 'bad', although this isn't made clear. Less than five is ideal. Mine is 3.8.

The NHS is still advising the low saturated fat and low fat alternatives as a weight loss strategy.

That approach didn't work for me, and this does - the proof is in the numbers.

Keep on keeping on everyone!

TheLeadbetterLife · 20/09/2022 11:06

@Words that's brilliant stuff, you must be delighted.

Yes, NHS, the proof is in the pudding (or not).

I think the cholesterol ratio includes the triglycerides, if I'm remembering what I read in a Robert Lustig book about it. I think he said the numbers that matter are the HDL and triglycerides.

OP posts:
samthebordercollie · 20/09/2022 11:49

Congratulations on your health MOT Words, there are some excellent results there! I can't believe the HNS are still pedalling the low fat approach: But then in France it's the same, still recommending the bulk of the diet is carbs - cereal, rice, pasta etc:

Aria999 · 20/09/2022 11:58

That's great @Words !

I wonder when they will change the advice? There does seem to be a strong undercurrent of understanding in many places that the current 'low fat' advice is wrong (I think someone said that the advice they give to diabetics is very similar to our woe for example).

Chuckiegg · 20/09/2022 15:26

Thanks @Aria999 and @Words.
I will try a stronger brew - I just really miss enjoying my cuppa!
Many years ago I cut down from 2 tsp to half so I guess I just have to keep going!

MerelyPlaying · 20/09/2022 19:47

@Words that's great news about your results. Thanks for sharing that with us, it's really inspiring to read this, I have a couple of stone to lose but I am more concerned with improving my blood sugar, and with changing my 'set point'.

@Chuckiegg I have noticed that things I used to enjoy before I began this woe now taste too sweet for me. Those aren't words that I ever thought I'd say! So stick with it, you may find it starts to taste better as time goes on.

I'm really surprised to find that I'm not getting cravings and am managing not to eat between meals, and that's a big change for me.

@Aria999 I saw a dietician recently about being pre-diabetic, and she really endorsed this woe, which was great to hear. However I've just looked at the NHS leaflet she gave me, and sure enough it's recommending low fat, 1/3 starchy carbohydrates and diet fizzy drinks 😑

Aria999 · 20/09/2022 22:19

@MerelyPlaying I really agree about finding things too sweet, recently I ate a kit kat on an airplane. It was horrible! I used to love Kit Kats.

AesSedaint · 21/09/2022 13:00

@Chuckiegg hi! I started paleo a month and a half ago, and I only just started enjoying my tea again. Hopefully it'll be the same for you so you're nearly there.

I do love an earl grey with honey occasionally which is okay on paleo, might be worth a go?

MerelyPlaying · 23/09/2022 13:46

I was just pondering today on the various ' healthy' kitchen gadgets, e.g. air fryer - I really like chips made in my Actifry and I have never owned a deep fat fryer - but now we know it's the chips and not the fat that are the problem! I've also got a 'George Formby' as it's called in my family, and it's very good for cooking individual items like burgers or salmon steaks, but again the selling point was the low fat cooking. If nutrition advice ever catches up with the science there will be a lot of redundant kitchen items.

thanks for the book recommendations in earlier threads, I'm just reading 'The Obesity Code' by Jason Fung which is very similar to the Jenkinson book.

primeoflife · 23/09/2022 14:47

Well I've just eaten a vegan sausage roll from Greggs- oops 😭

Chuckiegg · 23/09/2022 15:31

AesSedaint · 21/09/2022 13:00

@Chuckiegg hi! I started paleo a month and a half ago, and I only just started enjoying my tea again. Hopefully it'll be the same for you so you're nearly there.

I do love an earl grey with honey occasionally which is okay on paleo, might be worth a go?

Thank you. Fingers crossed!!

Words · 26/09/2022 06:53

Hello Everyone

I have invented an alternative to cheese on toast!

Was out walking yesterday and overcome with an urge for cheese on toast when I got back - so I tried grilling cheese on oatcakes instead. It's fab! 

@MerelyPlaying - chips are fine as long as fried in beef dripping rather than veg oil or that strange aerosolised spray stuff. Not sure what that means for your air fryer though. What fat is used in those?

Billybagpuss · 26/09/2022 07:24

I’ve been static for so long now. I could still do with losing another 1.5 stone but I wonder if it’s just taking a while waiting for the set point to recalibrate. I have had too many crisps peanuts and wine though. But it’s stayed status so I’m actually ok with that.

how’s every one else doing?

Aria999 · 26/09/2022 13:11

Oooh @Words that sounds yummy.

Now I just need to find somewhere to get oatcakes out here!

MerelyPlaying · 26/09/2022 14:56

Hi @Words, I like the sound of toasted cheese on oatcakes, going to try that!

I think I can use lard or dripping in the Actifry, but it only needs quite a small amount of fat to produce crispy chips. I've been using up sunflower oil but I might become lard when that runs out.

Didn't have a very good weekend foodwise (although very good in other ways) but back on plan today.

Words · 01/10/2022 07:43

Just had one of those too good to be true weigh ins -as I have had many lapses over this last week, to the extent I thought really had re-awakened the sugar monster.

A little jam, a little marmalade, a little honey in the porridge ( which was just a vehicle for the honey) led to...

  • Latham's Coffee Renoirs ( plural) from Booths. @TheLeadbetterLife will understand.
TheLeadbetterLife · 01/10/2022 16:37

The standard portion size for Coffee Renoirs is indeed "plural".

OP posts:
shumway · 03/10/2022 15:29

Should I be avoiding corn flour as an ingredient in things or is it ok? I bought a black bean chilli and a lentil ragu for when I need something quick and easy and they looked healthy but both have corn flour in.

Aria999 · 03/10/2022 15:40

@shumway I think in principle you should be avoiding it but it's such a small amount I probably wouldn't worry in practice

Words · 03/10/2022 17:46

That's my rule of thumb too.

I do wish it applied to choux pastries filled with cream and crème pâtissière and topped with coffee icing.

I really need to avoid Booths...

Aria999 · 05/10/2022 22:13

How is your mum doing @Words ?

Words · 06/10/2022 06:52

Thanks for asking @Aria999.

She's back in the home again after recovering from another bout of pneumonia. It does seem to be a never-ending cycle of admissions at the moment.

Anyone else feeling a bit off? I think it's the shortening days and change of season here in the U.K., much as I love autumn.

I'm finding it hard to go to sleep and wake up at my usual times, and I've had a few stressful days at work which haven't helped. I normally sleep very well and I so feel for those of us who deal with lack of sleep on a regular basis. Appetite is a bit diminished too, a vanishingly rare occurrence!

Words · 07/10/2022 19:22

I have some sort of tummy bug. Feel immensely lethargic. Forced myself to Pilates at 7.15 am today. Obviously, that was stupid.

Nothing, nothing at all, appeals to me to eat, so I've forced myself to eat something, anything, and decided that toast wouldn't do any harm as have it so rarely but that just made things worse. I will spare you the details.

I live alone and feel sorry for myself! Whaaaa!

Send virtual chicken soup!

Aria999 · 07/10/2022 22:55

@Words sorry to hear that. Virtual chicken soup is headed your way!

Hope you feel better soon.

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