What to eat to lose weight?

[Darkusmodus]

I would like to lose half a stone before summer (End of June? Beginning of July?).

But I am a carb addict 😫 Think toast for breakfast, wrap for lunch and spaghetti for dinner.

I‘ve read that for example chicken or fish and veg would be better- but does that really fill you up? And what about lunch?

As you can probably tell I an clueless. But I would love to be less bloated and to lose a bit of flab.

When I’m trying to lose weight my day looks like this -

breakfast - greek yoghurt, berries, walnuts
lunch - chicken or tuna with salad and boiled egg or scrambled eggs
dinner - anything with lowish carbs but I’m not too strict. So I’ll have chicken with veg and sweet potato wedges, chilli with a little bit of rice, fish pie with filo pastry top…

I do get hungry but after a week I get used to it. don’t forget to drink a lot of water, that boosts my weight loss.

apparently eating a few almonds half an hour before carbs helps blood sugar, because they have digestive enzymes so can help you lose weight or at least not put it on. Apples = fibre = full up. Green tea helps you lose weight and curbs your appetite!

Eat whatever you suit that enables you to eat less.

i do best on a relatively balanced diet, 3 meals and one snack, just smaller portions and lower calorie options.

I tried the high protein thing which doesn’t work for me. I can’t fill up on protein, I need bulky fibre and carbs.

if I only had half a stone to lose easiest way for me would be to just do a week of very low calorie, then move to a sensible calorie controlled pattern afterwards to prevent regain.

There’s nothing wrong with carbs. Cut the shit though. Anything with seed oils, anything processed. Cook from scratch. I’d cut the wraps and replace with a jacket potato though.

I have lost almost half a stone in a month intermittant fasting - so fasting 16 hours and 8 hours eating. I have breakfast and lunch on these days. It takes some getting used to but having veg and protein for both meals really does fill you up. I am not denying myself all treats but when you know you can only eat within a specific period then you physically cannot eat too much.
Breakfast is often a protein bar, some miso soup and black coffee. Lunch is then roasted vegetables, grilled chicken, sometimes some bread on the side. and lots and lots of water

Try slimming world, carbs are allowed!

For me, when I am eating way too many carbs, it's that I'm also not eating enough of the good stuff. So I go back to making sure I get a quarter of my plate protein, half fruit and veg and a quarter carbs. It's easier to think of adding protein and veg than reducing or cutting out carbs. Do that for a couple of weeks and then you can always introduce other measure if you think you need them.

Lots of protein, dairy, wide variety of veg, and good fats.( use extra virgin olive, not seed or veg oil)

No sugar, wheat, white carbs or ultra processed food- cook from scratch.

I combine this with 16:8 and the weight melts away very quickly.

Carb craving for me is a sure sign I am eating unhealthily.

Thanks for all the replies! It seems at least cutting down on the carbs is the best, instead of cutting them out completely (this scares me 😆).

And to those who said it, you‘re right- too many carbs is definitely a sign I‘m not eating healthily enough.

When you say very low calorie, how low is low?

And also interesting to read about 16:8. Have been considering it for a while after a friend had good results. I don’t even like breakfast, and only eat it because I feel like I have to. So I don’t think it would be too difficult to hold off a few hours in the morning (and a good way to resist evening snacking I suppose!)

Sounds like 16:8 might be a good fit for you. I lost about 10 vanity pounds very easily by 16:8 and cutting out sugar/processed junk.

Try to release some glucagon. Where insulin says 'burn sugar!', glucagon says 'burn fat!'

We start to release glucagon only when we are not releasing insulin, and insulin is released whenever we eat, and especially when we eat carbohydrates. Also, alcohol disables glucagon.

So, only eat 3 times a day, avoid regular, big, carb-hits, and minimise alcohol use.

Protein absolutely fills you up, but you might need a bit more of it if you're pulling back on carbs. Try eating 2 chicken breasts, and you'll see how filling it is!

I go to Slimming World - carbs are allowed, as a PP says (it's the sauces that are the devil's work). I had couscous last night, which was filling and "free" on the plan.

I do have to ignore the voice of Marjorie Dawes from Fat Fighters saying "Dust! Anybody...? No...!? Dust?!" sometimes though.

Good luck. x

I agree, I've never been able to stick at a diet before as I need carbs but I've lost nearly 3 stone since November doing SW.

Eat whatever you want, but less.

Trying to force down shit you don’t wanna eat won’t last. It never does?

Eat whatever you want, but less

Rubbish advice. If OP wants lots of carbs, she'll end up the same weight she is now or heavier, and undernourished, like a large chunk of the rest of the population.

It's really important to make sure you're getting the right nutrients, OP.

Start every meal with a portion of raw veg, even if it’s just a raw carrot, or a bowl of lettuce with a drizzle of dressing. The fibre really helps fill you up and calm cravings. It’s cheap too!

Thanks for the advice! I have started 16:8 which is surprisingly easy- no snacks after dinner and no breakfast which I always forced down anyway.

I‘ve really tried to add more protein (that’s a great way of putting it @Trickedbyadoughnut !). So instead of a bowl of pasta I had some salmon with a spoon of pasta and lots of broccoli.

I‘ve somehow lost 1.3 lbs since I weighed myself four days ago, it’s probably water weight but a great motivator nonetheless!