Well I keep seeing these small meals etc and gourmet recipes, I need something to fill up on thats cheap, easy, quick, budget is low, but fight this hunger and cravings for takeaways, systemic candida Ive had for ages, false hypos, though being so severley depressed etc and lots of physical and mental issues makes this seem impossible, 36 years since this started, a personal trainer would be better..

No will power beyond a basic hermit type lifestyle, hunger is a massive problem

Soup. Cheap, healthy and filling. Minestrone slip. There is a good recipe on the recipe board. 80% food 20% exercise. Gluck. Sorry know nothing about candida.

Please don’t despair, Rich, you can do this.

Cheap, Filling, Easy suggestions

Eggs and bacon.
Omelette (2 eggs) with 30g cheese or some ham or your preferred filling eg mushrooms
Roast veg in oven – bung them in with some olive oil, lots of salt and pepper, (chilli if you like). Cauli, courgette, peppers, your choice – all are good.
Put some chicken in the veg in the oven.
Also I did chicken thighs as sort of casserole – first on stove top to brown with a little onion and some mushrooms. Then added chopped tomato and put in oven. Serve with steamed veg – we had broccoli

Hope this is some inspiration for you.
If you are really carb addicted like you say, it may be that you will have a bit of “carb flu” as you kick refined carbs but it does get better quickly.

The other thing to try is reducing your “bad” food bit by bit (Lucia’s threads – type her name in the SEARCH box) is particularly good to inspire you. Try reading those.

Good luck! 🙂

Hi Rich,

Firstly, you’re not alone. I have no idea of your personal circumstances but I’ve had bad depression myself in years gone by. I’m sure you’ll find a lot of support here.

It strikes me you might be taking on a lot to change you diet so completely whilst having so much else to deal with. It’s more important that you make healthy changes than it is to lose weight quickly. You will still lose weight I’m sure if you’ve been eating a lot of takeaways etc. Your hunger might only make your depression worse and it sounds as if it already feels like an unsurmountable problem. I understand you might want to lose weight quickly but understanding a little myself how will power is even harder when you’re depressed can I suggest that you start with altering to the mediterranean diet and eating as much as you need to not feel hungry. You can do this with the knowledge that you will be feeding the right gut bacteria and hopefully that will go some way towards helping your depression or at least helping you to cope with the dietary changes.

Do you cook or enjoy cooking? Tell me a little more about yourself so I can support you better.

Sally

Hi Rich
It is very easy to follow BSD without the recipes and lots of specialist foods – just cutting out the bread/potatoes rice and pasta, and substituting with lower carb veg, and lots of eggs. Gram flour pancakes in moderation (biggish bag of flour, but you only need 10g of flour and water for a single pancake) – and if you’re currently eating takeaways, and can cut those out, you will probably eating more economically.

You don’t say if you’re diabetic – if you are the GP may be able to point you at (or refer you to) a support group or session – I did one when I was first diagnosed a couple of years ago, or a CBT referral – again as a session thing or 1:1.
I also came across a local charity that is starting a 12 week diabetes cookery and lifestyle group on Monday, and the same centre is also home to a “talk for Health group” – you might find something similar on your area that would be helpful. Depression alliance maybe another avenue to try, or there’s the national Walk for Health scheme that could provide a combination of gentle exercise and getting away from the hermit lifestyle.

Bet wishes that it goes well for you – even if you can’t find a local face to face group or assistance, I’m sure you’ll find lots of support on this forum.

Hi Rich — I couldn’t get with the recipes either so I just made simple good food — roasted chicken with steamed vegetables and green salads with vegies added, small amounts of salad dressing. Breakfast I was satisfied with eggs, cheese, heavy cream in my coffee. I found that the more simple the better. It seemed like just staying focused on the diet took most of my energy so I didn’t add anything else that wasn’t strictly necessary. Just stay simple — a few months focused on just this is just fine. Plenty of time later to get more “on your plate”, literally and figuratively. I will look for your future posts. Best wishes, Julia

Hi there
Rich I was just like you monster appetite but it is easy after 41 years of failing diets it works it is cheap as you eat modest amounts and my appetite walked out the door two days after I started I have lost almost 3 st in 11 weeks go for it you will be amazed and wonder why you doubted this plan goes against all the rules but it works because it does go against the rules. Keep us posted on your progress we are always here for support 🙂🙂🙂