Hi everyone
I’ve just started the 8 week diet because I want to lose weight and feel healthier and fitter. As far as I know, I’m not pre – diabetic but my BMI puts me in the overweight category. In my first week I’ve lost 5 lb. but badly affected by constipation. I’m looking for some advice re understanding the recipes in the 8 week book. A lot of them I’m ok with as they are similar to meals I normally cook (but now I’m having no carb with them). I am puzzled as to how the ingredients are chosen e.g there’s beef mince but not stewing beef, only red peppers are ever used – is there something wrong with yellow and green? Carrots are used sparingly – are they too carby? And no cabbage? It would help if there were guidelines to help with this as I’m not too keen on being dictated to on choice of recipes. Also (last question, sorry) why so many seeds?

hi
if you use the search box (top right hand area of the page, there are a number of existing threads about constipation which you may find useful
You’ll probably find it useful to use one of the online calorie counters – FatSecret, My Fitness Pal, calorie count – there are loads of free options on line. I prefer FatSecret, they have a UK specific site, so no measurements in cups, lots of UK supermarket brands, I find it easier to use than MFP and there’s a lot less ads. It will help you track calories, carbs, fats, protein – just about any food related nutrient you can think of.
Also, as a visual reminder, I like the carbs in fruit and veg images from DietDoctor – I have them on my kitchen wall
https://www.dietdoctor.com/low-carb/vegetables

I haven’t used any of the recipes at all – if you want to substitute stuff, just use an online calorie counter to track the nutrients that you use.

I haven’t got the book, so can’t really comment on specific recipes, but yes carrots and other ‘below ground’ veg are much more carb heavy than the ‘above ground’ type. Maybe some of the other meat and vegetables used are due to the ‘Mediterranean’ nature of the recipes. I just miss out the bread, potatoes, pasta, rice and sugar from my usual recipes and meals, occasionally adding an alternative like courgetti for pasta or cauliflower mash for potato. This seems to work well for me.