Thanks for the answers, guys. I’ve been trying to read around the whole food thing, and my impression is that if a nutritionist sat down and tried to formulate a diet for three days or more providing everything we’re supposed to have, as determined by someone only thinking about their particular area (fat, carbs, protein, fibre and so on), they’d have a hard job doing it and coming up with something healthy. The NHS recommended sources of sufficient carbs in the diet, in their view, seemed to leave no calories for anything else but bread, breakfast cereal, bananas, potatoes, baked beans and pasta.
I’m really relieved to read your answers, captainlynne and sunshine-girl. I don’t want to kill my OH with kind or tough love. And yes, it is good that he’s joining in. Since I started, he’s been eating the same as me (with larger portions of meat, fish or cheese), which he’s been supplementing with cereal at breakfast, bread with meals and the odd glass of wine, as well as snacks. Despite these ‘cheats’, he’s been losing weight (I can see it, though he never weighs himself). He says when the bread and cereal are gone, he’ll do it ‘full time’.
He’s worried about breakfast though. I don’t have breakfast, but for him it’s essential. So I’m going to have to come up with some ideas that will keep him satisfied. He loves mushrooms, so that’s a good start! That and some protein, but he’ll baulk at bacon or even eggs because he’s had three heart attacks and is convinced that saturated fat is worse for him than carbs. Due to get both books (the original book plus the new recipe book), so that should help with ideas. One thing that won’t work for him, though, is smoothies.
Thanks for the help. You’ve put my mind at rest.