Hi Frog

I’ll be in London on 17th August. Just down for the day to sort out new uniform. How about meeting for coffee if you’re around.

Welcome to the club Leeanne. 😃💐

Great results.

Hi everyone, so Im new to this whole diet. Although I tried atkins a couple of years ago it restricted many foods that were hard for me to quit altogether. Plus my husband who is 200% mexican found it hard to support me when he couldnt even have beans. Lol
So I am reaching out to you all. Can you provide me with great Mexcian recipes (BSD approved) that me and my hubby can enjoy through out our weight loss journey? Thanks in Advance

Hi Snaffler, are you my twin? 😀
I’m also a comfort eater. I’ve not started yet but I can’t wait

Em x

That’s good to hear, I’m about to start with my hubby too

Hello again Cherrianne

I looked at the thread you mentioned – thanks for that.

Herman’s Brot looks like German pumpernickel. I managed to buy some today as it has a low net carb and I do like the stuff – sadly, my husband doesn’t. I also managed to get a reasonably low gluten free which is ok for toast. It can be quite difficult to find things that are just that little bit “different”.

Thanks again for the info.

Hi everyone, I heard Michael on radio 2 yesterday, went and bought the book, went home and read the book and now I’m almost ready to start.

I’m approx 2 stone overweight and I’m going to be doing it with my hubby who is approx 6 stone overweight.

My main concern is will he have enough eat. He’s not over keen on grains whereas I really enjoy them.

And I don’t want to be faffing about the kitchen for hours on end 😀

Do I need to buy a blood sugar monitor?

Em x

Hi LindA

Caching up would be great if it would work and probably at the end of our trip. We leave on October 31st and plan to be in Sydney a couple of days before that.

Keeping pasta out of our diet is key for us. Just given some unopened packets to my neighbour after clearing out the larder today

Thanks for the invitation and I will keep you posted on the itinerary.

Hello gettingthere

That’s interesting. I’ll mention it to our son’s in-laws as they know Brisbane and I’ll add it to my list of places to go en-route. Thanks for the info.

Hi spcox

Fortunately, my daughter-in-law will cook well for us and she’s asked if I need anything special. Thanks for the tip on Uluru as we plan to go there. I’ll make a point of going onto caloriekng – it’ll give me a chance to familiarise myself with some of the product names.

Another time I’d like to visit Tasmania. My grandmother lived there but I never knew that side of my family.

Thanks for your help

Hi YayaM

Thanks for the info on the wide variety of cuisine and it’s good to know a meal can be modified. We’re not fussy eaters but want to stick to the BSD even though we’ll be on holiday. I’m sure we’ll have a great time and are looking forward to it with great excitement.

Just to say, Carina62, that RDA and other dietary advice is questioned by the BSD – it’s perfectly possible, as Frog says, to enjoy life and live well on less carbs than the 130g you have read about. And many experts think you will feel better for it.

I can testify to feeling very well indeed on 20g of carb per day, which I will maintain till the end of the BSD (I’m in my last week of 8), and I intend after I finish to maintain carb intake at c 50-75g per day ongoingly, doing a 5:2, with two days of 20g carb per day.

Hi

I am diabetic as well, and haven’t had any ill effects from lower carbs – my lowest day carb wise was around 20g – there was a post yesterday by someone diabetic that was trying to maintain 5g daily.
I’m actually doing the 800 cal a day version rather than 5:2 -there are some people on the site that have been following that for 6 months or more, with the 50g limit on carbs – no one has reported losing their marbles yet!

Sorry forgot, do you aim for 50g of carbs on your Fast Days or is that the amount you have daily, regardless?

Thanks for that. Yes, I forgot that I don’t have to make up the carbs amount if I choose not to but then again I did read somewhere that the RDA for carbs is about 130g daily for brain health and function although this could apply to non-diabetics but as I am a diabetic, I have to keep my carb intake low for good BS levels but I know that the amount of carbs tolerated is in an individual thing with diabetics. Always good to get answers 🙂

Please don’t be daunted LorrieW and greenjanet – it may sound a bit confusing at first, but you WILL get used to it, and it will all become clear really quickly.

Promise 🙂

Good luck and onwards and downwards!

Hi josie53,

Info from the USDA (U.S. Dept. of Agriculture) site https://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/foods/show/2385?manu=&fgcd=

100 grams strawberries = 7.68g carbs, 2g fiber (5.68g net carbs)
1 medium strawberry (1 1/4″ diameter, 12 grams) = 0.92g carbs, 0.2g fiber (0.72g net carbs)

Hi Snaffler

Here’s a thing a psychosomatic thing that is I haven’t started this yet, but because I am thinking about it so much, planning etc in prep for starting tomorrow., I feel like I have hardly eaten but I have, dry mouth like I have experienced on a severe diet before, headache, just shows me all that I experience is just in my mind.

Lol, thanks greenjanet it is daunting

Hi LorreW

I asked that yesterday re veg and was advised count everything starting tomorrow feeling very daunted by it all .

Hi Leanne, in a previous reply you said in the book I have re strawberries , which book are you referring to. Thanks lorrieW

I’m confused about carbs and calories in fruit I know not to eat bananas but I’m stumped with other fruit can I eat it as a snack? Also do you count the calories in snacks I.e almonds in with the 800 calories
Thanks

Hi Carina

quite a lot of people on this site aim for 50g of carbs, some far lower (and presumably some higher than that too)
I aim for 50g, some days its as low as 30g, other days up to 60g – generally higher on days when I don’t have fish or meat.
typically, people with carb limits at the lower end of the scale tend to loose weight faster

Particularly if you’re on your first day, just consider the 70g as a guideline highest level – there isn’t any need to go searching for more carbs if you eat less than that and feel you’ve eaten sufficient.
Over time you’ll get to a target that suits you and you can easily achieve.

Re. strawberries, the book I use states :
3 heaped tablespoons equals 27 cals and 6g carbs. (Relates to fresh not tinned).

I’ve always chewed sugar free gum – I even forgot to count the cals!!

I am doing my first Fasting Day today. I am a Type 2 diabetic on Meformin (x2 daily) and also carb counting.

My question is that I have only had 11g of carbs so far but will have more with my evening meal but wondered how many grams of carbs I can have? I am trying to stick to 80g of carbs a day so I could have 70g of carbs tonight but I feel that this is too much and don’t know how it will affect my BS levels.

Any suggestions? thanks

my sentiments too on fearne cotton but for me top of the ” we are so smug and slim chart” has to be the helmsley sisters!! i have tried so very hard to find them appealing but i found it a struggle some meals are ok but check out how to make bone broth on their webite i rest my case m’lord!!!!

Sorry Tokyo, I was half way through typing my missive before I saw your post. The legendary agave syrup!!! Let us know how it goes!!

I have just given in and ordered coconut sugar online. This will largely complete my collection of pointless ingredients I never thought I would buy, and will probably never use up. However it will also allow me to inflict THIS https://elanaspantry.com/cinnamon-coffee-cake/ on the family as an experiment.. muahahaha.

I have a Kindle AND the app so might have a look at those free books on Paleo/low carb. My one concern is that we are now all trying to find nice cake and dessert recipes that probably still have lots of calories.. just not the worst kind! Time will tell, eh?! Btw Lucky, I bought Fearne Cotton’s ‘healthy’ cookbook recently, and whilst most of the time I think she is pretentious AND needs a good dinner to stop her looking so skinny, I think there was a cheesecake recipe in it that you might be able to use or modify. Will have a look later.

5 Stone Lynne – that’s amazing – inspirational as ever.
I know you’ve often said the number of week, but I’d not realised that you’d started in the week of Christmas – Really Hard.
You’ll be in to size 12 tops very soon I’m sure!

Snaffler – agree that flies must be zero carb!

Hi Custard Lover
I only have my cat to contend with – and she helps by wanting to share anything on my plate! – and all my friends are very supportive when I eat out or am staying with them.
There was a series on BBC1 recently – still on IPlayer, called “Lose Weight for Love” – it followed four couples that had each put weight on during the course of their relationships. The program took fairly drastic action of having them live apart for a couple of months to kick start weight loss and break bad habits, and they worked with nutritionists and personal trainers.
They weren’t following BSD, but it was more focused on the psychology of overeating, particularly in relationships – you might find it interesting and pick up some tips from those. I followed it because the first episode aired the day that I started BSD
the website doesn’t say how long they are going to be up on IPlayer for.

Lots of luck with overcoming the saboteur!

That’s so funny, swallowing the fly, and in the voice of Yoda impressed I am that you thought about the carbs, protein in a fly hehe. I’ve got to find somewhere this evening to buy some weighing scales otherwise it will be a public hanging oh no I meant weigh in in Lyoyds pharmacy, I live in a village where everyone is as nosy as anything, and my weight will be all round in a flash, so here’s hoping I can buy one for my bathroom, so I can do it in secret. Then tomorrow make a week plan go shopping, measure myself tummy etc, and think about eating this yummy food. I will be on here all the time I think, so not doing any work lol, but I know I am going to need the support. Have a lovely rest of the day.🐝🐛🐌🐞🐜 new insects to eat. Hehe

Irish? Irish?! Okay, that’s cool:) Love the Irish, my OH’s family (and my surname now for 49 years) is from Irish heritage although in Australia for several generations now. Walked by their ancestral graves at the Rock of Cashel. On another trip took my niece and her Irish husband to see the Rock of Cashel while we were driving around Ireland on THEIR honeymoon – a story for another day.

Good luck with BSD, sydneygirl.

i meant to include janey in my last post you really are both such fun
and thanks to you i have just found the choc bars from lidl and also a 80% grit your teeth choc too !!
have made the wrap batter ready for cauliflower and paneer curry sounds like it shouldnt work but it does!!
whilst doing a bit of shopping in sains checking all the labels i thought people must wonder what i am doing !!! problem is the writing is so small i can barely read the labels !!
i have also bought some agarve nectar apparently sains lady says that and cauliglower are really popular at min so going to try it as a sweetner maybe in my brownies !!
i am sounding very organised but i feel thats the key for me anyway and water am drinking galloons of the stuff

Hi Switzerland Thank you very much for checking I am doing fine lost 12 pounds it is easier than expected but I think any little sugar I have prevent the wight loss straight away, and the lack of sleep making the losing weight slower but I am happy as long as I keep shedding weight 🙂

Thank you very much I lost 12 pounds so far and I am week 4 day 2 today xx

maybe we should set up a clothes exchange thread on this forum!
well not exactly an exchange, because everyone will be wanting to trade down, but I have loads of trousers in 20-22 that anyone that’s London based to collect them is welcome to!
(and around 5′”4′)

Alan nice to know there is something yummy in fast food that doesnt kill the diet, thank you! We also like sweet chilli sauce but have avoided it. My husband uses balsamic vinegar which I find disgusting – cant stand the smell of vinegar! I need to check if teryaki sauce is ok as that is lovely on salmon.

I found this recipe and thought I should give it ago: http://www.healthy4life.direct/#!Walnut-Crusted-Salmon/in239/576590a10cf26813fb9899e2 – but not with the maple syrup! Not sure what you would replace that with … maybe Alan’s sweet chilli sauce!

Igor loving your post – unbelievable that the single biggest expense the NHS is having and will have have going forward is obesity and type 2 and they don’t keep up with the latest information. Prof Roy is a well recognised, highly thought of professional and yet it seems no one is reading his research! Argh!

Ax

Hello GreenJanet! Nice to hear from you. We appear to have similar goals and I would be more than happy to pal up with you so we can support each other on our BSD travels! The forums are a godsend. So much useful stuff on there, lots of recipes and friendly people all in the same boat. The way I see it, it’s only 8 weeks out of your life and if it enables you to lose the weight and change your lifestyle permanently, what’s not to like?! Good luck with tomorrow. I am on day three. I have been hungry at times but when it comes on I distract myself with something else. That has got me through it. I have also been drinking lots of water and herbal tea and so far have not suffered from any headaches. My peanut sized bladder has meant frequent commutes to the loo though!!! Oh well, it’s all exercise. 😄 Have a great first day, we’re in it together!!! 😄

Captain Lynne I am still gobsmacked by your success! Well done on another loss. It’s certainly a very motivating tool for a week 1 newbie. I am feeling a bit ‘weird’ today. Decided to skip brekkie so I could have a medi platter for lunch and skinny chilli for tea. I’m normally a breakfast eater so maybe that’s why or it could just be my system adjusting I suppose. I am drinking plenty of water and like you I like to drink the sparkly sort too.I imagine that I will experience different ‘states’ as I go along. I’m just going to be patient, follow the plan and plod steadily through the peaks and troughs. I’m a tad worried as I swallowed a fly whilst out walking the dog this morning. I was shuffling along with a slack gob, dreaming of my forthcoming medi platter and in it flew. Still, I guess flies count as protein and not carbs!!! 🤔I too wear a uniform for work and it is stretched to the max (it’s not stretchy material either) so I look forward to pestering the stores department in the future!

thank you Igorasusual
I really appreciate your kindness

have thought about getting them, but to be honest whatever they say wont change what is happening

I am ‘keeping trying’ and intend to continue as long as I am able (which can of course change with the wind!!)

I don’t want to go into ‘stupidly low’ carbs/cals as then I know it will not be sustainable for me

just wish a bit more stomach would move as then I could wear my new trousers that fit everywhere else

(to be honest, I don’t want to know if I am burning fat, because if they show I’m not, then I shall break down and give up, so I have to believe it)

Hello lovely ladies 🙂

Well Janey, that will teach me for being smug and ‘I’ve had no side effects at ALL, yay me’ – won’t it? I was shivering this morning when I woke up, not sure if that’s carb flu or the fact that it is bloody freezing here today. My finger hovered over the central heating button but I thought, no. It’s nearly July. The heating is NOT going on. I’ve been drinking my water today, just made a ham and mushroom omelette for lunch.

Tokyo, thank you for your kind words 🙂 It’s just a case of always looking at the bigger picture, isn’t it? 18lbs lost, all those inches. And you hit the nail on the head, if I hadn’t started this, I’d be sat here, miserable, heading towards 18 stone (again!) which was a dead cert instead of heading towards 15 stone something 🙂 Summer, barbecues, a lot of drinking, eating out, picnics, camping. That’s one thing that hasn’t bothered me yet, the lack of alcohol, but then over the last year or so I’ve become allergic to wine (you may laugh) so every time I have a glass (bottle/box…) I sneeze, I get bunged up, it’s not very nice. At all. I have to pop two Benadryl a good hour before if I want to drink wine. Plus this ‘one glass’ malarky… all I can say to that is – PFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFT. Once that bottle is open… and if anyone here can drink one glass of wine, I salute you, I really do. Safer for me not to, at the moment, I think!

Re the recipe book Janey, I’ve just checked Amazon to see if there’s anything free, and there’s only two under ‘low carb cookbook’, I don’t know if you have a Kindle or Kindle app but if so might be worth a look. There are plenty of books on the Kindle Unlimited and I’ve just spotted a coconut flour one! There’s about four or five free Paleo ones. I have been thinking about cheesecake. My favourite quick and easy chocolate one (no bake) was cream cheese (full fat), double cream and dark chocolate. So the cheesecake mix would be do-able if I used heroin chocolate or similar? And for the base, I see a lot of people are using ground almonds, sweetener and butter. Shove a handful of strawberries or raspberries on top instead of mini Daim bars or Reeses… does that sound like something I could eat at a barbecue or girls night in? A small slice of, granted, calorie counted 😉

Hi all, I’m finally eligible to join the over-16 weeks club. Still eating sensibly – not always sticking to 800 cals but certainly eating no rubbish. I’m now on half dose medication as I’m officially in the pre-diabetic bloods range. Hopefully in a few more months I’ll be classed as normal! Good luck to everyone with the BSD – it really does work.

hi there, sounds organised! Ive found that pushing for brunch daily, so just having 2 meals helps me not being so stressed about exceeding amounts, the forum is really useful for sure, poached eggs really fill you up especially with avocado, its important to exercise. I seem to have had a good first week, lost 4lbs but a long way to go. The hardest thing is the limbo I feel left in by cravings but at the same time those cravings seem to teach me why I was eating bread for example. Losing an easy self reward needs to be tackled, also the sense of indulgence. Saying all that on the whole, Im really pleased to be on this path, if feels right. I feel less up and down, not drinking is tough because I do enjoy the social aspect of it, but I know I can’t for now.

This is the thing, Alan, doctors and other advisors say that we should all be eating a ‘healthy balanced diet’. But most people (including all of us pre doing this) didn’t really know what this actually was.

Isn’t this what we’ve been told:
So long as you have 5 portions of veg/fruit a day you’re ok –
well, watch for the smoothies, full of sugar and no fibre
watch for the fruit, which has lots of sugar in which you don’t realise. Not a problem unless you eat too much.
watch for the ‘good’ bread
watch for ‘potatoes’ – they’re vegetables, aren’t they, eat two portions of chips thats 2 of your 5.
watch for your ‘treat’ dinner of a takeaway with added sugar to the sauce, ketchup, loads of flour in the pizza base, but never mind, there’s tomatoes in the topping, that’s another one of your 5.
have another cappuccino, never mind about the fact you’ve just had 200 calories.
keep snacking through the day, ‘because you’re worth it’
And for goodness sake eat low fat – because fat is bad for you isn’t it. Never mind the added sugar it’s got in it as a result.

Have I left out any of the ‘good advice’ round ‘healthy balanced diets’?

Onwards and upwards with the BSD!

Hi Gayn55 – I was also puzzled before i started using MyFitnessPal, on which you can note everything down and see how many calories/carbs/fat/protein you are eating.

Re your carbs sugar question on packets

If you are in the UK

it is number of carbs in the product
within which is this much sugars
fibre is shown separately

You are counting the number of carbs actually shown as carbs. You should avoid refined sugars (e.g. sugar itself, and ideally too much fructose from fruit), but there is a little sugar in things like tomatoes and milk, which is difficult to avoid

If you are in the US then you have to deduct the fibre from the overall carbs to get the net carbs. In the UK this is done for you.

I started with too many veg like you – overdid it with red cabbage, a bit, one day! – and have then decided only to have a limited number of carbs per day (I’m doing 20g, but people here have success with 50g or less), which has driven my more than 12% loss of starting weight in 7 weeks.

Good luck!

Re diet plan being pushed out within nhs
Saw my doc this week shown him my Bauer app off my BP and BS
he typed all my foods into his pc then said this isn’t a special diet or special food EVERYONE should be eating this way !
He wasn’t being sarcastic at all
Very helpful doctor who said carry on we’ll see you again for blood tests and see about reducing more pills
Thank you Michael M

Something which has helped me greatly
I’ve eaten a subway chicken tikka salad bowl( every single salad in it)almost every day
I continue with grated cheese and sweet chilli sauce
The sauce is a small sin but keeping it up cos I love them and £3-50 with black coffee is great value out n about
Thanks again you guys

Yes, Bubblesdevere, already signed 🙂 🙂 🙂

Alan that is absolutely brilliant!
Igor no surprise there is a petition to get Prof Taylor’s plan to be pushed out through NHS for pre-diabetics and type 2’s :
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/125704

Thank you Frog x