Just been having a browse around on this subject and found folks saying to thicken sauces with gelatin powder. No carbs, obviously, as it’s an animal derivative.

Hi everyone what a great day.
I have had my eyes tested and all is well with them.
I have been to a little company that has a unit, not a shop, and ordered a pair if specs, I had to get the new glasses fitted as my head is SO SLIM now.
Garden is tidy again, front And back.
Been out and about
Had steak onions and mushrooms for my evening meal.

Been okay today but now, in the evening, my cold is coming back, so more honey and lemon etc.

Love Lucia
Xxxx

I do similar, but use milk instead of butter.

I make a cheese sauce by melting butter & cream cheese in a pan, add in some grated cheese and Worcestershire sauce.

Could swap Worcestershire sauce for mustard

Not quite the same as traditional sauce but it’s still yummy

On Atkins and other Keto diets, arrowroot is recommeded as the lower carb option for thickening sauces, etc. It has 7g net carbs per tbsp. When you think about it, you don’t use much to thicken and the sauce goes a long way, so fewer carbs per serving.

B – Fage yog/50g blueberries
L – half tin tuna, tomatoe, cucumber, lettuce
D- sirloin steak, tomatoe, cucumber, spring onion, half tbsp mayo

Tea to drink

Hi Willf, I’m on my very last day of my 8 weeks tomorrow. Weight loss has been good – lost just over a stone and a half. However this last week has seen fasting readings in the 9’s!! In the beginning they were 11. Mid-diet they dropped to the 6’s then went up to the 7/8’s in weeks 5/6. I halved my Metformin to 1000mg about 3 weeks ago. However today I’ve upped them back to 2000mg at this late stage. I’ve blamed the 9 readings on peanut butter finger in jar eating at hunger pang times. Disappointed with my levels but pleased with everything else. Maybe I will have to keep on going to get better results.

Thanks MooLoc …good luck with it too.

Patsy …Thanks. I think my husband could manage larger portions of what I plan to eat too to be honest. Its the 4 fussy teenagers, and my 3 year old that are the problem ones! haha!

Today has gone ok actually, but I’ve only managed to eat 700 calories, which had total 44g carbs. Is there a certain amount of carbs we should be consuming per day?

Day 2 Today – 737 cal 37 carb

B – boiled egg
L – 2 oz salmon, 2 boiled egg, 1/2c carrots, 1/2 mushrooms, 1 c strawberries
D – 3 oz salmon, 1 c raw vegies, 1/2 berries, 1/2 Greek yogurt

Hugs and thanks to all in here for sharing and supporting!
💗

Having finished Week 1, I just got on the scale. I lost 13 pounds. Pleased. This was my second start –stopped on day 3 the first time ’round, stopped when my doctor told me I’d be having surgery a couples days from then. Not a good time for such a radical change, but this time went very smoothly and I’m hoping for the endurance to do the next couple of weeks. The surgery was for nerve degeneration in my right arm and hand. Know what the number 1 risk factor for this condition is? Right! High blood sugar. Having surgery on the last arm and hand in a month. But I need this to work! By the way, I started at 272 pounds and am 259 today. 6 foot, 2 inches. A way to go, but a nice beginning. Good luck to all!

Thanks Judith, I see it now!!

courgette curly fries….. didn’t really work 🙁

I tossed the courgette in olive oil and just salt and pepper, baked in the oven and they don’t go crispy crunchy. If you left them long enough to be crispy crunchy there wouldn’t be any left I guess they are a high water content. On a positive note though they still tasted nice, even my fussy daughter ate some.

I try to get through it by drinking water/herbal tea but tbh most of the time now I’m not getting very hungry. When I am and the other stuff hasn’t worked then I just try and find something to do until it passes (which it does)…. Stick with it, as everyone says, it really does get easier x

Arrowroot is high carb so not good on this diet.

I haven’t tried this but could you make a white sauce by frying some finely chopped onion and cracked pepoer corns and stirring in some cream and mustard? I know it wouldn’t be thick but might work with some things

Yes please Willf, it would be great to hear about your T2 journey and hope your bs stays low 🙂

What about arrowroot powder?

I decided to be brave and try the gram flour in a roux. It worked, but does have a different flavour. I made a cracked pepper sauce and could still detect the difference. It’s not unpleasant just a bit ‘beany’. The result seemed a little thicker than with wheat flour, so I’ll use a bit less next time.

Hi Tealover, there are a few of us who, in spite of sticking like glue to the diet, lose very slowly. I seem to have a loss every other week, one week had a small gain. Not sure if you’re male or female but for us women the time the month can cause weight gain, could it be that? Do you check your carbs, fats, proteins as well as calories? I know its crazy and on 800 cals per day weight should just fall off no matter what you eat but keeping the carbs low does help so worth checking – I use myfitnesspal which breaks it down simply.

Thanks for this hashimoto. I did read them but they spiked earlier than me. Think I’ll continue for my final week on lower meds and see what happens. I did check my BS again 2 hours after my breakfast this morning (and 1 metformin!) and level was back to 6. Would be so happy if it stayed like that in the mornings! Will keep you posted….

Hi MooLoc that sounds like a good idea.
I sometimes do a variety of curries with rice for guests and chickpea flour flatbreads instead of naan 🙂

Hi Orchid
Hope this link works Ok for you. https://mymarathon.bhf.org.uk/

Have fun in the Orkneys.
If you can’t use the link you could always keep track of how far you walk as an estimate and send a donation if you like.
I’m intending to not join the official challenge site as such but to send a donation, as is Eureka.
For me it is partly the challenge, and partly the charity motivation.

The very best of luck with your marathon for Cancer Research UK. The Breast Cancer cause is one close to my heart and have every respect for your future overnight effort. Have only managed to attend a ‘Fairy Flutter’ myself!!!

Best of luck.

sugar free gum helps me 🙂

Thank you! I cut a slice off a portobello mushroom that I was cooking!
Great ideas Snaggers, thanks.

Thanks Hashimoto – yes will try that! I’m thinking a traditional style roast dinner might be easiest to start. Looking forward to the challenge!

Hi ay caamba, Can you send the link to the BHF my marathon – I just tried to find it and failed :-(.
I’ll join in – I need to start training soon as I am walking a full marathon overnight 24/9 round London for Cancer Research UK (breast Cancer).
I have just arrived in Orkney for a weeks holiday and will be in and our of coaches sightseeing all week. Weather not looking great, so may have to do most of the walk over 3 weeks not 4!
Will start counting tomorrow……

Hi Marcia
Pleased that you are ready to accept a Marathon challenge.
Had my Fitbit for around 3 weeks now and I am finding it very motivating. It also makes you notice the days when you do very few steps.Today have been sitting in a car most of the time so my step count is really low. Need to get walking tomorrow to make up.
Well….. start My Marathon March for May.

Tried to explain my Penguin March idea to my husband and he looked rather puzzled and said, ‘So does this mean you can walk faster than a penguin?’ Grrrr….

Talk to your doctor, mine told me se would take me off my meds once I fainted (light headed) from too low BP as that would mean I didn’t need the meds anymore.
Just started the program but hoping to get off meds at some point.

Wow great job – motivational and thanks for posting in lbs also – 😄

I started yesterday and it went well except for some hunger. But last night everything started hurting (knees, back, fingers) etc and I don’t know why.
Today I drank a lot of water when I got up because I drank mostly tea yesterday so thought maybe I was dehydrated.
I feel better now but wondering if anyone else had this or has advice.

Did lose 2 lbs after one day. Mostly water but any weight off is good. 💜

Thanks Hashimoto
Good point about the banana……need to be really careful with fruit and the hidden sugar.
Forgot to take one with me anyway and haven’t felt so light- headed lately.
Think I just slow down in the last part of the class anyway. Not hauling so much weight about too so that must easier on the old body!
Hope you are feeling better now.

Hi if you are a British Citizen please could you sign our petition 🙂

MooLoc, I just make a three course BSD style menu for guests 🙂
I save all my calories and now make sure I eat less than my guests! 🙂

thanks for the link
that is also one of the things my gp suggested
although I have some additional symptoms

I am left with the advice from the consultant which is to take gaviscon after each meal and at night, for the next month, to allow my oesophagus to heal (from the reflux damage or something)
and to sleep with raised bed
will give it a month and hope it improves
he seemed adamant that all my symptoms were caused by stomach acids/fluids into throat although since I have been taking a ppi for over a year, I am confused – but he said that there are other stomach fluids that irritate, not just the ones the ppi stops

oh these things get so confusing

Hi Happylife it is in this thread!!! In fact just above your latest post on this thread!
Judith 🙂

From what I’ve heard it’s common for people to have weeks were they don’t lose or maybe gain, only to lose weight again suddenly. Although the tea may not be to blame have you tried having some herbal ones?

You don’t say why you’re not active, is it possible to be more active? Just small goals no marathons. I understand there may be a reason you’ve not mentioned.

Are you being 100% About checking/measuring/ logging what you eat?

Post your food here if you like I’m sure some experienced members would look for you. I’m only on week two myself.

Great results HT! And thanks for signing the petition 🙂

I thought I was good on fruit and veg, but I’d never heard of this.

As apples are OK and the carbs seem to be lower than for apples, I imagine it would be OK to eat some of them.

Hi everyone. I have been reading many of the forums whilst following the BSD but never posted any comments, although I did sign the petition when it started. I have finished the 8 weeks and lost 18lb. My HbA1c result has just come in at 38. I am so pleased and just wanted to say a huge thank you to Dr. Mosley and Professor Taylor for making this possible. Also many thanks to everyone on the forums for all the information, recipes and laughs. Can’t wait to see the reaction of the diabetic nurse when I see her in a couple of weeks as she was very dismissive when I tried to broach the subject with her a couple of years ago. So glad I took no notice of her. Good luck to everyone on the diet. I still can’t believe how very easy it was.

I’m starting to quite like chick peas.

It is irritating that sugar is added to just about everything.

Forgot to say Edinburgh is my favourite Scottish city, love the history it has. I’m further north of Dundee but visit now and then.

Just been to the optician with my daughter then a rummage around a local castle 🙂

I don’t think drinking tea will be causing you problems.

Even for smaller people 800 calories is low, so you should lose weight reasonably quickly.

If you can avoid the sweeteners then do. They’re not healthy and just encourage cravings for sweet things.

My husband isn’t doing the diet, but we’re eating the same foods for most meals. Some are recipes from the book, others are my own adaptations of the meals we used to have, but using low carb foods. I just have a smaller portion and give him some rice/pasta/bread/potatoes.

Hi Moo loc

I’m on week 7 (36lb loss so far) I try to avoid any time where the hunger really kicks in, I really needed to plan for these times as that is when I am at my weakest. Nuts are good, but maybe try an apple, or some berries with some yoghurt, maybe just the yoghurt (with nuts).

I roast a chicken every few days and have cold roast chicken permanently in the fridge, protein is always satisfying and you can get away with picking only a few bits. The chicken forms the basis of my lunch salad, I also use prawns so these are good to pick at too.

I also have a pot of chicken stock on the go, my wife hates it but I use it for sauces and when I’m hungry I drink a cup of it, it’s only a few calories and far more substantial and tasty than just water. Flavoured tea can also give your a temporary stay until dinner, lemon and peppermint are my favs.

Raw veg with seasoning can also be your friend, I love carrots and coriander, cherry tomatoes with dried garlic, mange tout blanched in the chicken stock. I try to go for something tasty and or bulky and “dress it up”.

You have to look at what you like and distil that down to a low calorie, accessible and hopefully satisfying snack, not easy but 100% worth every second of prep and planning. Remember if you are snacking eat slow and STOP as soon as you do not feel hungry.

Good luck !

Thank you all! I started yesterday and was really lost but reading what you all are eating is a great guide!!!!
Special thanks to Hashimoto for his frittata recipe! (I can’t find the post where I asked him for it – how do I do that?)
Yesterday:
B – Bircher – 245 cal total.
1 tblspn raisins (35 = 50 cal)
3.5 T apple juice(50 cal- 1.5oz
2 T ground flaxseed (75 cal)
2 T full Fat Greek yogurt (20cal)
Pinch of ground cinnamon
1 T walnut pieces (50 cal)

L- 3 oz salmon
1 cup mixed vegies and 1 t butter

D- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
1 apple
25 raisins

S – 1 oz aged cheddar

I went over by 78 cal but lost 2 lbs as of today. One thing is I hurt everywhere starting last night and hadn’t been at all. Fingers, back, knees all got super inflamed for some reason. Wondering B if it was the tiny bit of red pepper for lunch (1/8 cup) as its a night shade.

Anyone else have inflammation when they first started?

A cup of tea – normal or fruit/herb can help.

It does get easier, honestly.

Is there a low carb way to make a white sauce?

I’m assuming cornflour is unsuitable as a thickener. Would gram flour work?

Brilliant diary – thanks for sharing!

Peggy, I’m really encouraged by your post. I’m on day 1 and would love to have lost 2.5lb like you have, well done!!
Food is my hobby, I love to cook, eat, plan, shop. We have dinner guests a lot too – I haven’t faced that yet! Will need to think ahead.
Keep posting your story, it’s great to read!