Thanks Barby. I’ve just downloaded the Indian vegan cookbook and will have a good look at the recipes. I love Indian food and was vegan for ages. I’ve just had trouble trying to do low carb with vegan meals. Too many beans and lentils and I get hungry too soon. Also miss the rice to soak up the delicious spicy gravies. Thanks for letting us know. It’s free, you can’t lose.

I don’t feel that it matters how much fat is in your diet, as long as what you’re eating is satisfying you. Sometimes the low fat products have about the same calorie count as the full fat, because of the added sugars as Janet said. But sometimes the full fat product has so many extra calories that it’s hard to fit into your daily 800.

For that reason I’ve been using skim milk in my two cups of coffee a day. I’d much prefer full fat, but then I’d have to cut back on something else. I really enjoy full fat Greek yoghurt, but again, I have to read the labels very carefully to try to keep the calorie count down as much as possible.

If your carb count is acceptable, and you’re keeping within your calorie limit, I’d go with whatever you enjoy. If you don’t like the food, you won’t stick to it long term.

I agree, I also checked out the calories and found they were much higher. I don’t trust the calorie count of any of the book’s recipes. Some are accurate, but many are over and a few seem to be a bit under. I now only use a few of the book’s recipes, and have gone back to eating my own meals, but always calorie and carb checked. The diet itself works just fine, even though I don’t lose weight as quickly as some. As long as it’s going down, I’m happy.

This breakfast states 110 calories but when I entered it on my fitness pal the almonds alone are 150 calories per serve.Does anyone know if this is correct,l don’t want to eat more calories than stated.

You can also eat the skin on your chicken! Its a good source of fat.

Low fat products contain more sugar so you should really try to make the full transition to full fat to feel the best benefits for your blood sugar

Was it one of Michael Mosley’s docos where he talked to scientists about how much meat we can sustainably eat? The answer turned out to be around 100 grams per day per person. (This is purely about sustainability, not if you don’t like the taste or don’t approve of eating animals.) A lot of the Western World, including me, eat a lot more that that, even while on a low calorie diet. I eat more than the recommended 45 g of protein a day because I love the taste of meat so much. One side of my family were farmers and I’ve always known where meat comes from (and so do my kids) and I do care about the welfare of animals while they are alive but am happy to kill and eat them. For my health, and for the environment, I really should cut down to the 100 grams of meat a day. But on a low carb diet that only leaves veges…. euw…. I’ve increased my vegetable intake a lot on this diet but can’t say I enjoy most of them that much. I could not stick to this diet if I didn’t get to eat yummy meat.

Good: I seem to be able to spend more on the computer before my RSI shoulder pain starts, so that indicates a reduction in inflammation.
Good: No blood sugar drops if meals are delayed, I used to get panicky and cranky and feel awful now I’m just a bit hungry – huge difference.
Good: Cravings and the need to emotional eat much reduced.
Same: I don’t have any more energy and my perimenopause symptoms are still there unless I take tablets but I’m hoping.
Worse: Hashimoto mentioned no diverticulitis flare-ups, my pelvic pain has come back and my doctor thinks that is diverticulitis but I haven’t had the colonoscopy yet. (I have had a pelvic ultrasound, nothing found.) It is disrupting my sleep.

I can’t remember who wrote about a pasta substitution named Splendier pasta but whoever, an Aussie, thank you.
I purchased some yesterday and will try it soon. It was a great help that you even told me the place and even the position on the shelf….I found it immediately ! Usually I dither around and finally have to seek help…that’s if you can grab anyone ! I am a great fan of Italian food and love my pasta, even used to make my own, so I am not too sure what this will taste like. I think I will try it myself first and give my OH proper fettuccine just in case.
It is always good when someone can recommend something, but this is what it is all about – everyone sharing and helping each other.
jillyB

You are losing weight and your BS is down, so I’d keep doing what you are doing!

You’ve done incredibly well! If you mark your good days and your bad days on a calendar, your bad day is just a tiny bump on your road to success. The important thing to do now is to ensure that your small bump doesn’t turn into an excuse for more eating. Well done for having your food already prepared for tomorrow. You are doing great and you should be proud!

Sorry this is so long….
I’m loving my journey on the BSD despite having a bit of a plateau at the moment but I find it really difficult to adjust to having fats in a diet. The veg and proteins are ok.
I’ve used skimmed milk and no fat yoghurt for years because I prefer the taste. I’ve now added Greek yogurt into my diet but found I don’t like the richness so am mixing it with the no fat version. I love cheese so enjoy that – I find a piece at bedtime helps keep my BS lower in the morning. I cook with good quality olive oil and add argan or flavoured olive oil to salads.
I’ve been on the diet for 4 weeks and have lost 16lbs, and my fasting BS is down to 4.4 – 4.8 from 6.5 – 6.8 but I still want to lose another 30 lbs.
How much fat is good in my diet?
Today I had an apple and some coconut water for brekkie, a salad of cos lettuce, cucumber, tomato and chicken breast with lemon juice as a dressing for lunch and for dinner a slice of homemade meatloaf and ratatouille. The meatloaf was a varied version of the meatballs in the BSD book. Also 2 decaf coffees made with skimmed milk and one with semi-skimmed, 2 litres of water and a liquorice tea.
I’d love to hear what others think.
Brightspark.

Hi Leeanne , ithink you should be really proud of yourself on holiday, actually sounds like a massive achievement to me and absolutely no reasin to ffel guilty! cashews have loads of ggodness i n them. There are over 3000 cals in a pound of fat so you won’t have done any damage. I realised last week I had eaten over 1000 cals in peanuts in a weekend, ( just a normal weeekend! No excuse, but still lost weight after) but i’m sure prior to the bsd it would have been a lot more cals in high sugar and that would have lead to even more over the next few days. I’m finding it a lot easier to get back on the wagon with the bsd, but don’t want to forget we should enjoy ourselves on holiday!

Hi Switzerland, glad it’s not only me that feels this way, it is empowering and great to feel that finally I am in control.

Hi everyone,

A daily walk…..time for me…..exercise contributing to my sense of wellbeing….. assisting with weight loss…..life is good.

Hi,
I was thinking of those strapy t shirts. With a big 800 on the back and mikes team on the front.
Love Lucia xxxx

Hi everyone, I’ve continued mindfulness meditation daily and am encouraged by the benefits. I’m sleeping through of a night and I’m really noticing less of a stress response (which was always reaching for high carb foods) when tricky situations arise.
If you haven’t experienced mindfulness meditation read the threads available and try it – you get better at it the more you do it and there are some real benefits.

Hi keje, I totally agree with all you’re saying – the BSD way of life is empowering.

Oh, and weight loss!

No acid reflux since commencing BSD on 01/04/16 (yes, really).
Reduced osteoarthritis pain and visible inflammation decreasing on fingers.
Sleeping more soundly at night (mindfulness meditation daily since commencing BSD).
No abdominal bloating or random bouts of diarrhoea that used to occur after eating some simple carbohydrates.

That is good to know. I already drink lots of water, so will continue with that. Thanks for the advice.
I have been reading your posts and you are doing very well. Congratulations.

Thank you for that welcome. I am looking forward to the extra energy.

Hi poppsies, welcome to the forums and the BSD way of life!

You have definitely made the right decision and yes, it does get easier, much easier! Just give it a few days and you will feel better and have tons of energy! 🙂

Yeah, it does. Pretty quickly too.

Drink lots of water too.

14 pounds is not to be sneezed at – better gone than not!

My only suggestion would be to repeat my pre BSD myfitnesspal experience. I’ve used it for years, and rarely achieved the weight loss the energy in/out calculation would indicate.

What the intense focus on 800 has shown me is the importance of portion size. I now reckon it was materially over the portion estimates I was putting into the app. Weigh your food or someway better calculate portions.

It might be more that you’re taking in more calories than the you realise…

In terms of mix of macros – the app will work it out for you. If you’re on the iPhone app, go to the “more” tab, then “nutrition” – gives you daily / weekly breakdowns by macros nutrients (which incidently shows me I need to eat more fibre) and calories by meal (this week dinner was 49% of my calories, with 14% snacks – so I think I need to eat more at lunch, as the potential for hunger to overcome discipline at night is high!)

Good luck. And again, -14 is better than zero. Hang in there!

22nd April 2016

HELLO !
I too have begun the BSD 8 week diet today.
I have read the book, bought my ingredients and visited my GP for approval to start.
In 8 weeks time, I have my 6 mth visit with the diabetic nurse. I really hope to see some change.

Tonight, I must admit I am hungry, does this get better?

For the last 2-3 years, since my perimenopause really kicked in, I’ve woken around 3 am and often been awake for hours before sleeping again. Since the second day of the Fast 800 diet I’ve slept through every night (17 days now) till 7am! It’s amazing. Am going to experiment with alcohol and other carbs when I finish the 8 weeks to see which exactly is the cause.

Thanks guys! Yes, the temptations were there!! Just the smell of the food outlets was mouth watering! A 6 hour journey home tomorrow – my egg salad is already packed ready in the fridge! ! I have promised to take a box of 10 pasties home as gifts – imagine the smell in our car ! OMG! !

Lovely sounding food, Izzy! 🙂

So glad hubby is ok georgiarose!! 🙂

Re fainting.
Everything good, Cherrianne. The local doctor was very thorough and checked out everything, since hubby has stents. Even rang his cardio surgeon in Sydney. Suggested he go off the caffeine and up the calories. He HAS lost enough weight, trying to be such a good support for my efforts. So we are blaming the bad influence of our German guest 🙂 I will be making sure he eats a healthy lunch at the proper time and goes on to herbal teas!

I totally agree with you julia, leeanne has done so well 🙂

My current blueberries state 100g – 37 cals and 6.9g carbs. I always have a full 200g Greek yog for breakfast with about 50g blueberries or 3 tbsp strawberries. I bought pomegranate seeds too but the label stated 10g is 10.2 cals which seemed a bit high for such a small fruit.

No flare ups of diverticulitis
Sleeping much better
Sense of well being
Concentration is improved

I think you should have named this ‘my holiday triumph’. In Cornwall, of all the foodie destinations, and you only succombed to a few extra cashews? I’m jealous of your control!

Well day 4 is almost over, I’m off to bed soon.

steps 10059 🙂

Food..

Breakfast- yoghurt and strawberries

lunch- lentil and butterbean soup

dinner- hunters chicken two tablespoons of rice

calories -690 so I’m low but it was a little on the high carb side today.

Today was good I had some time alone and when I get that I get my camera and get myself out to local historical sites and take pictures. The downside of this I found today is that usually whilst out on these adventures I normally pop in to a cafe and get a hot chocolate, as well as normally having sweets for the car. Today I had… water for in the car lol. However I did manage to avoid temptation and bring on day 5!

Biggest benefit for me too has been the mental health one. Knowing I have been successful where so many times before I have failed with weight loss is hugely empowering. I’m more than 2/3 of the way to my goal weight and I KNOW I can get there this time… and I know there won’t be a next time as this is not a diet but an eminently satisfying way of life.

Don’t have any other health issues but if I did then I’m sure I’d be posting improvements there too!

Hi just found a free Kindle book, for Indian Vegan recipes, Haven’t read much, but some of the recipes look good and possible on this regime.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Vegan-Essential-Cookbook-vegetarian-intolerance-ebook/dp/B017SWL46Q?ie=UTF8&ref_=zg_bs_341689031_f_93

Good going TFB! 🙂

I’m struggling slightly, 5w5d, total loss 14lbs which is good but not sparkling like so many others. I still have 18lbs to go.
I’ve been using my fitness pal and sticking to 800cals per day. It’s great people have put in the calories of, as far as I can see, all the receipes. But, I’m wondering if I’m eating too many carbs and not enough fat or protein, I only lost 1lb last week and with the exception of 1 bad day and a bottle of fizzy wine, have stuck to it, plus a step class, Zumba and kettle bells. Feeling a bit disheartened……
Thoughts?

End of week 6 weigh in this morning: 101.4kg. That’s -1.4 for the week and 14.8kg total lost.

As discussed in other threads I’ve decided to double down and do 16 weeks of 800BSD. Or 91kg – whatever comes first.

Thanks hashimoto, encouragement is very welcome! Better cashews than a mars bar! Back on the wagon tomorrow.

Hi Boggis, I meant to say think about some well chilled sparkling water with a slice of lemon or lime and a variety of herbal teas as well as still water 🙂

Hi leeanne, look on the bright side you won’t be constipated after all those cashews! Please don’t berate yourself you have done SO well not to have fish and chips, cream teas and pasties. 1 pot of healthy nutss won’t derail you when it’s a one off.

I think you’ve done brilliantly. 🙂

Jotsaroop …..part way through week 2 I felt awful. Dizzy, headache, nausea etc. I drank gallons of water and about 36 hours later felt as right as ninepence. Most people go through it. Stick with it as the ongoing weight loss results are amazing x

Boggis….what a fabulous name ! Don’t be worried about starting, the only things that will happen is that you’ll lose weight, need smaller clothes, have more energy (ridiculous amounts sometimes) and if you are on medication, can reduce or stop. I’ve been following the plan for 7 weeks and have lost 21 pounds. I’ve only had two days where I’ve hit 800 calories, the rest of the time calories are between 1100 and 1400 (bosses wedding). I intend to continue with my healthy eating as I’ve managed to re-educate my brain into what is good to eat and what isn’t. There is plenty of help on all sorts of things on here. Stick with us. Once you get the hang of it you’ll love it. Good luck x

Thanks! I will try these tomorrow!

Hi julia, my son has a friend with the surname Boggis, so I wonder if Boggis1 is the genuine surname rather than a Roald Dahl. Fan??? Could be both, of course! Boggis1 enlighten us! 🙂

Julia your chinese meal sounds scrummy! 🙂

Love the name, Boggis . Fantastic Mr Fox a favourite story of mine and my girls too. I would echo the comments above. Drinking enough is easy if you find something you like – my favourite is either chai teabag either with or without a dash of milk and for a cold drink it’s fizzy water with lemon (freeze the slices). I have lost over 2 stone despite being the one who has tried and failed a million times to lose weight. Can’t ever see myself eating carb heavy again. We ate Chinese tonight. But instead of a pile of rice or noodles the whole family had a pile of beansprouts another of mushrooms and another one of green beans to accompany the lemon chicken and chicken with spring onion and banana dishes. I was stuffed afterwards as my plate was full. Lots of friendly folk to help you on your way.

We crazy people will stick together, Lucia. There are plenty of us to keep you company!

Actually I love Bill’s idea of the lose t-shirt too. Think you should put in a bulk order. We’ll all be buying them off you😁