“I’ve yo-yo dieted for 30 years and have always suffered from “hunger” before. Mid-afternoon and late night snacking have so often been my downfall.
To my surprise, I don’t feel hungry on this regime. It almost seems too easy.
This is my first low-carb diet – could this be something to do with it?”

Dear stringbreaker, I think it may be to do with dropping your insulin levels…insulin triggers hunger when blood sugar levels drop and but when your blood sugar levels are stable due to fewer simple carbs triggering insulin surges, you don’t need to feed the beast. 🙂 I don’t know if this is so, I’m no expert.

I know this might be weird but try soup. In winter I sometimes have eggs, mushroom and onion poached in miso soup.

Also fibre takes longer to digest and keeps you fuller for longer.

Dates are the candy of the fruit world and are quite sugary. There are other fruits you’re able to use instead. It is advised to steer clear of them because it is hard to stop at one.

It’s a matter of your own preferences. I had to lower my amount of lactose because of arthritis so I use almond milk in my cuppas, this allows me the occasional treat of ice cream or milkshake.

Try raw cacao from a health food or organic food store. I get a powder and sprinkle it on stuff, I also get blocks of chocolate that are very satisfying after having only a square or two.

With any oil you firstly need to know how it’s extracted, Olive Oil is cold pressed from the olives. But some such as Rice Bran Oil are chemically extracted from the bran and that leaves residue.

It’s always a balance with oils. I use coconut oil, olive oil, butter or nothing depending on the dish. Just remember that the oil helps the flavor profile of your dish.

Most tropical fruits are very sugary, but some aren’t. It’s probably best to google their nutritional requirements before you decide to get the fruit. I ate rambutans without a problem, but only because I had a few.

Hi Aly, welcome back to the fold! I have been wondering where you were and how you were doing. That chest infection really knocked you around didn’t it?
You seem to have regained some enthusiasm and motivation so keep building on that and you’ll soon be back on track. 🙂
Welcome allychat, you’ve made a great start, good to see you posting on here 🙂

Soy milk is okay if your eating other dairy and nuts to get enough calcium. If not almond milk has calcium in it.

Unless you’ve got a big hand, it’s about the size of your closed fist as a visual guide.

Offal is no different to any other cuts of meat. Be brave and go for it if you want it, I’m not letting this diet stop me from enjoying a wide variety of foods.

You might need to retrain your palate to unsweetened or low sugar. I slowly cut down my sugar in my coffee down to one of raw sugar, my tea was easier. I had always used sweetener and just changed to it’s stevia version. The hardest change I had was getting used to almond milk, I missed the heaviness that cow’s milk gave coffee.

If you’re used to something sweet start with a normal full fat yogurt and over a couple of week blend it with greek yogurt. I have always had sweet ones but need to get off them so this is how I’m going to do it, also your fruit choice helps the yogurt’s palatability.

thanks Cherrianne Bill1954 and hashimoto. I am pleased to report I feel so much better today. Yesterday I felt like a drug addict coming off an addiction – which is essentially what is happening of course. I thought I was heading for an afternoon in bed. But it eased, I didnt go to bed, and today I feel so much better. Hungry and look forward to food, but not the horrible fevery feeling that made the thought of food intolerable. No weight loss still (day 7) but onwards and upwards! Thank you so much for helpful support!!

In many ways Michael Mosley is like Columbus, sailing into the unknown with getting this accepted. The more of us that get on this diet and change our lives for the better, the easier it will be for the medical profession and the public to accept.

The headaches are withdrawals from all sorts of bad things as well as changeover to the new fuel.

As for your problem Trishart, that’s your guts getting used to the new foods. Some bacteria will be dying off while others are starting to grow, in time the smell will settle.

There are heaps of prebiotic foods available too. I enjoyed sauerkraut with some foods and am going to try kimchi next.

When you make big changes to habits of a lifetime, it takes awhile to retrain to new habits. I went low gluten years ago because of arthritis and I still occasionally crave certain items. This is where mindfulness helps, I mentally divert those thoughts for awhile and if there still there after a few months I give in to that craving. But I am finding the gaps are longer and I’m not enjoying it as much.

Wow carsong, you must be on cloud nine with those results. There’s nothing quite like getting your blood sugar levels down is there? Really makes you feel like you are in charge of the diabetes not the other way round.
Hi tinforest, the first week should be the worst you ever experience doing the BSD. Your body is going through some huge changes, not just from carb/ sugar withdrawal but changing over from using carbs for fuel (easy fuel), to burning fat ( more effort). So it’s going to kick up a fuss and find it tough going. Your whole eating pattern has probably changed too, and instead of having frequent sugary snacks it’s got to manage on less.
It’s becoming a bit of a mantra now, but here it goes: keep up your fluid intake to 2-3l day, make sure you include fats in your diet, as much as your count allows, and watch out for carbs sneaking in. Rest and treat yourself kindly when you’re going through a rough patch and stay in touch! 🙂

Using an app makes life infinitely easier. I’m using Easy Diet Diary for iOS because I can set goals on it. At the moment I’m making baby steps in my dietary changes because I also have my diabetic mother to consider with dinner meals.

Hi Natasha,

I’m recording all my food in My Fitness Pal……..http://www.myfitnesspal.com/ and it calculates all your food calories for you and so far the calories stated in the recipes are almost spot on according to my diary in MFP. I have been very precise with the recipes too, as I’m very serious about reversing my T2 diabetes…….it’s worth getting a set of cup and spoon measures to be sure.

Hi Natasha, that’s tough being cold and uncomfortable in that unfamiliar environment.
Funny how we all reach for the comfort of food in those situations, all humans are the same at that basic level aren’t they?
Can you get a nice hearty soup where you are? That might help. Or extra veg with your meal that you can add butter too and indulge your body with the fats.
The hot bath is a good idea too. Something hot to drink with cinnamon is comforting, like proper chai tea ( not powder), or lemon and ginger.
We are with you in spirit, cheering you along. The weekend will soon pass, and you can let us know how you managed. Might help someone else through a tough patch. All the best, 🙂

Flaxseed ground (you can buy it) is a Great coating for anything you want to fry……plus it’s good for you too and carb-free.

ann077 I don’t know if this relates directly to you but perhaps worth a scan for the insulin info

http://www.ketogenic-diet-resource.com/reactive-hypoglycemia.html

ann077 I have lost no weight either (I’m gaining) but my blood sugars are looking better yesterday and that is progress for me…I am not in my second week yet…if you are prediabetic you may have very high levels of insulin (as I still do, however I am well and truly diabetic). If that is so, things like dried fruit or fresh fruit or rolled oats will interfere with weight loss because they trigger insulin in some of us…and insulin instantly puts the kaibosh on fat burning for anyone with insulin resistance, so it is a harder battle.

You can get insulin levels taken at the same time as you do the 3 hour blood glucose tests…but you usually have to insist that the doctor request them…most GPs unfortuantely don’t recognize the importance of insulin measures…I have been told it is useless and the information wont tell me anything. Not true at all and reason to change doctors and find a better informed one.

Best of luck and keep on collecting your responses to different foods and tracking your blood sugar levels cause they will indicate what triggers what.

I am going to try the ketostix that I’ve seen mentioned on other threads, they sound like a good idea to show exactly how few carbs we need to hit in order to create fat burning.

Hi captain Lynn,
Cat girl and I need the toasted mouse calories in case Bear needs to skinny babes to go out under the stars with.
We need to count our calories.
How many calories in a swoon?

I have been out and about walking yesterday and today.
Had steak last night and chicken today. Asked for a slice of toast, I cut it in half, ready to enjoy it , took a bite and didn’t enjoy it. So I passed it on.

Seems the stuff I couldn’t live without, I can’t live with now, that’s great. I am really happy over it. So I am now ready to explore other foods. My life is really evolving now.

It’s been cloudy today, but have noticed birdies with twigs in their beaks, ready to build, without planning permission. Anyone notice this going on?

Love Lucia xxxx

Hi All, there is light at the end of the tunnel. I think I can say now that I’m through the blood sugar spikes. Last three mornings have been 5.2, 5.3 & 5.3 again today.
So for those who are still going through it take heart. Mine lasted just over three weeks I think.
I hope there are no more nasty surprises in store. All the best to those of you still having the high sugar levels

Coconut prawns sounds just the thing when I have the munchies.Just hope I don’t burn the house down!

Hi Sunnyb, if you were still around 23 g carbs including two glasses of bubbly then it shouldn’t matter what your total calories were, you should be fine. But even if you do put on, it will only take a day or two to go again. A reasonable sacrifice for your celebration I’m sure!

The only times I get the shake’s is when there is no alcohol to drink! 🍷🍻🍹 cheers.

Like you, I have had a wobble today. Had a celebratory meal for my daughter’s 30th, so there were a couple of glasses of champagne, food wise to dodgy things were one small parsnip, peas and gravy. Felt over full and guilty afterwards – ate at 3 and still feeling too full! as far as I can guestimate, I was about 120cals over for the day and 3g carbs above my recent consumption of 20g per day. Now I worried I might have trashed the 2lb loss I seemed to have consolidated this week.

Tomorrow’s another day and I will be cautious and make sure I keep tight control of things. Weekly weigh in is Monday morning, so the truth will out soon!

thanks hashimoto

doing better this morning – don’t seem to have a headache threatening today. and have lost a little weight, but the pants are feeling looser, and that’s an all day reminder things are moving in the right direction.

There are lots of herbal teas out there to try and chais – with or without milk, or coconut water (watch the carbs though), or unsweetened almond milk (again watch the carbs). Whatever you decide to try, be sure to count cals and carbs.

I should add – I have stuck to 50 carbs. I could go lower if I gave up my lattés 😉

Have you tried Mulled wine or a Whiskey Mac? Both very warming. 🍷☕or coffee and Cognac! ☺

Rubbu, a pound and a half off which is great for me – and effortless. I’ve always been sceptical of diets that say you don’t have to count and in the past they have never worked for me. But only counting carbs is definitely the way to go for me. Before I started carb counting I was getting a bit hung up on the calories in things like olive oil. But now I don’t care. I have taken particular inspiration from the DD’s plates with the butter on and that’s how I have been eating my vegetables. They taste so much better and I’m sure I am able to digest them better and get more nutrients from them.

How about yourself? What are your thoughts?

A bottle of Beaujolais work’s for me 🍷Cheers.

Thank you so much for your kind replies!

Janet1973
How did you get on this week with carb counting and not calorie counting?

I found 3 on this site
http://www.discount-supplements.co.uk/grenade-hydra-6-908g-tub
http://www.discount-supplements.co.uk/phd-nutrition-diet-whey-2kg-tub
http://www.discount-supplements.co.uk/sports-supplements-whey-protein-optimum-health-ultimate-whey-protein-2-25kg#hasKits

I went with the Grenade Hydra 6 as it was on offer with the code and bogf the Phd I will try next was a good low carb/sug and Optimum Health I have tried in the past was good value but more carbs.

Yes Mandy stick with it. I have 24 lbs to loose in total. Week 1 lost 7lbs, then 1, followed by 2 lbs, than nothing! gained 2lbs and now at week 6 lost 3 lbs… I have done ww before and bsd is faster not to mention easier as I find most days I am not hungry,. I have slipped a few times but this way of eating for life seems manageable long term not to mention the health benefits… Let us know how you get on this week…don’t give up! Xx

Hi Janet 1973
Agreed!!! Andrea is my daily dose of eye candy and motivation 😀

So yesterday marked one week. Bang on six kilos lost. I assume it will taper off to something more stable for the rest of the time, but that’s a good base from which to work! I’m finding it pretty easy hunger/cravings wise. Hardest thing is variety. I’m not so much following the recipes here, just drawing on a subset of ingredients and using myfitnesspal to judge portions and track calories and macronutrients

Been alcohol free for a week. I suspect that’s helping the weight loss!

Natasha, sounds like you are doing really well…. am I jealous given my stalling this week! I imagine it is very tough being in a situation where you are out of your comfort zone. We are rooting for you though and I reckon that you are better to go and have a hot bath – this should be relaxing as well as buyng you time while you think what you really want to do😊
Seems like you have come far already. I in awe…..

Hello there,

Just checking in as it ‘s been a few days, really interesting posts, especially some of the recipe calculations!!

I’ve been posting in the Facebook groups and see there have been a few problems. I haven’t checked in on there for a couple of days… I hope everything is ok??? I think support is vital and hope it’s here and also on FB.

I am going through a really down patch today. I basically cancelled all my social stuff for 8 weeks while on the bsd, and this weekend I’m on a training course with 300 people I don’t know, and for some reason I feel really unsettled, when I usually enjoy these types of things, but everything feels really strange and unfamiliar.
The weather is also freezing cold. I had an incredibly strong urge to comfort myself and relieve this horrible unsettled/unsafe feeling by having a burger and chips, chocolate, or something comfort foody which I know would make me feel better, and had to fight it because I knew that would make me feel worse afterwards. I just feel horrible 🙁
Sorry for the complaining. I am losing quite a lot of weight quite quickly and wondering if this is why I’m feeling bad.

Sorry thread is called (feeling cold)

Hi Christi1948
Have a look at the iam cold thread you might get some advice on that. Stick with it and hope you feel better soon.

Judith. Unfortunately I’ve no old, outgrown clothes, they went to charity shops years ago 😢 . And when I visit charity shops to buy they have every size but mine, whatever it happens to be 😳

Fortunately I kept my old uniform as I expanded, so am now working my way down through those. The other day I put on a skirt and it slipped right down, when I checked the size it was the skirt that used to cut me in two at the start of BSD 😱 . It is on its way to a new home!

Bishop Aukland – mmm, didn’t even think of clothes shopping there, but popped into Beales for a coffee and saw them.

Jpscloud LOL. I could usefully lose another 10 inches or thereabouts. At least I’m not straight up and down now! At 5ft 2ins it wasn’t a good look 😱

Thanks Sharon. 😊