Thanks for the reply. Yes it is expensive, but also like you say a lot of the stuff like herbs and spices you only buy now and again and will last for ages. I’m just writing up a week menu so I know what I’m going to eat, but my shopping list keeps getting bigger and bigger haha.

Good luck with the diet Sweetpea

Hello,

My internet connection is intermittent which makes it difficult to go on sites such as MFP and Calorieking etc and check calories and carbs in the foods I’m eating.

Would anyone happen to have any book or magazine recommendations that give a breakdown of a wide range of foods and their nutritional content? I’m really keen to be as accurate as I can, and there are so many books and mags on sale – just wondering if they are all reliable sources.

Any help would be great!

Thanks 🙂

Hi Pollyanna

Welcome!
I have the same problem too – one suggestion is to click on quick add calories for 200 cals each day before you click on ‘completed’. That should solve the problem! That said, I shouldn’t get too hung up on the projected weight loss thing as it is so individual and not an accurate guide really – we all lose weight at different rates. I normally don’t bother.

I am emi1997 on MFP if you want to friend me there – there is also a BSD group, but the founder of it seems to have gone off the radar recently.

All the best in the journey – I have lost almost 10kg so far. And shape is changing. And most importantly, after fhe first few days, I have not been thinking interminably about food, which is my normal state of mind on a diet!

Julia

Great attitude Sweetpea
you’ll find it a doddle as you have all the dieting experience, just need to fine tune the concept of not eating carbs and eating fat, you’ll find that a bit weird.
I’m looking forward to seeing your progress reports.

Thank you Hashimoto! I’m loving your excitement and totally feeling you!

I’m trying not to become a ‘diet bore’ but I cannot stop myself going on about it! It’s not just about the weight loss, it’s about the ridiculous energy I have. I literally cannot stop moving and the house has never been as clean, tidy and organised – and believe me, I am not the most organised person – I just have to keep moving and active.

I can feel how much lighter I am on my feet, there just isn’t as much of ‘me’ to lug around any more.

I left a post yesterday about a 1lb weight gain. When I stepped on my scales this morning I was 2lbs down! so you are right in what you and others said about weight going up and down. What I notice is that when I don’t drink enough water not only do I feel bad, but I think my body retains water, so as from today I’m going to make a big effort to drink between 2 and 3 litres, as advised.

Well done Hashimoto and well done everyone here. Loving the support and encouragement here so much. It feels very safe, and that’s so important to me. xxxxx

Hello everyone. I’ve just joined the site today & am finding this forum an excellent source of advice so far. However, I haven’t been able to find an answer to my question about My Fitness Pal. I have been using it to record my 800 calorie intake since Monday but when I click on ‘Completed’ at the end of each day, I get a warning that my calorie intake is too low and it will not give me the usual projected weight loss. I can see why they’re alarmed (eating disorders etc) but is there any way round this?

Ok so I’ve had my first meal, the spinach and pea omelette, and it was surprisingly tasty and filling! I woke up this morning having started my period, and had to go back to bed with some ibuprofen and a hot water bottle for severe cramps. I was really feeling sorry for myself, but I am so determined to start today that nothing was going to stop me!

I plan to have the medi platter for lunch and courgetti with prawns for dinner, yum!

I’m so determined I can do this 🙂

Bill, there are many people on here that are really supportive and encouraging to “newbies” (like myself), and “oldhats” (like yourself) … and it doesn’t matter how long you have been doing this “life changing” healthy eating, we all of us need each other, whether its to put us on the right road, share hints & tips, teach from experience, pat each other on the back, or boost us when we’re down.
Many of us have been to slimming clubs, and they all try to insist you stay not just for the weigh in, but for the motivational talk by the leader … and sharing stories with each other. They all know that to be successful most people need that “group therapy”. Very few of us really are that insular!
You, Bill, come over as one of those “leaders” … not one of those that tell you what to do … but one of those that has been there and helps by true encouragement. What you have achieved is excellent, and as hashimoto and Yael have said, you are inspirational, and we need people like you on this site to share your ups and downs the same way we are doing! x

I just started today, and I’m mixing and matching my own. The meal plan is for guidance if you want it. I’ve ordered 4 days worth from Tesco to start with and spent £40, so it’s definitely a lot more expensive than what I’d usually spend, but some of the ingredients I’ve bought will last a long time, so my next shop should be cheaper.

How about a roasted pepper or aubergine instead?

Thanks so much Judith
I really wanted to get some advice from you re hashimodo’s, I think the wife may have it.
She has been on thyroxine for years but, over the last 6 months or so her hair has started falling out, dry skin and scabs on the head and a big poison lump on her neck. Doc gave her antibiotics that didn’t help
I can’t see a PM facility on the forum, do you mind putting some info in an email if I post my email addy?

I would have given up with the onset of withdrawal if it hadn’t been for you lot! I am amazed I lasted a week but it is down to you I am still here.
On the health front, just been to doc and I have a chest infection. The medicine is not ‘clean’ but I will have to go with it! I was checked out for Zika virus as there have been two cases in Paris. Good news on that is my blood pressure was a little low where before it was a little high!

Bill, Yael is right, you are our hero. You have achieved so much and spurred us all on. You are truly inspirational. 🙂 🙂 🙂

Cherrianne, I am definitely going to try the liquorice tea … I know I have some in the cupboard! Not for the hunger pangs, cos there aren’t any, but just cos I quite fancy that!! Right now you are probably in bed in Aussie land, while I am sitting in my office with a busy day ahead!! I’m really pleased about your blood sugar levels, cos insulin is no fun! I look back over the past 12 years, and to be honest, whether its because people are under the misapprehension that I know what it’s all about, or whether its because they don’t know either, or whether its because I have just ignored the fact I am diabetic and not stayed on top of it … which I think is probably more of the case … I have never been as keen to lower my bg as now. I have to take responsibility!!

Hope you have a good day later … and thanks for the tip on the liquorice tea (have now had two cups!!) x

Does any one have a suggestion for replacement of Portobello mushrooms for the Portobello toast and the Cheesy baked beans, that would be a similar calorie content and nutrients?? I would be glad to know..not a fan of mushrooms!! Will appreciate any input

Hello I too have PCOS plus polycystic kidneys. I’m on my 4th week of this diet and it’s working well lost over a stone. Have you thought about how much water you’re drinking? A 2 litre bottle of water weighs quite a bit and if you’re retaining fluid that can give a false picture. I have found that if I have a more vegetarian diet the weight seems to fall off and being very careful about using salt in recipes going for more pepper and other herbs/spices instead.

Good luck.

Hi Hummingbird, I was scared of the full fat too but not any more. Try the 800 for a fortnight and then see. I found the 800 much easier because you are allowed more food, it’s more filling and once you get over the first few days you don’t get the hunger pangs. I know everyone is different but I tend to eat at about 10am, 2pm and 6pm. It gives a long fast but if you are diabetic it may be better to have a full fat greek yoghurt like Bill an hour before you go to bed 🙂
Just a thought – you could make a vegetarian cottage pie ( with lentils – do you have Rose Elliott’s books?) because the cauliflower mash on top is totally scrumptious. I will admit I felt strange adding all that cheese and olive oil to the cauli but the weight is still dropping off – go for it gal because you won’t regret it 🙂 🙂

You know what guys, I try on a daily basis, to do whatever I can to offer help and encouragement to others in my own little way.
Today I’m on the other side of the fence so to speak and I’m so chuffed about these resposes from strangers who are rapidly becoming friends.
If what I do makes others feel even slightly the way I feel at the moment, then I must be doing something right.
Thanks to all of you for the kind responses and support

Sod the readings – Onward and Upward 🙂

Bill

Hi Aly, I have never tried to make greek yoghurt, I know it involves filtering, so don’t think I will bother with it. My time is filled making all these lovely recipes. A double batch of Bill’s coconut flour flatbreads this morning. I have experimented with no salt. Some I will use as a dessert with cream and fruit and the other batch I sprinkled parmesan cheese on before they went in the oven. They turned out fine. 🙂

Thanks for that info Hawkeye

Hi LH and hashimito,

Thanks for your replies, and well done on how you’ve done so far!, inspiring stuff! I’m going to do a few 800 cal days to see how it feels, I’ve done loads of 500 cal days with the 5:2 so maybe won’t be so difficult. I’m trying to get my head around the fat content on this plan. The marketing machine did a good job on me, as I’m ‘scared’ of fat, have avoided fats for years, and only use olive oil sparingly, this is going to be interesting, ‘allowing’ myself creme fraiche and such like, sure it’s why I am a sugar junkie, as I don’t get enough of the right fats, although I do eat nuts as am vegetarian..

HB.x

Phew Yael, that is good news about the quince!!! Thanks 🙂

Welcome to the forums Hawkeye, you could really make a difference to others especially when they see the weight falling off you and want to know how to get the same results. Well done 🙂

Thanks, Hashimoto. I think I’ve said that my 85 year-old doctor father has been debunking the low-fat products for many years. I guess there are plenty of doctors and dieticians who just don’t bother keeping up with research and new thoughts. I felt quite protective about ‘our’ Michael.

Bill, despite your little blip that is VERY good news. Your nurse is reacting the same way as mine. They have to when they see the results. Let’s hope it benefits other patients in your practice!!

Hi there, I’m about to start the new 8 week BSD. I have read the book and just writing a shopping list of all the things I need.

Do I have to follow the diet sheet from Monday to Sunday religiously or can I use the recipes and make my own week up?

Say for instance I wanted portebello toast with goats cheese twice and a green tea shake twice in one week and a no carb bircher twice in one week for breakfast would this be ok.

I am going shopping but have non of the ingredients and not a great deal of money so trying to buy for the week and keep costs down.

Aly, I have a quince tree, just the one, and it fruits just fine. Love the smell of quinces.

Hi Bill,
Stick with it – it seems to be working well for me. I started 10 days ago and initially had the same experience as you – fasting BS in the morning 12 – and thought OMG! But have persisted. No longer getting hunger pangs between meals and average BS through the day 6.5 – first thing in the morning, down to 7.4. I have also lost weight – hallelujah! I’m already feeling better than I have for a very long time and I don’t think it’s all down to the ‘start of diet euphoria’ – I feel more active and I’m sleeping better. Like you, this has got to work for me and after 10 days, I think this is something I can adapt to.
I look forward to celebrating with you at the end of the 8 weeks.

Hey Bill
Take your own advice 🙂 Don’t beat yourself up! Listen to the sensible (new) diabetes nurse. Nothing about humans is ever 100 per cent perfect or consistent. I have nerve damage in my left foot (spinal fusions didn’t quite stop the rot) and it tingles a lot. But, after just 6 days, I’ve noticed less tingling …
You’re our hero. So what if you have a toe of two that’s made of clay. 🙂

Hi Petra,
I also have PCOS, and type 2 diabetes and I’m going through peri-menopause (the last 2 were diagnosed at the ripe old age of 46 :.. which is pretty young – however apparently the combination of these conditions often results in their early onset.

Anyway, i have tried the 5:2 and now the BSD. I did have some success with the 5:2 however it was much slower than everyone else i knew who was doing it. And now I am into my third week of the BSD.

So far, after 3 weeks on the BSD, I have only lost about 1 kg.

at times the lack of weight loss gets me down, but then i remind myself that at least i am not putting weight on (so i am going in the right direction) … AND .. my body has always taken a long long long time to lose weight – so why should now be any different.

My advice … keep with it .. be kind to yourself .. and remember every one is different … and whilst we would all love to be like the examples in the book – we aren’t.

Good luck. 🙂

Hi SunnyB

I do weigh myself every day, as Michael says, if you pick just one day, that might be a day where you have gained some, so its better to take a week’s readings and divide them by seven to get an average weight loss for the week and then the month if you want to. I also read the same advice in Rose Elliot’s book and her reasons are slightly different. She says weighing every day takes the emotion out of it because its just part of your getting-up routine, rather than a big event that you’ve built up to.

My weight doesn’t change on a daily basis; typically I will stay the same for three days then drop a half or a pound, then stay the same then put on half a pound. But as Bill says, our weight will fluctuate due to all kinds of reasons, many of them hormonal so its hard to be in complete control. I have still lost weight on this programme faster than any other I have done – and I’ve done a lot! The first week is always going to give the best results because of the water you shed which was trying to deal with the toxins of your old diet. Now you have cleaned up your diet, the water is no longer needed. From the second week onwards, or thereabouts, its going to be fat loss.

Stick with it and be kind to yourslef; the sure fire way to make sure this diet doesn’t work is to get disheartened and fall back into old ways. I’m sure you will see some movement in the next few days.

Plateaus are completely normal, it’s just your body adjusting to a new way of eating, it’s also common for your weight to fluctuate by up to 4 lbs over the course of the day.
I know what Michael says re getting weighed and it’s the one thing I disagree with. Getting weighed once a week at the same time on the same scales works for me.

God I’m so annoyed
I knew had my yearly blood tests this morning but I let myself be talked into going out for dinner last night to our favourite Turkish restaurant.
I was really good, had a mixed seafood starter and a kebab of chicken done on a skewer with a small side salad.
Didn’t have my usual yoghurt snack as I just wasn’t hungry.
Fasting blood sugar ……… 9.1 I couldn’t believe it.
Anyhow I discussed this with the (new) diabetes nurse and she said not to worrry as the blood tests were different to what we do each day and show an average over a period of time. She was also really impressed with the weight loss and the lack of tingling in my feet, so much so that she has asked me to print off the pdf file for her to read – looks like another possible convert.
9.1 !!! anybody have a smilie for holding a gun to your head ?

Have been weighing daily, as the book says those who weigh more often, are more likely to stick with the diet and I have to admit that part is working for me. However, this is my second week and I lost steadily through the first week, so it is concerning not to see any loss at all since Monday. I am sticking with the diet, but find this ‘plateau’ worrying, just hoping things will start to go in the right direction again.

Hi All,
I too am new to this site and its wonderful reading about everybodies progress. I began the diet 3 weeks ago and have found it not too difficult, and have really enjoyed trying the new recipes. I have trained as a peer educator for Type II diabetes so its important to me to try this but also for my health as an overweight apple with rising fasting glucose. The area I live in has a high number of Asian diabetics from the Indian Sub Continent and East African heritage so I am really interested in finding recipes both vegetarian and not vegetarian that have been addapted for a low carb, and of course its an opportunity to add Indian low carb to my repetoire!

Many thanks in advance.

I make my own yogurt too! From full fat milk. Will have to increase the amount I make so I can have some. It is possible to make Greek yogurt butbI need to get my head around it. 😀

I use Clearspring Miso Soup which are really easy to use, only 29kcal and are fine in a flask if you are out for the day and need something to keep you going rather than resorting to finding a meal or snack on the run.

Aly I am so impressed!!! What a wonderful thing to do. I was just saying to a friend yesterday that if I had the money (and a strong back) I would want to be self sufficient and use green energy – in fact precisely the way you have described, apart from the wood burner these days cos of my bronchiectasis. I will look your website up!

If you can’t find greek yoghurt you could make normal yoghurt with full fat milk. It tastes delicious. I know what you mean about the jam – I made loads myself, wild bilberry and rhubarb and ginger along with every kind of jam you can think off. Glad that I stored so much in the freezer just as it was.

Oh, I didn’t know that about quinces. I know there is a new strain from Russia on dwarf rooting stock but will definitely have to check up on the pollination situation.
Hope your license arrives at an appropriate time.

Hi there, thank you for your reply. I am going to book in with the doctor and make him aware this is the diet I am going to be doing. I need a check up anyway as over the last week I’ve become extremely tired with no energy or motivation. How does one know if they have become full diabetic from prediabetes? I am also trying to come off the meds I’m on, but slowly, this is again with the doctor and how I’m feeling. One thing that puzzles me though is I can go a couple of days without very little food as I work 11 sometimes 12 hour days and on my feet all day and do not lose any weight, I mentioned it to the doctor and they asked if the 11 hours were intense or was my heart rate elevated? Well in my eyes I think 11 or 12 hours on one’s feet is surely enough to lose weight, especially as all I would maybe eat would be shredded wheat with skimmed milk and no sugar. I don’t want to start this and become demotivated. I have otherwise a sedentary lifestyle apart from walking my dog. I have a trial at a gym tomorrow which is huge for me as I hate excersise but I am scared for my health, hence why I am doing this and also read that a large abdomen was dangerous and I have a lot of abdominal fat, a huge over hang. I am also going through menopause.

Hi Rubbu, good news on the weight loss!! I personally have not measured the things like carbs. Today I will have greek yoghurt and berries for breakfast ( same every day), lunch is either home made veg soup with beans and dollop of full fat cream cheese or yoghurt, or frittata or the no carb ploughmans or chicken stir fry – just simple things. My evening meals are a variation on the lunches. As I live on my own this is a necessity! So if I have half an avocado for lunch one day I will have the other half the next evening. I love the recipe for avocado, bacon and radish mixed together and dollops put on the leaves of a little gem. The next day I might have avocado and poached egg. I have to do a similar thing if I buy prawns or good quality ham. Basically I just follow the recipes in the book. One of my favourites is the cottage pie with cauliflower mash, in fact I am making it for dinner tonight.

You should try the coconut flour flatbreads or chickpea flour flat breads – they are so versatile. Like a few others on here I am not too hung up about the exact science as following the recipes in the book is working very well for me. I just make similar meals if I am not following rigidly. So if I have grilled a packet of bacon and had the avocado bacon mix I will use up some of the bacon in a frittata instead of the chickpeas.

If you follow the book I don’t think you will go wrong. If it helps to have something more pictorial than the book, google daily mail 8 week blood sugar diets. There are four weeks of recipes you can print off (in 5 editions of the paper) I did this and stuck them in a book. I like to look at the pics and make a decision based on what takes my fancy – they do say we eat with our eyes!!!
Don’t know if this will be any help but good luck on this diet 🙂

I have a quince and have since been told you need two for it to fruit! Have not yet sourced another.
On another note…I applied some weeks ago to change my driving license to a French one. Had a phone call from the prefecture this morning and I think she was checking to see if I am in today as a courier will deliver my new license that has to be signed for! I have a Drs appointment at 12.15 so hope it does not come then.

wonderful news, graemesmith! bet your gp is pleased too. I have the trouser problem myself – fortunately I had kept all the ones I had grown too fat for and have had to pull them out of retirement. Two sizes down already!!! Treat yourself to a new pair, you have earned it. Once I stopped wearing the baggy slipping down ones I actually looked slimmer. Buy cheap ones though as they too will soon start slipping!! 😉

Cherrieanne, I think I was born a Luddite!! when I mentioned the forums my son was gobsmacked – ‘Oh, you have managed to sign up to go on forums?’ I just hope I can remember what I’m learning on this site!!!
I too am a courgette queen! Green ones, yellow ones, round ones, stripy ones! Chocolate and courgette cake – fooled my mother with that few years back, hated courgettes and thought it was the nicest chocolate cake she had ever had. Told her about the courgettes after her comment lol. Courgette and garlic soup is one of my favourites. There are endless things to do with courgettes – even courgette risotto is pretty good.
My new favourite way is to make courgette noodles with my spiraliser, just fry the courgette noodles add some chilli and garlic as it begins to soften then heap on the full fat cream cheese and parmesan. Quick and delicious. It’s good to hear of youngsters eating good, healthy food in this day and age.
The only sad thing about the allotment is that it has laid fallow for several years because the council thought the old man’s family would take it over. There is a lot of rubbish to clear before he can start the digging. But, yes, real serendipity! Like you I also am passionate about heritage seeds, I prefer to grow heirloom varieties of tomatoes such as the good old Brandywine. We will certainly keep our eyes open for any seedlings that crop up on the grandfather’s old site.
Cherrieanne, I hadn’t thought about parrots decimating Aussie crops, it’s wood pigeons over here in Blighty. Though camping in the Blue Mountains, years ago, I did see HEAR lots of them of a morning round the camp site and they do like the green stuff!
I think I will be the one supplying my son this year – with young fruit bushes I have been growing for him and seedlings from my greenhouse for as soon as the land is cleared of debris. In a few years though I should be receiving quinces as he is planning on buying a tree. 🙂

Hi, day one almost down of the 800 calorie diet. Mann am I experiencing hunger. I’m told its just coming off the carbs but gee whizz.
Hope i can keep it up! I’m avoiding eating around the kids coz I’ll be tempted to eat what they are eating. Think I’ll have the bircher muesli tomorrow, hoping I’m not so hungry tomorrow.

This is why I do not weigh often. My first week over today and checked the scales, have lost 6lbs. It may be that your body is taking a while to adjust. We are all different, some lose massive amounts some a little. Give it a full week and you will hopefully see a difference.

We bought a disused farm. It was sold with an acre which is enough for us. If you would like to see our home go to our website letertregites.com
It was built in 1832 and the house and barns are all granite. It is a major project but we want to be as self sufficient as possible. We have solar tubes that provide all our hot water via a heat exchanger. No central heating but a wood burner in the main living room and a wood burning Esse in the kitchen. We try to keep our carbon footprint low.
I like the sound of the Greek yogurt and may give that a go. I have masses of jam, homemade that has built up but that does contain sugar.
I am limited with the fruit Trees I can buy and grow here. I bought a Bramley apple from the UK last year but it would not grow and finally died. Just not suited to this area I guess.
Planning on growing tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and chillis in the polytunnel this year. The veg patch will be kale, peas, cabbage, cauliflower, red onions and hopefully some squash. I also have raspberries and black currants. If space allows I will put in courgette too but they are always available here and cheap to buy.
This all fits with my clean food campaign.

Panicking!!! Third day I have got on the scales to see no movement at all! Any advise gratefully received. Have checked over my food records for the last few days and can’t see any anomalies. Has anyone else had this problem?

Hi I’m into week 5 now & have lost 43lbs my bmi has dropped from 32 to 26. I am a long term type 2 diabetic (15 yrs+) & was on a regime of 1000 metformin twice a day, Lantus 60 units twice a day & Rapide around 30 units a day. Usual side effects of retinopathy & neuropathy.
I had continued with metformin and was at about 8 units of Rapide a day, usually 1st thing with bloods of around 9 to 10 then dropping and being at 5 or 6 last thing at night. Then I read about the Dawn Phenomenon on another link (see https://intensivedietarymanagement.com/dawn-phenomenon-t2d-8/ ) so yesterday I dropped the metformin & relaxed over the early morning “blip”. Its early days but me fasting BS was 7 this morning. So I’ll keep of the Dracebos meds for a few days and keep monitoring….

Fantastic news, Natasha, go girl go!!! I don’t know why but the weight seems to be falling of faster the more weeks I do this. I thought it would slow down! Perhaps it’s having more energy to be more active!! Whatever the cause it’s wonderful when you get on the scales. I stepped on twice this morning because I didn’t believe what I was seeing. I thought I might have put a little on or at least stayed the same because I ate just over 900 calories yesterday – but no…..another 10 ounces off overnight! 🙂

Thanks, Natasha, I’m rather old fashioned like that, it means I can just pick up the book and make a meal with confidence – on the other hand I did make an excel spread sheet at the beginning of the diet to record my measurements, weight, bmi etc. I colour coded the BMI starting with red at first because it was too high, then amber for almost at 25 then green when I went below 25. I think I just like the visuals! 🙂