Feeling good

I said I'd update you on our new healthy eating regime and so far we are on day ten and still going strong. I'm starting to scour my old food magazines and where in the past I would tear out all the cake recipes I'm now finding things that fit with the plan - low carb, wholegrains, lean protein, healthy fats, plenty of vegetables and some fruit and most importantly no added sugar. We are eating really well, enjoying every meal, we've both lost weight and what is really noticable is we both feel so good. No afternoon slump or tiredness and loads of energy.

Beetroot hummous on homemade soda bread with feta and olives

 

Of course we all know we should eat like this all the time but it seems the penny has finally dropped. Like most women I think I have a checkered past with dieting. I first went on a "diet" aged about twenty one because I'd filled out a little and couldn't fit into my size 10 dungarees. Want a laugh... I found this... me in said dungerees! (it was the 1970s... just don't ask what I was doing!)

I remember limiting myself to 1000 calories a day, with no real nutritional knowledge and feeling hungry all the time. How ridiculous was that, to even think I needed to diet... I was like a rake.Yes, I got back into those dungarees but no doubt soon grew out of them again... thank goodness!

Baked masala omelettes with red cabbage slaw

 

Over the years I've tried a Rosemary Conley low fat diet, The F-plan (with that revolting sawdust that passed for breakfast) and weight watchers. And although I have often teetered in the top range of the recommended weight for my height, which does make me feel uncomfortable, I've never been seriously overweight and yet I still fell victim to the hype and magazine images etc that convinced me I should be dieting. And yet we all know dieting doesn't work long term and I no longer do diets - haven't done for about ten years. Because let's face it, we are in the business of eating for the long haul not just to reach a weight loss goal, so it makes sense to eat well and mindfully all the time.

Poached egg and avocado on soda bread toast with fried tomatoes

 

And this is what this plan seems to be about... Thinking about what we are fuelling our bodies with so that every meal becomes a pleasure. It is not about denial and then rewarding ourselves with sweet treats, it's about changing our attitude to food. I don't mean to sound evangelical nor will I claim that I will stick religiously to this 100% of the time, of course I will eat the occasional cake or biscuit but the thing that has really hit home is cutting out or greatly reducing added sugar. This seems to have been the single thing that has made the difference to my energy levels and how I feel. This article makes interesting reading on the subject should you want to read more. And given the high levels of obesity and type 2 diabetes with their associated problems of heart disease, cancer and stroke that we constantly hear about, something needs to change. It may have been coincidence but on Sunday evening I had a couple of small glasses of wine and a small piece of Christmas cake... okay the wine tasted good but the Christmas cake icing tasted unbelievably sweet and the following morning I felt tired, headachy and lethargic. It convinced me!

 Sweet potato, tomato and chickpea soup

It does mean preparing every meal from scratch which can be time consuming but there have been loads of left overs for other meals so I think it can fit round a busy schedule. I'm managing by planning a menu for the week and sticking to it, often preparing things the night before.
 

The test will come when I have to make a cake for someone... so far there has been no baking in January so no temptation! Plus this evening I'm meeting a friend for a curry. Like I said... it's no good being evangelical and shouting from my soap box because I'll only fall off and make a fool of myself. I'll be happy if I can stick to this way of eating 80% of the time.