Coca-Cola and sugar

I'm not saying I know what the answer is for unsuccessful dieters, by the way, only that everyone I know who has spent a great deal of effort dieting is still dieting n years' later (where n is a large positive integer) because dieting hasn't worked. Conversely people I know who just eat less than they did before (and often less than they think they need) have lost weight. So I'm just speaking from experience.

And when I say it's not difficult to work out how much sugar (or simple carbohydrate) one's eating, it's because that's what I think. If it's not helpful, that's too bad, but I'm allowed to say what i think is the plain truth based on what I see as readily available food information.

I think that everyone on this forum knows which foods are high in sugars or simple carbohydrate, which are high in protein, which are high in fats, and which are high in useful vitamins and minerals.

And I bet they all know that without looking at a single food packet from a supermarket shelf.

We look at food packets for detailed information, not the basics.

One can cut down on sugar without reading a word, and one can cut down on calories by always putting less on one's plate, and sticking with that, than one would really like.

It IS that simple.

IMO (for those who haven't worked out yet that I'm speaking my own opinion).

So, for instance, everything in a baker's shop will be high in sugar relative to, say, everything in a butcher's or greengrocer's shop.

That simple.

I'll bugger of now

off

Don't disagree Bags, but I think the "low-fat" advice has caused a lot of problems. We always ignored it on instinct, but it has caused an increase in consumption of hidden sugars for many.

Agreed. The low fat mantra (aka bullshit) was pushed by carbohydrate (cereal) producers. I ignored it too. I let my taste buds do the telling: e.g. butter just tastes better than all those low fat substitutes, therefore, as far as I'm concerned, it is better. Likewise cream, etc etc.

Wilma from what you say, you've never eaten healthily as an adult and you don't enjoy cooking, so I think you have two choices if you want to lose weight - either stick with your current diet but you must simply eat less of it; or you embark on something like low-carb or calorie-counting with a mission to making it part of your daily life.

I'm speaking with sympathy here as I'm also a life-long dieter! Usually around 10 stone but have been a stone or two either way and I really do gain weight very easily.

The low-carb thread is very helpful just to see what other people are doing and to get ideas - most posters there including me do enjoy cooking but don't let that put you off - you'd be among those who understand the difficulties and temptations!

It is now thought, though I haven't looked closely at the claims, that sugar can be addictive. If this is the case it does make it harder for anyone who might have become addicted to it. There is no blame in that statement, just an acceptance of what is (or might be; not sure how solid scientifically the sugar as addictive claims are yet). But I think the same suggestions that various people have put forward up thread still apply. I accept that it's not easy to overcome any addiction, and it's not easy to change habits, but it can be done. Good luck to anyone who's trying.

Trouble with saying low-fat is bullshit is that people might be inclined to go overboard the other way. I still firmly believe that some fats are bad for us. "Low carb" is fine, so long as some carb is included, but the low carb diet does usually include "high fat". (No matter how they change thread headings on Gransnet)

Hmmmmm all this talking about sugar makes me want to go and open a can of condensed milk and eat it by the spoonful

I agree with pretty much everything you've said. Eating conscientiously should not be difficult. But putting theory into practice isn't so easy even for the most mindful of eaters. I've been limiting food starving for years. It never gets easier. I'm not even thin. I like food, as indeed do most people. I like alcohol. I don't stuff cakes or eat huge meals. I do MFP and log most of what I eat. It's a massive effort and it's for life. I consider myself to be reasonably well-educated about food. Counting calories is the only thing that works for me.

However most people are not like this. You are, I suspect, preaching to the converted. There are millions of people who do not wish for their lifestyles to be determined by the food they eat. They do not wish to limit alcohol, and enjoy sweet things. They enjoy going out for a curry and order every fat-laden option on the menu. They may not have the motivation, or the discipline, to change their lifestyle even if they have the knowledge and understanding to do so.

Sorry that was meant for thatbags.

6 weeks ago, after reading through the 'low-carb' thread, I decided go change my eating habits.

All I've done is cut out bread, cake, biscuits and potatoes and eat a whole lot more veg and fruit. I still have some carb's first thing in the morning - porridge or granola.

Now I feel ready to get back go the gym and tone up a bit.
I didn't weigh myself as I started and haven't since but I did measure round waist and hip bones as I knew that's where the flab had developed.
Measuring those areas now I find I have lost a total of 5/6 inches.

I simply walk past all the foods I don't eat. It's easy as I'm only catering for myself and it's obvious that if I don't have them in the cupboard I won't eat them.

I am surprised and relieved at how easy it has been.

I think it is almost impossible to exclude all carbs, Jings, but you can get all you need from vegetables. I eat fruit as well.
The low-carb diet includes good fats from natural sources. I get most of mine from olive oil, fish oil and some dairy.

Ps I knew I couldn't expect miracles and wasn't prepared to suffer so I have a glass of red wine every other evening but no cravings at all for sweets or chocolate!

I read an article the other day about people eating late at night [which is what I tend to do sometimes]. I thought it was well known that people do this but it seems it has only just been 'discovered'. Our relationship with food is a very complicated one and once we feel a certain item is banned we seem to crave it even more. Can't help but feel that even going on one diet in our lives messes up our relationship with food for the rest of our lives. I worked with a doctor for many years who lectured everyone about overeating; he was thin as a rake but ate copious amounts of chocolate and never understood why every wasn't like him. When we go away for a week or so I'm expected to be the cook and eat far more than I usually do. Even so, all I do is cook a meal that consists [usually] of meat/fish, vegetables/salad and potatoes [probably what most people eat in the evening] and I always put on half a stone during our stay.

Beilliant news mcem.

Or even brilliant.....

Thanks for all the replies since my post last. I was grumpy, tired and feeling sorry for myself because I got stung by a bee yesterday. Sitting on a bench by the river at Stoneleigh Abbey enjoying the sunshine after a lovely afternoon tea treat from a friend - and a bee stung me on the chest. Unbelievable.

We had decided (me and DH) to go with the low carb approach, so I will check out the thread recommended. All my life I've thought I would find the answer to anything troubling me in a book - but procrastination is my middle name. I want to cook more meals from scratch, so maybe I will get tips from other GNs. Thanks peeps.

Thanks, Mamie but I honestly don't think I deserve credit for something I genuinely believe has been fairly straightforward and would encourage anyone else to do the same.
I' d say - don't see it as dieting and sacrificing, just a change of eating habits.
Looking forward to the gym and will update in a few weeks.
I do appreciate the pat on the back though!

gettingonabit, I totally agree with your post and I think it agrees with what I've been saying all along, that personal responsibility is the important thing. If someone doesn't want to or can't change their eating habits that's a free choice but they shouldn't be blaming anyone else, or the government, or food producers.

jings, I agree that some fats are not good, but I probably disagree with you about which ones.

Well done mcem and that bit about walking past the foods you're not allowed is just what I do.

Good luck Wilma I hope you find this suits you and DH. My DH finds this so easy to follow, provided we focus on what he can eat. Some of the recipes from the Hairy Bikers Diet book make great low-carb meals. If you want I can PM them to you tomorrow when I go to my house.

I mean PM the names of those recipes.