Scarsdale diet: give it a try

Begun a two weeks Scarsdale medical diet, SMD, to push my kilos down. 

but I also like it. Plus it seems, it gives me less problems with my digestion. So far.

i will try it for one more week. Or two, looking every morning, at my weight, noting.

And hoping, no more diarrhea comes my way.

Now, I got an English version home, can read it with eyeglasses. it also says, one can not find "protein bread" in UK but that whole-bread may replace it. Unless, we bake it home.

Also, we can replace ½ grapefruit with seasonal fruit. What are January fruits?

This written a few days ago. 
Happy to let know that today 1st January 2020, I arrived at 87.9 kg! I was 10kg heavier six month ago, and 3 kg more when I begun this regime.

Breakfasts

This will be my breakfast from now on for  2 weeks. wit seb s tó go orwell, wihout ma king me ill.

one slice of grilled protein bred, here cut in two to  allow better be grilled.

half  grapefruit, and coffee without milk

trying  to test,  what the Scaredale diet does to  me.

What to do?

Mixed vegetables are good. Alas, not same eaten every day, or without something else.

Fruits, coffee with a bit of milk, one small craquer upset my digestion this morning. Did not stop till I have taken an imagos, and alas did not lower my weight either.

Will have to take some drastic measures to lower my weight with a few more kilos.

Solve a problem, looking from farther

It was impossible to sole a problem at the level of the problem.

That only means we have to get out a bit away from it, see it from outside, we can see more deep into it.

Sometimes, we get good advice from a romance book : I just reading this one again.

How we eat counts too

Do we eat fast or slow?

Do we eat "clean" or dirty: does it count?

With whom we eat?

How we feel when we eat.

This is how it was at a time: cloth napkins!

The Metformin pill, still my enemy

That pill I have to take, three times a day, still seems like an enemy to me. 

I have to take in the MIDDLE of the meal, and once, I did not, yesterday, I was ill all afternoon. 

Or was it because I ate a fruit that was not fresh? or an old olive margarine on the bred?

Today, all went well!

But each time, I have to remember: stop at the middle of the meal! 

And of course, by now I also learned to through out everything which is not fresh.

Once a week, Sunday

I finished my Pathways assignment. A month of blogging, did 30 and not only 8 post. Had it read, spoke about it. 

Will continue now, for sure, every Sunday. Not every day.

That is what I had yesterday noon, plus grapefruit and I was ill all afternoon. 

Probably, because the fruit was not good. Or because I took my pill too near the end.

The diabetes is not a joy to have.

I have to remember that.

So what?

Do not make your problem bigger then it is.

I know, I am also doing it, each time.

So what if I have to take three meals with a small pill in the middle, eat some different food, loose some weight. Walk more.

The last is in a separate sentence as I did not yet begun it yet.

Most, important, I realized, I can live with my Diabetes 2 and it is not a tragedy having it.

Lunch plate in colours

Try this plate, instead of a chocolate cookie slice! 

So many colours and tastes!

A boiled egg, slices of cucumber.  Bearoots. And sweet great slices of sweet potatoes! 

I believed, I will taste the fresh bread but learned to take out from my plate. Eat only the corner.

Dessert, blueberries!

Loosing weight is important

One advice seen in many places was Loose Weight. To survey how much, I did buy a new balance, to step on in the bathroom nude, and see how I fare. 

Realised fast, I should not look day to day, so decided, once a week, Wednesday morning. 

At doctor, dressed, I was 100 kg end of August. Home, around 97.5 without anything on me. Begin to loose, even if some weeks almost stagnant, I am happy to see, this last week one more kilo went down, and I am 90,3 today.

Still a lot to go, but those around me, at least who do not see me for a few weeks, say “it shows!” 

Even if I exaggerate a bit, it seems like 20 pounds down and so much less to carry around! 

From a French video, six foods recommended

À French article and video, about Diabetes 2 suggest six food’s specially recommended.

Avocado. I do eat a lot, love them.

Often, mix them with eggs.

Barley. Do not know where to find, how eat it.

Brocolis are not good to my stomach, but could try them one again.

Love fish and salmon, but has to be very fresh.

Last time opened it too late and had to through away.

Today I ear Sardines, also recommended, even in not this video.

Fish good, not easy to cook for me, and eat in time.

Love sweet potatoes and eat them often. Not yet done a purée in soup. Will try soon.

And pears. Specially recommended in this video. Love them.

Should I continue?

Perhaps, if I write once a week, is enough for this blog? Let me know.

Here, yesterday dinner. Aubergines, sweet potatoes, toasted whole bred.

30th post

I do love blogging, and believed this one will be also a joy for me. 

It was not as easy I thought.

The result? 30 posts in the month, instead of a minimum 8 required by the pathways project. Fewer viewers then Expected. 

Positive? 

Learned to eat differently and less, lost almost 7 kilos. Learned to enjoy it. 

Gone long way in just one month!

Today’s breakfast after 16h « fast ». No bread! And did not miss it. Here, I show one of my new favorite food and how I make it from ½ avocado and an egg smashed and lightly salted. Mix them. I added a small kiwi as dessert and a café. 

Not bad for a breakfast. In plus, I had « true » coffee. 

And one more egg at lunch. This time, without bread.







Bellow, my lunch. 

In fact, half : when I took my medicine.

No bread, but some sweet potatoes, avocado, tomatoes (½) and some chestnuts.

Love more and more vegetables for dinner or lunch

Love an half avocado. Sometimes with tomatoes and as here with corn and chestnuts, other times, even better with a hardboiled chopped egg.

Today evening, it was vegetables cooked in oven with a closed casserole. Eggplants, sweet potatoes, mostly. Some small tomatoes and cheese on the top.

Did not loose more then half kilo this week, but still all in good direction, and also learning to eat things "good for me".

New discoveries, every day

I will make this one soon! Of course - in my way. The picture bellow, is mostly, beautiful, I am not sure to eat spinach raw. But it seems, this is a specific Indian one.

Other advices, I found, there are so many! I already tried out the "mashed banana" instead of jam: not the same taste at all! I am no more eating croissants, for a while already. As to "roasted musli" it seams strange to me: how one roast it? I do add vegetables and fruits, even half bananas.

What to eat, what not to eat?

Look for what to eat, all seam difficult and long - for only one person. And when done more, difficult to heat up other day if put in congealer. In refrigerator they do not last enough. 

And what to eat in the evening, so the morning my lower intestine does not heart? Did not find yet the right food. What breakfast to take so no diarrhea all morning? Still experimenting.

Breakfasts

Diabetes-friendly smoothie

This smoothie recipe should be suitable for most people with diabetes: Blend 2 cups of frozen raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries with a whole avocado and one-half of a cup of kale.

Add either water, almond milk, green tea, or low-fat milk to thin the consistency. Mix in chia seeds to add good fat and extra fiber. In balance with the fruit, the seeds will not affect the taste.

Another Breakfast Shake

For a meal in a minute, blend one cup of fat-free milk or plain nonfat yogurt with one-half cup of fruit, such as strawberries, bananas, or blueberries. Add one teaspoon of wheat germ, a teaspoon of nuts, and ice and blend for a tasty, filling, and healthy breakfast. 

Whole-Grain Cereal

Hot or cold, the right cereal makes a great breakfast. Enjoy a bowl of high-fiber, low-sugar cereal with skim milk, or heat up plain oatmeal. They're packed with fiber, vitamins, and minerals and make a great base for a healthy and diabetes-friendly breakfast. Just remember that a little goes along way: A half cup equals one serving and about 15 grams of carbs. And watch what you add to it. Limit the butter and sugar — instead, top with fresh fruit, skim milk, a sweetener added..

Scrambled Eggs and Toast

The old standby breakfast of scrambled eggs and toast can be a healthy way to start the day if you cook them right. Scramble the egg in a nonstick pan with cooking spray. Enjoy this with a slice of whole-wheat toast topped with a light butter substitute, low-fat cream cheese, or sugar-free jam.

Avocado and eggs . 
1/2 avocado chopped
drizzle hemp oil
medium egg chopped
3-4 slices ham chopped
1 vine tomato chopped
a small pinch of salt

Shake with peanut butter,
 1 scoop protein powder, 
1 tbsp pb, sugar free chocolate syrup,
1/2 small container of greek full fat yogurt 
and some almond milk.

How you feel, conditions we eat are important

Eating in family! Eating slowly. Feeling happy. - all help how our body absorbs, loose weight, and get better in diabetes2 too.

Got yesterday my Grand daughter and my son and we eat together. I was happy and eat slower then both of them. True, they are both thin. I am the one who has to loose kilos. 

This morning, I was near 92kg. Nothing the brag about, should be under 82 at maximum, but a few weeks ago I was 98, so I am going in the right direction.

What IS important, what is not

It seems, taking my blood glucose is not important - for me, or as doctor and nurse tell me my type and level of diabetes. Taking the Metformin is enough. Testing once or twice a year.

What is sure, taking the Metformin In the Middle of meal, is important. I forgot once or twice and eat all so I had to take my pill at the end. Last time it happened, my head turned, I felt like throwing out all I eat, awful. 

Other times, gave me diarrhea. “Not matter if not at every meal every day” told me the nurse. Well, when it happens, it last long and it is not easy. 

Having diabetes 2 is not “too bad” but we have to learn to deal with it. 

What to eat, how much, how often.

And begin to move more.

At least, I managed to loose some kilos, just have to continue on the same slope.

Here is one of my favorites these days. Half avocado, a boiled egg, salt, on rye or without bread.

Here, half tomato and caviar of aubergines near it for lunch.

From NHS advices : 5byDay

5 times a day, vegetables and fruits.

From National Health Service page.

Some contain images, most only descriptions on why and how much is considered 1 portion, and why others are recommended,

Humus is one of special one, in the 7 recommended in plus.

And also

lunch, dinner

Added blackberry to one, kiwi to the other as desert. 

Different vegetables and different foods in small quantity.

From WW choose your strength, use them

The 24 positive traits shared by all

Teamwork
Perseverance
Honesty
Curiosity
Zest
Appreciation of beauty
Love
Humility
Humour
Spirituality
Love of learning
Social intelligence
Forgiveness
Prudence
Judgement
Fairness
Hope
Creativity
Self-regulation
Bravery
Kindness
Leadership
Gratitude

How to use them

First, focus on the list above and pick out the five traits that best describe you. Then choose one to lean on while you go after a goal this week. So, if ‘love of learning’ is big for you, you might try a new recipe. Or, if kindness is one of your top traits, you could focus on posting at least three encouraging comments on Connect.

You’ll find that once you start tapping into your strengths in order to help reach your goals, you’ll be amplifying and growing the positive, which can help you to find the strength to keep going.

• Perseverance 
• Love of learning
• Curiosity
• Creativity
• Humor

Which one for this week?

Curiosity: learn more about what is available and low calorie, low sugar meals.

Each its method

My son come to live here. He is already thin, but now has to maintain it. He has different method then me. Skips breakfast: only coffee. Then has substantial lunch with red meat, and yesterday, a huge place of pasta with cheese, early. A long "fasting period", then, till next lunch.

I prefer to have three meals, less, and looking them to equilibrate each other.

This morning, toasted rye bred with an egg on it, a pear and coffee.
Yesterday, soup of vegetables, I put some rest of chicken leg in slices in it. Mandarin.
In the evening, a part of pasta, less then 1/3 of what my son got, pear sliced.

We tried out the machine to take our blood glucose, my son did not figure it out better then me alas.

Forget the mistakes...

Schweppes is a mark, not a drink

I believed, Schweppes is a drink. I compared it a few days ago to CocaCola, and was happy it has no sugar in it and liked its taste.

No more Coke for me! And I do not like the taste of Diet Coke either, so I did buy a few box of Schweppes.

What was my disappointment, to see, I got Ginger Ale, sweet, in small bottles, as much sugar in it as in Coke, and Soda wnoater with no taste, in big bottles, that had not the nice bitter taste.

By that time, I learned to look at the small words, this one I got back finally is Slimline Tonic Water, as the Tonic Water without "Slimline" was full of sugar too.

I begin to see also, when I order online, as I buy very little directly, I can go down and the can see the back, the informations. Just have to take more time.

Experiences, experiences, learning from mistakes.

Different places fat can be located

Usually, upper or lower stomach, I believe it depends also on our sex: male or female. Of course, the important is to loose, at least some of it! 

Even if I believe now only more or less at Weight Watchers, I will go to see again. Every time, I went, I did loose, slowly, well, then... I gained it back. Here are a list of "zero point" foods from WW:

zero point food WW I took from the list, only those I know

DAIRY & EGGS

Hen eggs Yogurt, fat-free, plain (including Greek & Skyr) Yogurt, plain

ALL UNSMOKED FISH & SHELLFISH – FRESH, FROZEN OR TINNED IN WATER

Bream, red or black Cod Crab Dover sole Haddock Halibut Herring Lemon sole Mackerel

Oysters Rainbow trout Red snapper (Red sea bream) Rock salmon Roll mop herring

Salmon Sardines Scallops Sea bass Seafood selection Shrimps Soft herring roe Swordfish Trout Tuna Turbot

Tinned 

Drained Mackerel in brine Pink or red salmon Sardines in brine, drained Tuna in brine, drained Tuna in springwater, drained zero point food WW

DAIRY & EGGS

Hen eggs     Yogurt, fat-free, plain (including Greek & Skyr) Yogurt, plain

POULTRY 

Chicken breast Turkey breast Chicken breast mince Chicken breast, skinless Turkey breast mince Turkey breast, skinless

FRUIT & VEGETABLES – FRESH, FROZEN, PICKLED & TINNED

All fruit, fresh, frozen or tinned in natural juice or water, drained

Most vegetables fresh, frozen or tinned without oil or sugar*

ALL LEGUMES – FRESH, FROZEN OR TINNED WITHOUT OIL OR SUGAR :

Butter beans Chick peas Flageolet beans Fresh beans Green beans Haricot beans Kidney beans Lentils, green or brown Lentils, split red Tinned beans Yellow split peas

Some fruits and vegetables contain SmartPoints values, these are:

Avocados Olives Parsnips Sweet potato

Food, discoveries, testing

That is from a recipe I read just a day ago, scrambled eggs between two avocado halves.

I added to it as dessert half banana, yesterday evening.

This morning, I made myself oatmeal with whole milk, frozen blueberries to cool it, and a small banana cut on the top. Sweetener, in powder. 

Coffee, without milk. 

Obsessed with food? I experiment.

Metformin

I did had to get used to Metformin, and the idea that I will have to take it all my life, probably. The second week was most difficult. Then learned to take it in middle of meal. 

Here is what the UK Diabetes writes about it. And more...

So, information exist. We just have to find it and apply it. Most importantly, get peace with it.

Eat or not eat

Ryan Taylor slides, this is where he begins. He adds to each food tasting great even as we look!

Salmon? I like and I even have one waiting, but till yesterday, I did not realise how good and tasty it can be when properly prepared! Annelise does it on tomatoes, so it becomes as poached, steamed.

Butter? I am still flabbergasted: butter, not at all or eat and use it.

Berries are a bit expensive but great. This morning, I did have grapefruit - not juice.

Brocoli with a bit of cheese, salmon poached in tomatoes

Today, I was offered a great lunch and learned how tasty a meal can be. Just knowing how to.

I also tasted in the morning oats with unsweetened cocoa, ah ah! And my granddaughter offered me a box of it. No added sugar, no sweetened. In the evening I tried some, but without sweetener or salt, it had no taste, have yet to understand how their was a lot better.

It is worth experimenting and learning how to do food that can be also enjoyed.

Red meat or not? Milk or not,?

Eat this, do not eat this! Eat that, oh no, you should not.  All what they say in different places, is confusing.
OK,  all say, berries are good, avocado and carrots and that eating fruit is ok, but not their juice. 

Rye bread better then whole. 

Here a lunch, one egg, salad, vegetables, a very thin slice of olive bread and  some humus.

All berries ok, said some, other wrote, only blue and raspberries.

So, no strawberries? Here three cut so they look a lot.

Butter? Some source wrote better then margarine others don’t touch it. So?

So many kind of fats, saturated and non saturated, good or bad, no fats at all said some source, some fat is necessary other.

Different proteins, some ok, some not. Others say, small potatoes ok, big ones no. Potatoes, cold in salad best then fresh.

All I read begins to be more and more confusing. 

I finally did buy, what one book suggested, some almond milk, which is not milk, but why milk should not be good? And is really "whole milk" best then "skimmed or semi skimmed"?
So many questions! Some are consistent, others confusing. Grains? yes Grains no. Are almonds, nuts grains? I would like, go towards eating more healthy, but what is it?

Smaller portions, ok, I put them in a smaller plate to so they seem a lot! And put on a big plate only when combining lots of vegetables. And learned not to eat all. 

Learning to eat less, well.

I am learning not only to eat less, but stop when no more hungry. And use small plates and cut food or bread, so all seems more. Happy to say that I lost lass month a few kilograms.

This seems a lot, does it not? 

After 14h fast, from 6 pm evening to 8 am morning, this is my breakfast. 1 egg, cut in four.

One olive whole bread cut in four, some olive spread, raspberries and coffee without milk.

This was yesterday, a snack, afternoon.

It was delicious, and for me, satisfying.

By the way, I tried cornflower and potatoes purée yuck! Then next meal I had them separate near each other, that was wonderful.

All proposed is not for me.

Another lunch. 2 eggs on spinach purée.