clarifications?

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Registered: 03-26-2003
clarifications?
6
Thu, 02-16-2006 - 9:18am

In the meal planner guide it says "Snacks and dessert are optional." I'd gotten the impression that we were supposed to have snacks?

You all state on here that "We encourage you to include a serving of beans (1/3-1/2 cup) as part of your vegetables." and that you should limit it to the 1/2 cup a day. But the good carbs guide indicates "We recommend liberal consumption of these foods." I've taken this to mean that I can eat more beans as long as my weight loss isn't stalled. My husband and I generally have a pot of beans at least twice a month and often more (black beans, black eyed peas, anasazi beans). Since beans generally are replacing our protein for the meal I've counted them that way. My weight loss has been slow but not really stalled. More slowed because of other things I "cheat" with. *blush* Is the mention of "liberal consumption" in the good carbs guide a misprint?

My sweet treats are almost always sugar free (I don't have them often). But can I have something non-sugar free on occasion? Like follow the three bite rule? I know I can have anything I want LOL! but is this considered a cheat? There were 4 unfrosted cupcakes left last night. I had fresh blueberries and made a yogurt parfait and decided to have one of the cupcakes last night (in a weak moment). I was counting it as a cheat but now think maybe it was kind of ok.

Thanks,

Kim

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Registered: 04-01-2005
Thu, 02-16-2006 - 9:45am

Hi Kim,


Yes, snacks are encouraged. It is important to eat at regular intervals throughout the day in order to keep our blood sugar levels stable. On Phase 1 it is especially important to eat snacks.


I stated in another post today that I am not a fan of the "Good Carbs, Good Fats Guide" because it is so unspecific. For example, what does 'good' mean listed next to a food? Or 'eat liberally' and 'eat rarely'? I need more quantitative information. The reason why beans are limited to 1/2 cup is because although they are loaded with nutrients and an excellent source of fiber, they are calorie dense. Also, if you are getting most of your recommended 4.5 cups of veggies from

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Registered: 12-19-2002
Thu, 02-16-2006 - 10:16am

"In the meal planner guide it says "Snacks and dessert are optional." I'd gotten the impression that we were supposed to have snacks?"


Hi Kim, this is correct.

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Registered: 01-02-2006
Thu, 02-16-2006 - 10:34am
I like the "treat vs cheat" mentality... If it's something that you really want to have, and you don't overindulge, then go ahead! I would leave bag of oreos in the cupboard for months, but when my mom makes apple pie, you better believe I'm going to have a slice!
Avatar for kimmieindallas
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Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 02-16-2006 - 11:01am

Thanks Maggie and Karen,

My good carbs guide is just a guide. I almost never use it but do look things up ever so often. Good = may be eaten regularly. Limited = no more than once a week and very limited = once every 2-3 months. It says "not all foods marked Good are created equal. Some foods, like non-starchy vegetables, can be consumed in larger portions than foods such as whole grain breads and low-fat dairy products. Use your SBD common sense."

If I had true common sense I wouldn't have been 60 lbs over weight LOL!

We don't normally have any sugary foods that I like around. I have a few little packages of cookies for the kids that they have once a week or so (it is hard not to have some treat foods around for kids that are 3 and 6). The cupcakes were a special valentines treat. They made cupcakes and decorated with valentine sprinkles. Out of 24 cupcakes I ate one :) I figure that is pretty good. We gave a bunch away and I threw out the remainders last night. My kids are soooo much healthier than many of their friends. I can see it in behaviour and the look of their skin. They drink more water than any of their friends and they eat far more vegetables and fruit. So I figure a few cookies here and there are ok - and if they are storebought in little packages then I won't eat them. If I cook them they'll be yummy and I'll want one!

Kim

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Registered: 03-25-2003
Thu, 02-16-2006 - 11:21am

Beans are a very very healthy food, so if you're not stalled by eating more than 1/2 cup, then I don't see a problem. Especially when they are replacing meat. Calories still count, after all and if you replace one thing with the other, then it all works out.

One of the reasons SBD works is because it fills you up with low calorie, high nutrition food. The other reason is because it levels out your blood sugar and eliminates 'binge' eating. Which we all have done, otherwise we wouldn't be fat. LOL.

On a somewhat related note to "treat" vs. "cheat". In my family growing up, we always had a bedtime snack, which was a dessert we ate after getting jammies on. We follow the same tradition with my kids. I read recently that at least 5 of 7 nights we should be having fruit, not baked goods, for dessert. For some reason it was a bit of an epiphany for me. I thought, "Yeah... we shouldn't be giving our kids cookies/ice cream/candy every night!" That should be special and occassional TREAT, not a habit. Last night I gave them strawberries and 1 Hershey's Kiss that Daddy got them for Valentines Day. (Previously, they might have eaten 4-5 chocolates for their snack.) They were THRILLED. From now on, it will be fruit for dessert as the norm.

Just thought I'd share!

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Registered: 01-20-2006
Thu, 02-16-2006 - 12:52pm

The scary thing is, the oreos are actually stable several months in the cupboard too. ;-) LOL!

We do the same thing w/our kids... we do occasionally have a sweet dessert, but more often than not, dessert is fruit. When I do bake a dessert, I'll often make a fruit crisp, which has just a bit of sugar & spread in the crust. Or fruit or pumpkin muffins w/WW flour and reduced sugar. My kids think of cashews as a special treat. They still love all the sugary, color-laden stuff marketed to children, but they know they aren't healthy and are only for very special occasions (and almost always purchased by someone other than their parents!).

The more your views on food shift, the more your children's views will also. The younger they are, the easier it is to influence them, IMO. Once they are teens, they are more likely to have their own money and their own transportation to access unhealthy food. I just wanted to encourage everyone not to be afraid to try substituting the goldfish & fruit roll ups with healthier options for preschoolers. IME, there are just as many healthy options out there that the little guys find to be just as yummy. :-) My kids still have Halloween candy around here somewhere, but I can barely keep my kitchen stocked with baby carrots, fruit, & nuts for them. It's so worth the time to get them used to healthy foods now instead of forcing them to retrain their tastes when they are adults and can no longer afford to eat unhealthily.

Good luck!