Eat to Live Anyone?

Comment by Cindy on July 6, 2012 at 3:21am

Sorry, I don't think any diet is worth it if it feels like a constant sacrifice and struggle to stay within the constraints that you have. Why can't you have salads without dressing? There is nothing wrong with olive oil, vinegar and a few spices for a salad dressing.

I have learned the hard (very hard) way that the weight loss journey is FOREVER. It is for a LIFE TIME. My advice - If you are on some plan that restrictive - where you are eating tons of salads w/ no salad dressing, etc.  DITCH IT ASAP. Why? You won't stick with it? Again, who on this planet likes to chow down on a dry bed or greens? Not I said the fly!!!

Bottom line - Do some research and come up with a sensible plan that you can live with for the rest of your life and get busy with it!!!

Comment by Keem on July 6, 2012 at 8:29am

I don't trust Dr Oz anymore.  A few times a week, he always has some diet that he feels everyone HAS to do- or that magic (expensive) supplement that you just HAVE to buy and it will magically melt away your fat...and there's always some sort of hype/sensationalism on there like, "What you don't know that can kill you....next time on Dr Oz".

 

I agree-that this seems like a non-permanent weight loss solution-like when you stop eating salads, you'll gain weight again.  I doubt you could live on just salads for the rest of your life (and it wouldn't be healthy to) so it's destined to happen. 

 

Having said that, this site is great for accountability and support! :)

 

Comment by Paula on July 6, 2012 at 8:56am

I read this book and it made some good points. Staying away from processed foods and eating more vegetables and fruit is must. But like Cindy states above, you must find a plan that you can do the rest of your life. I must admit I did add some ideas from this book. I have fruit for breakfast more often & all summer I've been chomping on great salads, but I did not agree with other things, like consuming oils or too many fats. He recommends an avocado everyday. I just can't do it. I like grains and he doesn't agree with them. So I make my choices based on me. A vegan diet will certainly lead to weight loss, but it is a choice up to you.

Comment by Dawn E on July 6, 2012 at 9:40am

Thanks for the comments guys. Yes, I'm finding that Dr. Oz's plethora if supplements hold hollow promises. However, other than the first 6 wks of Dr. Fuhrman's plan, I find it no more restrictive than say: Atkins, Paleo, or any other eating plan that limits certain types of foods. It is a plant based diet and while he discourages meat, he does not insist in vegan ism. He encourages getting healthy fats from plant sources such as nuts and avocados but doesn't insist on eating an avocado every day. Grains are not prohibited, but are restricted to whole unprocessed grains.
Rather than defend my choices and explain a relatively simple way of nourishing your body, I'll search elsewhere for support.

Comment by Almost There on July 6, 2012 at 10:58am

Hi Dawn!  I hope you haven't ditched us already.  I am interested to see how Dr. Fuhrman's plan works for you.  I think what we core BTL'ers are trying to say is that it is important to find what works for you long term.  I whole-heartedly agree with any diet that encourages you to break away from eating out of boxes and bags even if you have to commit to a month or so of torture to do so.  I just know that I need a few carrots to look forward to during that time to make the sticks seem a bit less painful.  Does Eat To Live have some "treats" for you during this startup phase or is the point to get you to a "clean" base to build up from?

Comment by Dawn E on July 6, 2012 at 12:48pm

Thanks Almost. The plan seems to want those committed to it to get "clean" of processed foods & those foods he believes promote poor health or poor digestion, metabism, etc in that 6 weeks. He claims, as do the testimonials, that after a period, cravings go away and your tastes turn to healthy, nutritious food. I've been on enough "diets" in my life to know that willpower alone is not enough. I need to change my relationship with food. I've seen friends who eat similarly to this who describe what he talks about and I never understood my friends until I read Dr Fuhrmsn's book. My diet failures are the result of the wrong approach. I need to feed my body, but feed it with food with a high density of nutrition, the rest often takes care of itself if u know what is high in nutrition. Snickers bars are not.
I stress, I do not feel deprived other than if I'm in front of the TV and seeing those endless commercials for fattening, low quality food. Once out of the 6 weeks, there are indulgences. But to be honest, as long as I'm full I can go relatively indulgence free unless I'm coerced by my non-supportive husband. That's why I really need someplace, someone to keep me in line.. I know myself. I need a support system and I certainly don't get one at home.

Comment by Keem on July 6, 2012 at 1:15pm

So it's just clean eating?

Or is it just a starter phase of salads followed by good choices???

Maybe you can be super descriptive of it for us! :)

Comment by Almost There on July 6, 2012 at 1:19pm

Interesting--I'd like to know what you get to eat for breakfast.  I am a big salad fan--I make salads out of fairly crazy stuff (some of which I am sure Dr Fuhrman would NOT approve, {giggle}) but can't imagine one for breakfast.

Comment by Dawn E on July 6, 2012 at 2:22pm

Yes, I think it's very clean eating. My typical day has been the following (and remember, I'm on the very restrictive 6 wks):
Bkfst-fruit&walnuts, I've had apples bananas oranges mangos peaches
Lunch-good sized salad with black beans for protein and fiber. I mix the greens and salad trimmings: cucumbers onions broccoli red pepper tomato. Today I had one with greens & strawberries! Yummy. I have experimented with oil free dressings: mustard with a light vinegar, carrot juice with vinegar, but so far I like simple lemon juice. I DO NOT MISS THE DRESSING. The salad fixings have been surprisingly tasty.
Dinner-cooked or steamed veggies and another salad if I have room. I made meatless veg soup and have been quite satisfied.
You are to get 4 servings fruit per day. I use them as snacks other than breakfast to keep my sweet cravings at bay and it has seemed to work. My tummy only growls when it's been a LONG time since I've eaten and actually I almost forgot to eat lunch today!
Limit salt and oils, but season to your hearts content with herbs and spices. I find peppers, onion, garlic, and celery are all good.

Comment by Almost There on July 6, 2012 at 2:31pm

That sounds quite healthy.  I'll bet you get to add in some good fats once you are past this phase.  Add in avocados, eggs and yogurt and I think it would be doable for me--most days anyway.  Sounds to me like you need to avoid TV!  Do the commercials get your husband tuned into crap food too?  I know mine has been watching too much TV when he says, "Hey, doesn't Carl's Jr sound good for dinner?".  Uh, NO!

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