buffy said:

Michael V said:

Bubblecar said:

It did sound to me as though Michael was thinking he had to restrict his range of foods more than is normally advised.

I think I am starting to get my head around things a bit. It was quite overwhelming to begin with. And still is at times. I have always treated my diet as “averaged out” rather than “per meal”. And I don’t always have three regular meals. I often miss, or have a very late breakfast.

I have also recently gotten into some bad habits, such as using white rice, and eating the very yummy white bread that is made here, and using way too much butter. I also served my Asian-style meals as 50% rice and 50% stir-fry – mostly veges. That’s easily changed to 25% rice with the same amount of sauce – and the portion is then controlled better, too. Similarly with Mediterranean-style meals. I will cut the pasta back to 25%, and I will use wholemeal pasta, either bought or home-made.

I have never been much of a fruit eater, so I have to work on that. (Most fruit smells awful to me.) I don’t mind citrus, Granny Smith Apples and grapes, so there are some options.

I rarely have dessert, so that doesn’t need any attention.

I make a meal fairly regularly for Mrs V’s low kJ days that is dominated by potato. I’ll need to revise that. I think it is doable, but may not come completely within the guidelines.

I do find some of the recommendations perplexing. eg: “Instead of peeling potatoes, use them washed, but unpeeled”, as though the 1% peel could make a measurable difference. And the completely nonsensical recommendations for coconut cream substitutions – things like low fat milk. These people have clearly not eaten a south Asian curry. The coconut flavour is important.

I’ll get there. Eventually. Sigh.

This is why I recommend an educator and dietician. Let them do the thinking for you.

I take your recommendation seriously, and will ask the GP on my next visit.