So it’s nothing new, I’m sure you’ve talked about and debated banting until you were blue in the face around many a dinner party. I sure have. But after seeing the incredible transformation my Pilates teacher has experienced (A single mother of 3 boys who’s now got more energy, thriving businesses, exercises loads and just wants to get up and GO!), I decided to do her 6 week Banting Buddies Course to see if banting really was, all-that-and-a-bag-of-sweet-potato-chips.
What I’ve learnt so far:
* Banting is not just about fat (cream, butter, lard, animal fat etc) but focuses on eating the best quality food you can afford. i.e. grass fed, organic animal products, fresh produce – no processed, packaged, tinned food! Fresh is best!
* Macadamia nuts are the best nuts to eat – full of omega 3 fatty acids
* Seed oils are bad *tosses flaxeed oil
* snacking spikes your insulin levels
* Always read ingredients labels – even a block of what you think is real butter can have hidden nasties in it. You want the pure, real deal when it comes to food!
* Be organised – toss all temptations and keep healthy snacks / food available – it’s the key to your success.
* You can really eat on this plan. Listen to your body – it will tell if you’re hungry/full
You can drink coffee – whooohoooo – and it’s so good with cream!
How I’m Feeling:
* Week one I experienced headaches towards the mid-to-end of week. ( I did start after a holiday of lots of wine and chocolate so there was a definite detox going down)
* Origionally felt hungry here and there so I tweaked my fat intake
* Week 3 and I am fuller faster – don’t crave snacks
* I have more energy
* I am more productive – E.G I’ve mapped out a weekly routine/planner and created structure to my week where before I wasted a lot of time, felt a bit all over the show. I am now thinking clearer and feeling highly motivated.
* Wine makes me feel crap! I can go without wine in the evenings now. ( I was worried I would never be able to do that 🙂 ) – don’t get me wrong, I still love wine and feel for a glass, but I can do without.
I am still getting my head around cream and butter – but you can tweak your intake according to what you are more comfortable with. I try to eat more olive oil, macadamia nut butter (OMG THE BEST), loads of avo, eggs ( You’ll learn the myth about cholesterol & eggs on the course) but am loving a lashing of cream and butter in cauli-mash here and there! Cheese, ah all this time I’ve been avoiding it. Yum!!
The one thing I do recommend and I’m really enjoying, is having a coach. Until it’s a way of life and I’ve reached my personal goals, (I’ll share those in up-coming posts) it’s great to be steered in the right direction, have your diet tweaked to best suit you, answer questions and to really understand how and why this way of eating works and how your body works/processes the different food groups. I’m hooked! Time will tell – let you know how it goes!
For more on what you can expect to achieve and an outline of the course, see http://www.lowcarbhighfat.co.za
8 Comments on If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em
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[…] last week I told you that I had started a 6 week Banting Course. If you missed it, read here. Not only am I learning delicious new recipes, like this almond flour Banting pizza, but I’m […]
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Chereen
August 12, 2014 at 13:28 (2 years ago)Hmmm… it sounds VERY tempting now! I’m not looking to lose any weight, but the promises of more energy and motivation (like you, I also feel a bit ‘all over the place’ most days) has me itching to try it. Thanks for sharing! (Plus, that ago salad looks AMAZE!)
Kim
August 12, 2014 at 14:38 (2 years ago)Hi Chereen,
Also not looking to lose weight – I had a goal of 2cm which I pretty much achieved already – but you can tweak the diet to suit your body. It’ll tell you what it needs very quickly! It’s amazing!
Chantelle
August 14, 2014 at 07:32 (2 years ago)This sounds great and that salad looks delicious!! I still have a few kgs to lose after my pregnancy and can feel that my energy levels are not what it’s supposed to be. Definitely want to try this!
From a food budget point of view, does it work out more expensive? And from a menu planning/preparation point of view do you also prepare the same food for hubby?
Kim
August 14, 2014 at 09:51 (2 years ago)HI Chantelle
My husband is doing it with me and he’s loving it too and feeling the results.
Encourage him to do it with you – my husband exercises a lot and is not feeling hungry on it – wk 4. (At the beginning maybe a little)
Some of the recipes are expensive – but I often do meat and salad and then make sure I get fat through avo, fatty cut of meat, etc and can eat as before – cost wise. – you just have to be organised! I’m finding it really easy to stick to.
Melissa Govender
August 21, 2014 at 09:59 (2 years ago)Hi I have read and heard so much about Banting. I have to say I am still so hesitant to try it. I have always used a dietician/nutritionist to aid my weightloss. Why do they not advocate this way of life. I already have high blood pressure and am insulin resistant ( on medication). I worry about increasing cholesterol. Can anyone assure me that I will not do more harm to myself cholesterol wise whilst following this diet? How much of research and testing has gone into this?
Kim
August 21, 2014 at 13:08 (2 years ago)HI Melissa – the whole chapter this wk was pretty much on insulin resistance – banting is the best way to bring that down – snacking and sugar causes your insulin to spike! BUT I will get more info if I can – I’m not the pro – yet 🙂
x