In the past, I always gained weight after doing calorie counting to lose weight. I did it multiple times over the years, and I didn’t raise or drop weight fast, though, and it did help me, overall because I kept some of the weight off after some of the attempts. I found a good drop after quitting drinking seven years ago. There were many other benefits. However, what is the game changer for me is the whole food-plant based diet. If I don’t do calorie counting, I can get weight gain fairly fast, but it never comes remotely close to the weights I was hitting on the standard diet.
Of course, we all know it’s important no matter the diet to make sure nutritional requirements are met, especially if it’s going to be a fairly static food program. I have eaten basically the same meal now for at least a few months, twice daily, or three times. I checked it in cronometer.com, and I take a 500 micro-gram B12 tablet every couple weeks. Below is the general food, although I add blueberries, apples, bananas or some other fruit for a nice sugar taste. The taste is very satiating and full since I never eat the ultra-high processed, sugar snacks available. I don’t because it’s restricted from the food program: for example, anything with added sugar or oil is explicitly avoided.
It took me I’d say a total of a few months to get digestion adjusted to the new foods and very high fiber intake, but 80-90% of the adjustment took a few weeks. Cravings for fast food went away after a few months, I would say. I avoided media with food ads and avoided driving by fast food places where reasonable. Now, I have no response. Key is staying prepared with foods that are very easy to cook or already prepared. An emergency food for me is bananas. They are so cheap, but 3 can generally fill me up.
I am boring, eating the same meal everyday: the whole wheat pasta with black beans mixed with cayenne pepper and garlic powder. It satiates me. I don’t get bored but do require some varying fruits. They have a certain satiation level that’s shorter the main meal but still good, they don’t have to be cooked, and the calories are lower.
I do get in situations where I don’t eat. If I’m volunteering at a 4 hour shift and already haven’t eaten for 8 hours, well it’s a test, serving food. That only happens with poor planning, though. Of course, years past I would go to the drive thru or buy a pizza from the grocery and eat half of it. I’d cook meats like chicken thighs, boneless and skinless with some rice.
I’m wondering when I will get bored of this meal plan. It hits the spot!
Motivation and Testimonials for a Whole Food-Plant Based Diet 