Looking for a diet that works...

My girlfriend is a nurse and she has me stuck on oatmeal (plain) and putting one tablespoon of natural peanut butter in it, topped with some brown sugar.

I am sooooooo happy she did this.  I am full in the morning until lunch.  I make a bunch of oatmeal on Monday and it lasts for the week.  Try steel cut oatmeal for the best nutrition.  

Regarding the peanut butter, she has me buy the natural kind and instead of stirring it, I pour off the oil.  Removes a ton of the fat that way.

hmmm wonder if I should start saving the peanut oil for cooking or something???

Sugar is not bad for cancer patients ...  sugar is what is in the dye that they use to detect cancer in the SNB ... the sugar goes right to the cancer for some reason. Sugar may not have any cancer fighting qualities so it's not a benefit, but a little will not hurt you or cause cancer.

Here is an answer to that question from searching this site:

Jennifer Sabol, M.D., F.A.C.S.: It's an old wives' tale that sugar feeds breast cancer. 

Diana Dyer, M.S., R.D.: The most important thing during the holidays is enjoyment of traditional foods, with a sense of control or moderation. The last thing you want to do during the holiday season is to eat so much food, whether it's sugar or fat, that you start gaining weight because it is probably more than the sugar per se that is potentially a problem for breast cancer recurrence. It probably has to do with some of our body's hormones that are responsive to sugar that have more to do with cancer recurrence.

Jennifer Sabol, M.D., F.A.C.S.: I think what Diana is really trying to say is that the overall negative impact on the cancer has more to do with consuming too many calories in a short period of time. It really has more to do with taking in, say 2,000 calories in half an hour, as opposed to breaking it down over the course of a day. So a bit of sugar to enjoy a dessert or treat in moderation will not increase your chance of developing cancer or having a recurrence, whereas sitting down and consuming half a gallon of ice cream in half an hour may.

Diana Dyer, M.S., R.D.: I also think the foods that are high in sugar should be special treats, and I think of them mindfully with intention, thinking how much of it will satisfy this craving or memory I have. How much does my soul need? This is not food that has cancer-fighting molecules in it, so I look at food as either nurturing my soul or nurturing my cancer recovery. So the bulk of my food does come from food I know has an abundance of cancer-fighting molecules in it.

Muma, the best person to decide what's right for you is your oncologist and you ... good luck!

I second vivre's post. The bottom tier"of the food pyramid in Willett's book is regular physical exercise. He then suggests replacing animal protein w/nuts and legumes, eating healthy oils such as olive oil and avocados, and watching the glycemic index and eating whole grains rather than refined. The only thing I miss is sushi (which also contains soy, which my onc has suggested I restrict)--but I can have that on the one or two "blow-out" meals I enjoy every month.

Muma....I have to agree with you on the sugar subject. I too read it was bad for us.

Car....I think  you hit it on the head with the things you mentioned that we should concentrate on.

Soy, is a big no-no, but where is it in sushi? Do they put the seeds in it?

Artsee

Great thread for the new year!  I've been putting together my plan to get healthier in the new year.  The first order of business: I'm trying to give up my dependence on diet coke.  I haven't had one in two weeks, but I haven't gone cold turkey; I've switched to water with Crystal Light iced tea, but I use one packet of the flavoring/32 oz. of water.  Hope to wean myself off to plain water soon.  I want to give up Splenda, too, so I plan to start working on drinking my coffee black.  I won't give up my coffee completely; one must have some pleasure in life.

I've been reading the magazine Clean Eating...I want to eliminate as many processed foods as I can, and concentrate on fruits, veggies, and healthy protein.

Next, exercise...I'm pretty good about the cardio but not the strength training.  I've ordered a book that's supposed to be good...Lift Like a Man, Look Like a Goddess.  I just want some upper body strength in particular; it would be wonderful to feel good in short sleeves (never mind sleeveless).

I'm not sure about the soy in sushi...and I live in Japan.  Maybe it refers to the soy sauce dip or the wrappers on some sushi...or maybe there's soy in the wasabi, which I love and use a lot in sauces and things.  My onc said I could have some soy as long as it isn't my main source of protein.

Rocktobermom, what a great idea to pour the oil off the natural peanut butter instead of stirring!  I'll do that with my next jar.  I also like the idea of putting it on my steel cut oatmeal w/ brown sugar...I'll try that, too.

My big problem: being an all-or-nothing thinker when it comes to eating.  The old "I've already blown it for today...might as well have a ton of __________ (fill in the blank with fried chicken, junk food, etc., etc.)."

Lots of good ideas and info here...sorry for the long post, but it's good for me to put my plan into writing.  Thanks for listening!

Lynn

I have been on Arimidex for about 16 months and about 4 months ago decided I really needed to get serious about losing weight.  I began writing down everything I ate and the number of calories.  I aimed for 1200-1500 calories a day.  So far I have lost 23 pounds.  I was blown away by the number of calories I had been unknowingly eating!  This has been the easiest diet for me, and I have been on a lot of them and paid lots of money for very little results.  Today I signed up at Curves to get some exercise so I can keep losing.

 Just wanted to share in case this might work for someone else.  The best calorie book I found is the Calorie King which can be ordered online.  

I think about any "diet" will work if you get your portions under control.  After that it's a matter of developing eatting habits that you can maintain. Like Debbie I can snack and "sample" my way through untold numbers of calories. 

I like oatmeal for breakfast too. I'd guess the peanut butter adds some protein and fat that sustains you past a stop at Dunkin Donuts or the local coffee shop. If I feel hungry then I'm out of control. 

Lynn - the mag Eating Clean was started by the same gal who wrote the books I wrote of above.  Great magazine. 

Raye - love the doc picture!

Yes, Shiela, I agree it helps to have a partner.  My sister is mine and has lost a similar amount of weight.  We compare notes all the time.  The thing I like is the lack of pressure that I have always felt on other diets.  This one just seems to be a matter of choice and I don't feel I need to binge or go off for various reasons.  It just is more of a way of life which really helps me.

Debbie

Happy New Year, everyone!  Lots of great ideas on this thread, but the best so far--peanut butter and brown sugar in my oatmeal.  Yum!  For months I've kind of endured my oatmeal breakfasts, trying to dress it up w/ Splenda, raisins, and cinnamon.  I'd feel virtuous afterward but never really enjoyed it.  Today was different, though...thanks, Rocktober!

I also had my coffee black, my next step in weaning myself off Splenda...it wasn't half bad.

Enjoy your celebrations but stay safe...Lynn

There is no such thing as a good diet. You need to think about lifestyle changes and also figure out what your triggers are. There is a wonderful book by Brian Wanskin call Mindless Eating. It describes all the cues and triggers we are bombarded with constantly about food. It also tells you how you can mindlessly lose weight. I have been using this for myself and my clients for a couple of years. It is not a quick fix but it works.

The other method I use is Intuitve Eating. It teaches you to reconnect with your true physical hunger and again it teaches you to recognize when you are eating for emotional reasons or because of long held cues you have been getting since you were a kid.

Correction on book author. It is Brian Wansink. Mindless Eating.

Why we eat more than we think.

Jerseygirl,

Congratulations! What an accomplishment

Is there a nutritionist available to you at your oncologist's office who can help you with resources? In general, I think Weight Watchers is a good plan, and you get recipes, if that's what you're looking for. On-line there's WW, and sparkspeople.com (I think that's what it is.) It's not cancer centered, but has good meal ideas, calorie counters, tips, etc.

I don't know any rule about not eating cheese. We need our calcium. It's just that cheese is loaded with fat and calories, and we always eat way more than the one ounce recommended!

Soy is avoided by many people, even though maybe it's okay in small amounts, depending on whose opinion you're getting at the time.

I'm with you, I love to eat. And I pretty much eat as I please, but have really made an effort to cut the portion size and cut waaaay back on my alcohol intake. And, get more heart-rate-raising exercise.

Anne