Linda's Diet
From CRSWiki
Linda's diet
I would describe myself as on the moderate wing of CR. I eat meat and fish, and include some whole grains, some dairy foods and some pulses. By baking my own bread I am able to increase its nutritional density. When I began CR in November 2006 at the age of 58 I weighed 108lb (I am only 4ft 11inches in height). Taking on board the importance of losing weight slowly I calculated what calories I needed to remain at that weight and then consumed the calories which would produce a weight loss of about 2lb a month. I set myself a target of 94lb. I was already eating pretty healthily so it was largely a matter of reducing empty calories, and increasing the proportion of vegetables and salad. CRON-O-METER was a big help. This worked well and the weight loss was so gentle that hunger was never really a problem. I levelled out at 98lb so adjusted the calories down a little and gradually went down to 93lb, still without hunger problems. Over time my perceptions have changed and I realise it is not so much about weight or BMI but what I am comfortable with. I now average about 1200 calories a day, but am closely monitoring the situation and just seeing where it takes me. Lots of veg and salad keep me nice and full, and I don’t leave long gaps between eating so I only really feel hungry just before a meal which is as it should be. My cholesterol is down to a really healthy level and I have the blood pressure of a youngster. And getting compliments on my trim figure at my age just has to be a bonus!
A wholly unexpected effect of CRON occurred about three months in – a great feeling of increased wellness and happiness. I thought it was simply a temporary buzz from being trimmer but it’s still here, (I am writing in June 2007) I haven’t felt this good for ages – and non-CRers think we are a miserable lot – how wrong that is! Also food just tastes better – and that’s not just because there is less of it. A simple piece of fruit is like a burst of freshness and sweetness in my mouth. Also, so far from craving unhealthy foods, I feel less and less like eating them.
A typical breakfast is about an ounce of whole grain cereal with chopped fresh fruit and soya milk, and a topping of natural yogurt with a few chopped nuts or seeds. Mid morning I like a piece of fruit. A typical lunch is a big mixed salad with tuna or cottage cheese. Mid afternoon I have some yogurt or a rye crispbread. I drink mainly green tea or mineral water, but cannot resist the occasional black tea with milk – I’m British, sue me! Dinner will always involve a lot of vegetables with a protein dish such as grilled salmon or chicken. I accompany this with a quarter of a glass of wine. Dessert – could be fruit or yogurt or my own homemade low fat sugar free iced dessert. And finally, because I have been a good girl I reward myself with a square of very very dark chocolate.
I enjoy cooking so am always looking for new recipes to try, different flavours and seasonings. It’s quite a challenge, but it’s fun.
I eat out quite regularly and as long as I pick my restaurant carefully will always find something I like – grilled chicken, salmon or tuna on house salad is a pretty typical choice, or a vegetarian chilli.
