Four Pros – Four Cons of Banting

2-10pm

I’ve been thinking about this for a while and am writing it down to try and make sense of some of my thoughts. Having been following LCHF/Banting Lifestyle for a couple of years, I have discovered a few things that have applied to me. I am sure this list is by no means complete, but they are the top pros and cons that I have found in my Low Carb journey.

PROS

1. Less Sugar, Less Health Issues

I have yet to come across anyone who suggests that reducing your sugar intake is a bad thing. Way too much sugar has been added to the food we eat.  I feel a lot better when I cut out sugar. I noticed when cutting sugar, I had less eczema and a potential stomach ulcer fizzled out. Having a more stable blood sugar level allows for more stability in mood and well being. If you have health issues of any type, the NUMBER ONE thing you HAVE to do is to cut out sugar. No more sweets, chocolates, pastries, refined carbohydrates, cakes, chips. If it’s coming out of a packet, burn it! You will not believe how much better you get.

2. No More Bloating

When I cut out obvious carbohydrates such as rice, potato, bread and pasta, I discovered that I no longer got bloated after eating. Of course this was also caused by pastries such as my all time favourite, croissants…

3. Weight Loss

I have not lost weight on following a low carb diet. I just haven’t, no matter how hard I have tried. Granted I am not very overweight, but I could happily lose about 5-7kg. When I discussed this with someone who loses weight rapidly the moment she cuts out carbs, she pointedly explained that clearly I was not carbohydrate intolerant. That made sense to me. One of the huge pros of Banting is weight loss in people who are carbohydrate intolerant or insulin resistant. There are many fantastic stories of both men and women who have lost a lot of weight through eating low carb. Men generally lose weight faster and more easily than women. I once posted a blog on that topic…Why men lose weight faster than women. Most people try Banting because they want to lose weight. Many are successful. Some lose a lot of weight and then plateau. Some reach their goal weight and seem to live happily ever after! I’m 5-7kg over my ideal weight and living happily ever after!

4. Banting is a Sustainable Lifestyle

Eating high fat allows you to choose foods that are not only tasty but also make fill you up and sustain you for longer.  Contrary to traditional popular belief, Fat is good for you and is necessary for brain power, energy, improving blood sugar levels and assisting in weight loss. With the plethora of low carb options for meals, including desserts, Banting is a sustainable way of life. Personally, I go down the good healthy fat route – avocados, olives, a moderate amount of cream and olive oil. I don’t eat loads of eggs and meat. Eat when you are hungry – stop when you are full also applies when you are Banting.

CONS

1. Expense

Buying all that is best for a low carb diet is more expensive than eating a carbohydrate laden diet. But having said that, low carb ingredients are more filling and sustainable, so you should be eating less on it.

2. Constipation

This must be one of the biggest complaints I heard when I was on air and interviewing Tim Noakes. There is less fibre in a low carb, high fat diet and so special attention has to be paid to finding low carb fibre alternative.  If constipation is a problem for you, add a few bran flakes to your breakfast food, increase berry intake and makes sure you drink more water, especially in summer.

3. Special Occasions and a Multitude of Temptations

This comes down to how to cope with facing temptation. Having to exercise a humongous amount of self control when you are at a celebration where 90% of the meal is made up of high carb treats – the only options left to you are the garnish. It’s when you have to try and stamp out the urge to reach for the cocktail sausage rolls and peck at the parsley instead! Christmas time is mince pie time – Christmas fruitcake time – chocolate time – eating more time. If you are eating low carb, it’s not a great idea to eat Banting when it suits you and eat high carb when it suits you. Filling your arteries with high fat and high carb is not going to do them any good. If you are diabetic, a high carb, low fat diet is out of the question. You have to eat LCHF and stick to it.

4. It’s Too Complicated

People may find Banting or LCHF lifestyle sounds too complicated. But it’s not. You just need to get started and the best place is to look at the Three Day Low Carb Eating Plan and take it from there. The internet is full of it. Facebook has many groups to join to find out information and get advice.

There’s no reason not to start, even if you begin by cutting out sugar. You have got nothing to lose.

I love this: 3 John 1:2

Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.

Keep the smile going!

God bless you!

In His Grip,

Helga xx 🙂

Gratitude Pic…having Stacey and Adrian to stay this week. This is Stace getting me geared up for a new cross-stitch project…

Yay! Going to be cross-stitching again!