Hello my owls!
Anywho... my point is that eating healthier has always made my body feel good, my skin a little clearer, given me more energy and helped me she'd weight. So why don't I stick to these diets? I've thought long and hard about it and there are a plethora of reasons, some critical ones being: I am too busy, too tired, or too hungry to worry about making healthy choices. The NSNF diet basically eliminates the need to make a choice because flour and sugar are simply no longer an option. In principal it's if you have got an allergy to them - like nuts. I'll get to that in a minute; first I want to explain the diet that I've been following for nearly 3 months. It's more of a lifestyle change than diet- as in it's meant to be practiced long-term in order to fully benefit from it and see lasting results. So the principal so basically that you completely cut both sugar and flour (specifically wheat) from your diet. By doing so, you eliminate most (or all) processed foods, thus, leading to lower caloric intake, better metabolism of calories you DO consume and you are forced to eat more fruit and veg. If you're curious about the science of it all, read more in detail about it here: NSNF Diet.
Now on to my reasons for trying this diet out...
1. I have a propensity towards insulin resistance and diabetes runs in my immediate family.
2. I am obese and I simply don't want to be anymore.
3. I'd like to live a healthier life overall which includes eating healthier and not consuming alcohol.
4. I want to be able to do physical activities such as hiking with my (normal weight) husband without getting tired and sweaty quickly.
5. I want to be able to fit into fashionable clothing.
So, the burning question you all have- "Did it work? Are you skinny now, or what?"
- I lost a total of 7lbs on the diet for two and a half months. I did not follow the diet to a T and I did not increase exercise at all. I think if I had, I would've seen double that result. Baseline, you get out what you put in. Yes, it can work!
- My father-in-law did the diet challenge along with me and lost 23lbs in two and a half months. He followed the diet strictly (but also did not increase exercise).
Q&A
- Are you on the diet currently?
No. However, after a month and a half of "taking a break" I am finally ready to get back on track and try the diet again.
- Was it a hard diet to follow?
It was a hard diet to start. Once you get rid of all the items with sugar and flour and replace them with suitable items, prep meals ahead of time, bring lots of diet friendly snacks with you wherever you go and pile up on veggies and fruit at mealtimes you will be okay. The idea is to get over the initial shock to your system and then ease into a comfortable routine. You have to get used to eating staple items almost every day if you want it to be simple and easier- or you could go the hard way and try to come up with new, exciting and delicious meals each day but I personally don't recommend that route. Meal planning is much more efficient and saves time in the long run.
- Did you feel any different not consuming sugar or flour?
Not immediately. I did have less stomach aches, diarrhea, bloating and gas after a few days. After a few weeks I got used to the taste of no sugar and could identify if a drink had sweetener in it and what kind it was- kind of like a super taster.
- Did you cook a lot? Did you have trouble finding recipes?
I definitely cooked more while on the diet than off it. I actually did do some weekly meal prep, but due to my budget it was a bit tough to stay creative. I improvised the diet to work for my lifestyle. Instead of going completely flourless I ate a lot of rice flour and corn flour, and used Splenda or Agave nectar in baking flourless muffins and cookies. I made quite a few stir-fry dishes, rice and beans, soy protein, oatmeal was a godsend, and fruits became my favorite desert item. I had fun in the kitchen and definitely found a new taste for things I never thought that I'd like.
- Would you recommend this diet to anyone else?
Yes and no. I wouldn't recommend this diet for everyone. People who are looking for a quick fix wouldn't last long on it, as it is not a diet that reveals quick and large results. This diet is a lifestyle change and serious commitment. When you are tired and hungry and you just want a break there are no cheat days... some nights you may even have to go a little bit hungry until your body adjusts or you decide to get creative with meal planning. It's not a diet for the faint of heart.
I know this post isn't the best and it's not very thorough but hopefully it has given you some insight into what the NSNF diet is like.
*I am not a registered Nurse, Doctor, Nutritionist or Dietician and cannot vouch for how this diet could affect you if you try it. Please speak with your doctor before starting a new diet and above all else do your research. Good luck and thanks for reading!
