Oh, yes bluesfan,

Another spinach idea, and another favourite, homemade spinach pasta. We have never had a pasta machine, but using a rolling pin makes nice sheets for Lasagne. Fresh pasta has far fewer calories than dry, and it tastes infinitely better.

Oh, and just for my own peace of mind, from a Post above, the problem med I'm on is Metoclopramide, not Metoprolol. That was my old beta-blocker, it's been on my mind with the increased Panic Attacks.

Dave.

Good luck to you! It is inspiring to see someone reach their goals and when you do, you will motivate others to tackle their own.

Angie

Best of luck Dave....you are smart to allow yourself just a bite of the baklava or other goodie. I have learned, when I try to be TOO extreme with diet, I feel deprived and end up going off the deep end and eating all the stuff I shouldn't.

One thing I have learned to make that is low cal and high protein is chia seed pudding. You just mix a few tablespoons of chia seeds with about 2-3 cups of vanilla almond milk, stir and put in fridge. The chia seeds plump up like tapioca. There are tons of recipes on the internet. It is very nutritious and filling and satisfies the desire for creamy desserts. If you drizzle just a bit of real maple syrup on the top, it is especially delicious. Chia seeds can be found online or I am now finding them in most markets. Shop for price as they can be expensive but, they go a long way. This has become a staple for when I crave a dessert while TV viewing, also my worst time for mindless snacking!

My best, D.

Thanks Angie,

Are you joining us in this Quest?

Diandra,

Chia seeds and the pudding sound inviting - infrequently, or I will break down. The seeds cost £27:00 per Kg at my local Supermarket, although the packets are not THAT big.

Are these the same Chia as in the Chia Pets??? Anyone…

I now have a fairly accurate calorie count for the past few days. 950-1330kCal, which is in my target. I am supposed to consume 2000-2200kCal, I believe I've been having around 2500-2800kCal.

Weighing CORRECT (not diet) portion sizes has been a real eye-opener, I cannot believe how much I overate. Even single portion convenience meals I have in for very bad times are double the weight they should be. No wonder the Developed World is overweight.

I have a call booked tomorrow (today) with my GP to discuss whether I can supplement with Multivitamins, as all I have checked here have Calcium added.

Dave.

I should join you on this quest, but I have a couple things in particular I am focusing on. One is where I now stand cognitively with PCS, possible treatments and accepting I am different then I was prior to my head injury.

Second, I need to quit smoking.

I am interested in chia seeds though. Are there certain health benefits to them? I will certainty try the pudding recipe.

I used to work for an endocrinologist and personally, I think the diabetic diet is great. The portions are perfect and it designed to maintain blood sugar and metabolism. It may be worth taking a look at.

Hi Dave and others
Thanks for the recipe suggestions - I'd forgotten about spinach & feta parcels - used to make them occasionally - unfortunately filo pastry is very expensive here - but I could do an omelet/fritatta version just using eggs. I usually add spinach to pretty much any pasta dish I cook. The chia dessert sounds yummy - will give it a try - like the almond milk idea - would give a lovely flavor.

Sounds like you're really getting to grips with your diet planning Dave - did you find cutting down quickly to a low calorie count difficult or have the hunger pangs eased? Re the 'doing something with your hands since giving up smoking' - a friend also had the same problem and he solved it by snacking on sunflower seeds - un-husked ones - it takes time to get the seed out (distraction) and the seeds are not that fattening. And dare I say it the TV or radio might give you some amusement over the next few days - yep cricket again! It's probably only going to be live on Sky here (and in the middle of the night) so highlights viewing only for me.

As for how I'm doing - fell off the wagon yesterday - long day: 4 hrs driving to and from hospital for first neuro appt. (another 2 hrs) - was exhausted and gave in to a craving for fish & chips takeaways on the way home. I don't feel too bad as it's the first takeaway in months. Did better today - had a meeting in another city with lunch and had salmon & spinach pie with salad. Dinner tonight is homemade Chinese hot & sour soup - one of my favorites and pretty healthy - when I get some energy back I'll post the recipe if anyone's interested.

Well, I had a great phone talk with my Doctor today, who was VERY supportive about my diet, and agrees that 950-1250kCals is an ideal target to achieve my goals.

I also have a panel of blood tests booked in 3 weeks to check early for deficiencies, and to see if I can tolerate any increase in Calcium - which all the multivitamins seem to contain.

Last night I took the drastic step of measuring my stomach at it's largest circumference. This is my problem area, as I have said, and I am unhappy. No figures - too depressing to count down from so high - I will (hopefully) Post running totals of losses going up.

Angie,

You need a good, balanced diet - possibly with supplements - to deal with PCS. As for smoking, I quit just before my Cancer/Diabetes dx and - even with all that and the weight - still feel better for it.

Bluesfan,

The hunger is still there because the Metoclopramide empties my stomach, more than anything else. For my evening meal, the addition of a few extra steamed vegetables or plain microwaved mushrooms - being low calorie - eases the problem while I get used to the quantities.

I used to eat more sunflower seeds than a parrot in my youth, but now my arthritis leaves me with no dexterity. I will just have to fidget. The Cricket is no distraction, it's only live on Sky Sports here and I don't subscribe. I do watch the highlights, but when it's a foregone conclusion… lol.

Don't beat yourself up over one take-away. You will soon regain that loss. The salmon and spinach pie sounds good, and we are always up for a nice Chinese recipe of any kind.

Dave.

good luck dave in your journey!
bizi

Dave, I think that you are doing really well :).

Microwaved mushrooms are high on my list of yummy things as well.

Since my hip replacement MESS in 2010, and my downhill slide from this mess, I cannot walk much at all anymore, so find myself at home A LOT, and enjoy foods...but am sensible....I've put on maybe 20 lbs in the last 5 some yrs but I bring NO BREAD into my house anymore and have not for some yrs.....started to buy gluten free but stopped that too. Wrap my burgers or whatever meat I choose in lovely romaine lettuce leaves...

Bread is dead food and my body does not need it. There is a huge article on the history of bread in our lives and I found it very interesting when I read it.

I take no prescription drugs that put on weight but I know many do take them and the weight gain is major. Good luck and just DO IT....

My dear daughter went thru some major issues in her marriage and ended up in a rehab situation, and while there the sleep drugs they gave her packed on probably 60 lbs to her lovely body. It took a couple yrs but once she got a grip on, she took it off, Jenny Craig program helped her a lot.