# How would you handle this eating issue? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 2, 2011, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-handle-this-eating-issue/604804 "2011-12-02T05:28:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![rhubarbarin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eb9ed0/32.png) [@rhubarbarin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rhubarbarin)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2011, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-handle-this-eating-issue/604804/21 "2011-12-05T22:39:55Z")
> [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > As **rhubarbarin** said, no grains seems to be where I need to be (I am curious why you came to that conclusion for yourself). I include corn among those things I should avoid, although I’m not sure if it counts as a grain or not. To make a long story short, in my early 20s I started trying to eat ‘healthy’ (lots of whole grains, fruits, veggies, vegetable-based oils, little processed food or meat) and promptly developed IBS among other unpleasant side effects. So I had to do a little research on the fringe, and came across the idea of a ‘paleo’ diet, and the rest is history. Best health of my life. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Ed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e19b73/32.png) [@Just\_Ed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Ed)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2011, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-handle-this-eating-issue/604804/22 "2011-12-05T23:32:38Z")
> [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > Counting calories - I do this obsessively for a few months, then it feels like being in prison and I break out and eat stuff and gain weight again. I need to find a way to manage my weight without feeling like I’m in prison, so I don’t feel like I need to break out. > > Portion control - this seems to be my great personal weakness. Like counting calories, I can do this for a while, but eventually larger or more servings start creeping in and I’m back to being overweight. That’s why I think I need to cut them out completely. No grain, no cravings, no breaking out of prison and falling off the wagon. And no mixed metaphors! Well, if you’re looking for another personal anecdote, I can tell you I’ve had great success maintaining a slow and steady weight loss program on a minimal-carb diet (basically South Beach). I’ve had many conversations with my doctor regarding my weight and my family’s tendencies (obesity and Type II diabetes), and the way carbs will spur the insulin reaction that leads to further craving. In my experience, staying away from (most) carbs has not been difficult, but I may be an outlier in that I don’t easily get bored and crave variety; I’m quite content subsisting on the restricted menu I allow myself, but I can see how it might be too restrictive for some. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had the discussion about how I’ve been able to lose weight with someone whose first response upon hearing the South Beach restrictions is, “Oh, but I _need_ my bread!” (Or pasta, or rice, or etc.) I had some of the same concerns as you, though - I figured I _could_ count calories but would soon tire of it, so consciously avoided any counting plans. And yes, portion control is paramount, especially when you’re not totalling calories. So for me, avoiding almost all carbs has been successful (down 80 pounds this year, only about 35 left to lose), and I know from personal experience that lapsing into carb-feeding will spike my cravings, so I simply avoid it (no lapse, no craving) - though an occasional indulgence such as Stoid describes is not problematic. ---
**Author:** ![Drain\_Bead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e47774/32.png) [@Drain\_Bead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drain_Bead)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2011, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-handle-this-eating-issue/604804/23 "2011-12-06T03:12:59Z")
I’m with rhubarbarin – a Paleo-style diet is the way to go. Go surf around [marksdailyapple.com](http://marksdailyapple.com) for a little while. You can cut out grains and potatoes and sugar, and you will feel great. Weight loss, better skin, better sleep, happier, calmer, higher sex drive…it’s pretty much awesome. ---
**Author:** ![burleee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c2a13f/32.png) [@burleee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burleee)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2011, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-handle-this-eating-issue/604804/24 "2011-12-06T16:37:46Z")
My boyfriend and I started a diet and exercise routine that worked great! - 300 calorie meals every 2-3 hours, consisting of a balanced amount of carbs, protein, and vegetables - Running either outside or on the treadmill at our local gym. He is more of a runner than I am, so I had to start off slow and gradually work up to running a mile non-stop on the treadmill. - Any type of exercise that gets you off the couch is gonna do something to work the weight off. Power-walking even works wonders! Just do something that is feasible for you. - Don’t starve yourself, and don’t make your diet so stringent that it is easy for you to just fall off easily. Indulge sometimes if you have to - completely denying yourself of the things you desire (piece of cake, cookie, etc.) will almost certainly guarantee failure. But do not indulge in excess! Practice self-control! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-handle-this-eating-issue/604804.md?page=1)