PASTA!

Tanimal20
Tanimal20 Posts: 6
in Health and Weight Loss
Hey guys, don't suppose anyone could help me with this..

I'm following slimming world, as well as doing calorie counting with my fitness pal.

According to Slimming World you can eat as much pasta as you like, it's a free food...

Same with potatoes! And rice!

These are really stodgy, starchy foods.. And i'm feeling so bloated and heavy at the moment because of so much pasta as it's apparently a free food.

Surely you shouldn't be able to eat as much pasta as you like? I know everything in moderation but can it actually be beneficial to weight loss to eat these foods as though they're free?

Could someone give me some advice please :D

Thanks guys x
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Replies

  • ElizabethRoad
    ElizabethRoad Posts: 5,138 Member
    Whoa, I want to follow that diet. I could eat my weight in pasta.

    Pasta has loads of calories. I have no idea why they'd have it as a free food. Doesn't make sense to me...
  • mrmanmeat
    mrmanmeat Posts: 1,968 Member
    lol ahh, another fad.
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,416 Member
    Use the food diary here, and try to hit your numbers at the bottom of the Diary for Carbohydrate, Protein and Fat.

    Too much of anything will put you over your calories and keep you from getting other important nutrients.

    Balance.
  • _GlaDOS_
    _GlaDOS_ Posts: 1,520 Member
    Now this is something I haven't heard of yet - pasta, potatoes, and rice as "free foods". What does that mean here exactly? That you can have as much as you want and the calories don't matter? How are you using this site then? Those three foods have quite a bit of calories.
  • infamousmk
    infamousmk Posts: 6,033 Member
    Looking over the website, there is a lot of information about how great it is after you join, but no actual information on the program... I am skeptical at best.
  • UponThisRock
    UponThisRock Posts: 4,519 Member
    Sounds like a stupid diet plan
  • ladyraven68
    ladyraven68 Posts: 2,003 Member
    Hey guys, don't suppose anyone could help me with this..

    I'm following slimming world, as well as doing calorie counting with my fitness pal.

    According to Slimming World you can eat as much pasta as you like, it's a free food...

    Same with potatoes! And rice!

    These are really stodgy, starchy foods.. And i'm feeling so bloated and heavy at the moment because of so much pasta as it's apparently a free food.

    Surely you shouldn't be able to eat as much pasta as you like? I know everything in moderation but can it actually be beneficial to weight loss to eat these foods as though they're free?

    Could someone give me some advice please :D

    Thanks guys x

    To be fair, it doesn't say unlimited pasta/rice/potato etc it does expect you to learn portion control.
  • auroranflash
    auroranflash Posts: 3,569 Member
    Logically, do you really think one could sit around and eat bowls and bowls of pasta (hey, it's a free food!) all day and not gain weight?....
  • Acg67
    Acg67 Posts: 12,142 Member
    Interesting
    Slimming World states its eating plan, 'Food Optimising',is a "flexible, empowering, permissive approach to healthy eating". There is little or no weighing and measuring and no calorie counting involved. Food Optimising is purportedly based on the scientific principles of satiety (the satisfying qualities of food) and energy density, and encourages slimmers to fill up on nutritious, low energy dense foods to satisfy their appetite, while limiting consumption of less satisfying, high energy dense foods. Unique to food optimising is the unlimited choice of many 'free foods' which can include lean meat, fish and poultry, pasta, rice and grains, vegetables and fruit, which may be eaten freely. To help ensure a balanced diet, daily portions of 'healthy extras' are permitted, including bread, cereals, cheese and milk. Finally, controlled portions of higher calorie, less filling foods are included, such as crisps, wine, chocolate and sauces. In Food Optimising these are called "syns". Most adults have a daily "syn allowance" of between 5 and 15 "syns".[1]

    Food Optimising has a variety of plans, which may be followed on a daily basis as the slimmer chooses:[2]

    'Extra Easy plan': Free Foods include most fruit and vegetables, fish, lean meat and poultry and eggs, wholemeal pasta, potatoes, grains and beans. Healthy extras include bread, cereals, cheese and milk.
    'Original plan': Free Foods include most fruit and vegetables, fish, lean meat and poultry and eggs. Healthy extras include bread, cereals, cheese, milk and carbohydrates such as wholemeal pasta, potatoes, grains and beans.
    'Green plan': Ideal for vegetarians, Free Foods include most fruit and vegetables, pasta, rice, potatoes, grains and eggs. Healthy extras include bread, cereals, cheese, milk, nuts & seeds, and protein such as lean meat, poultry and fish.
  • joejccva71
    joejccva71 Posts: 2,985 Member
    Umm, pasta is NOT a "free" food. You eat too much pasta, potatoes, or any food for that matter it will turn to fat.

    Not sure what kind of site that is, but the creator of Slimming World is a world class idiot.
  • myfitnessnmhoy
    myfitnessnmhoy Posts: 2,105 Member
    Slimming World and MFP are very different eating plans. Anything that allows or encourages you to eat more calories than you can burn in a day = useless fad. Any weight loss will be temporary and will not be a healthy weight loss.

    You might lose weight on it quickly, but only because you're starving your body of something it needs (low fat or low protein can be bad news long-term, as can low-carb unless it's done very deliberately as part of a specific eating plan). They're either selling some sort of carb blocker to go with it (probably a very unhealthy option), or they are hoping your body can't digest enough of the carbs to actually process them.

    MFP espouses a balanced diet rich in multiple calorie sources (fat, carb, protein) in a reasonable balance.

    The fact is, weight is a poor indication of health. If you're eating properly (low in processed foods, high in raw and nutrient-rich foods), and getting enough exercise, your body will FIND its weight and you really don't need to help it that much if you're otherwise healthy. Look at the number of people here who struggle to eat all of their calories in a given day - they are eating a healthy amount of calories, and losing weight.
  • ElizabethRoad
    ElizabethRoad Posts: 5,138 Member
    Not sure what kind of site that is, but the creator of Slimming World is a world class idiot.
    Not if you have to pay to join.
  • ladyraven68
    ladyraven68 Posts: 2,003 Member
    lol ahh, another fad.

    Nope, not a fad.

    Slimming World has been going in the UK for over 40years, with weekly support classes like attending WW, but I don't think it is available in the US.

    I know plenty of people who have lost loads of weight and kept it off, and even become consultants themselves.
  • hanky1
    hanky1 Posts: 39
    Slimming World is a good plan as it encourages individuals to fill up on energy dense, satisfying foods and limits consumption of less energy dense foods. Slimming World works well for lots of people and has quite a bit of evidence behind it i believe (see http://www.slimmingworld.com/health/science-evidence/publications.aspx)

    I did it for a while. There are 'free foods' which you can eat as much as you like of UNTIL YOU FEEL FULL - you are not meant to over-eat these and end up feeling bloated. As you know there are plenty of other free foods you can eat if pasta is not agreeing with you!
  • joejccva71
    joejccva71 Posts: 2,985 Member
    Slimming World is a good plan as it encourages individuals to fill up on energy dense, satisfying foods and limits consumption of less energy dense foods. Slimming World works well for lots of people and has quite a bit of evidence behind it i believe (see http://www.slimmingworld.com/health/science-evidence/publications.aspx)

    I did it for a while. There are 'free foods' which you can eat as much as you like of UNTIL YOU FEEL FULL - you are not meant to over-eat these and end up feeling bloated. As you know there are plenty of other free foods you can eat if pasta is not agreeing with you!

    Sorry but if you just eat pasta or potatoes until you "feel full", many people will blow up like a tire. If for whatever reason you get lucky and eat under your TDEE of pasta, sure you'll lose weight. Most people don't.

    Sorry, not buying it. I know enough about nutrition, dieting, and fitness to know that this site is a joke if they think this way.
  • ladyraven68
    ladyraven68 Posts: 2,003 Member
    Umm, pasta is NOT a "free" food. You eat too much pasta, potatoes, or any food for that matter it will turn to fat.

    Not sure what kind of site that is, but the creator of Slimming World is a world class idiot.

    A world class idiot with an annual turnover of £15,000,000 +
  • hanky1
    hanky1 Posts: 39
    Slimming World and MFP are very different eating plans. Anything that allows or encourages you to eat more calories than you can burn in a day = useless fad. Any weight loss will be temporary and will not be a healthy weight loss.

    You might lose weight on it quickly, but only because you're starving your body of something it needs (low fat or low protein can be bad news long-term, as can low-carb unless it's done very deliberately as part of a specific eating plan). They're either selling some sort of carb blocker to go with it (probably a very unhealthy option), or they are hoping your body can't digest enough of the carbs to actually process them.

    MFP espouses a balanced diet rich in multiple calorie sources (fat, carb, protein) in a reasonable balance.

    Slimming World does not encourage you to eat more calories than your body can burn in a day. It encourages people to learn how to eat in moderation, and to eat a balanced diet, without being tied to food scales and calorie counting. You should probably learn more about the diet before you make too many judgements about it. It's not a faddy diet, quite the opposite, and they certainly don't sell carb blockers!
  • infamousmk
    infamousmk Posts: 6,033 Member
    lol ahh, another fad.

    Nope, not a fad.

    Slimming World has been going in the UK for over 40years, with weekly support classes like attending WW, but I don't think it is available in the US.

    I know plenty of people who have lost loads of weight and kept it off, and even become consultants themselves.

    Consultants? Is this a Multi-Level-Marketing thing??
  • ladyraven68
    ladyraven68 Posts: 2,003 Member
    lol ahh, another fad.

    Nope, not a fad.

    Slimming World has been going in the UK for over 40years, with weekly support classes like attending WW, but I don't think it is available in the US.

    I know plenty of people who have lost loads of weight and kept it off, and even become consultants themselves.

    Consultants? Is this a Multi-Level-Marketing thing??

    Not sure what you mean by multi level marketing thing.

    SW is a slimming club, in the competition with Weight Watchers. In the UK it has about 40% of the market.
  • hanky1
    hanky1 Posts: 39
    Slimming World is a good plan as it encourages individuals to fill up on energy dense, satisfying foods and limits consumption of less energy dense foods. Slimming World works well for lots of people and has quite a bit of evidence behind it i believe (see http://www.slimmingworld.com/health/science-evidence/publications.aspx)

    I did it for a while. There are 'free foods' which you can eat as much as you like of UNTIL YOU FEEL FULL - you are not meant to over-eat these and end up feeling bloated. As you know there are plenty of other free foods you can eat if pasta is not agreeing with you!

    Sorry but if you just eat pasta or potatoes until you "feel full", many people will blow up like a tire. If for whatever reason you get lucky and eat under your TDEE of pasta, sure you'll lose weight. Most people don't.

    Sorry, not buying it. I know enough about nutrition, dieting, and fitness to know that this site is a joke if they think this way.

    If you read the evidence you'll see that a lot of people have success with this approach e.g.

    Stubbs, J., Pallister, C., Whybrow, S., Avery, A. and Lavin, J. 2011. Weight outcomes audit for 34,271 adults referred to a primary care/ commercial weight management partnership scheme. Obesity Facts 4(2): 113-120.

    This paper audited the rate and extent of weight loss in a primary care/commercial organisation partnership scheme.
    34,271 patients were referred to Slimming World for 12 weekly sessions.
    Mean weight loss overall was 4.0kg (4.0%)
    Mean weight loss of high attenders (58%) was 5.5kg (5.5%)
    This large scale audit demonstrates that referral to Slimming World is a practical option for NHS weight management strategies, which achieves clinically safe and effective weight losses.

    I think if people 'blow up like a tire' from eating too much potatoes/pasta etc then they are meant to gradually learn how much it takes to feel satisfied before they get to that level. And the approach isn't just about eating pasta and potatoes, there's a lot more to it than that.
  • MoooveOverFluffy
    MoooveOverFluffy Posts: 398 Member
    i suppose if you ONLY ATE TILL YOU FELT FULL, it could work. But who can do that? Not me. I can wolf down pasta like there's no tomorrow............... and i feel full only after i've had a glass of water and it's too dang late. Sounds like basic portion control and eat only when you're hungry type of theory............ which requires alot of self-monitored discipline.
  • joejccva71
    joejccva71 Posts: 2,985 Member
    Slimming World is a good plan as it encourages individuals to fill up on energy dense, satisfying foods and limits consumption of less energy dense foods. Slimming World works well for lots of people and has quite a bit of evidence behind it i believe (see http://www.slimmingworld.com/health/science-evidence/publications.aspx)

    I did it for a while. There are 'free foods' which you can eat as much as you like of UNTIL YOU FEEL FULL - you are not meant to over-eat these and end up feeling bloated. As you know there are plenty of other free foods you can eat if pasta is not agreeing with you!

    Sorry but if you just eat pasta or potatoes until you "feel full", many people will blow up like a tire. If for whatever reason you get lucky and eat under your TDEE of pasta, sure you'll lose weight. Most people don't.

    Sorry, not buying it. I know enough about nutrition, dieting, and fitness to know that this site is a joke if they think this way.

    If you read the evidence you'll see that a lot of people have success with this approach e.g.

    Stubbs, J., Pallister, C., Whybrow, S., Avery, A. and Lavin, J. 2011. Weight outcomes audit for 34,271 adults referred to a primary care/ commercial weight management partnership scheme. Obesity Facts 4(2): 113-120.

    This paper audited the rate and extent of weight loss in a primary care/commercial organisation partnership scheme.
    34,271 patients were referred to Slimming World for 12 weekly sessions.
    Mean weight loss overall was 4.0kg (4.0%)
    Mean weight loss of high attenders (58%) was 5.5kg (5.5%)
    This large scale audit demonstrates that referral to Slimming World is a practical option for NHS weight management strategies, which achieves clinically safe and effective weight losses.

    I think if people 'blow up like a tire' from eating too much potatoes/pasta etc then they are meant to gradually learn how much it takes to feel satisfied before they get to that level. And the approach isn't just about eating pasta and potatoes, there's a lot more to it than that.

    That hardly shows evidence. I want to see the statistics and studies from 20-30 people that did this type of diet, and I want to know EXACTLY WHAT they ate every day, and how much their TDEE was. There are also different levels of satisfaction of eating. When you tell people that pasta and potatoes are FREE to eat as much as you want until you're "satisfied", I'll put money down that more people gain weight than lose.
  • myak623
    myak623 Posts: 615 Member

    Never go hungry again! Our Free Food list includes masses of food that you can eat in unlimited amounts.

    Eat as much as you want, when you want!

    No food is banned! Enjoy your favourite treats every day and still lose weight.

    We’ll support you every step of the way – online and in group where our Consultants and your fellow members want you to succeed just as much as you do!

    You set your own target. You choose the weight you want to be and together we’ll achieve it.

    Above is taken from the website. While I agree with "no food is banned", the point about "eat as much as you want" doesn't seem to jive with weight loss theories. It actually goes against it.

    Pasta is definitely not a free food. I promise you will gain weight if you eat excess calories of pasta. You will gain weight eating excess calories of anything. Excess being over your TDEE.

    I don't see how this "system" is effective or why people would pay to follow it. Seems MFP would be easier and it's free.
  • hanky1
    hanky1 Posts: 39
    i suppose if you ONLY ATE TILL YOU FELT FULL, it could work. But who can do that? Not me. I can wolf down pasta like there's no tomorrow............... and i feel full only after i've had a glass of water and it's too dang late. Sounds like basic portion control and eat only when you're hungry type of theory............ which requires alot of self-monitored discipline.

    I think you're right, it definitely requires discipline. But lots of people find it a more sustainable plan than calorie counting.
  • jplucheck
    jplucheck Posts: 275 Member
    pasta made from quinoa
  • PonyTailedLoser
    PonyTailedLoser Posts: 315 Member
    Bad idea.
  • BaconMD
    BaconMD Posts: 1,165 Member
    Where do you get free pasta? Everywhere I've shopped it all costs money and right now I could really stand to save a few bucks on my pastas.
  • joejccva71
    joejccva71 Posts: 2,985 Member
    I bet the site makes a user do a TON of exercise to burn those pasta calories. ;-)

    "Hey try this FREE PASTA and POTATO diet! All you have to do is run on the treadmill for 4 hours, and then lift weights for 2 hours and you can have ALL THE PASTA YOU WANT!"

    "Oh, and by the way, pay us $59.99 per month for this."
  • SuffolkSally
    SuffolkSally Posts: 964 Member
    lol ahh, another fad.

    Nope, not a fad.

    Slimming World has been going in the UK for over 40years, with weekly support classes like attending WW, but I don't think it is available in the US.

    I know plenty of people who have lost loads of weight and kept it off, and even become consultants themselves.

    Consultants? Is this a Multi-Level-Marketing thing??

    Yes, it's pyramid selling, but fairly transparent.

    I think different things work for different people - I know people who've done really well with Slimming World, and also with Herbalife although that's a whole different story...

    However I do not think you can combine two totally different approaches and succeed. OP, pick one or the other - MFP happens to suit me, whereas Slimming World wouldn't, but you have to make your own choice.
  • MoooveOverFluffy
    MoooveOverFluffy Posts: 398 Member
    i suppose if you ONLY ATE TILL YOU FELT FULL, it could work. But who can do that? Not me. I can wolf down pasta like there's no tomorrow............... and i feel full only after i've had a glass of water and it's too dang late. Sounds like basic portion control and eat only when you're hungry type of theory............ which requires alot of self-monitored discipline.

    I think you're right, it definitely requires discipline. But lots of people find it a more sustainable plan than calorie counting.


    i personally believe that counting calories teaches self-discipline. Most of us gained weight by not practicing portion control and food logging forces you to portion things out. I think that plan would lead to eventual failure for MOST.

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