Don't eat proteins and carbs in the same meal?

I recently have started the Hay diet. Basically you eat protein with neutral foods but no starches/sugars and you eat starches/sugars with neutral foods but no protein. I have tried this for a couple of days and am already seeing the scale go down. I have had issues with losing weight and have been on many different diets.... Atkin's, Sugar busters, cabbage soup diet (thought I was gonna die with this one...lol), and have even lowered my calories to 1200 and still my weight didn't want to leave. I find that with the Hay diet I am more satisfied and my stomach doesn't give me grief like it would if I had meatloaf w/potatoes. For dinner last night, I enjoyed a baked potato with butter and a salad with onions, tomatoes and carrots with ranch dressing. I felt full and I felt like I cheated until I saw the scale this morning... it actually went down .2 lbs. Not to mention my midnight snack that was a bowl of cereal w/milk. I had my protein for lunch.

Protein takes 4 hours to digest and carbs take 2 hours to digest but when eaten together it can take up to 13 hours to digest. No wonder people get heartburn and upset stomachs when eating protein and starches together. I really find this an amazing way to eat and it's something that I believe I can stick with for life. Has anyone else tried this way of eating? If so, what have been your results and experiences from it?
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Replies

  • Acg67
    Acg67 Posts: 12,142 Member
    I recently have started the Hay diet. Basically you eat protein with neutral foods but no starches/sugars and you eat starches/sugars with neutral foods but no protein. I have tried this for a couple of days and am already seeing the scale go down. I have had issues with losing weight and have been on many different diets.... Atkin's, Sugar busters, cabbage soup diet (thought I was gonna die with this one...lol), and have even lowered my calories to 1200 and still my weight didn't want to leave. I find that with the Hay diet I am more satisfied and my stomach doesn't give me grief like it would if I had meatloaf w/potatoes. For dinner last night, I enjoyed a baked potato with butter and a salad with onions, tomatoes and carrots with ranch dressing. I felt full and I felt like I cheated until I saw the scale this morning... it actually went down .2 lbs. Not to mention my midnight snack that was a bowl of cereal w/milk. I had my protein for lunch.

    Protein takes 4 hours to digest and carbs take 2 hours to digest but when eaten together it can take up to 13 hours to digest. No wonder people get heartburn and upset stomachs when eating protein and starches together. I really find this an amazing way to eat and it's something that I believe I can stick with for life. Has anyone else tried this way of eating? If so, what have been your results and experiences from it?

    I'd start a diet with less voodoo nonsense like food combining theory
  • odusgolp
    odusgolp Posts: 10,477 Member
    I recently have started the Hay diet. Basically you eat protein with neutral foods but no starches/sugars and you eat starches/sugars with neutral foods but no protein. I have tried this for a couple of days and am already seeing the scale go down. I have had issues with losing weight and have been on many different diets.... Atkin's, Sugar busters, cabbage soup diet (thought I was gonna die with this one...lol), and have even lowered my calories to 1200 and still my weight didn't want to leave. I find that with the Hay diet I am more satisfied and my stomach doesn't give me grief like it would if I had meatloaf w/potatoes. For dinner last night, I enjoyed a baked potato with butter and a salad with onions, tomatoes and carrots with ranch dressing. I felt full and I felt like I cheated until I saw the scale this morning... it actually went down .2 lbs. Not to mention my midnight snack that was a bowl of cereal w/milk. I had my protein for lunch.

    Protein takes 4 hours to digest and carbs take 2 hours to digest but when eaten together it can take up to 13 hours to digest. No wonder people get heartburn and upset stomachs when eating protein and starches together. I really find this an amazing way to eat and it's something that I believe I can stick with for life. Has anyone else tried this way of eating? If so, what have been your results and experiences from it?

    There's absolutely no reason why you should feel the need to do this.

    Read some success stories and you'll be surprised that true success is found by those that stop trying any fad diets like Atkin's, Sugar busters, cabbage soup diet, Hay diet, HCG, etc....
  • BarackMeLikeAHurricane
    BarackMeLikeAHurricane Posts: 3,400 Member
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  • TraceyG1971
    TraceyG1971 Posts: 123

    I'd start a diet with less voodoo nonsense like food combining theory

    If it's nonsense, then why am I already seeing results? I consumed over 1800 calories yesterday. For me, 1800 calories is maintaining.
  • ahamm002
    ahamm002 Posts: 1,690 Member

    I'd start a diet with less voodoo nonsense like food combining theory

    If it's nonsense, then why am I already seeing results? I consumed over 1800 calories yesterday. For me, 1800 calories is maintaining.

    One pound is 3500 calories. There is no diet that gives a signficant metabolic advantage. Sure there might be small ones, but nothing that is every going to be very important in the long run. If you're having rapid weight loss, it's usually due to water weight.
  • BusyRaeNOTBusty
    BusyRaeNOTBusty Posts: 7,166 Member
    Pretty sure this isn't necessary to lose weight.
  • TraceyG1971
    TraceyG1971 Posts: 123

    There's absolutely no reason why you should feel the need to do this.

    Read some success stories and you'll be surprised that true success is found by those that stop trying any fad diets like Atkin's, Sugar busters, cabbage soup diet, Hay diet, HCG, etc....

    I have been eating normal healthy foods prior to trying this and I have been eating them in moderation. I don't eat take-out. I cook every meal at home. I do not splurge and eat until I feel like I'm going to bust. But even with doing what I had been doing, their had been little if any results. I have lost 50 lbs within the past 3 years and I feel that is a bit slow.
  • Acg67
    Acg67 Posts: 12,142 Member

    I'd start a diet with less voodoo nonsense like food combining theory

    If it's nonsense, then why am I already seeing results? I consumed over 1800 calories yesterday. For me, 1800 calories is maintaining.

    Just a guess but if you have 160 lbs to lose, you've miscalculated your maintenance if you think it's only 1800.
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,416 Member
    If it's nonsense, then why am I already seeing results? I consumed over 1800 calories yesterday. For me, 1800 calories is maintaining.

    You're down .2 pounds. Two tenths of a pound. That isn't losing weight. That's . . . aye.


    One day of a two tenths of a pound change means nothing. I can fluctuate up to five pounds of (water) weight on any given day if I've had salty food, or a beer, or not enough water, or not enough sleep.

    That "Hay Diet" sounds silly, it's not as hard as they want you to believe. Just eat.
  • onyxgirl17
    onyxgirl17 Posts: 1,722 Member
    I eat proteins and carbs together and I've lost almost 40 pounds since May of last year. Am I a special snowflake then? ;)
  • odusgolp
    odusgolp Posts: 10,477 Member

    There's absolutely no reason why you should feel the need to do this.

    Read some success stories and you'll be surprised that true success is found by those that stop trying any fad diets like Atkin's, Sugar busters, cabbage soup diet, Hay diet, HCG, etc....

    I have been eating normal healthy foods prior to trying this and I have been eating them in moderation. I don't eat take-out. I cook every meal at home. I do not splurge and eat until I feel like I'm going to bust. But even with doing what I had been doing, their had been little if any results. I have lost 50 lbs within the past 3 years and I feel that is a bit slow.

    You've convinced yourself this is the magical diet you need. So there's really no discussion. Enjoy.
  • Matt_Wild
    Matt_Wild Posts: 2,673 Member

    There's absolutely no reason why you should feel the need to do this.

    Read some success stories and you'll be surprised that true success is found by those that stop trying any fad diets like Atkin's, Sugar busters, cabbage soup diet, Hay diet, HCG, etc....

    I have been eating normal healthy foods prior to trying this and I have been eating them in moderation. I don't eat take-out. I cook every meal at home. I do not splurge and eat until I feel like I'm going to bust. But even with doing what I had been doing, their had been little if any results. I have lost 50 lbs within the past 3 years and I feel that is a bit slow.

    Well then this diet must be right!

    I'll forget all my learning straight away :wink:

    I joke - if it works for you then great. A calorie is a calorie within reason, and if you find it easier to lose weight this way then all the power to you.

    There is no science behind it however beyond the rules of the universe in terms of physics.
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  • kmorganlfc
    kmorganlfc Posts: 115 Member
    What if a food item contains carbs and protein - like most fruit and vegetables do?
  • nikb1983
    nikb1983 Posts: 44 Member
    What if a food item contains carbs and protein - like most fruit and vegetables do?

    Fruits and veggies must be evil foods then...best to steer clear! Only meat and bread for you!
  • You are making this way more complicated than it needs to be. I could never follow some crazy guide lines like this.
  • niki87lewis
    niki87lewis Posts: 147 Member
    Wow! Are snarky comments or what! If your happy doing this then do it, I'm not going to knock your diet choice because it's not the same as mine. If it works for you stick with it x
  • LeilaFace
    LeilaFace Posts: 390 Member
    If you think this is what you need to do, then do it. Do what feels best to you.

    Personally, I HATE DIETS I hate the term DIET. I think they are all jibber jabber and should be put on a barge and sent out to sea. I lost 20 pounds by lowering my calories but because I now work out so much I've have to up them to like 2000 calories a day and low and behold I'm starting to see the scale move again.

    Our bodies are jerks. Delicate, funny, jerks that crave change sometimes so whatever you feel you need to do, then do it but I say just eat good food until you're comfortably full, drink plenty of water, get plenty of sleep and rinse and repeat.
  • skylark94
    skylark94 Posts: 2,036 Member

    I'd start a diet with less voodoo nonsense like food combining theory

    If it's nonsense, then why am I already seeing results? I consumed over 1800 calories yesterday. For me, 1800 calories is maintaining.

    No way you are maintaining at 1800 if you are 150 pounds overweight. Your BMR alone is likely near 2000. I think you need to take a real close look at your math.

    I'm 130 pounds and maintain at 2000-2200.
  • Liftnlove
    Liftnlove Posts: 235

    I'd start a diet with less voodoo nonsense like food combining theory

    If it's nonsense, then why am I already seeing results? I consumed over 1800 calories yesterday. For me, 1800 calories is maintaining.

    I'm honestly trying to be helpful here...but unless you are COMPLETELY sedentary (as in "confined to a bed all day")...there is NOOOO WAY that 1800 calories is maintaining at your weight. It's just impossible. I weigh 132 lbs and I can maintain my weight easily eating 2600-2800 calories a day. If you're eating 1800, that's probably a good-sized deficit, and you will lose weight....

    If you ENJOY eating this way, go for it. I hope it works for you...but if it does, it's because you're eating at a deficit and NO other reason. Just remember, you don't have to eat this way to see results. Thousands and thousands of us have also lost weight just by eating at a deficit--that's it--no other rules.

    I wish you the best!! Hope you find success here :)
  • DopeItUp
    DopeItUp Posts: 18,771 Member
    I thought I'd mention a good rule of thumb to follow. If you're considering a new diet/lifestyle that has a name, such as "the XXXXXX diet", it will be unnecessary/pointless at best and dangerous/counterproductive at worst. Don't waste your time.
  • TraceyG1971
    TraceyG1971 Posts: 123
    I had stated originally that I JUST started this diet and I wanted opinions from those that HAVE tried it. If you haven't tried it then how do you know if it works or not? I don't need the sarcastic remarks since it doesn't really help me on my weightloss journey. This is one reason I usually stay away from the message boards. The one time I try to reach out I get nothing but negativity. Do any of you think that negativity helps a person when they are trying to get in shape and lose weight? I have stated that I have been eating my meals in moderation.... for the day my caloric intake ranged from 1200-1400 and I still hadn't been losing any weight. So it's not just about cutting back. And for those that think I don't know about water retention, believe me I do. There have been times that I have actually retained up to 4 lbs of fluid and I can see and feel it when I do. Do I know if this way of eating will work for me? No, I don't but I am going to try since eating normally in moderation doesn't seem to fly for me.
  • Don't stone me people haha but I tried something similar to the Hay Diet before. I did see results, but at a point in time, I got sick of it and began eating normal. And I still saw results. So I mean with it or without it you can still lose weight really.

    I realized that it doesn't matter when you eat the food- it all goes to the same place. So it really doesn't make a difference separating proteins and carbs to different meals. I now follow a healthy diet of starches, protein, fruit/vegetable, and healthy fat at EACH meal and I lost a lot of weight.

    It's great to see you with such a sanguine way of thinking that this Hay Diet is the bee's knees, but I know now through experience that those antics are not necessary for weight loss. I'm not trying to be rude, and think it's great that you reached out to the boards (sorry you're getting such mean comments) I just know that's more complicated than it needs to be.

    I don't know how many diet regimens you've used over the years, but maybe paying to see a dietician or nutritionist even twice would be worth it, if nothing else has worked for you. They usually will have some wise ideas that could really help you. If you've really tried everything, even eating healthy with an adequate amount of calories, and nothing's happening, maybe there's a medical problem behind it like Thyroid or something. (Don't quote me on this, I just know sometimes there are indeed medical issues behind things like this)

    *EDIT* Aw don't be discouraged! I just saw you've lost 50 pounds in a few years. That's still fantastic! Just keep doing what you were doing. No diet's going to make the pounds come rolling off much faster. I know that averages out to 17 pounds lost per year, which might not seem like a lot, but everyone's bodies are different. Sometimes it's just genetics. I know that stinks as an answer but it's true. Some people honestly just lose faster than others, even if they're doing the same diet and same workout program.

    Wishing you the best of luck!

    (Not being snarky but jut a piece of advice if you continue following this Hay Diet- milk has 8-11 grams of protein in it for a cup, so if you're having it with your cereal at night thinking you're not intaking protein, you still actually are.)
  • BusyRaeNOTBusty
    BusyRaeNOTBusty Posts: 7,166 Member
    I had stated originally that I JUST started this diet and I wanted opinions from those that HAVE tried it. If you haven't tried it then how do you know if it works or not? I don't need the sarcastic remarks since it doesn't really help me on my weightloss journey. This is one reason I usually stay away from the message boards. The one time I try to reach out I get nothing but negativity. Do any of you think that negativity helps a person when they are trying to get in shape and lose weight? I have stated that I have been eating my meals in moderation.... for the day my caloric intake ranged from 1200-1400 and I still hadn't been losing any weight. So it's not just about cutting back. And for those that think I don't know about water retention, believe me I do. There have been times that I have actually retained up to 4 lbs of fluid and I can see and feel it when I do. Do I know if this way of eating will work for me? No, I don't but I am going to try since eating normally in moderation doesn't seem to fly for me.

    We are trying to help you with your "weightloss journey" by telling you that it can be much much simpler than you are making it. Isn't telling some one their is an easier way "helping"?
  • sammycat1
    sammycat1 Posts: 56 Member
    As usual threw myself into this after reading reams of material about it.

    I did this for several months and didn't gain, but didn't lose just sts.

    Don't think I felt any different. Definitely wasn't what I expected.

    You would need to give it a go and see. Everyone is different. Good luck :)
  • I had stated originally that I JUST started this diet and I wanted opinions from those that HAVE tried it. If you haven't tried it then how do you know if it works or not? I don't need the sarcastic remarks since it doesn't really help me on my weightloss journey. This is one reason I usually stay away from the message boards. The one time I try to reach out I get nothing but negativity. Do any of you think that negativity helps a person when they are trying to get in shape and lose weight? I have stated that I have been eating my meals in moderation.... for the day my caloric intake ranged from 1200-1400 and I still hadn't been losing any weight. So it's not just about cutting back. And for those that think I don't know about water retention, believe me I do. There have been times that I have actually retained up to 4 lbs of fluid and I can see and feel it when I do. Do I know if this way of eating will work for me? No, I don't but I am going to try since eating normally in moderation doesn't seem to fly for me.

    That is what people are trying to tell you though. Getting healthy is not about "trying" another random diet. It is about calories in vs calories out, moving your body, and trying to eat foods that do your body good as much as possible with treats in moderation (or a lot of treats depending on your activity level). You can eat carbs and protein at the same time. You lost because you burned more calores than you ate.

    It may be hard to stick to, but it really is that simple.

  • You're down .2 pounds. Two tenths of a pound. That isn't losing weight. That's . . . aye.


    One day of a two tenths of a pound change means nothing. I can fluctuate up to five pounds of (water) weight on any given day if I've had salty food, or a beer, or not enough water, or not enough sleep.


    And this!. I thought you lost 2lbs. I can lose 1lb on the scale by taking a long pee.....
  • Acg67
    Acg67 Posts: 12,142 Member
    I had stated originally that I JUST started this diet and I wanted opinions from those that HAVE tried it. If you haven't tried it then how do you know if it works or not? I don't need the sarcastic remarks since it doesn't really help me on my weightloss journey. This is one reason I usually stay away from the message boards. The one time I try to reach out I get nothing but negativity. Do any of you think that negativity helps a person when they are trying to get in shape and lose weight? I have stated that I have been eating my meals in moderation.... for the day my caloric intake ranged from 1200-1400 and I still hadn't been losing any weight. So it's not just about cutting back. And for those that think I don't know about water retention, believe me I do. There have been times that I have actually retained up to 4 lbs of fluid and I can see and feel it when I do. Do I know if this way of eating will work for me? No, I don't but I am going to try since eating normally in moderation doesn't seem to fly for me.

    Strong logic, only first hand experience gives one the knowledge if something works or not
  • NovemberJune
    NovemberJune Posts: 2,525 Member
    My weight fluctuates a lot, up 0.8, down 1.4, up .6, down .2, up 2.0....

    Also, did you know that cereal has carbs and milk has protein?

    Good luck OP. I'm really sorry you are having such a hard time with weight loss but I really don't think this is the answer. :smile:
  • Anthonydaman
    Anthonydaman Posts: 854 Member
    I eat proteins and carbs together and I've lost almost 40 pounds since May of last year. Am I a special snowflake then? ;)
    Same here, calories in calories out