PASTA!
Replies
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The claim it's stupid because "it hasn't reached America yet" is, I believe one of the most ridiculous things I have heard.
Agreed, completely and utterly ridiculous statement to make. I'm sure there are slimming and dieting companies the world over that are region specific, it doesn't make one better than the other. People have to find the way that works best for them. If MFP works for you and Slimming World works for someone else, then to call them stupid is, well, stupid.
OP: I don' think MFP and SW are compatible to be honest, due to the allowances for calorie-heavy foods in SW. It sounds like you're over-indulging on the carbs. If you're feeling bloated then you're eating too much of them; listen to your body and cut down. Fill up on more veggies instead, since they're also free. Although as with everything, it's all in moderation. Just because it's a 'free food' doean't mean you should gorge yourself on it! Good luck, whichever plan you choose to follow.0 -
This program sounds so confusing and involved!!
It's really not. You get a book when you join with all the information with it.
Once you get your head round how it works it's great because you don't have to count most of your food.0 -
I would say however to the OP that just cut down pasta quantities by 1/3 per meal and filling it with veggies, or weighing it out 75g dry is a portion I believe0
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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.
Agree. Most people have no clue about actual portion sizes. Eating pasta til your full could mean for some going to Chili's, getting Cajun Chicken Pasta and eating the whole thing, not realizing that it's pretty much a whole days calories. I still have to measure out my pasta portions because if I haven't eaten, my eyes are waaay bigger then my stomach so I eat too fast and by the time I feel anything, I'm stuffed. I HAVE to count my calories or I have no clue what I'm eating some days. I'm not disciplined enough to trust my body to tell me how to eat (I crave anything deep fried ALWAYS) so calorie counting works for me.
Although I agree with the fact that portion control/size is key to this, I can also guarantee that whilst the pasta itself may be "free" the added extras to make the meal into "cajun chicken pasta" certainly wouldn't be0 -
The claim it's stupid because "it hasn't reached America yet" is, I believe one of the most ridiculous things I have heard.
Agreed, completely and utterly ridiculous statement to make. I'm sure there are slimming and dieting companies the world over that are region specific, it doesn't make one better than the other. People have to find the way that works best for them. If MFP works for you and Slimming World works for someone else, then to call them stupid is, well, stupid.
OP: I don' think MFP and SW are compatible to be honest, due to the allowances for calorie-heavy foods in SW. It sounds like you're over-indulging on the carbs. If you're feeling bloated then you're eating too much of them; listen to your body and cut down. Fill up on more veggies instead, since they're also free. Although as with everything, it's all in moderation. Just because it's a 'free food' doean't mean you should gorge yourself on it! Good luck, whichever plan you choose to follow.
Nah, what's completely and utterly ridiculous is telling people it's ok to just eat as much pasta and potatoes as you can fit into your mouth because "pasta and potatoes are FREE".
Like i said, show me statistics of actual people (20 is a nice round number) of exactly everything they ate, what their TDEE was, and I want to see what weight they lost.0 -
The claim it's stupid because "it hasn't reached America yet" is, I believe one of the most ridiculous things I have heard.
Agreed, completely and utterly ridiculous statement to make. I'm sure there are slimming and dieting companies the world over that are region specific, it doesn't make one better than the other. People have to find the way that works best for them. If MFP works for you and Slimming World works for someone else, then to call them stupid is, well, stupid.
OP: I don' think MFP and SW are compatible to be honest, due to the allowances for calorie-heavy foods in SW. It sounds like you're over-indulging on the carbs. If you're feeling bloated then you're eating too much of them; listen to your body and cut down. Fill up on more veggies instead, since they're also free. Although as with everything, it's all in moderation. Just because it's a 'free food' doean't mean you should gorge yourself on it! Good luck, whichever plan you choose to follow.
Nah, what's completely and utterly ridiculous is telling people it's ok to just eat as much pasta and potatoes as you can fit into your mouth because "pasta and potatoes are FREE".
Like i said, show me statistics of actual people (20 is a nice round number) of exactly everything they ate, what their TDEE was, and I want to see what weight they lost.
who are you? The diet police?
ETA: Your ignorance is overwhelming0 -
"The claim it's stupid because "it hasn't reached America yet" is, I believe one of the most ridiculous things I have heard. Think before you speak (or type) "
This ^0 -
"The claim it's stupid because "it hasn't reached America yet" is, I believe one of the most ridiculous things I have heard. Think before you speak (or type) "
This ^
Of course, America is the centre of the universe....0 -
I lost a tonne of weight with Slimming World back when I was 18 and became very skinny indeed, however, when you stop the diet plan the weight gain is often rapid. I have seen this happen with several friends who lost weight with it, (including myself and my father). I think if you do it properly and are looking for a 'quick-fix' it isn't terrible, but it isn't a realistic lifestyle change that will keep the weight off for life.
Call me old-fashioned, but I really don't think you can beat a simple low calorie/fat diet with exercise regime. I don't use any diet group now and interestingly enough I think I am getting my best (healthiest) results. That said, it has taken me about 15 years to really get the equation right!!0 -
I know someone who has lost about five stone (70lb) through Slimming World. It is very popular here in the UK - there are at least 3 groups that meet within a mile of where I live. I'm not sure if it has a bigger market share than WeightWatchers here, but it's definitely well-known and well-regarded, even if it just some backward British thing that we like to do just to be odd, like hereditary monarchy and driving on the left.
That said, like any other programme - it's largely about learning about food & nutrition. There is no magic cure, and some foods will fill you up and help you lose weight, and others won't. No matter what programme you're following, it all comes down to learning what works for your body, and what doesn't.0 -
You need to make sure your plate is no more than 2\3 pasta, not piled high either. 75g is a good portion. My mum lost 70lb on slimming world. It didn't work for me as I ate huge portions. Mfp has been much better as I weigh out food and know what a proper portion is. Sounds like you may be having trouble with this if your getting so bloated, so maybe mfp is better for you? Free to! If your problem is what you eat, rather than portions, its a good plan. If your problem is quantity I'd say its not a great plan. Does work for many so don't knock it. My leader had lots 154lbs. I do much prefer mfp personally but that's a personal thing. I would choose one or the other though X0
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Wow, haha, lots of replies to this post!
Thanks for all the different views! Portion control is definitely something I need to get a hang on!0 -
The claim it's stupid because "it hasn't reached America yet" is, I believe one of the most ridiculous things I have heard.
Agreed, completely and utterly ridiculous statement to make. I'm sure there are slimming and dieting companies the world over that are region specific, it doesn't make one better than the other. People have to find the way that works best for them. If MFP works for you and Slimming World works for someone else, then to call them stupid is, well, stupid.
OP: I don' think MFP and SW are compatible to be honest, due to the allowances for calorie-heavy foods in SW. It sounds like you're over-indulging on the carbs. If you're feeling bloated then you're eating too much of them; listen to your body and cut down. Fill up on more veggies instead, since they're also free. Although as with everything, it's all in moderation. Just because it's a 'free food' doean't mean you should gorge yourself on it! Good luck, whichever plan you choose to follow.
Nah, what's completely and utterly ridiculous is telling people it's ok to just eat as much pasta and potatoes as you can fit into your mouth because "pasta and potatoes are FREE".
Like i said, show me statistics of actual people (20 is a nice round number) of exactly everything they ate, what their TDEE was, and I want to see what weight they lost.
who are you? The diet police?
ETA: Your ignorance is overwhelming
^^LOL.
It works for Weight Watchers. Although Pasta isn't free, other things are that some on here would consider "bad." Sounds like it works for real people.0 -
Slimming World makes total sense. Why individuals on this site think they know better than the UKs largest and most successful slimming club is baffling arrogance!!! SW far outstrips weightwatchers in the UK. Like all mass-marketed diet plans, however, it has to be based on a a few assumptions. It assumes that those that join are overweight ( usually true!). It assumes that those who are overweight are overweight because they eat too much of the wrong types of food ( also usually true). SW allows followers to freely eat lean meat, fruit and veg, eggs, fat free yoghurts, pasta and potatoes. It dramatically restricts pretty much anything else, including bread, fats, pizza, all processed meals, cheese, all junk - crisps, chocolate, sweets biscuits etc etc Trust me, if you take an overweight person and switch them from a diet of processed foods, fats, pizza, sandwiches, biscuits etc to one of mainly lean meat, pasta , potato, fruit and veg, the weight will fall off them! Slimming World is still calorie control, just packaged in a different way
If that same fat person overeats "as much pasta as he wants", he will still get fatter, and he won't lose weight. It's kind of amusing how this so called "Slimming World" is "UK's largest and most successful". ROFL.
How come the US hasn't bought into this whole thing yet?
It's ridiculous, thats why. It may work for some people (because they inadvertently eat under their TDEE, but it's an ignorant diet to say the least.
If that same fat person overeats "as much pasta as he wants" whilst following the SW plan, then we can safely assume that he was overeating pasta before he started the diet. What he will no longer be overeating, however, is biscuits, chocolate, butter, pizza, burgers, pies, desserts and sandwiches. Hence he loses weight. Not everybody is seeking 10% body fat and physical perfection; some people just want a healthy relationship with food and a healthy body weight. SW is a great way of teaching sensible habits to people who have previously been out of control with their eating.
They have to replace the biscuits, chocolate, butter ... ect with something. They don't just eat a plate of pasta and stop eating, they eat more pasta, i would guess since it's free. I'm nowhere near physically peak anything and I wouldn't eat plates of pasta every day.
Also, it keeps getting pushed that this plan is about forming a healthy relationship with food. I don't think that saying you can eat all the pasta you want but no chocolate, burgers, pies or sandwiches is the best start to obtaining that relationship.
OK, If I can remember the plan I'll try to explain
Red days -
Have to have 2 x fibre choices - wholemeal bread, cereal, beans etc
1 x dairy choice - milk, cheese etc
then unlimited lean meat, veg, salad, most fruit
everything else has a syn value, like WW points and you can have for example , 10 syns per day
Plates of food muct be one third veg/salad
Green day (vegetarian) - same 2 choices for fibre/calcium
free foods are pasta, potatoes, rice, vegetables,fruit etc
and again - plates of food must be one third veg.salad
I tried it about 18years ago after having my eldest - dropped 3 stone (42lbs) kept it off for a few years, then emotional eating after miscarriages sent me skywards again.
I used to alternate red and green days and enjoyed it.
There's a lot more to it than just *eat as much pasta as you want"
It's been successful in the UK for over 40years so I don't think it can be called a fad.
I think that last paragraph is probably hitting the nail on the head. People read "eat as much pasta and potatoes as you want" and go off half c0ck without considering what else might be involved in the plan.
I've never done Slimmingworld, but if the large scale data (on 30k + people) provided in an earlier post are correct, then it looks like it works. I'm sure if you looked at 20 -30 people's detailed diaries, you'd probably see that the free feeding of pasta and spuds isn't as "free" as you'd think, but I think that misses the essence of the diet - the focus isn't really on filling up on them.0 -
Slimming world reached America!! That must now mean it actually works! LOL ignorance is infuriating!0
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It makes no sense to follow this 'pasta diet' and MFP. It's very contradictory, as pasta has a lot of calories.
If it were me, I'd just follow MFP and fit pasta in where I can.0 -
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...
Right?! I could eat all of those foods all the time...0 -
All those foods are very high calorie/ high carb foods. You need to be staying in your calorie and nutrition goals that MFP sets. I would never consider those "free foods" and I doubt you will lose weight, and if you do, you will probably be malnourished...0
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InterestingSlimming 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.
It seems that the OP is only seeing what she want's to see. It doesn't say anything about being able to eat all the pasta, potatoes, and rice that your heart desires. It just says you can eat it, while practicing portion control.
And they call the higher calorie foods ( crisps, wine, chocolate and sauces) 'syns'. That's annoying.0 -
Slimming World makes total sense. Why individuals on this site think they know better than the UKs largest and most successful slimming club is baffling arrogance!!! SW far outstrips weightwatchers in the UK. Like all mass-marketed diet plans, however, it has to be based on a a few assumptions. It assumes that those that join are overweight ( usually true!). It assumes that those who are overweight are overweight because they eat too much of the wrong types of food ( also usually true). SW allows followers to freely eat lean meat, fruit and veg, eggs, fat free yoghurts, pasta and potatoes. It dramatically restricts pretty much anything else, including bread, fats, pizza, all processed meals, cheese, all junk - crisps, chocolate, sweets biscuits etc etc Trust me, if you take an overweight person and switch them from a diet of processed foods, fats, pizza, sandwiches, biscuits etc to one of mainly lean meat, pasta , potato, fruit and veg, the weight will fall off them! Slimming World is still calorie control, just packaged in a different way
How come the US hasn't bought into this whole thing yet?
It's ridiculous, thats why. It may work for some people (because they inadvertently eat under their TDEE, but it's an ignorant diet to say the least.OK, If I can remember the plan I'll try to explain
Red days -
Have to have 2 x fibre choices - wholemeal bread, cereal, beans etc
1 x dairy choice - milk, cheese etc
then unlimited lean meat, veg, salad, most fruit
everything else has a syn value, like WW points and you can have for example , 10 syns per day
Plates of food muct be one third veg/salad
Green day (vegetarian) - same 2 choices for fibre/calcium
free foods are pasta, potatoes, rice, vegetables,fruit etc
and again - plates of food must be one third veg.salad
I tried it about 18years ago after having my eldest - dropped 3 stone (42lbs) kept it off for a few years, then emotional eating after miscarriages sent me skywards again.
I used to alternate red and green days and enjoyed it.
There's a lot more to it than just *eat as much pasta as you want"
It's been successful in the UK for over 40years so I don't think it can be called a fad.I think that last paragraph is probably hitting the nail on the head. People read "eat as much pasta and potatoes as you want" and go off half c0ck without considering what else might be involved in the plan.
I've never done Slimmingworld, but if the large scale data (on 30k + people) provided in an earlier post are correct, then it looks like it works. I'm sure if you looked at 20 -30 people's detailed diaries, you'd probably see that the free feeding of pasta and spuds isn't as "free" as you'd think, but I think that misses the essence of the diet - the focus isn't really on filling up on them.
I am not familiar with the program at all, but I think it's funny that people will read two or three sentences about a program - posted by someone who doesn't really seem to have a very complete understanding to begin with - and think they are informed enough to condemn it.
It sounds from what is being said by people who have used the program that it's quite similar to Weight Watchers, which is a pretty balanced program and has worked for a lot of people. While I don't know anything but what's been said here about Slimming World, I did try WW a few years ago and personally had good success until I quit. lol But that was just laziness on my part.
However, I will say that using the tools on MFP is much easier for me, feels much more sustainable, and fits my own lifestyle better. Plus it's free.
In terms of the original post, I think OP answered her own questions: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?
Listen to your body and your sense of reason based on what you already know. If you are considering following Slimming World, then really get informed about it.
And yes (smh):I love how not one person (ok, maybe one person) has offered any advice to the OP - I followed SW for 6 months or so and lost just over stone, so it clearly works. I kept the weight off because calorie counting fits in better with my lifestyle.
The claim it's stupid because "it hasn't reached America yet" is, I believe one of the most ridiculous things I have heard. Think before you speak (or type)0 -
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
Thanks guys x
I haven't read all the replies so sorry if I'm repeating.
Just because it's a "free" food in your program doesn't mean you have to gorge yourself on it. Listen to your body. You're feeling heavy and bloated and "blah" overall? Eat less of it. Problem solved.
PS- No matter what, I still thinking focusing on Calories In vs. Calories Out is the most effective way to lose weight... no matter what you eat.0 -
The fact that something like reasonable amounts of olive oil is demonised on SW and pasta and rice is encouraged is the reason why I joined for one meeting, and my brain would not allow me to continue. They were also trying to sell processed chocolate trail bars on the first night, trying to say how healthy it is. The ingredients were like a chemical quiz.
Look at this: "Based around satiating LOW ENERGY DENSE ‘FREE FOODS’ like fruit and vegetables, PASTA, RICE, POTATOES, eggs, lean meat and fish, the plan guides users to choose healthy and filling foods that satisfy their appetite for fewer calories. At Slimming World Free Foods can be eaten in unlimited quantities" (emphasis mine)
Any plan that refers to rice, pasta and potatoes as having low energy density is barmy. TdF cyclist who need 6000 kcals per day will shovel rice and pasta into them like it's nothing BECAUSE of their HIGH energy density. No-one who's overweight should think of starch foods as unlimited. It's ridiculous.0 -
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!
This is true...but I think the moderation aspect is going over the OP's head. You shouldn't be eating all of the potatoes and all of the pastas and all of the rices just because they are "free"...you shouldn't be eating so much of this stuff as make yourself uncomfortable and bloated...I think the OP is missing that point of the plan.
I would also question why slimming world would refer to pastas and rices and such as low energy dense foods that would be "free"...I could see potatoes maybe but pasta and rices and other grains are pretty calorie dense. Back in my heyday I could easily put down a plate of pasta and meatballs that would clock in well over 1300 calories.0 -
Telling people they don't have to restrict their food choices generally makes their brain fall out.0
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Zombie thread.
Slimming World.
I missed my calling. Coulda made $15million a year. :grumble:0 -
Pasta is the reason I am here in the first place, that diet plan is horse****.0
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I am not in favour of any "Diet Program" that you have to pay for ... it's all just a money grab...if I can't manage to eat a healthy balanced diet on my own why would I pay someone to dictate it over me?
As for OP's question - I would make sure your meals are balanced and eat a proper portion of your starchy carb - I stress the proper part as I am a carb lover and that would be one of the main reasons I am overweight now - a proper eating plan means you exercise control and don't over eat0 -
"At Slimming World Free Foods can be eaten in unlimited quantities"
I weighed 330 lbs at one stage BECAUSE I ate unlimited quantities of potatoes, rice, pasta. Especially pasta. Such a statement is misleading, ridiculous and dangerous. Sure, they MEAN without certain LIMITS, but that not what UNLIMITED means to someone who's got a terrible relationship with food. If I could LIMIT my portions of food well, why would I be 330 lbs and need SW in the first place?0 -
Hey,
I have lost weight on Slimming World before, about a stone.
I think that when it comes to the 'free food' pasta, you still have to keep it to a sane amount. The usual pasta serving, rather than a massive extra serving just because it's a free food. I ate mainly green days if that helps.0 -
I could eat an entire box of pasta and then some in one sitting. That's just me.
My main question is; if Slimming World's main principle for losing weight is all about eating whole foods until you're satisfied and practicing portion control, etc, why does one need to pay any organization any amount of money for that per month? Those are both things that come down to an individual's choice with each meal. After SW tells you that big secret...why not just do it yourself without paying them anything?0
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