Discussion Board

Hi all,

I've been following the 30BAD interpretation of Dr Doug Graham's 80/10/10 diet since August last year, and although I have seen some benefits from it, I don't think they outweigh the negatives enough to keep me on that way of eating.

Benefits
- I've been able to eat crazy amounts of food, sometimes up to 3500 cals a day, consistently and not gain weight.
- My skin has definitely improved from eating 80/10/10. I used to have really bad acne on my forehead - it's cleared up almost completely since I have been 80/10/10 though.
- Making meals is easy - just peel and eat! I've never really liked cooking so this was also one of the things that attracted me to the lifestyle.
- I was taking anti-depressants prior to starting 80/10/10 - I've been able to come off them since eating this way and have definitely felt improvements in my daily mood (though this has started to deteriorate recently because of the below points!).
- My body just feels a lot 'cleaner' than it previously did. Hard to describe in any more detail, but it just feels much better than it did even when I was standard vegan.

Negatives
- Although I'm free to eat as much as I want, I don't really want to have to eat 10 bananas, a pound of greens, 3 melons, 10 oranges, 10 apples (an example but you know what I mean!), just to feel full and have enough energy to get me through a normal working day!
- Because I'm having to eat so much, it really takes a lot of time out of my day where I'm just eating in order to get the calories in. Yes I can blend, but I never feel as satiated when I do this.
- Buying the fruit is also a very time consuming and expensive process, I wish I could just do one weekly shop and have that be the end of it but it's just not possible on this lifestyle. I've also been spending way more money than I should just to keeping my supplies topped up.
- I've found that even when I eat upwards of 3000/3500 calories in a day, I don't have the energy to do my former evening workout which isn't really that intensive (30 minutes cycling, 30 minutes of stretches/yoga/free weights). I really have to push myself to get it done.
- Connected to the above, I seem to have been finding it harder and harder to complete my workout compared to when I was just eating standard vegan fare.
- I need to take care of my teeth due to treating them poorly through my teenage years. To do this ideally I try and aim for 3 meals a day and no snacks, but this just isn't realistic on 80/10/10. I either have to eat 1000 calorie meals ALL the time to get me through to the next meal, and unless I mono, I feel horribly bloated afterwards. Obviously the crazy sugar content of fruits doesn't help either.
- I've found it pretty much impossible to maintain the diet in social situations - e.g. going out with friends/family - because it's just such an unusual and restrictive way of eating.
- Need to go to the toilet way too often!

I love fruit, don't get me wrong, but eating it every day, all the time...well I can't do it anymore and I can't help thinking it's not the right way of eating long term. The biggest worry for me is the continual lack of energy/strength I've experienced over the last couple months. I love my daily excercise routine and I've almost had to put that to one side recently because I just don't have the strength to do it anymore.

So I guess what I'm looking for is a way of eating similar to 80/10/10, in the sense that it's mainly a whole foods diet and vegan, but one which is less restrictive and is going to me more energy while keeping me satiated from 3 meals a day. I'm also kind of lazy when it comes to cooking - when I was vegan I went through days where I had muesli three times a day because I couldn't be bothered to cook! I've had a quick read of various articles of this diet and it definitely appeals to me (otherwise I wouldn't be here!), however a lot of the recipes also seem quite complicated and have loads of ingredients which is a bit overwhelming for someone who's never done much cooking at all! I mean a meal I like which I suppose is compatible with this diet is jacket potato with store bought baked beans and salad...or is it not acceptable since there's other stuff added to the baked beans? I guess what I'm saying is I wouldn't like it if I had to be forced to make every meal from scratch.

I think I'm rambling a bit now...but from what I've posted can anyone add their input as to whether switching to a McDougall Diet is going to help resolve a lot of the issues I've experienced and be able to fulfill my requirements?

Many thanks in advance

YES! and welcome to a world not trapped by rules and regulations...just plain good food...and a great group of people to support you....that way of eating you described sounded like a prison.....

I tried the 30BAD a year or so ago and couldn't stick with it for many of the reasons you mentioned.

McD is way easier in social situations. Yesterday I went out with friends to Mexican food and had a bowl of whole beans, a side of pico de gallo, and an order of corn tortillas. They noticed I wasn't eating dairy (when I removed it from the top of my beans because I forgot to ask about it), but other than that, my meal fit right in.

I don't cook a lot. My basic meal is a potato and a wedge of raw cabbage. I eat other stuff, but potato and cabbage is my go-to because it's easy, cheap, portable, fills me up, and gives me energy.

Welcome! I used to eat that same way, but I feel so much better on a starch-centered diet. I couldn't handle all the sugar, and turning to a high fat raw way was a short-lived experiment. This is such a satisfying way to eat. I don't feel quite as light and clean as I did eating fruit - I get a little more congested, for example. But it's totally worth it to feel balanced and energetic and have stable blood sugar and favorable lipids (my cholesterol and TG went way up eating that way.) It's also much less expensive and easier to shop - you can easily stock up on as much starch as you can fit in your kitchen and not worry about it getting too ripe, lol.

The easiest way is just to sub starches for the fruit. Cook up a big batch of potatoes, rice, whatever you like, and eat that instead of fruit for the bulk of your calories. Have fruit for a treat, snack or dessert, not the main course. It's pretty simple. All my meals now are based on a starch and some veggies, even breakfast.

I don't like to make complicated meals either. My basic strategy is to make 3 generous portions of starch when I cook my dinner. I eat one third for dinner, and pack the other two thirds for breakfast and lunch at school the next day. I steam up some veggies and there's my dinner. Then while I sit down to eat, I make more veggies (I usually steam collard greens) to pack to go with the starch and I'm good to go. If you are happy eating raw greens to go with your starch, you can just grab a bag of pre-washed salad greens and skip the extra cooking - or some raw cabbage as kate68 suggested or celery if you prefer. Or if you are okay with microwaving, you can go with frozen vegetables too.

If you get caught out and you're not prepared, you can get rice and steamed veggies at almost any asian restaurant. In a pinch, Wendy's has a baked potato and salad bar. Or you can go to a grocery store, get a can of beans, some rice cakes and a bag of salad mix or a head of red cabbage, and all you need is a can opener.

It took some time for me to adjust. I really craved sugar at first, and I had to figure out how to make this work. But by this point it's all easy and natural and I've got a system. Good luck!

I love fruit and sometimes I eat more fruit and less starch. On those days though, i often feel a noticeable drop in stamina and energy, and I know I've under-consumed the starches. Somehow, the starches fill up my batteries (glycogen stores?) better and I can go forever on them.

I cook slightly more complicated meals for my husband (ie, veggie chili, stirfry, spaghetti sauce and pasta etc.), but still keep it fairly simple for him. You could watch Jeff's fast food DVD for ideas of easy, quick recipes.

For me, I prefer much much simpler eating. I buy a bunch of fresh veggies because i love raw veggies. I eat a lot of those every day (carrots, celery, cucumber, mushrooms, peppers, and whatever else looks good depending on the season and specials).

I eat huge salads every day. I usually use romaine lettuce, sprinkle it with some flax and nutritional yeast, add my warm, plain brown rice (I cook up one huge pot every few days), and some rice vinegar and thoroughly enjoy my meal. Super simple and satisfying.

I also love 1/2 cup oats cooked with 1 very ripe banana and then either cinnamon/vanilla, or 1 Tbsp carob/cocoa powder for 4 minutes in the microwave.

I love apples, berries, bananas etc. and i eat several pieces of fruit each day.

Stick with super simple meals...lots of veggies/fruits, and then just add your starches (pre-cooked potatoes, rice, quinoa etc. which you can keep in the fridge) and add them to your meal.

Another fast meal idea is to pre-cook a grain and keep it in the fridge. Then, crack open a can of chickpeas or other bean, and some salsa (low-sodium if possible) and mix it all together.

All the best!

Hey tired monkey - hang in there. Yes I think this diet (which I personally think is a lifestyle) will suit you much better. Carbs are your friends - Wholefoods are the way to go. Think about Mary's mini diet thingo - its on the website - if you want to jump start weight loss - if this is your main goal. But give it a week or so - and you will start to feel the benefits. Cheers - Jan.

I'll bet Durianrider's eye is twitching right now and he don't know why.

Hey Vegan Hunter - who is durianrider????????????????????? Remember I'm from Sydney Australia - we're a bit slow down here due to the rain which has given us cabin fever and made most of us and our fury children pace the hallways.

HaHa! In case you are not pulling my leg...... Durianrider(Harley) is an Australian Fruitarian that has dozens of video's on Youtube, that is very passionate about 80/10/10. He cyles and runs marathons all while living on a fruit diet. Enjoyable to watch his videos, but since I live 45 minutes from a farmer's market, and live in a temperate climate, not practical to eat fruit only!


Oh yeah, His website is www.30bananasaday.com

Hey Jan, how bad is it raining there? I remember someone else on this forum mentioning the rain in your area.

Hey there Vegan Hunter - the rain has been constant and at times quite heavy. Up North there is flooding due to the rain and according to the weather experts - the rain will continue for the next month or two. It is due to rain again today but so far we are lucky. Most of us (and our fury children) are suffering cabin fever Cable TV just doesn't do it when it is 24/7 rain. If you have stock in cheap umbrella's you'll be making a fortune right now.
Cheers - and (yep in relation to the durianrider question - no sorry wasn't pulling your leg - was for real - have not heard of him. But if I get access (as only have computer at work) will certainly look up the you tube videos).
cheers - Jan.

Sorry! Just assumed everyone in this community, as it seems to be a small one at times, knew all the personalities out there in cyberspace. He is a colorful character and really believes in what he does. I tried to eat mostly fruit for a while, but like TiredMonkey stated, it was just too much work. Most of the folks you find on line that do follow the 80/10/10 live in areas where it is real easy to buy bulk quanties of fruit daily. Out in the suburbs of Atlanta, not so much!

By the way, my name is Brad. Easier to type than Vegan Hunter.

cheers

Hello, Trader. When I was raising my family I was neither vegan nor vegetarian. I shopped and cooked three meals a day for eight of us and for the kids' friends and other company who often joined us. You can imagine I spent a lot of time in the kitchen. Now I only have to prepare meals for myself and I cook differently.

I cook soups and rice on top of the stove. Some here use a rice cooker. I get the impression it is no more difficult than pouring muesli into a bowl and adding rice milk. I do make elaborate soups but my brother cooks up soup for himself everyday in just a few minutes using canned diced tomatoes, canned beans and frozen vegies. My most used kitchen tool is my microwave. Fresh and frozen vegetables go in there. Canned beans and potatoes go into the microwave. I read of a way to cook squash in the microwave but mostly buy canned pumpkin if I want squash. My brother also uses cherry tomatoes and packaged greens and red peppers in his salads and canned beans can always be added. If my house catches fire, the first thing I will rescue is my microwave. And the pyrex bowl with a lid that I plunk vegetables into to microwave.

If you can pour muesli into a bowl, you can pour frozen vegetables into a bowl to microwave. I have faith in you. Soon you will be microwaving frozen food and potatoes like and expert.

Best wishes,
Didi

It's funny you mention your microwave Didi. Mine has become the most used appliance in our kitchen as well. We have really put it to the test this year. My friend that introduced me to this WOE actually has three! Two in the kitchen, one in the laundry room, and often has all three going at once. I'll have to continue to tough it out with one, I reckon.

Brad

Hey Brad,
Yes I agree unless you are able to buy bulk in fruit - it would be very expensive. Did you find eating mostly fruit improved health at all? I would assume that you'd get hungry easily given that fruit passes through the body quicker than other food. Interesting, I've just watched a program called I think fat, unhealthy and dying. It's about this guy in his mid-late 40's who focused on wealth rather than health and it resulted in him having a number of serious health issues. So he went on this 60 day juice program (which I think is not a good idea) but anyway - he stopped eating meat, diary and fried foods - in his venture and discovered a love for veggies and fruit. His health issues disappeared and he no longer required medication for them. In the film he spoke to a number of experts and discussed eating wholefoods (suggesting he commenced this 60 day juice fast to get rid of toxins - still don't agree with just doing juicing however....) and adding wholegrains and beans, veggies and fruit to diets. He also spoke about the supersizing of meals in the US. The weird thing was his interviews of obese people who clearly had major health issues - who agreed with him that they needed to add veggies to their diet and have good grains rather than having all the fats etc, and most of them agreed with him but said they couldn't stop. It was an amazing film. And althugh I have concerns for people who do long fasting ventures, his change in attitude and his improved health and his discovery of grains, wholefoods, fruit and veggies was inspiring.
Cheers - Jan.