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I just watched the 14 easy recipes and bought everything to make all of the recipes. Yet, as I've looked through this site I now see that MWL plan (which I would like to do...my first attempt at going vegan I have gained 10 pounds in 5 weeks!! Horrors!! I thought I had a freebie plan and ate nuts, seeds, avocado, chips, olives, you name it!) doesn't allow for flours: does this mean the Whole Wheat White? I can't make the pancakes?

I had also counted on using Tofu for salad dressings and dips, as well as smoothies. Is this really out? What about my beloved Hummus?

I also bought a sprouted grain whole wheat cinnamon raisin bread, I thouhgt from the video that it was okay to eat whole grain breads. No?

I can't find a list of what whole grains are okay, and I assume it is brown rice, is white rice okay too? Most of the other grains like millet and bulgar aren't so interesting. At least, not yet!

I've been awful hungry today. Even ate a big bowl of the 3 Bean Chili. Still hungry...what's up with that?

Thanks for any direction.

Welcome!

The MWL guidelines are summarised in this post, which you may find helpful:

viewtopic.php?f=11&t=26620

Flour and bread are not permitted on MWL.

Tofu and other high-fat foods such as avocados and nuts are also not permitted.

Brown rice is preferable but Dr McDougall says it's OK to eat white rice "if you must". It's better to eat white rice, and follow the rest of the program, than to not try to follow the program at all.

The basic principle behind MWL is to eat plenty of foods that are low in calorie density, in order to lose weight without going hungry. You can learn more here:

viewtopic.php?t=6032

And be sure to check out the MWL board if you haven't already. It's very helpful!

What video is this and where can we find it? Is it a McDougall video?

There are 2 McDougall plans: the regular McDougall Program which allows whole grain bread and pasta as well as tofu occasionally and the Maximum Weight Loss plan which does not allow those foods. Neither plan allows meat, poultry, fish, dairy or oils of any kind. You can probably lose weight on either plan but most people lose faster on the Maximum Weight Loss plan. I am doing the regular McDougall plan for the most part and I eat bread every day and tofu once in awhile. I am losing about 1 pound a week. Some people lose even more. If you want more rapid weight loss then I suggest the Maximum Weight Loss plan, but you'll have to give up the bread and tofu.

p.s. You can eat hummus on both plans, but just make sure it is oil-free. The best way to ensure your hummus is oil-free is to make it yourself without oil or tahini. Just take a can of chickpeas and put them in your blender or food processor with some Mediterranean type seasonings and blend. I also sometimes mix in a tablespoon or two of fat-free Italian salad dressing.

Are you eating lots of veggies as well? I'm finding that if I eat 1/2 my meal as non-starchy vegetables (cooked or raw, but I personally have better luck with raw) and eat that portion first, the rest of the meal really fills me up.

The most important thing is to understand the principles of calorie density. You want to eat foods that are nutritionally dense but NOT calorically dense. Calorically dense vegan foods include (but are not limited to) nuts, avocado, olives, all oils, and most prepared foods (i.e., sold in boxes or pre-prepared frozen stuff).

To learn more about calorie density, I recommend Jeff Novick's DVD on the subject:

http://www.drmcdougall.com/store_calorie_density.html

great info, thanks...the videos are the Mcdougalls, one is "made irresistible" and the other is 14 easy recipes. I have found them very helpful!!

Here's the thing. All else being equal... you should be able to lose 3 1/2 lbs a week on the regular plan and 4 1/2 lbs a week on the MWL plan. So the difference between both plans and what you can eat comes to 1 lb a week.

I went straight for the MWL plan as I had a lot to lose and it seems to come easy for me. I'm averaging about 1 lb a day but that is with several hours of exercise and a heavy work load. Not working and little exercise I still lose close to 5 lbs a week on the MWL plan.

So... if I found the MWL plan to be too restrictive, I would add in several or all elements of the regular plan and go with what is easier but still able to lose at least 3 1/2 lbs a week...

I follow the MWL plan maybe 96% of the time with some pancakes and other whole wheat foods added in on occasion.

If I was following the MWL plan and not losing anything or losing very little... some serious tweaking would be required.

What works for me is trying not to think in absolute terms... having to follow this or that 100%... 100% of the time. What also works for me is KISS. Keep it simple stupid... which is really applicable in my case. I find a handful of meals and food that I really like which are really simple for me to prepare and consume and I stick with what works. I've been doing this for 2 months and I'm just now beginning to branch out into expanding my food choices.

I'm probably a bit lighter on the starches than what Dr. McDougall advises... but other than that this WOE has become easy to follow and has improved my health immeasurably.

I also don't think in terms of strictness but more in terms of compliance. Some days I'm more compliant than others. The closer to the MWL plan I adhere to... the more weight I lose and the healthier I become.

Try to make it fun, tasty and a way of life... rather than a diet that one has to struggle through. Best of luck...

Um . . . who says?? This may well be true for someone who is quite obese, but may very well not be true for somone 30 or even 40 pounds overweight and it's certainly not true for someone 20 pounds off a low-normal BMI!

The OP hasn't told us current weight and height so I don't think it's possible to say "you should be able to lose X pounds/week."

"We have collected weight loss data on nearly 300 people who have attended our basic McDougall Program in Santa Rosa, California and found that with unrestricted eating (buffet tables of delicious healthy foods, three meals a day, and snacks all day long), the average weight loss is a half a pound a day – 3.5 pounds in a week....
The average weight loss achieved in this first ever Maximum Weight Loss Live-in Program held at our clinic in Santa Rosa, California was slightly over 4.5 pounds in 7 days – in other words, about one pound more than is lost in the usual program for the week." Dr. McDougall

BTW... I meant the collective "you"... and perhaps should have used "one should" instead of "you should"...

Same here. I like to dump a whole bunch of steamed vegetables on top of a large baked sweet potato. It's so filling I usually can't finish it, and will save the rest for a snack later, or sometimes even save it for dinner.

Most of the people attending the 10-day program are obese. This is never gonna happen for someone just slightly overweight (nor should it!).

MWL during the week where you have maximum control over your diet, and McDougall Made Irresistible on the weekend. I bet the weight loss is the same and you'll get to enjoy fun Friday and Saturday night dinners and a Sunday brunch with pancakes.

That seems like a fantastic idea! Would you drink wine on the weekend too? Or is that pushing it...

Flour-based foods like breads, even whole wheat, are about 1200 calories per pound, because they are baked dry. Compare to brown rice or baked potato at 500 calories per pound. You want to prefer the more whole food.


Doesn't mean you can't have an occasional treat, or use up what you bought, you just might not loose weight as fast.


Brown rice is better, though white is better than none. Another common grain is oats.


Sometimes helps to post meals in B: L: D: format. From McDougall 10-Day Program I picked up tip always also have salads and soups. I also like the variety. Lastly, if you're eating 50% green & yellow veggies (200 calories/pound) and whole starches (500 calories/pound) , you should feel free to eat until not hungry (with net energy density 350 calories/pound.)

Getting started is half the battle. Have some fun with it. Enjoy the journey.