10-Year McDougall-versary

[MINNIE]

I don't post here much but that's because there's nothing much new to say. I tried the program, loved the program, and stuck with the program.

I just turned 77, in apparently perfect health:). Thank you Dr. McDougall, and all the plant-based people !

I am posting this in case someone new or curious drops in and wonders if anyone sticks to the program 100 %.

I don't mean to say that you have to do that to get results - do what works for you.
But when I realized how beneficial this was for me, I decided to go all in. I have not, to my knowledge, eaten off plan since I started. I eat this way all the time, every day. It never has been a problem.

Just for fun, I made list of foods that I stopped eating in the beginning and eventually realized I didn't even miss. Again, not saying you have to do this, but it worked for me.

The one that surprised me the most was this. I don't crave pies of any kind, including pizza. I cook potatoes with pizza-like herbs and tomato sauce and it suits me fine. I I poach peaches, apples, pears, etc. with some cinnamon and allspice and it's good enough.

No pastries of any kind that requires a sweetener: cakes, cookies, puddings whatever.
No fake meat/cheese products even if oil-free.
Candy of any kind.

I know all these things can be made in a McDougall-friendly fashion if you are so inclined. I am too lazy to bother so I just let them go and never missed them. If I ever get the urge to make these items, i will come back here for recipes:).

Best wishes to all, for the holidays of your choice!

[f1jim]

Congrats Minnie
You have every right to be proud of the control you have given yourself over your health.
You inspire me to continue my own path.
f1jim

[Mark Cooper]

Big Congratulations! 10 years is no small achievement. Even better, you are enjoying the amazing results!

[Daydream]

Minnie, thank you for sharing! I feel similarly. Eleven years ago when I read The Starch Solution, I started eating the McDougall diet and never looked back. I just wish I had become aware of this way of eating many decades ago.

[QubitBob]

The one that surprised me the most was this. I don't crave pies of any kind, including pizza.

Similar story here, with some exceptions. Last week was my birthday, and that (Friday) morning I found myself craving a carrot cake. I didn't plan to do anything about it, though. Well, low and behold, at noon a delivery was made at our door, followed by a phone call from my younger brother and his wife. They sent us (I live with my twin brother) a birthday gift--two mini bundt cakes from an online company called NothingBundtCakes.com. And here's the surprise--one of the cakes was a carrot cake, the other was chocolate chip. So that evening, I had a slice of the carrot cake. And, guess what--I found that I didn't enjoy it as much as I expected. I realized my craving was more for the birthday cake ritual rather than the treat itself. Since I rarely eat cookies, pies, or cakes anymore, I've "lost my taste" for them. Like the majority of people here, I've found that the flavorful whole-food, plant-based foods which I eat 99% of the time are all that I desire now.

[landog]

Hi Minnie,

Congratulations on your McDougallversary. I hope that you enjoy many more!

-dog

[VegSeekingFit]

Thanks for sharing your inspiring story, Minnie!

[pundit999]

Great story Minnie!
Congratulations and thanks for sharing

[REWohsnus]

Congratulations to you Minnie!

I have to say I am not actually sure how long its been, but I too am over ten years. I, and my family love the food. We've kept it simple. Trying to substitute was time consuming and so we just dropped certain foods. It is truly a wonderful thing to eat food that that engages and energizes the body and can be so simple and hearty.

[michaelswarm]

Congratulations Minnie!

Also McDougall for a decade plus. I tend to cook somewhat fancy, in preparation and technique, not ingredients, which are simple. I want my kids to grow up having eaten good tasting food. As adults they will go out into the world, and I don't want them to think they have to eat like a monk. Kind of like a vaccine against the mainstream food culture.

[pundit999]

My wife and I have been following a whole plants only diet for > 12 years.
I have reversed my heart disease, Gerd and various other ailments. She has a lost the last 10 lbs
We have a few simple recipes that we cook every week. It has been a revelation that oil is not needed to cook tasty food.
On auto pilot for quite some time now.

[QJay]

Congratulations Minnie! I'm still a "beginner" and found your post to be very encouraging - thank you!