Day 1

Sunday, June 1st, 2014. A very important date in my life. This is the day I started Banting. Banting? Isn't that that crazy diet telling you to eat more fat to loose fat? Well, yes and no. Yes, it tells you to eat more fat, but the loosing weight part is more due to not eating any carbs anymore. And no, it isn't crazy either.

Man lived of fatty meats and leafy vegetables for around 98% of its existence. Only in the last 2% did we start planting grains and rice. Our bodies are not wired for such a high quantity of carbohydrates, so most of it becomes fat. The body also becomes addicted to it. The more you eat, the more you need. Now you know why Chinese food always leaves you hungry again so soon after consuming it!

But does Banting let you loose weight? Hell, I seriously hope so. Right now I can't tell you how much I weigh, because I honestly do not know. I have a very nice scale, but it only goes to 200 kg (440 lbs). So I know that much: I weigh more than 200 kg.

Back to what Banting is. Banting is a diet, but not a diet like when you count the calories to loose that kilo or two, then return back to eating like normal once you reach your target weight. It is a diet in the sense that Vegetarian or Vegan is a diet. So why Banting and not Vegetarian? I did not fight my way to the top of the food chain to become a plant eater!


What will I miss most of my old way of life? Potatoes. In all its forms. Cooked with stew. Baked in the oven. Deep fried as chips (french fries for the Americans). Mashed. As chips in the form of Simba / Lays etc... Yes, I think I will miss potatoes most of all. That, and carrots.

What will I enjoy most? Well, I love my veggies, specially cabbage, cauliflower, and spinach. And the fact that I now am allowed to eat my biltong WITH the strip of fat on the side! For those not from South Africa, biltong is much like the American jerky. Only a whole lot nicer. A WHOLE lot nicer! And, no more breakfast cereals! Excellent! They may be convenient, but face it, bacon & eggs beats it hands down everyday of the week!

So, what's on the menu for today? This morning we started with bacon fried in lard, together with scrambled eggs with grated cheese. Excellent! And with a cup of Bulletproof Coffee. I haven't drank coffee for more than 20 years (or tea, for that matter), so this was something I was not looking forward to. Used Nescafe Gold, though, and that IS a quality coffee! Just added one spoon of butter and coconut oil this time. One advantage of not being a regular coffee drinker, I don't need a sweetener! At about two this afternoon I had a couple of cherry tomatoes, and a small piece of biltong. Dinner tonight will be stewing beef, with cuali-rice, cabbage (stewed with the beef) and spinach. Looking forward to it, as we start of with three of my favorite veggies!

Time to sign off and get some gaming done!