No Flour, No Sugar Diet

Hi Leslie,
Hats off to you!! You have the perfect attitude when it comes to "dieting". 1 pound a week weight loss lets your body get used to the changes happening within. It's also a way of life. Allowing treats occasionally is real life stuff. It keeps you from binges. Keep up the great work.
Mari

Does any one know if pork skins are allowed on the NFNS diet? I also need quick ideas for breakfast. I have to eat on the run and do not have time to fix a good breakfast.

Brenda, from my understanding this diet is not Atkins. Why would you wanna eat pork rinds? I mean, I have nothing against fat, but there are better fatty things out there to eat.

As for breakfast, what about fruit, yogurt, rice pudding (you can precook a huge batch of rice pudding and leave a portion out to thaw in the evening - I do that when it is too hot for oatmeal), eggs or omelet, misso soup (most other instant soups have flour or starch in them), or a smoothie.

I have been on this diet since the beginning of Oct. with no results. I have only cheated very little on the weekends. Very confused because I know I am doing what I am supposed to do. Any suggestions?

I have no problem eating NFNS at breakfast, its lunch that kills me. I'm use to eating a turkey sandwich. I have tried just eating the turkey and then some vegatables, but I find that I get hungry. Suggestions.

Turkey and rice and vegetables? Turkey and potato and vegetables? Turkey and beans? Turkey and lentils? Yeah, sorry, I know the last two don't sound particularly appetizing, haha.

I think you are getting hungry from the lack of carb.

Good for you Shauna!! Wow...99 lbs that is great...I want to lose about 110 lbs, but thinking about that huge number holds me back...I'm trying to change my way of thinking but it isn't easy...Someone mentioned the recipes...what in the world are they? I, too, live in the south. Can someone give us a Southern rendition to match with NFNS? How could we get that done? I haven't started yet, but I'm prepping.

I definately agree with the author of that book- no sugar or flour should be used in our daily life because for me it is so hard to feel good after eating them- I begin blaming myself; feel fat and so on. Still; we can lose the weight by eating different kinds of buns; pizza; ice-cream...but if we use it in VERY small quantities and don't eat anything but that.But to what will it lead us? - to any kinds of diseases in future life. I really want to be strong-willed person because everyday I'm trying to refuse it and failing.....We just shouldn't forget that there is no second life and we need to rejoice while we are living and to spend these days in harmony with ourselves...

I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who has commented on this blog. i have learned SO much, and can't wait to start "eating right" and losing weight! Thanks Again,
Jessica.

Somebody out there tell us how you got started. What did you eat your first week. How hard was it? Has anyone found a good replacement for pasta? My family loves spaghetti and working full time and keeping up a house etc., I don

Brenda, even though some people will say spaghetti squash, I hate that. What I like to do, although I'm not on the NSNF diet, is to grill some zuchinni or eggplant and eat that with pasta sauce. Anything that is good on pasta is good on these vegetables: ground beef, tomato sauce, olives, etc.

I am three weeks into the NFNS way of eating and have lost 20 pounds with a total goal of 90 overall. I have found this to be the easiest thing I have ever done to lose weight. I think the thing that has helped me the most is realizing that I needed to make a life change not a diet change. I try to think of food as the fuel my body needs to work not the snacks and sugars that safisfy me for a short period of time. I wish everyone luck and stick with it. Remember if a child falls when learning to walk we don't stop encouraging him. So if you fall(of the diet) just get back up and keep going.

Jan it does sound like it would be good on zucchini. I forgot about vegetable lasagna. What do you put in your smoothies?

My favorite smoothie is 1/2 cup orange juice, 1 cup fat-free yogurt, around 5 strawberries, 6 ice cubes, and sweetener. If I have more fruit like bananas or kiwi I add one of those too, or if I don't have strawberries, I'll use oj + pineapple or oj + papaya or oj + papaya + apple. They are all a meal in a (very large) cup. I make smoothies with milk sometimes, but I like the tartness of the yogurt better, not to mention yogurt on an empty stomach "keeps the mail moving" in a way that milk just won't, haha.

Dr Gott has been advertising his diet in newspapers for over ten years now. It is not the "new fad" diet. This diet is not for everyone-but everyone could benefit from it. It really helps diabetics(carbs and sugars are the biggest problems with diabetics). Even if we do not like it, if it helps someone else why do we even make a bad comment? one bad comment can turn away the one person that would benefit greatly from it...I say stop negativity!!!!

I just bought Dr. Gott's book.

What about popcorn??

Thanks.

"What about popcorn??"

Popcorn is fine! It's corn, and corn is allowed.

Just don't eat 'Kettle Corn'. It contains added sugar.

...

Im VERY seriously thinking of starting the NFNS diet....I have done DR Adkins in the past with success. I would like to lose 15-20 lbs. I have to say I would like a 'quicker' fix than a pound a week...but I know it's better to lose it slower. I walk about 1.5 to 2 miles a day, thats about all the excersise I get. Anyone out there like to help me through this? I's be happy to be a support buddy! Im 45, 5'3", 147 lbs., work full time, have 4 kiddos, only one left at home. Ready for a change!

Brenda said:
Does any one know if pork skins are allowed on the NFNS diet? I also need quick ideas for breakfast. I have to eat on the run and do not have time to fix a good breakfast.[...]

For the New Year, I think I will try the No Flour, No Sugar Diet. My goal is to lose 20 pounds. Question: Is it necessary to buy the book? Or, can I simply read labels? Thank you.

Sue said:
For the New Year, I think I will try the No Flour, No Sugar Diet. My goal is to lose 20 pounds. Question: Is it necessary to buy the book? Or, can I simply read labels? Thank you.[...]

No, you don't have to buy the book.
Just read labels, and avoid items if there's flour, of any kind, (white flour, wheat flour, rice flour, corn flour, etc.) listed in the ingredients.
Also avoid added sugar, in the ingredients. (cane sugar, beet sugar, glucose, sucrose, high fructose corn syrup, honey, etc.)

You don't necessarily have to buy 'sugar free'. There are a lot of products that are 'no sugar added', but they do contain natural sugar. Don't pay attention to the grams of sugar in the nutrition guide, if there's no sugar in the list of ingredients, it's okay.

Also, corn meal is acceptable. Check the label on corn tortillas or corn chips. If they are made with corn meal, and not corn flour, they are okay too! :D

Just another side note: I love ranch dressing! But most bottled dressings contain sugar. However, the dry dressing mix does not contain sugar! So, now I make my own, from the mix. It's actually better than the bottled dressing!

Good luck to you!

I think that this also goes with Dr. Mercola saying that sugars and starches, as well as artificial sweeteners are the main contributors to diseases today.

Just to think of it, it's another proof that it's all that doughy, trans fatty junk food that is making us sick these days.

Man, the FDA is just draging their feet to realize how bad dough is for you. At least they are finding out that white dough is bad for you, so they just go on and push for wheat dough. Well, they are so addictive.

And I am going to tell you a story about what's really going on.

First of, this is the main myth and fact about American diets.

Myth: Americans are eating too much meat, and this is contributing to heart diseases and diabetes today in America.
Fact: Americans arn't eating too much meat, they are eating too much junk food. And I think that Dr. Gott as well as Dr. Atkins have made the right point: We arn't consuming copious amounts of meat and eggs, we are consuming copious amounts of cakes, fraps, pasteries, fried foods, baked doughy foods, and sugary drinks. It may not even be the saturated fats that are causing all these types of diseases, but rather the trans fats and refined carbohydrates.

Over 100 years ago, heart diseases were nill, yet Americans had plenty of meat in their diet. But we had lots of fruits and vegtables, and all grains that were eating were whole grains. But how did we change? We went from apples, pears, celery, lettuce, carrots, steak, chicken, fish, stone-pressed whole grain/sprouted grain bread to burgers, pizzas, doughnuts, fries, pasteries, refined grain bread, shakes, fraps, lattes, boxed processed foods, and more.

Now lets tell you what diets you shouldn't go on:

1. Zero saturated fats diets
Many people heard that saturated fats are damaging to your system. Fokes, it's the trans fats, NOT the saturated fats that you need to consume as 0 as possible. And Americand need to consume at LEAST 15 grams of saturated fats a day. Consume at least 25 to 30 grams of monounsaturated fats a day, and at least 5 to 10 grams of polyunsaturated fats with o-3s and o-6s as 1 to 1 as possible.

2. Low-fat diets.
We've been following them since the 1980s and 1990s when weight was increasing. Unfortunately, low fats mean high carbs, and possibly carb addiction. Where did low fat diets lead us? Getting us fatter. Refind carbs leave you hungry, and wanting for more. Furthermore, soda sizes were inflating to the point were a serving in some places equal to roughly a size of a 2 litter bottle, with a possibly of a refill. So, therefore, it points out that sole unhealthy ingredients are the trans fats, sugars, and refind carbs that are making us sick.

I have also pointed out more research:

New studies are now showing that high protein meat diets are safe for your kidneys. It turns out that kidney failure patients needs to reduce on the refined sugars and junk foods, not the meat. It turns out that you produce uric acid all the time, and that high amounts of sugar on your diet raises blood sugar, which results in damage to your kidney cells. Furthermore, most kidney faulire patients are now showing up in diabetics, so this could lead that diabetic patients with kidney problems may need to reduce on dough-based foods and sugar and artificial sweeteners. So, it's the junk foods, sugar, salt, and trans fats, not the animal protein that's damaging to your kidneys. Remember, Americans are only eating 13 percent of the dietary intake in protein. Furthermore, there has been some numerous reports that people who ate a lot of lean meat in the diet did not show any kidney problems, unlike that there are numerous people who developed kidney problems, as well as kidney stones, that ate a low-protein diet high in sugar, flour, and refined carbohydrates.

Plus, we may be also seeing big changes on the diabetic diet. Before 1923, Americans were told to eat a high fat, moderate protein, and low-carb diet. Than with the advent of insulin, diabetics shifted toards a low-fat, moderate amount of protein, and high amounts of carbs and fiber in the diet. Now, 85 years later, we are learning more that adding back healthy fats and that too much whole grain foods now backfires. So, a new trend of diabetics are a high protein, low carb, high fiber diets with high amounts of omega 3 fatty acids, monounsaturated fats, moderate amounts of saturated fats, and free of trans fats. Looks like new research backing up on low carb diets could put atkins, rosadale, and mercola back on the table.

Things change. literally. But once the dust settles, it may be that we are omnivores creatures after all, needing mostly fish and pultery, some red meat, as well as eggs, fruits and vegtables, berries and nuts.

-----
An update from the death of Gerald Ford: New results did show that Gerald Ford died of natural causes, and his death had nothing to do with his pnumonia or the stent. If Gerald Ford would of died of pnumonia, he would of been in the hospital. If Gerald died of a blood clot, than he would of died in vein, posibly with symptoms. But Betty Ford said that Gerald Ford died "without pain, and confertably in his own bed".

Gerald Ford's death by natural causes is a statement to everybody. I am going to die one day, and so do you. We will have another sad day like this. We are born. We learn. We get a job and enjoy it. We retire, get along with our family and encourage our children. Then, we die and go to heaven. We also need to once again know that Gerald Ford did not suffer any pain when he passed away.

May god bless Gerald Ford, and may he rise in heaven to serve other people, and hopefully run for president again. When you die, you will meet Gerald Ford and see him again. Perhaps, you will also see Ronald Reagen, and hopefully Jimmy Carter, George Bush, and Bill Clinton. Thank you everybody, and thanks for your farewell wishes to our great former president.

Leslie said:
No, you don't have to buy the book.
Just read labels, and avoid items if there's flour, of any kind, (white flour, wheat flour, rice flour, corn flour, etc.) listed in the ingredients.
Also avoid added sugar, in the ingredients. (cane sugar, beet sugar, glucose, sucrose, high fructose corn syrup, honey, etc.)[...]

Thanks, Leslie. I have always been addicted to sugar. That is my downfall. I'm not buying any sweets, but some items still in my kitchen may have 1 or 2 grams of sugar in it. Like my plain corn flakes, or low fat dressing. So, I figure I will wean myself off the sugar. Then I will move on to the dry dressing mix, as you suggested. I was so proud of myself for buying corn tortillas tonight, but then I read your blog, and I see mine have some sort of "flour masa base." I didn't realize "corn flour" was bad. Live & Learn! I'm excited on trying the NFNS, because you don't have to count or remember a lot of things. Of course you shouldn't over indulge in other foods, but it seems like a stress-free diet. I'll keep you posted. Today is Day No. Two. :-) Thank you for your input.

Is ALL fruit ok? I have been interested in this diet since I read about it in the paper. I am waiting for the new book to come out. I am trying to watch my flour/sugar intake for now. What kind of cereal can you eat? How about bread? (any out there?) Just want a few facts to keep me going until I get the book. I hope this life change works!! Sounds like it is for all of you on this blog so I am looking up and wanting to change! Thanks.

I am a autoimmune hypothyroid patient who has been over 200 lbs for over ten years. Not much works for me. Recently I started to eliminate sugar completely with the exception of unsweatened berries every day and I have eliminated glutins from wheat and other grains while continuing to eat sweet potatoes, brown rice, corn, rice noodles, beans and rice lean protiens, and lots of salads and vegatables while adding high potency womens multi-vitamins twice a day. I have lost 9 pounds during the month of December. This is really fast weight loss compared to my experience with other diets. I am glad to hear that I am not alone. I have found that hunger, cravings, bloating and headaches completely disapeared. I have been getting deep consistant sleep and my blood sugar when from 200 to 98 in less than three weeks. It works and it feels good.:)

Christy said:
I started the no flour, no sugar "diet" three weeks ago and am down 9 lbs and 1 1/2 inches from both my waist and hips. I was not really overweight when I started (135 lbs, 5' 5"), but am small-framed and needed to drop about 15 lbs. It was been SO easy! I eat corn chips, corn torillas and flourless bread so I do not feel like I have deprived mysel[...]

Hi:

I am nearing the end of my fourth week in the No Flour/No Sugar lifestyle. I've lost eight pounds so far (despite the Christmas and New Year's Eve dinners I attended) and I actually have a waist again.

I find it similar to South Beach, but much easier (only two things to remember -- no flour, no sugar) and better on the old lower digestive system (as I can eat more fruit, intead of cheese and nuts as snacks).

I, too, have been reading Dr. Gott's health column for many years, so I was not suspicious that he was a wannabe. I knew that he brought years of good results in his patients to the table when we made this diet more widely available through his book. (He had been answering questions about it for years from people who heard from his patients how effective it was).

I admit that the first two weeks were rough and riddled with temptation, as I must have been seriously addicted to flour and sugar. (The very aroma of my toddler's Goldfish crackers would nearly do me in!) But, I made it through by eating something I liked every time I was hungry. Now it is so easy. I look at stuff I used to crave and it doesn't even appear all that appetizing to me anymore. But, I made the Curried Lentils with Butternut Squash recipe from the book tonight and it blew my doors off! Delicious! Who knew? LOL

Here are the things I've been doing that work for me. Maybe they'll help some of you:

1) I kept a log for the first two weeks, specifically noting a) the emotion or circumstance that prompted me to eat; b) the hunger level I felt (1-5); and c) how I felt AFTER I ate. Through this I learned that I have a tendency to eat for emotional reasons (usually feelings of frustration or inadequacy) and that I have a habit of eating beyong the point of comfort (I tended to feel too full when I was finished).

2) I use a lunch-sized plate for all my meals. It helps me with portion control. I won't refuse myself "seconds" but I do try to assess my satiety level before digging in again.

3) I divide my plate like a clock: I eat thirty-minutes worth of non-starchy veggies (salad and broccoli, for example), fifteen minutes worth of lean protein, and fifteen minutes worth of a starchy vegetable (like corn or sweet potato), or a grain (quinoa, rice, etc.) or a legume (beans, etc.).

4) I go into Health Food Stores with an open mind, buying only one or two new things to try at a time. That's how I learned that I LOVE the quinoa grain. It's also where I bought Stevia and Agave to sweeten tea and recipes, etc. I don't believe it's necessary to go that far to be successful with this eating plan (just like it's not necessary to buy the book). But, it doesn't hurt to broaden your horizons a little.

5) I keep the basic nutrition facts in the back of my mind for reference. For example, I keep red meat intake to a minimum. I try to eat fish two times per week. I try to balance my intake of higher glycemic value fruits (bananas, grapes) with lower ones (apples, berries). I do make sure to use olive and canola oils in lieu of butter, and I try to use them sparingly. You know, the kind of common sense stuff that I believe is lacking in Atkins, but found in South Beach.

6) I looked up some No Flour/ No Sugar recipes on the web. I found some recipe collections (that happen to pertain to the Weight Watchers Core program) that contain some good recipes that I can use or tweak. One that saved my life this holiday: Pumpkin Pie Pudding -- mix one 1.5 ounce box of fat-free/sugar-free vanilla pudding mix with one can of pure pumkin, 1 3/4 cup of skim milk and mix in a dash of cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger (or pumpkin pie spice) to taste. Excellent! Here's what I found:

http://www.recipezaar.com/cookbook.php?bookid=33588

http://www.recipezaar.com/cookbook.php?bookid=32481

7) I try to focus only on the snack or meal at hand, asking before I even reach for it: "Does it have flour or added sugar?" If so, I pass it over and grab an apple, some hummus and cucumbers, a few handfuls of chick peas (even my kids snack on them now), some popcorn, etc.

The result so far (aside from weight loss) is that I find myself to be more even tempered, with fewer mood swings.

I hope to stick to this plan for life. It makes sense to me. It's not difficult. I can feed my family the same meals. (I just punt on the pasta and have risotto, instead -- or skip the breadbasket, but dive into an awesome sweet potato.)

I, too, would love to visit an online board or forum about Dr. Gott's plan. Does anyone know of any?

Well, best of luck to all. Here's to healthy, happy 2007.

Does anyone know if Splenda is acceptable?

Hi everyone,
I am enjoying your comments on the NFNS diet. I started it about a week ago and think it is great. I have a history of doing well on a low carb diet and feel good health wise with it. (NOT Adkins low, but low). The NFNS allows so many foods not allowed on regular low carb, for instance potatoes, rice, corn, carrots, and fruit. Last year I allowed a nutritionist to convince me that low carb was not good for me and went off it. I gained 10 pounds over the year! So I had been back on it for a few weeks when I dedided to do the NFNS diet. It is Heaven! I love being able to eat all vegies and fruits. I love having cereal in the mornings. I never am hungry and just as important I am never bored. I have done some label shopping and have some good snack ideas.
For instance, Cheetos, popcorn, Tostito corn chips, queso and guacomole and salsa, strawberries with Smuckers sugar free hot fudge. Smuckers also has a sugar free maple syrup and sugar free blackberry jam
that are delicious! Smuckers has several sugar free jams but I find the blackberry to be the best. Also good for snacks is nuts, jerky and potato chips. Some of the flavored brands of potato chips have added sugar, but many do not. I love making root beer floats with sugar free vanilla ice cream (My personal favorite is Dreyers)
and diet root beet.

Someone asked about breakfast. So far I have only found original Shredded Wheat to be OK--but I love it. Also oatmeal with Splenda brown sugar, a little butter and low fat milk.

For the typical American, snacks are important and these are all good and to my knowledge are all "legal". By the way, I am an RN with extensive nutritional education and I truly believe this is a great, health way to eat.

Good luck.

I would like to add to the above comment that I lost 2 lbs this week eating this way. My goal is 10 lbs, so I am happy with this. As most dieters know, the last 10 lbs usually come off slowly!

Sue, Splenda is fine on the No Flour/No Added Sugar diet, as it is calorie-free (I believe).

How is everyone doing this week?

I actually ate at Panera (a sandwich/salad chain known for its fabulous breads) and didn't feel tempted at all! That's unbelievable for me.

I ate the vegetable soup (which did have about a tablespoon of tiny pasta dots in it -- oh, well, it won't kill me) and I chose an apple in lieu of a roll for the side. It was surprisingly satisfying and I wasn't even inclined to snatch a breadcrust from my toddler.

Can I make it through the 30-member family party that I'm hosting today and remain focused on my eating plan? Well, I am planning to sample the cake I made. I just don't won't to go overboard. Keep your fingers crossed for me!

L-Ro -- THANK YOU for all the suggestions. And recipes. I like to put Splenda in my oatmeal. It tastes so much better.

I've been reading the back of almost every label I grab, and I can't believe that SUGAR IS IN EVERYTHING. Just about everything! Which means -- you would basically have to make all your meals from scratch to be sugar-free. Now, who has time for that? I can set aside some days to cook from scratch, but when you are on the go . . . . So, for now, I decided on anything prepared, 5 grams and less will be my limit.

The flour part is easier for me. I can find a lot of things with no flour. Tonight I made ground turkey tacos. I put a little can of zesty tomatoes in the ground turkey, which of course has 1 or 2 grams or sugar in the can of zesty tomatoes. But, I didn't have any fresh tomatoes in the house, so sometimes you just can't help it. **

I do think it's o.k. to have a cheat day, L-Ro. You say you are hosting a 30-member dinner party. To me, at the party, go for it. :-) I'll be in Reno next weekend, and I know I'm going to blow it at a buffet dinner. But, I'm planning on that being my only time. It keeps me strong during the week -- when I know when my one cheat-time is coming up!

While this diet sounds like a good idea, I don't think that making Cheetos part of one's regular diet is adviseable, or what the creator had in mind. People can corrupt the original idea of any diet, like with people who save all their WW points for junk food (the idea was "no food is forbidden", not "eat a diet of less junk") or people who snack on sticks of butter on Atkins ("saturated fat is not bad" does not mean "eats sticks of butter"). I'm sure that the author of this diet did not intend for people to eat potato chips or Cheetos as diet staples.

This sounds great, I've always wanted to try this NSNF but I have a question. Everyone talks about the veggies and fruits but what about meat. (I've never gone on a diet although I've needed to. But I'm the type of person that I would love all those fast diets to do the trick and go on with my life but I know that's not possible and I have a hard time making up mind up and sticking with it, so I've never tried them) But I'm really interested in this NSNF. So I'm not educated on what meat is good for you or fruits for that matter. I like to bake, grill and occasionally fry pork chops for example but no one talks about that reality. Or am I suppose to use my common sense and know not to eat fried stuff? I'd rather eat meat than veggies and drink sodas. I love water, but eat too much salt. So I know it's not helping me to drink lots of water. I'm stuck! Don't know what to do! Please help! I'd love to get healthy, I have lots of diseases in my family and don't want to wait till the doctor tells me I have high blood pressure or diabetes to change.
God bless and Smile!!

Virginia:

The leanest meats are (of course) those lowest in fats, specifically white meat turkey and chicken. On the No Flour/No Added Sugar diet, meat of all types is fine -- just look for cuts with the least amount of fat, and trim away all that you can before cooking.

If you are preparing it in a little oil, skip the bread crumbs and use an olive or canola oil. Better yet, use a non-stick pan and spray it with canola oil Pam, or a product like that.

You said you like to grill -- that's perfect! Just make sure your marinade does not contain sugar.

I am like you in that I'd prefer an awesome filet mignon to sweets -- and I do love salty things, as well. But heart disease and high blood pressure run in my family, so I make a conscious effort not to add too much salt to things and try to limit my red meat consumption to once per month.

With veggies, I believe the more you eat them the more you like them. If meat is your thing, prepare veggies that go great with it. For example, saute onions, fresh spinach and beefy, sliced portobello mushrooms with freshly ground pepper and just a pinch of salt and serve it on top of the lean steak I mentioned earlier. Add a side of juicy red tomatoes and sprinkle a little shaved parmesan over the dish. The end result is that you will be eating more veggies and less meat than you normally do.

Good luck! You can do it!

I have been faithful to the no sugar, no flour life style change for the last three weeks until today. I came from teaching third grade and my son told me he does not have the grades to graduate from high school and wants to drop out of school. To make a long story short, after freaking out I went to the freezer and got out a handful of chocolate and enjoyed it and now have a bad case of the guilts. My emotional stability dictates my eating habits and gets me every time. Any advice how not to go to the refridgerator in times of stress?

Joann:
I understand the challenges of emotional eating. As for eating during times of stress, how I finally broke this cycle was to ask myself outloud two questions before I ate when I knew I wasn't eating because I was hungry. 1. Will one cookie (serving of ice cream, handful of chips etc.) be enough? 2. Will I feel BETTER 5 minutes AFTER I stop eating? If one's not enough, I don't eat it and I remind myself that after a binge I feel horrible.

Now I can usually talk myself "out of" eating foods I shouldn't. I have kept off 75 pounds for over three years. I didn't follow a formal diet, but rather just made series of small changes. My motto was "better choices most of the time." I used the no flour/no sugar plan about a year ago to take off the final ten pounds (bringing the total to 85)- but put those pounds back on during the course of a stressful year (a cancer diagnosis in my family). Luckily the year of chemo and radiation has ended and a full recovery has been achieved.

Since Christmas I've been back on no flour/no sugar in order to take off those pesky ten pounds and fit back into my jeans. (three off, seven to go)I really like the simplicity of this diet and get my good carbs from oatmeal and brown rice. As we all know, working-out is essential as well.

Good luck to all as you try and get healthy with this easy plan.

I have faithfully been following the no flour, no sugar diet for 2 weeks now. So far it is very easy for me. I look forward to my bowl of old fashioned oatmeal each morning with half a banana, a few blueberries and a few almonds or walnuts. Lunch is usually a light salad (no sugar in the dressing) or triscuits (no flour) and a little cheese, apple and natural peanut butter. Dinner consists of broiled fish, or chicken or beef, veggies and maybe a sweet potatoe. I really like this diet but, unbelievably I have gained 3 lbs. I have always worked out and have even increased my work-outs. I do yoga daily and walk 2-3 miles 5 times weekly. I wonder what my problem is. I am a 55 year old woman, 5'4" and now weighing in at 132. Please help, I wanted to lose 5-10 lbs. originally. Why isn't this diet working for me?

Georgia, are you sure you have weight to lose? Cause 5'4", 132lb at 55 sounds good to me. Maybe you should be expecting a change in inches, not in pounds, instead. If you are feeling dissatisfied with your shape, maybe adding some resistance training with weights would help.

I want to thank everyone for their suggestions and tips. It's great. I recently bought some Sugar Free Brittle. Couldn't help myself. Had to try it. I noticed on the back it stated "Sugar Alcohol". I'm assuming this counts as sugar, and will no longer buy. Even though the wrapping did say: Sugar Free. Has anyone ever heard of sugar alcohol? *Sue*

Sue, sugar alcohols are substances that in theory do not raise insulin levels and are not processed as sugar. They include xylitol, maltitol, sorbitol, etc. They are controversial cause some people like Dr. Atkins say they do not raise blood sugars, but others say they do.

You'll need to find out where the author of this particular diet stands when it comes to sugar alcohols.