170E - Planetary Health Diet and my own health

This blogpost is not sponsored! 

I have been trying to lose weight for a long while. I had tried before, failing utterly. But: since I started using some app I could download for free at the Dutch centre for Diabetes (I'm certain the British Diabetes Society offers the same tool), and am securely monitoring my calorie intake, and take care to stay below the 1700kcal the app advised me, I am actually losing weight. Diabetes Type 2 is not something I want in my life!

My organic gherkins, June 2024

   It is very slow going, 100gr. at a time and some days none at all. For example when I am invited to eat at friend's, because then what I eat is out if my hands. Because I couldn't understand the reason, I honestly don't eat much, ever, I would fill in my app at home, and then everything became clear. It's the fats, the amount of meat and the shortage of veg. Bam! 500-750gr. Gain on the scales the next morning.

  In the meantime my weight has gone down from >84kg to 75.5kg, yaaaaaaay, Renée! Only 5.5kg to go and the app will tell me I'm a good girl. Not only am I feeling lighter, but hopefully Diabetes will pass by my door, and that is my incentive.

My day's harvest, July 2023

So it is logical that I'm very interested in how and what to eat. Besides, I am fully aware that I will probably be tied to that app for the rest of my life after reaching that 70kg. How many people have lost huge amounts of weight, only to gain even more after they started eating 'normally' again?

Last week Dutch TV had an item about how Planetary Health Diet (PHD) has been scientifically proven to work. It was introduced by the Lancet in 2015. Do understand this is NOT a diet designed to lose weight! It is a manner of eating which benefits our ever growing, in size as well as clothes size, world population without depleting our resources.

My apples, 2023

   It is a flexitarian way of eating, so I took notice, as I have been a flexi for years, and I researched. At GoodFood I found information and recipes.  They also state PHD is not a weightloss diet. But...to my surprise I am largely eating according to it (golly, that app!) And I am losing weight.

   There is plenty of English language info to find about PHD, check it out.

My broccoli, 2023

It all sounds like a gigantic open door; eat less saturated fat, less sugar, less meat, skip refined foods, cook fresh and organic, doesn't it? But open doors are entrances to a healthier life, at least for me they are.

So there you are, with your 300gr. steak for that bbq...Add a sausage and you've already chomped 1200kcal, over half of an average person's daily intake. Suddenly it's not so bad it isn't bbq weather. One cheese 'broodje' ( the Dutch equivalent of a sausage roll, but with a hot cheese filling): 1000kcal! Now I finally get how I gained 10 kg in the last 10 years, duh double DUH!

Soaking wet yet again

   Seriously though. A diet that benefits the planet and myself, that is a win-win, right?

   Disadvantages, of course there are disadvantages. A line-up:

1. Organic food is much more expensive than factory convenience food - that's a shame

2. Preparing a meal takes more time, really! (I cook large meals and freeze portions, to use at busy days)

3. If you are attached to your meat, you are going to suffer ( but you will spend less)

4. Self-discipline is demanded, and you will have to keep an eye on a good balance, otherwise you could end up with shortages of vitamins, minerals, etc

5. You will need smaller clothes sizes 😂

6. You will need to visit the supermarket with blinkers on and a clothespeg on your nose,  I certainly do, especially when I rush past the bread/biscuits/cakes counter!

Disclaimer: obviously I am not a dietician, this is purely a personal blog, but it has been written out of a. enthusiasm for an attempt to save a livable planet and b. utter happiness that even I am able to lose weight without having to munch on rice crackers for weeks on end. Use it, or discard it.

Have a great (dry) weekend!