Everyday Systems

For breakfast I like eating a bowl of milk with special k cereals (not really sweet) with a tbsp of raspberry jam. Is that considered an S food or not? the jam is sweet but it's not really a sweet like a cake or a donut.

I tend not to have jam on normal days. I don't really know why,as it's not a food that makes me want more sweet things.perhaps it's because it really is just sugar and fruit, so I've told myself it's better to just have the fruit. I've found other things to male breakfast interesting. Usually I have peanut butter and banana on toast, but if I have porridge (which I used to put jam in) I'll have cinammon or walnuts or peanut butter or a banana or apple with it.

It's up to you though really, whatever is most sensible for you.

I occasionally have a little jam on my peanut butter toast and do no count it as a sweet. Generally it is from the farmer’s market and just a little adds flavor without a lot of sweetness.

Thanks. I changed breakfast, it's no problem.
What about bananas and persimmons? they are very sweet.

I think fruit is fine. I doubt many people are really overweight because they eat too much fruit.

Thanks

S is for sweets, not sugar in general. Whole fresh fruit is not a sweet. Many people have jam on toast or some sugar in coffee. I say if it makes you want more and more of it, don't use it. If not, a smear of jam is fine. The same number of raisins as you would have grapes is fine. Etc.

At the same time, we have become incredibly used to having sweet-tasting things way more often than most people in human history have had access to. Having meals that feature mostly savory items is probably a good habit. Just be sure it seems fair and not a punishment.

I have porridge with fruit and honey for breakfast most weekdays. toast and jam at the weekends or cooked eggs and bacon.

Hasn't stopped my loss

Jx

My chime-in would be that you eat the same breakfast every N day. My biggest plug is that all meals are pretty much the same every N day (or at least formulaic - such as dinner is always a piece of protein + salad, but protein and salad type vary). This works beautifully for me, but I get that many people crave more variety (my husband being one of those people). I think weight loss/maintenance/adjustments end up being easier for people that are fine with repetitive meals, lol. My dad has always been like that, and it's why I named myself automatedeating 5 years ago (as really my ultimate habit goal to emulate him in this way). When I started, I wasn't eating the same stuff every N Day - but now I am, and it has made all the difference.

oolala53 wrote:I say if it makes you want more and more of it, don't use it. If not, a smear of jam is fine. The same number of raisins as you would have grapes is fine. Etc.

That's a really great distinction. Love it!

oolala53 wrote:At the same time, we have become incredibly used to having sweet-tasting things way more often than most people in human history have had access to. Having meals that feature mostly savory items is probably a good habit. Just be sure it seems fair and not a punishment.

I agree. I've never been a sweet-tooth but sugar does gradually take occupancy of your mind and soul if you let it...

automatedeating wrote:My chime-in would be that you eat the same breakfast every N day. My biggest plug is that all meals are pretty much the same every N day (or at least formulaic - such as dinner is always a piece of protein + salad, but protein and salad type vary). This works beautifully for me, but I get that many people crave more variety (my husband being one of those people). I think weight loss/maintenance/adjustments end up being easier for people that are fine with repetitive meals, lol. My dad has always been like that, and it's why I named myself automatedeating 5 years ago (as really my ultimate habit goal to emulate him in this way). When I started, I wasn't eating the same stuff every N Day - but now I am, and it has made all the difference.

Brian Wansink (Mindless Eating) would wholeheartedly agree with you, and he proved what you say with several studies in his lab in Chicago. Variety definitely increases food consumption.
Also, unless one has a particular vocation for cooking, overcomplicating things for two days likely ends up into snacking and eating junk the third day, right?

You are lucky to have a model figure in your father. My parents are both slim but it's kind of random.

I allow myself sugar, but in limited amounts, I,E No more than one teaspoon for my teas or oatmeal or 1 tablespoon of honey/maple syrup and I only have one "sweet" meal a day and that's when I eat my fruit too. I find that works for me with no issues with cravings or overeating

Variety also increases nutrient intake. I think it's a good idea to have building blocks, such as starches, proteins (I eat a lot less flesh these days), fats and freggies, depending on the meal, and to try to find variation in the blocks. And to ease yourself into this if necessary so that you don't feel you are "on a diet." This is not the 12-week plan! Very few people stumble on the long-term formula right off the bat. But if you do find that something satisfies with little thought, yee haw!