If you have read my previous posts on the popular "Trim Healthy Mama" book, you may remember that I like the plan, except for the frankenfoods and artificial "natural" sweeteners it promotes. If you have not yet done so, you can read my previous posts on the topic here and here.
The authors' insistence to the contrary notwithstanding, YES, the plan works fabulously well when raw honey, dark maple syrup, or other wholesome sweeteners are used in the recipes. Yes, you CAN kick stevia and erythritol/xylitol to the curb where they belong, still have great success with the concept of separating carbs and fats, and see the pounds melt away.
I started THM 2 weeks postpartum, and have lost 15 lbs in the 7 weeks since then, or roughly 2 lbs per week. Because I am not restricting my caloric intake, losing weight at this rate has not negatively affected my milk supply. In fact, I feel that it is better than ever.
You may think that being so recently postpartum, I was bound to lose weight without effort, but that just is not true for me. Without a concerted effort on my part, I would weigh what I weigh the day after giving birth indefinitely. Even now, if I go off-plan, my weight loss immediately stops, even if I do reduce portion sizes when "off-plan."
Specifically, I have never limited how much honey I use with "E" dishes (carb-fueled), and limit myself to about a tablespoon or so per serving for "S" (fat-fueled) or "FP" meals. The exact amount may vary from person to person. Generally, I do not sweeten my foods very much even when not trying to lose weight, and mostly avoid desserts. If your goal in eating THM-style is to be able to eat desserts at every meal, the plan may not work for you with natural sweeteners. I am saying that because a lot of ladies in the THM camp sing the praises of being able to have chocolate for breakfast, cake for lunch, and ice cream for dinner. Okay, maybe that's a slight exaggeration. In any case, moderation is key - that should go without saying. But by and large, I do not find that the plan is any less effective now that I use honey than back when I used it with stevia.
I also make an exception for milk, allowing myself one cup of raw whole milk most days with E meals, without any adverse effects.
If you follow the THM plan and have advice or feedback to share, please do so in the comments below.
Thoughtfully written instead of doing chores byZsuzsannaat5:53 AM
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