Need help with my butter problem

[bubblebrain]

Hello everyone, This is my first post on any forum ever so not to sure how this works but would like some advise. Today is my first day of dieting but not to sure about my butter intake and I tent to eat toast and lots of lighter butter every morning as this is the only thing I can eat first thing. I have tried to substitute this for margarine or low fat spread but this make my tummy turn so tried to change toast for cereal and porridge but still make me feel very unwell first thing. I tried putting less butter on toast with some marmite but again its not the same so need an alternative. any suggestions?? Have early starts in the morning so do not have time to cook and If i miss breakfast I end up down the sandwich shop for a bacon sandwich as i need to eat on the go. HELP.

[moreless Administrator 7 stone]

Hi BB,

I say, if it's not broken, don't try and fix it.

If this is what you like to eat, then eat it.

If you're counting calories, then you'll need to weigh the butter and deduct the calories from your daily allowance.

If you're carb cutting, then swap to real butter and eat it til your heart's content

Good luck on your journey.

[Fran182716]

Agree with Moreless, if this is the only thing you can stomach in the morning then as long as you account for it in your overall calories it should be okay. I can't face breakfast if I have an 8 am start at work so take breakfast with me, we have a fridge and microwave at the office, or if I'm out and driving I take something in a cool bag. ☀️

[Zest Healthy BMI]

Hi Bubblebrain,

You mentioned it's your first day of dieting, so I'd like to wish you every success with your weight loss journey. Sorry to hear that your attempts to find an alternative breakfast that you can tolerate has proved difficult so far. I know you like toast with butter - maybe you could have some wholegrain toast with butter and a poached egg with it? That would provide you with a balance of protein, fat and wholegrain carbs, which would be hopefully tasty, as well as sustaining your appetite, and would be something you'd enjoy? Apologies if you don't like eggs of course! I also know you said you are in a rush in the mornings, but if you look at the post above yours, there is a good discussion about quick breakfasts going on there (the post is by Megan2510) - and someone posted about how to microwave an egg 'safely' in seconds, as long as you pierce your egg!

I eat butter too, and I do have some most days. I know there are lots of debates about whether eating saturated fats are healthy or not, but I have to say that I am concerned when people advocate eating lots of butter, bacon, etc etc to lose weight, and I am wary of that advice.

I read this article today, which mentions being aware of portion sizes in relation to any fats ingested - i.e. regardless of whether a fat is considered healthy or not. The advice of that dietician was that we should limit our portion sizes, but that it is perfectly fine to include fats as part of our healthy eating plans. Speaking from my own personal experience, I always try to balance my eating plan to include all three macronutrients, whenever possible, and I do try to limit my portion sizes. Using the app (Myfitnesspal) is very helpful in this respect, as it does break down meals into different nutrient groups.

I'll put a link to the article if you want to see it, it's not very long, and it was interesting to read, and written very recently (i.e. in July 2015):

huffingtonpost.com/2015/07/...

I also like the dietician's recommendation to have a rainbow of colours in meals, to ensure lots of nutrients and antioxidants. So maybe a grilled tomato might be a good addition to your breakfast. But I realise that would take extra time to prepare, and you are in a rush in the mornings.

I really hope you find something that you can tolerate and enjoy for your breakfasts.

Wishing you success with your weight loss journey. Sorry for my long-winded reply to your post, but hopefully there might be something in it that might be helpful to you.

Lowcal

[Zest Healthy BMI]

Hi again,

The NHS site also has a good page on healthy breakfasts, which you might like to look at for some more ideas:

nhs.uk/Livewell/loseweight/...

Hope you have a great week.

Lowcal

[Spader]

I'm not adding much, only to say I echo the sentiments already expressed here. Swap any of those processed spreads for proper butter and put the focus on a healthier bread, perhaps?

[bubblebrain]

Thank you all for your advise, it has all been very useful and I'm feeling good after day 1. Made lunch ready for tomorrow so I don't end up down the sandwich shop as usual and I'm going to try tomatoes on toast tomorrow with little olive oil spread on wholemeal bread. Trial and error at the moment.

[GoogleMe]

Some really good suggestions there. Sometimes with an ersatz food you eat twice as much as you are unconsciously searching for the real thing or it has less flavour (I find this with cheese - I buy mature cheddar now and use less)

There was just one thing - you say you have early starts and so not much time. For most people, the time they have is entirely within their control - what it can take is breaking through the resistance to getting up earlier and perhaps going to bed earlier if you need more sleep. I found it a revelation to get up an hour earlier than I needed to and to have my breakfast and get ready, do various jobs in peace. I now do 10 minutes or so of gentle yoga and meditation first thing. And several days a week (not just weekends) I have a cooked breakfast which involves making a potato rosti.

You might also find that getting up earlier gives you not just time to make a wider variety of breakfasts but time to have an appetite for them. Sometimes it helps to drink a glass of water, some swear by hot water with lemon, I have a small glass of fruit juice. Wakes up the taste buds! Or you could make something the night before - I've just eaten a layered thing of cooked apple, dates, soya coconut yoghurt and nuts. It was lovely to wake up this morning with that to look forward to (I am waiting to find out how sustaining it proves to be) Or perhaps plan for a healthy snack later on if that's possible for you?

[Penel]

My quick breakfast is live-culture full-fat yoghurt, with seasonal fruits and nuts I add myself.

Having some protein for breakfast can often help you feel fuller for longer.