FAQs

A: The low-carb, healthy fat lifestyle and nutrition approach focuses on eating real food for maximum health. This means keeping carbohydrates to a minimum and cutting out sugar, starch and chemically enhanced foods and increasing your intake of whole foods, healthy saturated fats and nutrient-dense vegetables. A low-carb lifestyle has shown remarkable results for diabetics and has even reversed the onset of type 2 diabetes in some people. Other health benefits include decreased hunger, better skin, relief of irritable bowel syndrome, improved blood pressure and cholesterol and, of course, easily sustainable weight loss. It’s a lifestyle packed with loads of delicious foods for you to enjoy. It will change your life!

For more information about what you can and can’t eat, you can refer to our food lists once you’ve registered and logged in.

• A fabulous meal plan for six weeks of delicious low-carb living
• Shopping lists for each week to simplify your weekly shop and planning
• Access to more than 60 delicious tried, tested and tasted recipes as well as great tips and ideas

A: Sign up for the 6 Weeks to LOSE IT! programme and get access to our comprehensive what you can and can’t eat lists.

A: We’ve covered all your cholesterol questions in Volume 3 of LOSE IT! To buy Volume 3 digitally click here (https://www.magzter.com/ZA/Media24/Lose-It!/Health/)

A: This is tricky, but we are realistic about what is sustainable and what is not. Dry red and white wine are allowed in moderation after the first two weeks of 6 Weeks to LOSE IT! (not every day and not three glasses!) as well as spirits such as whisky, champagne, brandy, rum, sparkling wine, tequila and vodka. But steer clear of beer…

A: Initially, we suggest cutting dairy out – as it’s high in natural sugar – and reintroducing it after the first two weeks. But make sure you’re only having full fat products and limiting your intake. If, however, you’re following a Paleo approach you need to bid all dairy farewell. A strict Paleo way of eating doesn’t allow dairy products such as milk, butter, yoghurt or cheese because hunter-gatherers didn’t milk cows. You can substitute these with non-dairy products such as coconut, almond or cashew milk.

A: We’re very happy to say, YES! Again, moderation is key, and take care that your chocolate is 75% and up pure cocoa – the higher the cocoa percentage the better. But sugar is addictive, and if you can’t stop yourself after one or two squares it’s probably better to steer clear completely.

A: The short answer is YES. The long answer is YES, and you won’t even miss it. Once you start you’ll see that after a few weeks of following a low-carb lifestyle you won’t crave sugar any more – and there are plenty of delicious alternatives for those moments when you think nothing else will do. Sugar is toxic, and if you’re diabetic there’s no question about it – sugar is not an option. Living low-carb is a lifestyle, not a diet – but it’s one you’ll be happy to live!

A: No. Grains are completely out – you really don’t need them. If you’re an athlete, you may have to add extra starches into your diet in the form of sweet potato and pumpkin, for example, but grains – no matter what they say on the packet – just aren’t healthy for you.

A: Yes. This meal plan has been specifically designed to target the problem areas that seem to affect weight loss. That’s why, in the first two weeks, fats, dairy and nuts are restricted to some extent, although they are all part of the low-carb lifestyle. They are gradually reintroduced, which allows you to monitor the effect each has on your weight loss. Every person reacts differently, which is why you need to take note and adapt your long-term plan accordingly.

A: We’re afraid vegetarians and vegans will not be able to use the 6 Weeks to LOSE IT! meal plan because meat protein (and fat!) is an essential part of the low-carb lifestyle.

A: Each day, you get a very specific breakfast and dinner, but not lunch. This is because, in our experience, you’ll probably find you’re not even hungry at lunchtime. But you’re welcome to eat any of a few suggested snacks at lunchtime if you’d like to – it’s not that lunch is banned in any way, it’s just that we find we very rarely want to eat it! That’s why 6 Weeks to LOSE IT! focuses on breakfast and dinner.

A: Of course! But the rest of your family may also need to add a few other bits and bobs. Because Insulin Resistance is often age-related, it’s fine for your kids to eat a bit of rice or potato with their evening meal occasionally. But the basic 6 Weeks to LOSE IT! meal plan is extremely healthy for all of you – and all the recipes serve four people!

A: No – the meals are very easy to prepare and the ingredients are all readily available. Also, you’ll be able to download your shopping lists well in advance, so you’ll have all the ingredients handy, which will make cooking the meals a complete cinch. An interesting aside here: we’ve noticed that even if people weren’t very interested in cooking before low-carb, they do tend to become much more interested in it after they’ve started! So, you can consider this a weight-loss programme with a cooking course thrown in. Win-win!

A: Absolutely. LOSE IT! already has many international fans.

A: Your choice. You can certainly prepare the dinners in advance, although the breakfasts may be a little trickier (reheated egg is not a thing, in our view). But food is always best fresh, and cooking is part of the fun.

A: Should you have a food allergy, we suggest you consult a nutritionist for a personal plan which takes your allergy into account. This programme includes both meat and eggs.