FAQ’s about Frugal Trenches and food! ** edited to add**

So I’ve been gathering these for a week by comment & email and there’s no better time then when suffering from insomnia to answer them! If I forgot your question, please ask in the comments and I’ll do my best to answer it! A reminder, I’m not a Dr or dietition so I’m not giving out any advice except to go and see your Dr or get specialist nutritional help through a registered dietition to find out what works for you!

1. Why do you eat such small portion sizes? (this was the most popular question, asked in many different ways )

Firstly I should say that I really think people misunderstand what a portion is, you only have to see what size of meat, potatoes, fries etc that restaurants serve to see this! For a lot of things a portion is the size of the palm of your hand and I firmly believe that we can eat a varied diet including foods like cake if we watch our portion sizes! I recently read that a serving of grapes is approximately 14 grapes, yet often you see people pack away 30 or 40 grapes at once. That said I do have a condition called PCOS. It means that my body reacts to food differently, meaning depending on the GI count, the portion and how it is made my body can react to something relatively healthy as if it was a large burger! So, I am on a learning process to find what works for my body and while I wish, occasionally that I could eat bigger sizes of my favourites it simply doesn’t work for my body – creates intolerances, weight gain, lethargy etc! So I’ve pretty much come to accept eating healthy food, watching my portions and stopping when I’m full. Thankfully I don’t have all the symptoms of PCOS and I plan to keep it that way by following medical research!!

2. Aren’t you hungry all the time?

Not at all, since I started eating less but lower GI foods and healthier foods I find I am fuller and my blood sugars stay more consistent! Again before I was more aware of this having foods which quickly release sugar meant I ate more and was hungry after an hour or so, now I have such a varied diet – loads of fruits, veggies, dairy, plant based protein and lean animal based protein and I eat consistently meaning I don’t stuff myself and then not eat for hours – I have three meals a day and usually 1 snack, this means I’m much fuller. However, I think these portion sizes are right for me with my current condition and are not right for everyone. You really have to find what works for you!

3. Why don’t you eat traditional breakfast foods for breakfast?

Up until last week I would say that I would probably eat a more traditional breakfast (porridge, very occasionally cereal) probably 3 times a week. I then saw my specialist and we were discussing my need for higher levels of protein and she suggested to me (again because of my medical condition, not that this is right for everyone)  taking carbs (cereals, toast, porridge etc) out of my breakfast meal and instead focusing on protein rich breakfasts – meat, yogurts, cheese etc with a fruit or veggie too. I’ve also been having hummus for breakfast, almond butter, baked beans etc. I have to say it is giving me more energy, so again for me it was the right switch!

4. Why don’t you eat eggs?

Allergic, plain and simple!

5. What was going back to eating meat like?

Surprisingly easy, but I think that was for two reasons. Firstly, as I’ve mentioned for some reason my body wasn’t registering the protein it was getting so I was in desperate need for protein, quick! I do think when your body is deficient in something it does make it easier to eat because you crave it. For example when I went a while without enough calcium in my body I would suddenly crave milk, glasses of it. The other reason I think it was easier was that I was told about some interesting info to do with vegetarianism that pretty much made me think about my priorities at this point in time and I decided I had to put myself first. I do hope to go back, maybe in 6 months or so, but I’ve accepted what my body needs at this point in time. I may not “like it” but I’m doing what I need to do and already having great results.

6. Are you on a drastic diet?

No, I really really don’t believe in dieting, I believe in healthy eating, getting regular exercise, good sleep (ha ha, considering I can’t sleep at the moment!), having time to yourself and time with friends or family, pretty much having a balanced life. I am however losing weight. My PCOS made me gain weight so it is nice to see myself going back to where I was before, at some point I need to switch to maintenance, it will be interesting to see what that is because my metabolism has been quite out of sync. By the way, I ate no more when I gained weight, it was all about my insulin response and hormones!

7. Have you always eaten this way?

No, but my calories have always been consistent. I used to eat less protein and more carb, but probably less food overall – did not work for my body!! I have always gotten my 5 a day, enjoyed lentils, chickpeas etc.

8. What are your priorities in planning a meal?

Great question! I do put a lot of effort into meal planning. The first thing I do (depending on which meal it is) is do a quick scan of what I have or have not had that day, ensuring that the whole day is balanced not just 1 meal – looking at my veg, fruit, protein and dairy consumption. The next thing I do is try to make my plate balanced – breakfast I try to have 2 servings of fruit (usually 1 in a juice or homemade smoothie, and 1 fruit), lunch and dinner I try to ensure at least 1 if not 2 veggies at both meals and a fruit. This means I always get my 5 a day, usually 3 -4 veg and 3 -4 fruits! Next I plan my protein, I need protein with every single meal, and finally I get some dairy in there. Oddly enough up until a couple of weeks ago, when I was eating less calories but differently I would of said that I was intolerant to dairy, yet somehow having more balanced meals has made that go away?!

9. Did you enjoy blogging about your food each day?

Yes, I really did. I would recommend anyone who is eating in a different way or wanting to build awareness about what they are eating try this! Like I said before, if you don’t have a blog take pictures and put them on paper. It made me aware of meal building, planning and consistency! It was, however, a lot of work! And I missed blogging about personal finance, so I’m ready to go back to blogging about PF and Simplicity – which I’ll be doing this week.

10. How much do you exercise?

I try to swim three times a week for 40-45 minutes and I walk every single day for at least an hour either to or from work, often both. I’d love to swim more but sadly, work travel gets in the way of swimming, but that is changing

11. You’ve made me really think about my own food intake, energy levels (or lack there of), what do you recommend?  I feel like I’ve been inspired.

I’m really pleased seeing my meals made you think about what goes into your body. Our bodies are a temple. However, I’m not a Dr and I really really think you need a health plan that works for you and your body. This works for me because of my deficiencies and my PCOS, this probably wouldn’t work for other women and even those with PCOS. So, the first thing is something you’ve already done – examine what you are eating and try to follow good advice about healthy eating. Go and see you Dr and get a referral to a dietition. They are covered under the NHS if you live in England and I beleive in Canada also. See if your insurance would cover it if you are in the US, but even if they don’t, it is probably money well spent. In fact I have paid to see a dietition here for expert advice. They help you meal plan, get your protein/carb ratio and give practical advice. I do honestly think tiredness and lack of energy is often related to our food intake, or lack thereof. What we buy beacause we are in a rush is often so high in salt, carbs and is high GI!!

12. Would you consider having a food blog?

I would, but I doubt people are interested in what I have to eat! I was happy to do it here for 1 week, but like I said I can’t wait to start blogging about personal finance and simplicity again! It is also a huge time committment and with this blog, the co-op and a new idea for an exercise blog which I’d love if other people joined (more info to follow) I think I’m maxed at the moment! On top of that I’m participating in posting a photo per day for Feb, in a challenge from a blog friend. However, my timed post last night didn’t post, so I’m going to have to do 2 tonight!

**13. Alissa asked a great question in the comments that I want to answer the question was: I noticed you eat a lot of out of season fruit and vegetables – blueberries, grapes etc. I was wondering – how do you reconcile this choice with your desire to live a more simple wholesome life?**

It is something I am very aware of, in fact I even discussed it with a group of friend’s on Friday night. There are many reasons, firstly I sadly do have quite a few allergies to certain fruits & veg which make it more difficult (mostly winter produce interestingly, except for corn which is summer produce), secondly because of my health condition and meds I have to stick to low GI fruits many of which (if not most) are summer fruits, particularly those that react the best with the meds I’m on. This has to be my first priority as if my blood sugar gets too high it can be dangerous.  Thirdly I try most of the time to buy fairtrade fruits & veg (where possible) so that they are doing some good, many berries also contain very good anti-oxidants which are important to have. Finally, because of my health and the struggle I’ve had this year with insulin etc, I’ve decided that over the next 6 months it has to come first. My eco footprint is usually very very low. I normally holiday in England, I take public transport or walk 95% of the places I go (including the hour walk to and from work), I share a very small eco friendly car (I use it very rarely, my goal is to only use it 2x a week)  I do my washing once a week and hang my laundry to dry, I don’t purchase new clothing (clothing manufacturing has a major impact on the environment), I haven’t bought anything plastic in almost 2 years, I read my papers online, I shower instead of bathe, was a vegetarian (almost vegan), use all low energy lightbulbs, use all eco products (shampoo, soaps, washing liquid etc). A friend did my carbon footprint for last year and it was something like 1/5th of the average single American (can’t find the results on this computer but I’ll share it when I find it!). I guess my point is I am doing exactly what I can at this moment in time, hoping in the future to do more! Downshifting is certainly a journey, not a race!