Non Bernstein options and other blasphemous musings

So my colleague (a 30-year retired diplomat) and fab-u-lous, amazing, worldly and grounded woman, tipped me off to her secret.

The Montignac diet.

Now, we all know that the women in France have a different approach to eating.  Everything in moderation, a glass of good red wine per day (not tetrapack swill) and eating very slowly.

Well, how anyone can refuse the gastronomique delights courtesy of Le Cordon Bleu when its right under your apartment balcony and on every street corner is beyond me, but these broads can manage the temptation.

Well, my friend (who was posted to Paris for 5 years in the mid-90s...yeah, rough life!) said that everyone there swears by the Montignac approach, and was her weight loss regime then, and maintains it to this day.

For the uninitiated to Monsieur Michel Montignac, its a similar Bernstein approach - a low glycemic diet that removes the carbs and ups the proteins.  For more info see http://www.montignac.com/

I like the concept, and for those of us who get hyperspasmodic arm jerks every time we have to reach for our Visa card to pay for another week or more of Bernstein, it could be a possible do-it-yourself solution.

And guess what...?  You get to drink red wine!!

Hold your baguettes and berets girls, this could be a winner.

Weeks 1-3

As the structure (or scripture) goes, according to my 57" frame, I could eat the following:

* No white bread, rice, potatoes, pasta or sugar (same as Bernstein)
* Fruit - any kind is allowed
* Vegetables (no beets, corn or carrots)
* Grilled meat or fish, whole eggs allowed
* Not more than 2 slices of whole wheat or multigrain bread (they have their own Montignac bread based on specific techniques and scientific study...at $10 a bag.)

Where the interesting bit comes in is in the combination in which food may or may not be eaten.  For instance:

1. Do not combine fruit with anything - eat alone always as a mid-morning or mid-afternoon snack
2. Do not combine complex carbs with meat.  Meat can only be combined with vegetables.  Apparently putting everything together causes the body to implode, create noxious gases and just revolt.  
3. Eligible snacks during the day includes almonds, cheese, a hard boiled egg or fruit
4. Plus, olive oil is allowed for cooking or vinegrettes, etc
5. Herbs are welcomed
6. Good red wine is allowed (but no liquor or white wine)

The key after the first 3 weeks, whereby your stomach shrinks and your metabolism has sufficiently kicked in, is to maintain a 1500 caloric intake.   You can bring in some whole wheat pasta, etc., but calorie counting becomes the key.
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Well in theory, this is a similar approach to Bernstein.  Most of the eligible and non-eligible foods are there, except for the oil and red wine.


Red wine - une verre du vin rouge - mais oui!

As well, from my own Bernstein journey, I have found success in limiting the limited fruits and carbs to the mornings and early afternoons, and maintaining steady protein throughout the day.  Veggies - I dont even count them, I just use what I want and need.  Given that they are water and very low calorie, its not going to kick me out of ketosis.

I just might keep this little French method in my back pocket for when Im cash-strapped and down to my fighting weight.

Its worked for my friend...and the french approach to food is obviously working for that little orphan Madeline...and Pepe le Pews girlfriend... oh, and Juliette Binoche!

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