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The JK Diet For Beginners

The JK Diet takes time to ease into.  Read the above information first!  Don't be put off by the word 'research' both men write exceptionally well!  Remember that this diet and new way of life is a process. Take each new change in your eating pattern gently.  Be understanding with yourself.  Some people take a year to fully embrace the John Kender Diet.   Take your time.  Here are some suggestions but do what is good for you.  There is no right way.  Whatever is right for you, is good!

Firstly start using fructose or Splenda sparingly to substitute for sugar.  Try not to use Aspartame as this reinforces the dependence on sugar. The sugar cravings will go.  Not only will the sugar cravings disappear in about three weeks but you will also feel so good!  Take it from me, I thought I had undergone some psychological transformation when I quit eating sugar because of the JK Diet.  I told my therapist, "Something's happening, I am happy."  Dr. Kathleen DesMaisons, author of Potatoes, Not Prozac says that if sugar was put on the market today, the FDA would not approve it.  Sugar, as you know, gives us this false high and then a terrible low.  You will probably notice that most TTM-ers LOVE sugar.  It is the hardest and the most difficult to let go of.  It can be done. We really need help saying good bye to our sugar love; for, it is no easy task.  Get someone to be your diet support.  I have a list of sugars and their make up:  Sugar

        Secondly, try the decaf coffee and decaf tea.   This was so much easier than I thought!  Now, others may not find this to be true but I drink iced tea (caffeinated) with no problem but I must add that I don't drink a lot either. It's the tannins in tea which are good for you.  Test this with your food log.

Thirdly, the other "bad foods" are trial and error. At first you may be giving up a lot more than you need to.  Keep a food log.  Test yourself!  Please eat lots of apples, yogurt (with live cultures), pineapple, kiwi, and don't go anywhere without your stash of goodies in your purse or in your car.  Keep pretzels, fruit, diluted fruit drinks, water, etc., around.   Don't get caught being so hungry, angry, lonely and/or tired that you eat something you shouldn't.

Here's my Good Foods and Bad Foods list:  Good And Bad Foods
It is necessary to start reading labels and preparing for all your meals.  At first this takes a big effort. I found this especially tedious!  I never looked at labels!   I ate EVERYTHING!  It can be disappointing to shop and find that your grocery cart is near empty. Please go to my food suggestions page and make a copy.  Take it with you as you shop.  Food Suggestions
Give your list of bad and good food to your loved ones. Print it out on nice appealing paper, color it, laminate it, whatever!  Pass it out. You will so pleased to see how accommodating people are.  Generally, others do want to help and want you to succeed.  

Be gentle with yourself! There is nothing 'wrong' with you for not starting the diet right away. Just read about it first and get acquainted. It's rare that a marriage takes place on first meeting, right? If this is any help, am reading a book called, Potatoes, Not Prozac and she says that sugar overload ruins our resolve neurologically. If we keep having simple carbs (white bread, white rice, popcorn and pasta) and sugars we cannot resist the temptation of sugar. Our cravings for sugar are just too much for us to control. This is not our fault! Too much sugar decreases the seratonin levels and as you know, seratonin has everything to do with mood and impulses. So, if you have too much sugar, it's less likely you can resist sugar and then you get depressed and angry with self etc....
Enjoy the sugar but maybe start cutting down.

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