Having read and been convinced by David's books, I've now been on a very low fructose diet for nearly three months. Although I didn't need to lose weight I wasn’t disappointed to see, once the fructose had been cleared out, 1kg disappear and to find controlling what I eat to be a lot easier with no more cravings for chocolate, no more absolutely NEEDING something sweet after a big meal. Key blood measurements, eg triglycerides, had all improved and I was happy.

But now I've regained the lost weight and have put some extra. Don't think I've changed my diet from a month ago. I have moved mainly to 'naked foods', very little processed food, only where the labelling says very low sugar. I am (currently) a non-meat eater and so having almost eliminated fruit, sweet biscuits, sauces, commercial ice-cream etc from my diet, I've markedly increased my consumption of dairy products, eggs and nuts. (I love having rediscovered butter and cheese!)  Now, I know these are all fattening foods but I did this from the beginning. Being the silly season I have been drinking some red wine lately (which I rarely do normally) and I don't restrict permitted carbohydrates, eg dry biscuits. I can’t however see that I doing much that’s wrong, except perhaps for the quantities. As predicted, my appetite has changed and I do feel very full sometimes after a meal. Perhaps I need to concentrate on eating less at mealtimes and wait until I get that really full feeling.

I really really want to lose the 2 kg and continue but don’t what to do. Give up all alcohol? Restrict my carbohydrates? Start eating meat which gives me more low carb, no fructose choices? Start watching calories again? Practise not eating (more), skipping meals (something I have never been able to do)?

And I am trying to do more regular exercise again (which David says doesn’t help and I would agree with him from the perspective of the impact the number of calories actually has, but does have other benefits).

I had actually dared to hope the low fructose lifestyle was the answer I have been searching for most of my adult life, with years of counting calories, restricting what I ate, being on and off various diets, in and out of gyms, but perhaps fructose is not the answer after all?

If anyone else has had a similar experience or can offer an opinion, I would appreciate your comments! I am a postmenopausal women with a BMI of 23 who is reasonably fit and perennially concerned (some of my more overweight friends would probably say obsessed) about her health and fitness.

Thanks.

Thanks for your reply, John and yes, I do acknowledge my weight is not currently a problem but I don't want to see it trending up again and am very keen to find a means of (reasonably comfortably) maintaining it and healthy cholesterol levels etc permanently.

I have read too, that low fructose sometimes works better for weight loss for men than for women which is good in a way as my partner (who does have a serious weight problem) is willing to try it.  He is a failed Dr Atkins dieter and thinks this may more sustainable over time than the extremely restrictive low carb way of life.  

I am enjoying eating a lot more dairy products and am convinced by David’s (and others) arguments that the low fat, high carb, restrictive calorie means of losing weight doesn’t work and that limiting one’s fructose intake is the key.  I am still working on recognising real hunger and when/how much I should be eating, as there is no doubt my appetite control has been malfunctioning for many years.  It is quite possible that my weight gain is simply due to the overconsumption of (albeit non-fructose) calories of late!

Thanks again for your interest and good luck with your particular ‘nutritional journey’.