7-DAY BANTING KICKSTART
7-Day Banting Kickstart: My Personal Journey to Low-Carb
Living
Introduction: Why I Tried the Banting Kickstart
When I first heard about the Banting lifestyle, I felt a weird
mix of curiosity and anxiety. Sure, I’d seen the stories—people dropping
weight, feeling better, taking charge of their health—but the rules? No bread,
no pasta, no sugar. Honestly, that sounded impossible. Seven days without my
favorite foods? I figured, okay, it’s just a week. I could handle that. I
wanted to see what would happen, give it a fair shot. But I wasn’t ready for
just how quickly things started to shift. Right from the start, Banting
surprised me. It’s actually pretty simple. Eat when you’re hungry. Stop when
you’re full. That’s it. No obsessing over calories or measuring every bite.
Just pay attention to your body. After years of complicated diets and food
guilt, this felt like a breath of fresh air.
Day 1: Clearing Out and Starting Fresh
Having already cleaned out my cupboards and pantry was a real plus. No wondering if what I am pulling out of the fridge or pantry has any hidden carbs, I filled my shelves with Banting basics: eggs, leafy greens, chicken, butter, cheese, olive oil, just the essentials I could afford. Money definitely played a role. Banting doesn’t have to break the bank, but you’ve got to be smart. I used Holsum for cooking and saved my pricier olive oil for salads. One of my best moves was learning to make my own mayo. It’s shockingly easy—a stick blender, eggs, oil, some basics, and you’re done. Tasted way better than store-bought, and I knew exactly what was in it. That first week, I kept meals super simple. No fancy recipes or specialty stuff. I wanted to focus on learning—figuring out labels, spotting hidden carbs, and just getting comfortable.
Breakfast was usually scrambled eggs with spinach or
mushrooms. Dinner? Roast chicken with cauliflower mash, or sautéed cabbage in
butter. Nothing fancy, just real food—and to my surprise, it was plenty
satisfying.
Day 2–3: Beating the Carb Craving.
By day two, though, the sugar cravings hit. Hard. This was
the roughest part by far. My body clearly missed sugar and refined carbs; I was
cranky, restless, and constantly fighting the urge to just grab something
sweet. Instead, I found a few tricks that helped. I snacked on almonds and
cheese cubes, drank loads of water, and tried every herbal tea I could find.
Rooibos, peppermint, chamomile—they all became part of my daily routine. Little
things, but they made a big difference and kept me from giving in. A few things
stood out right away: Staying hydrated is key. Plain water’s good, but
sparkling water is a nice change when you want something different. Herbal teas
are a lifesaver, especially when cravings hit. Always double-check drinks for
sugar and gluten—labels can be sneaky. Stick to whole, unprocessed foods. It
just makes life easier. Low-carb really does help steady your energy and
appetite. Veggies, meat, poultry, fish, eggs, nuts, and seeds—these make up the
bulk of your meals.
By day three, I noticed something shift. I woke up feeling lighter, clearer, and more awake. The brain fog I didn’t even realize I’d been living with just started to clear. No more afternoon crash, either. Lunch was a big salad with chicken, feta, and olive oil, and it actually kept me full for hours.
Day 4-5: The Energy Boost
For the first time in ages, I wasn’t already thinking about my next meal. As I got more comfortable, I started trying out simple Banting recipes. Zucchini noodles with creamy mushroom sauce turned into a go-to. The Zucchini noodles are flying off the shelves at Woolworths, so I invested in my spiral kitchen tool to make my own noodles in a heartbeat,The texture and flavor were satisfying, and I didn’t miss pasta nearly as much as I thought I would. That was a big moment for me—realizing Banting isn’t about missing out, it’s about making better swaps.
Day 6-7: Noticing the Difference
By day six, I couldn’t ignore the changes. My clothes fit better, my belly was flatter, and the constant bloating I’d just accepted as normal was gone. More than that, I finally understood the difference between real hunger and just eating out of habit. I stopped snacking just to snack and actually ate with purpose. One of the smartest things I did that week was avoid the scale. Numbers can mess with your head, especially at the start. I just paid attention to how I felt and how my clothes fit. That told the real story. When day seven rolled around, I felt genuinely proud. I stuck with it, learned a lot, and started to feel like myself again.
Final Thoughts
Looking back, those first seven days on Banting taught me more than I expected. It wasn’t just about cutting carbs or changing what was on my plate—it was about paying attention to my body and giving it what it actually needs. By keeping things simple, choosing real food, and letting go of old habits, I discovered a way of eating that feels sustainable and empowering. If you’re feeling unsure about starting Banting, I can honestly say this: you don’t have to be perfect, and you don’t need fancy meals. Just start. One week can make a bigger difference than you think.
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