Thanks for posting this, Phyllis. I think it's very helpful in understanding the debate between low-carb and low-fat "diet" proponents.
There's one key assumption in the discussion that ticks me off. One expert thinks the whole concept is too hard for the average American to grasp and they won't be willing to follow the program or try to understand how it works. IF you're an average American who cares about the potential benefits of this kind of eating, you're going to try to understand it. IF you want to eat burgers/buns/fries/shakes every day, then that's what you're going to do. I see the contrast in two of my friends - one is fit as a fiddle, eats carefully, and has her stuff together. The other is in need of serious weight loss and a fitness program, KNOWS IT, has emerging major health issues, and still clings to the notion that food is her comfort as it has been for ost of her life. I don't mean to slap at people who eat to soothe their emotions, but I just don't understand their willingness to ignore their health for a temporary comfort. I truly wish I could.
Low-carb eating makes perfect sense, and I see the SBD working on me, at least for the most restrictive phase. I wasn't going to weigh myself until Sunday morning, but I did it today because the only thing I'm craving is knowing if there's anything happening on my scale. As of 8:45 this morning, and with AF in full presence, I'm down, painlessly, 4 pounds. I'm not hungry, not craving anything "bad" or "good", and I have more energy than I thought I might so I'm working out at the same or better levels than a week ago. I'm burning the fat that's stored on my body. I've read about the difference between ketosis (not a bad thing - we want to burn stored energy/fat, and drink enough water to keep our kidneys in shape to handle the waste) and ketoacidosis (a very bad thing, especially if you're diabetic - more dangerous to one type of diabetic than the other, I don't remember the details because I'm not a diabetic).
Getting off track here. The point is that, for me, this temporarily restrictive program is working, and it's up to me to use the brains God gave me and the common sense I've always had to figure out how to eat best for me once the restrictions are lifted. Knowing that I'll be able to go back to that restrictive phase if I screw up, still live healthily, and get back on track is a great benefit.
Whew! Going to do some housework in a little while. Spiders season is in full swing and they're going to take over if I don't hunt 'em down.
Thanks for posting, going to read this when I get more time!!! I know a lot of women on WW that followed the program...lots of carbs and all and did fantastic, lost the weight, etc. It's what you keep up in the long run that matters as well--no temporary fixes. Sticking with something that you can do now and forever.
As for food for comfort...I have to stick my hand up..I do that ALL THE TIME! Talked to my friend Rose (who I met here on iv!) yesterday and we were discussing the fact that no matter if we've managed to work hard and get the fat off (she LOOKS FAB!)...we still have food issues, lots of them, find comfort in it..and like Donna said--find temporary comfort in it.
Good article. I agree with Donna that it's an insult they think the general public is too stupid to be able to follow it. Maybe they could color code the labels like Garanimals or something for the ignorant masses. ;-) I am all for putting the Glycemic Index or the Glycemic Load on foods. Those who want to use it can, and those who don't want to don't have to. We should have the opportunity to make an informed choice.
Donna, I agree the SBD is excellent. I had great results when I followed it. If I weren't such a carb craver/chocoholic, I would just stay on it. Unfortunately, the cravings become intense and social events and other excuses make me stray. I need to get back on it.
Rhonda, I've eaten out twice this week and once for lunch. During this phase, it's easy to do - tell the server to keep the starchy carbs off the plate and ask my dining companions to cover up the bread. I can't tell the football pool people to keep the donuts out of the office, but I don't have to eat their offerings, either (plus, I'm not in the pool this year, so I'd feel funny helping myself). How well I've learned what I need to do will show later. I may fall on my face, but I've managed so far. I've got to keep telling myself MODERATION, not a potato/rice/half a loaf of bread every day). Same old lesson.
The whole glycemic concept makes sense to me, but the list of things we ought to be counting is growing bigger by month, with calories, carbs, sugars, sodium, protein, glycemic load, saturated fats, unsaturated fats, trans-fats, omega III fats, etc. Each concept is understandable, but putting it all together just seems futile, for each camp has its own flagship diet and have ideas why other eating plans are inferior or even suggest they're harmful.
Interesting article and it shows how so much of diet and nutrition is theory waiting for facts. The author has a point when he says "fierce opinions are based on ironclad beliefs and sparse data..." - it seems to be for so many areas of diet and nutrition that the opinions come first, and data is drummed up to support whatever opinion is being held out (sometimes ignoring data that doesn't support it!). That's probably why there are so many different diets claiming to be the right way to do it. I can't help but think we need a little of everything - in their natural states - to keep us going, rather than following self-designated leaders. God designed our bodies to use carbs, protein, sodium and fats. Giving up white rice, flour and sugars, that's sensible... potatoes and other sugary veggies that provide other nutrients in a natural state, I dunno.
I stayed on Phase I basically the whole time I did it without a problem until I gave in and had dessert. I'm like an addict. It's all or nothing with me. I have to get the sugar and chocolate out of my system totally. It's so hard when so many family/social events revolve around food. The July 4th family get together was the beginning of the most recent fall off the wagon. Haven't been able to get myself back off the stuff since then. I will eventually, but just have to get in the right mindset or get my hormones squared away. I notice that these last two months Aunt Flo's been so indecisive have really intensified cravings and increased headaches.
I'm glad to hear you're doing so well. Keep up the good work!
There's one key assumption in the discussion that ticks me off. One expert thinks the whole concept is too hard for the average American to grasp and they won't be willing to follow the program or try to understand how it works. IF you're an average American who cares about the potential benefits of this kind of eating, you're going to try to understand it. IF you want to eat burgers/buns/fries/shakes every day, then that's what you're going to do. I see the contrast in two of my friends - one is fit as a fiddle, eats carefully, and has her stuff together. The other is in need of serious weight loss and a fitness program, KNOWS IT, has emerging major health issues, and still clings to the notion that food is her comfort as it has been for ost of her life. I don't mean to slap at people who eat to soothe their emotions, but I just don't understand their willingness to ignore their health for a temporary comfort. I truly wish I could.
Low-carb eating makes perfect sense, and I see the SBD working on me, at least for the most restrictive phase. I wasn't going to weigh myself until Sunday morning, but I did it today because the only thing I'm craving is knowing if there's anything happening on my scale. As of 8:45 this morning, and with AF in full presence, I'm down, painlessly, 4 pounds. I'm not hungry, not craving anything "bad" or "good", and I have more energy than I thought I might so I'm working out at the same or better levels than a week ago. I'm burning the fat that's stored on my body. I've read about the difference between ketosis (not a bad thing - we want to burn stored energy/fat, and drink enough water to keep our kidneys in shape to handle the waste) and ketoacidosis (a very bad thing, especially if you're diabetic - more dangerous to one type of diabetic than the other, I don't remember the details because I'm not a diabetic).
Getting off track here. The point is that, for me, this temporarily restrictive program is working, and it's up to me to use the brains God gave me and the common sense I've always had to figure out how to eat best for me once the restrictions are lifted. Knowing that I'll be able to go back to that restrictive phase if I screw up, still live healthily, and get back on track is a great benefit.
Whew! Going to do some housework in a little while. Spiders season is in full swing and they're going to take over if I don't hunt 'em down.
Donna
As for food for comfort...I have to stick my hand up..I do that ALL THE TIME! Talked to my friend Rose (who I met here on iv!) yesterday and we were discussing the fact that no matter if we've managed to work hard and get the fat off (she LOOKS FAB!)...we still have food issues, lots of them, find comfort in it..and like Donna said--find temporary comfort in it.
Oh well!! Gotta keep on working on it, right?
Deb
Donna, I agree the SBD is excellent. I had great results when I followed it. If I weren't such a carb craver/chocoholic, I would just stay on it. Unfortunately, the cravings become intense and social events and other excuses make me stray. I need to get back on it.
Rhonda
~~Rhonda~~
<
Miss P
Interesting article and it shows how so much of diet and nutrition is theory waiting for facts. The author has a point when he says "fierce opinions are based on ironclad beliefs and sparse data..." - it seems to be for so many areas of diet and nutrition that the opinions come first, and data is drummed up to support whatever opinion is being held out (sometimes ignoring data that doesn't support it!). That's probably why there are so many different diets claiming to be the right way to do it. I can't help but think we need a little of everything - in their natural states - to keep us going, rather than following self-designated leaders. God designed our bodies to use carbs, protein, sodium and fats. Giving up white rice, flour and sugars, that's sensible... potatoes and other sugary veggies that provide other nutrients in a natural state, I dunno.
Cussette
C
I'm glad to hear you're doing so well. Keep up the good work!
Rhonda
~~Rhonda~~
<