Category: Low Carb

Carbohydrate Addict’s Diet

Serendipity

Do you believe in Serendipity? That’s a “lucky accident”, something unexpected that happens that is really beneficial. That happened to me a few weeks ago. I had a few minutes to wait for a train and I wandered over to the free books area of my local railway station.

In among donated Reader’s Digest, thrillers, travel and romances, I found a book whose title immediately caught my eye – “The Carbohydrate Addict’s Diet“. So why did it immediately call to me? Because over 20 years ago, when I tried my most successful diet ever – the Atkins diet – that book included the term “carbohydrate addict”, with a description of what that might be and at that time, I reckoned that description might apply to me. Fast forward 20 years or more and I am now trying to find a diet I can stay on, that is, a diet on which I reach a reasonable weight and that I can stay on for the rest of my life. I thought I might try the Atkins diet again, although that doesn’t always suit our family meals, as my husband cannot eat the foods I need and vice versa. It is doable, with some juggling but then I found this book, for free, sitting waiting for me to take it home and read it!

Sick Of Yo Yo Dieting

I have reached a stage of my life where I do not want to keep losing weight with great difficulty only to start putting it back on again as soon as I stop the diet. Something happens and I want to lose weight, whether it’s a party, a holiday, a wedding invite or even a health scare, I find a diet and lose weight and then immediately I stop the diet, I put it all straight back on again.

Apart from the Atkins diet I have never yet found a diet that helps me lose weight that I keep off for life, without feeling half starved and ravenous most of the time. And even with that, it only takes one slip, to start putting weight back on or feeling ravenous. So when I found the book, I read it through quickly to see whether it would suit me and also fit into our family mealtimes without too much difficulty. The book was published in 1991, so I was quite surprised I had never heard of the diet previously but to mangle a Chinese proverb, “When the dieter is ready, the right diet will appear.” I was ready for a diet that I could live the rest of my life with. Was this the one?

Carbohydrate Addict

The book asks some questions to let you know whether or not you might be a carbohydrate addict. Some of these questions were on the lines of:

Do you gain weight easily, and if you lose any, do you gain it back?

I thought that was true of most people who diet, but maybe not?

Do you have a hard time stopping if you start to eat bread, pasta, or sweets?

Now, this was definitely me. I dare not eat a slice of bread or toast, one slice is never enough, even if it’s shortly before dinner. It just makes me feel hungrier and hungrier.

are you hungrier if you have some carbohydrates to eat before your lunch or dinner than you would be if you had had nothing at all, or maybe just a tea or coffee?

Yes, I have often found I can go all day if I have nothing at all to eat and that’s actually easier than having just something, if it is a carbohydrate item.

Would you rather have a plain meal that included a dessert than a gourmet meal with no dessert?

Again, that is definitely me. I would rather have soup and a dessert than a real gourmet meal.

There are a lot more questions and adding up the points you get for these answers tells you whether you could be a carbohydrate addict and whether it is mild, medium or severe.

Not Lack Of Will Power

Maybe you have found the same? People who do not need to diet think that it’s just lack of will power that you can’t stay at a reasonable weight. The comments I got from friends the other day, when I said I was on a diet (again) were on the lines of “Could you not just eat 2 meals a day?” or “When I was working, I just used to have an apple and a pear for lunch.” The carbohydrate addicts diet book says that carbohydrate addicts have a different body metabolism from others. It’s not their fault, it’s the way they were born! Now that makes me feel good.

I Can Have It Tonight

Another Point I liked from the book said that, I could have anything I wanted provided I waited til my “Reward Meal” and ate it within 60 minutes.

Manage Your Insulin

The book is really about finding a way to manage your insulin. Having read it through, I found that it said I could use the diet to manage cravings and that being on it and sticking to what it said would mean that I wouldn’t crave food all the time, even just after I had eaten. I was astounded – didn’t everyone have cravings to eat, even after a big meal, especially for dessert?

Got Started

I got the book on 17th January, read it right through and started on The Carbohydrate Addict’s Diet on Saturday 18th January 2020. I had a few things I needed to alter in my eating.

  1. I was using Golden Linseed to keep me “regular“. This was not mentioned in the book, nor on the list of “allowed” foods for the daily “complementary meals” (CMs). No problem, I just moved my linseed intake to dinner time, when I was allowed my “Reward Meal” (RM) at which I could eat anything I wanted provided it was all taken within 60 minutes of starting (no snacking).
  2. Complementary Meals must be “normal” sized portions, with no carbohydrates. That was not a real problem, I was already eating an omelette for breakfast. I just needed to make it a 2-egg omelette instead of 3 eggs! I also made it a cheese omelette, with 1 ounce of grated hard cheese.
  3. I generally kept hard boiled eggs in the fridge in case I got hungry during the day but no snacking was allowed, so I used those up in an allowed CM at lunchtime over a couple of days. I was worried that I would get really ravenous but no, right from the start, just as it said, the cravings disappeared. Those cravings for bread and butter and thick honey, right before dinner were gone! I was astounded. While I might feel hungry just before my evening meal, I now found that I was not ravenous, nor overwhelmingly desperate for something, anything to eat right before my dinner. I now began to understand why my friends could say “why not just eat 2 meals a day” or “I just have an apple of pear for my lunch”. A carbohydrate addict cannot do that and people whose bodies don’t work that way do not understand the cravings for carbohydrate that mean you just want more and more! They were gone!

Losing Weight

The diet suggested that a loss of between one half and one pound a week was best and that taking your AVERAGE weight over the week was important. I would have loved to lose more but losing anything and keeping it off would be a bonus, so I decided to stick with it. After all, if I had 26 pounds to lose, that would be 26 weeks, which is 6 months. It sounds like a long time but I didn’t have a particular event I was aiming for and I wanted to KEEP weight off. It seemed to me that taking up a diet I could STICK to long term would be of more value than losing weight quickly then putting it straight back on again, which had happened with the other diets, when I stopped them. The diet plan has several variations depending on whether you want to lose weight or stay the same and which variation of the plan you followed the previous week.

February Update

At February 21st, 5 weeks after starting the CAD diet, I have lost 2 Kilograms since I started, that is about 4 and a half pounds.

Not a huge amount but the recommended amount. I have not felt ravenous and I have felt satisfied by my complementary meals. I have really enjoyed my reward meals, yet I wasn’t desperate to eat them. I have been eating what might be considered two meals at one sitting for my reward meal. The first being the same meal as anyone else in the house, including fish fingers and chips, sausages and beans or a roast chicken dinner, though very often I do not eat potatoes or rice. Once that is over, I have eaten a large bowl of green soup, with golden linseed in it, then to follow, a bowl of plain yogurt, which I love, for dessert. By the time I have finished all that, I am extremely full. Sometimes, I have a spoonful of cream cheese or slices of hard cheese if I have any room!

I have not felt ravenous and I  have lost weight. As the reward meal can contain any food I like (provided it is eaten within 60 minutes of starting), I feel I have a balanced diet, as I eat a great many vegetables, good amounts of protein and fat and get plenty of nourishing chicken broth, with yogurt and cheese. I could eat fruit if I wished but vegetables also have plenty of vitamin C.

It Fits With Family Meals

Many other diets require the whole family to go on them or for the dieter to eat separate or weighed out portions. This diet fits right in with whatever anyone else is eating for their main meal. With an omelette for breakfast and an evening meal of anything I want to look forward to every day, I do not feel deprived and the diet is managing my cravings, so I do not feel ravenous.

More Information

If you are interested in trying this diet, then you can get the book on The Carbohydrate Addict’s Diet and there are plenty of recipes available too from a cook book for the diet.

Best Yogurt For Weight Loss


Yogurt Is Made From Milk

Often considered one of the most nutritious foods available, many people eat yogurt for its calcium-based factors, while others may use it as helpful for those who are lactose intolerant. However, did you know that certain yogurts are able to help you lose weight and belly fat as well? According to scientific research, yogurt is able to do more than strengthen bones; it can actually assist with burning fat, maintaining muscle strength, and protecting the metabolism. The only issue is to eat the types of yogurts that will help instead of just taste good. This article will provide information on the best yogurt for weight loss.

Why Should I Eat Only Certain Yogurts?

If evidence has found that yogurt can help with weight loss, then surely any yogurt should be able to assist with burning fat? This is good logic, but it is incorrect as not all types of yogurt are created equal – this is why there are full-fat and low-fat options. Depending on the diet you are following, you may wish to choose a high fat or a low or no-fat option. The full-fat yogurt option is more suited to those following a low carb diet; however, low-fat or non-fat versions may be more suitable for those on low calorie diets but check for sugar! It should be noted that all yogurts are filled with calcium and protein, so they are better breakfast options than sweetened cereals and just as quick to prepare and eat. Flavored yogurt options also tend to have more calories than the plain or unflavored counterparts. The most beneficial option is the Greek-style yogurt because this type is thicker, creamier, and filled with more protein. If you want flavor, try adding fruit to the plain yogurt but not too much or you will be defeating the removal of sugar.

What Are The Types Of Yogurts Available?

Of course, you can make your own yogurt and this may well  be your best option for yogurt that you will like and eat, especially if you suffer from intestinal problems such as IBS, ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s Disease.

If making your own yogurt is not an option, then here are some commercial brands that you may wish to try.

1. Icelandic-Style Strained Non-Fat Yogurt

One of the most advantageous yogurt options to help with weight loss is the Icelandic-style non-fat yogurt, particularly the Siggi brand. This type of yogurt is similar to the Greek varieties increasing the protein content; therefore building up muscle and bone strength. The most popular option is the strained non-fat vanilla style which, contrary to popular belief, does not have any sugar and only 100 calories. The average price of one tub of Siggi’s non-fat yogurt is $1.50. Prices, of course can vary at different outlets and change over time.

2. Fage 2% Greek Yogurt

Not only is the Fage brand Greek yogurt creamier and more enjoyable than the non-fat or low-fat options, but the small amount of milk fat in the product allows the body to absorb any fat-soluble vitamins in the item. The 2% fat Greek yogurt variety presents with only 8 grams of sugar and 150 calories making it a good option for weight loss. Moreover, it is much purer than others offering milk, cream and proteins. The average price of one tub of Fage brand yogurt is $1.60. Prices, of course can vary at different outlets and change over time.

3. Organic Greek Plain Low-Fat Yogurt

Another Greek yogurt variety that is the best yogurt for weight loss is the Wallaby Greek yogurt brand. Not only is this brand the most widely accessible product, but it is a “middle of the road” alternative for individuals who enjoy the idea of extra milk fat in their yogurt while not committing to the calories of a full-fat product. The organic Greek low-fat option from Wallaby presents with 130 calories and only 4 grams of sugar. The average price of one tub of Wallaby brand yogurt is $1.60. Prices, of course can vary at different outlets and change over time.

4. Whole Milk Greek Plain Yogurt

It is well known that all Greek yogurt varieties present with low sugar content and high protein levels, so they are considered the best yogurt for weight loss while strengthening muscles. The Chobani brand whole milk Green yogurt is made with full fat milk, however, this yogurt product has only 130 calories and 4 grams of sugar making it a good option if you want creamy yogurt without sugar. The average cost of a Chobani yogurt tub is $1.40. Prices, of course can vary at different outlets and change over time.

5. Whole Milk Vanilla-Flavored Yogurt

Some individuals cannot bear the taste of plain yogurt and need some taste to it; therefore, there are yogurt varieties that allow sweetness while still helping to reduce your waistline. One of the creamier options is the Dannon brand whole milk yogurt with vanilla flavoring. Containing vitamin D, this product is a sweet yogurt helping bone strengthening and protection. Unfortunately, it has high sugar content with 15 grams of sugar and 140 calories are making it a “now and then” option. The average price of this yogurt is $2.00 per tub. Prices, of course can vary at different outlets and change over time.

6. Live bio culture yogurts

There is some research to say that live yogurts, that is yogurts containing bio cultures of beneficial gut bacteria, can be helpful in weight loss.

Yogurt is a healthy food, provided it does not contain much sugar and can help with weight loss, provided you choose the right kind to eat for the type of diet you use and your lifestyle.

Spiralize, Spiralize

Eat More Vegetables Easily

It’s important to include more vegetables in your diet for proper nutrition. Vegetables are low in fat and have many important vitamins and minerals. They are also high in fiber, which is important in regulating your digestive system and preventing constipation. Another benefit is that many vegetables require a lot of energy to digest, which means you can burn a lot of calories by just eating more vegetables. An easy, yet effective way to improve nutrition in your diet is to incorporate fresh, raw veggies into your daily routine. By eating organic fruits and vegetables, you will be able to quickly and deliciously gain a hearty dose of vitamins, minerals and fiber any time of the day. You can use a spiralizer to quickly produce beautiful, tasty spiral slices of most vegetables. If you have never tried spiralizing, look for spiralizer recipes, including how to spiralize zuccini, for instance.

If your child doesn’t like to eat vegetables or fruits, try to be creative to get them to eat. Mix some sliced peppers or broccoli into spaghetti sauce. You can cut up some fruits and mix them into your child’s cereal. They’re more likely to eat healthy foods if they’re mixed into foods they already like. You can also use vegetables in unconventional ways to maximize the amount your children eat. Using vegetables in dishes that normally do not call for them, such as lasagna or homemade pizza, can make mealtime fun for kids because it adds a dose of variety. Eating vegetables will not be so bad if it is in the foods they love. And spiralizing your veggies, to make them into different shapes can also encourage them to eat up by making veggie spaghetti or vegetable noodles. These are also useful for dieters who miss their piles of steaming spahetti. These can be replaced by steaming spiralised zucchini or veggie noodles.

Raw vegetables are some of the very best foods to include in a healthy nutrition plan. It is not enough to eat vegetables in any form. Cooking vegetables may leach vital nutrients and vitamins out of them. Many recipes for vegetables call for the addition of unhealthy, fattening taste enhancers. It is better by far, to develop a taste for vegetables in their natural, unaltered form and spiralizing them can help encourage more vegetable consumption.

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