I like Dr Kurt Harris' no-nonsense approach to nutrition. He suggests to avoid justifying our choices based on pseuodo-science assumptions as to what early humans must have eaten, since it's so clear what they Didn't Eat. When I compare these ideas to typical instructions on how to lose weight, I have to admit I am totally confused. I look at one book that says low-fat milk over a small serving of Special K is a perfect breakfast. Other folks say bacon and eggs is the way to go.
Because of my own blood chemistry and my own reactions to pancakes, maple syrup, orange juice, etc., I want to give this plan a serious try. The science behind avoiding diabetes seems to be to be quite sound. Most diet books lack any scientific reasoning.
My own experience matters a lot. When I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes, the hospital nutritionist recommended bagels for breakfast since I was having trouble keeping food down. I stayed off insulin by eating ham and grapefruit, and no grains (pasta, rice, etc.). I was lucky to have an OBGYN who had recommended The Zone diet to me. When I started following the diet, I saw my face change. I lost that puffy look - I looked healthier and the hollows of my cheeks reappeared. Dr Harris posted an anecdote about recovery from diabetes. Here are his suggestions for getting started.
1 Eliminate sugar (including fruit juices and sports drinks) and all flour
2 Start eating proper fats - Use healthy animal fats to substitute fat calories for carb calories. Drink whole cream or half and half instead of milk.
3 Eliminate grains
4 Eliminate grain and seed derived oils (cooking oils) Cook with butter, animal fats, or coconut oil.
5 Get daily midday sun or take 4-8000 iu vit D daily
6 Intermittent fasting and infrequent meals (2 meals a day is best)
7 Fruit is just a candy bar from a tree. Stick with berries and avoid watermelon which is pure fructose. Eat in moderation.
8 Eliminate legumes
9 Adjust your 6s and 3s. Pastured (grass fed) dairy and grass fed beef or bison avoids excess O-6 fatty acids and are better than supplementing with 0-3 supplements.
10 Proper exercise - emphasizing resistance and interval training over long aerobic sessions
11 Eliminate milk (if you are sensitive to it, move this up the list)
12 Eliminate other dairy including cheese- (now you are "orthodox paleolithic")
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I strongly believe that becoming the paleolithic monster includes not just of the Paleo Nutrition, but also behaving the way.
ReplyDeleteHunting, running after animals and eating occasionaly, according to the quarry amount, deviding it to all family members is the essential part of the weight loss. There is a plus to it - being on a non-food one day diet is an excellent detox.
Craving for food and being hungry wake your life-prolonging genes up. After seeing how strong your stamina is, you may wake up leaner, faster and more tenacious.