Wellness

[aprilskies]

On 5/16/2014 Harpa said:

On 5/16/2014 Scorpios said:

To answer all of the questions so far:

I have not seen too much of a drop in my food bill because my husband is still a full blown carnivore; no kidding he eats only meat and starch. So essentially I cook two different meals and I've always done that. Even if I ate meat I always wanted veggies in it or with it. So I was making 2 different meat loaves, 2 different crab cakes, you get the idea.

As far as using olive oil, I was a die hard olive oil user and swore by it; however, when you watch "Forks over Knives" they address that too. It seems that after ingesting olive oil the blood vessels have trouble relaxing as much as they should. Also, all oils seem to be linked with stimulating cancer to grow. Olive, canola, vegetable, etc. it doesn't seem to matter, it pretty much wipes out the antioxidants you're trying to take in with eating veggies.

The Mediterranian Diet it would seem is somewhat of a misnomer. If you go to the following link, you'll see dietician Jeff Novick's 10 minute talk on just what that diet really means, not what the Food Network made it mean. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfBKauKVi4M

The past two week I've really read and listened to a lot about the vegan diet, mostly from Dr's. McDougall, Esselstyn and Campbell; I've also watched a lot of videos on YouTube from Jeff Novick. It's really an eye opening experience when you see how a lot of the most common ideas about what's healthy get shattered. The olive oil one is a must to see.

Also, thanks for all the kind and inspiring words from all of you. I'll keep you posted as I discover new things. Take care everyone.

Scorpios, thanks for the doctors' names you posted. I am re-educating myself...(the story of my life). At least reading/listening to their perspectives.

It does get rather confusing when you have a group of doctors advocating one thing and another group preaching the total opposite!

But I think after all is said and done, I'll end up going by way of all things in moderation and receiving all with thanksgiving.

I agree. At the end of the day you have to do what works for you. I will not be eliminating oil. I enjoy food and will continue to enjoy things I like. Moderation is key. That, above all, is what I am trying to do. Some days I am successful, sometimes I am not. My parents are big time oil users, they are up there in age and are fine. Some of the opinions are extreme. There is a middle balance and where I see myself sans meat. Food is really one of the things I enjoy and will continue to enjoy it all.

[sidsmom]

On 5/17/2014 pink dogwood said: Bob Harper has a great book out called 'skinny meals' - over 300 hundred in fact under 325 calories.

That's the beauty of the McDougall Program....there's no calorie counting!!! WOOT! The only focus is Calorie Density. Calculating 'calories per pound', just consume any plant-based, unprocessed food that is 800 calories-per-pound or less...and eat to your heart's content!

060-190 Vegetables
140-420 Fruit
320-630 Potatoes, Rice, Barley, Corn, Sweet Potatoes, Oatmeal
310-780 Beans, Peas, Lentils

Here's a link that explains it a little better:

http://www.forksoverknives.com/the-calorie-density-approach-to-nutrition-and-lifelong-weight-managem...

I also have a PDF that outlines this WOE in a bright, colorful way..and gives you ideas for menus, etc. Enjoy!

http://www.lanimuelrath.com/wp-content/uploads/New-Plant-Based-Booklet-1214_tcm28-781815.pdf

[Annamarie]

what do you use for fat, avocado? Nuts

[sidsmom]

On 5/17/2014 annamarie said:

what do you use for fat, avocado? Nuts

If following the McDougall Plan (OP is using that guideline), no added fats. Most every food on Earth has micronutrients of Carbohydrate/Protein/Fat, so even a head of lettuce has a % of fat. Add up all your food for the day, you should look @ roughly 10% of your total calories coming from Fat & 10% from Protein.

"The fat you eat is the fat you wear" is McDougall's motto. Only after your achieve a healthy weight & body fat does one allow a small % of nuts/seeds/avocados, etc. Once you begin eating clean, your system will react differently to these heavier foods like nuts & avocados. You will immediately feel less energetic with the added whole-foods fat...and for those with blood sugar issues, the fat in the diet causes the spikes in readings (the fat prohibits the carbohydrates from being utilized efficiently), so that is why added fats are not allowed. Hope this helps!

[newziesuzie]

My nutritionist says we need some fats in our healthy diet.

[Scorpios]

On 5/18/2014 newziesuzie said:

My nutritionist says we need some fats in our healthy diet.

The premise behind no oil is that if you have weight to lose, then eating fats at this part of your journey is not in your best interest. They are just too calorie dense of foods for those who need to shed unhealthy weight. Once you get to a weight that is healthy then eating unprocessed fats in moderation is allowed. Since oil itself is a processed food, meaning you have to do something to the plant in order to get the oil, avocados and nuts are preferential choices. I guess the expection is anyone with heart disease; according to Dr Esselstyn's studies, he was able to reverse heart disease in some of his patients in the study by eliminating all oil, even that from nuts and avocados. I personally don't have heart disease so there will come a time when I can add back the nuts, seeds and avocados to my routine.

[Annamarie]

Thanks Sidsmom, I don't have any weight to lose but I enjoy reading different peoples plans. Your posts are always interesting Annamarie.

[sidsmom]

On 5/18/2014 annamarie said:

Thanks Sidsmom, I don't have any weight to lose but I enjoy reading different peoples plans. Your posts are always interesting Annamarie.

Ah, thank you, sweetie!! It's just years & years of this WOE...and have I strayed? You bet! At first I was eating this way for weight control...lost weight, got c0cky & somehow gained it back. The lure of the low-carb quick-loss was seductive, but I was miserable w/ digestive & sinus issues from animal products...and my wallet was empty all the time due to the meat/dairy/eggs purchases every week! Potatoes/beans/rice/greens aren't se.xy...it's a "common-man's diet...but so, so cheap & effective! I've always gotten back on track with the WFPBLF lifestyle. Once I began thinking of this WOE for my HEALTH, the emotional issues I had with food slowly disappeared and the weight loss came naturally. My brain was filled with "happy carbs"!!

As for the need for add'l fats? I can remember Susan Powter back in the 90's...she focused on fat loss vs weight loss. During her lectures (in her workout studio here in Dallas), someone would always ask about oils & "good" fats....she would go, "FAT?! Adding fat?! Look @ us! Most of us here are over fat!! 30-40-50% or more of our weight is FAT! Why, on Earth, would I "add-a-little-oil" to my diet when I work my head off trying to get rid of it!! When you're down to a healthy % of body fat, THEN you might add little amounts back, but until then, NO!" ....and she would shake her head w/ that crazy hair!!! Giggle! That's how I found McDougall/Ornish/Barnard/Campbell....she referred to their research all the time. Yes, she was colorful, but she was passionate about this WOE (unprocessed). Unfortunately, the low-fat processed industry will be forever synonymous with her name since she "culturally" pivotal in the low-fat movement.

I think all of us, no matter what side of the dietary fence you're on, can agree that processed food is the bain of our existence. Chemicals will never replace Nature's perfect design!! Food can heal so many ailments....it's so simple!

[Scorpios]

Sidsmom, I remember Susan Powter very well and also remember her stance on fat. Yes, the fat we eat is ultimately the fat we will wear. I for one am going to get rid of my fat before I decide it's ok to start adding it back to my world. Also, I'm with you, eating this way is cheap.

[Josea922]

On 5/17/2014 pink dogwood said:

Bob Harper has a great book out called 'skinny meals' - over 300 hundred in fact under 325 calories. He's not vegan but professes no sweet starches after lunch, tons of veggies, avacoados, more egg whites w/one reg egg. Great easy recipes, easy plan to follow for better eating, losing weight, feeling better. Hubby & I are loving the recipes. Bought this book on amazon, saw him awhile back on the Today show, decided to try it. His book sits on our kitchen counter and refer to it daily. Not too many changes to make either at least for us.

I bought this cookbook recently but haven't tried any of the recipes yet. Apparently Bob Harper had high cholesterol (even with his healthy lifestyle) so he started eating a vegan diet. I saw an interview recently where he said that he was losing too much weight and getting too soft so he started to incorporate some animal protein back into his diet. I'm wondering if this new cookbook is a reflection of his current diet.