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Jackie07
01-13-2011, 11:06 PM
http://lowcarbdiets.about.com/b/2011/01/08/readers-digest-features-low-carb-article-with-gary-taubes.htm

The article in the February, 2011 issue of Reader's Digest details why most diets don't work. Be surprised at why they don't work and read what Gary Taubes recommends.

The first sentence of the article: "If obesity researchers are so smart, why are we so large?"

On page 115, it listed '5 Ways to get started':

1. Don't try to limit fat [because] "Eating high-fat foods keeps you from feeling deprived."
2. Say goodbye to pasta, bread, and rice. To lose weight, most people have to stay
under 20 grams of 'net' carbs per day.
3. Be picky about vegetables. Starchy (carb-heavy) vegetables
- most of the ones that grow underground, as well as corn - are off-limits.
4. Say no to hidden sugars. Fruit...is packed with sugar, aka carbohydrates. So are fruit juices...
5. Eat as much as you want. When it comes to protein and fat. "You don't have to use portion control...Your hunger will go down aotumatically when you start eating this way - all you have to do is stop eating when you're full."

My Mother had lost 20+ lbs from 65 to 75 with a vegetarian diet combined with eggs and milk (vege + protein + no portion control). She's 87-year-old right now and a 12-year Non-Hodgekins Lymphoma survivor. She has been back to a regular diet since her NHL diagnosis.

TanyaRD
01-16-2011, 06:29 AM
Thanks for posting, Jackie. I see low-carb has reared its head again... =) While, a low carb diet may work (in the short term-very difficult to maintain 20g carb/day longterm) for some people it is not a good choice for breast cancer survivors. The statements " Don't try to limit fat [because] "Eating high-fat foods keeps you from feeling deprived." "Eat as much as you want. When it comes to protein and fat. "You don't have to use portion control...Your hunger will go down aotumatically when you start eating this way - all you have to do is stop eating when you're full." are borderline irresponsible on the author's part (in my opinion). For breast cancer survivors we know that fat is a risk factor for recurrence risk. Saturated fat is the most dangerous. Portion control is important and most of us eat for reasons other than hunger, unfortunately. I agree with eliminating simple/hidden sugar and fruit juices. I don't agree with eliminating fruit. Benefits of fruit and vegetables are well known. I don't believe anything underground should be avoided. Sweet potatoes and root vegetables (carrots, turnips, etc) are excellent sources of phytochemicals and antioxidants not to mention fiber.

bjtravis
01-16-2011, 06:58 AM
Really good to see a registered dietician here. Thanks for giving the professional tips. Yes, this is the Atkins Diet.

So how can we use the Readers Digest Eat This, Lose Weight? Are the recommendations strickly about using low carb and nothing else? I've thought about buying the book but not if it follows The Atkins Diet. I already know that one.

Jackie07
01-16-2011, 08:06 AM
Thanks, Tanya and BJ.

I thought about the phytochemicals when I read the article and the online comments. Both of my parents are big vege eaters. One of our favorite dish is called 'Mixed vegetable combo' that has mushrooms, tree-ears (crispy 'fungi'), soy bean sprouts, celery, dried tofu noodles, some rice noodles, a little bit green onions, some bamboo shoots, and some red pepper plus some garlic.

My Dad (95 going 96 this summer)used to make very good 'Tofu meatball (Tofu+very tiny pork+minced ginger and tiny green onion) and Chinese cabbage soup'. Seems we always have some kind of vegetable soup on the dinner table. Many dishes are just fresh greens stir-fried with garlic.

Another thing came to mind - seems I've learned in my junior high health class that eating protein will stimulate our appetite. That is probably why there are always cold cut meat as appetizers at the beginning of a Chinese (wedding) banquet. Looks like it will be a torture for people to follow a high protein diet...

TanyaRD
01-17-2011, 06:58 AM
BJ-Based on the information posted above I would recommend changing your focus to another book/resource. If you are looking for a good cookbook with great recipes I suggest trying the AICR cookbook or even the American Cancer Society cookbooks. There are so many great resources out there that I don't think anyone needs to purchase something that will have to be sifted through for pieces of useful info.

Jackie-sounds delicious and right on track!

sdstarfish
01-17-2011, 02:10 PM
Another cool thing about sweet potatoes - they actually help to lower blood sugar levels.
Lisa
www.pinkkitchen.info