November 23rd, 2008 — Book Review
This book is considered to be one of the most controversial diet books on the market and it certainly raises a lot of interesting issues that are normally avoided in the diet industry. Although a lot of people believe that metabolism and genetic predisposition can lead to weight problems, the author of this book believes that eating the wrong foods for your blood type may be the root of a weight problem. This is an interesting concept and unfortunately, there is not a lot of evidence around to support these claims.
The author does state that research was performed to come up with this plan, but facts are never cited and this research is never shared. This raises some major red flags right from the start. It's one thing to say that a diet can do something, but if it can't be proven, it's just irresponsible to make these kind of claims. While there are thousands that swear by this diet, there is a general lack of clinical proof in place to back up the author's claims and that is quite frankly, not good.
The book does not focus on lifestyle changes or the quest to get not only fit but also healthy. Instead, it claims that your blood type determines what kind of foods you can eat. For example, those with a type A blood type will need to avoid meat, dairy, tomatoes and peppers from their diet. This is no easy task and will take a huge level of long term commitment to keep weight off. The other blood types have similar restrictions, but they do vary a bit. For example, O Types are allowed to eat meat, but no carbs or dairy. The diets are just so extreme that they make even Atkins look easy.
The only real good thing that we can say is that the book makes it pretty clear what you can and cannot eat. Some people may find this refreshing since it really removes any question about grey areas. However, it is just not healthy to completely remove whole food groups from your diet. For example, if you completely stop eating both meat and cheese, you're going to be missing a significant amount of protein from your diet. Your body needs protein to function properly and without it, you can have some serious health problems.
In order to lose weight the healthy way, it's best to find the right balance of carbs, protein and fats. All are essential and should never be completely eliminated from a diet. When you do that, you end up feeling deprived and the cravings can be very intense since your body is trying to tell you that it is drastically low on protein or carbs.
We simply cannot recommend this book due to the fact that there is no research available to back up the author's claims. The suggestions are not healthy and adherents could be physically harming themselves by following this diet.
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November 22nd, 2008 — blood sugar, carbohydrates, fats, healthy eating, metabolism, proteins
When it comes to losing weight, your metabolism is a very important component as to how quickly you will see results and how long they will last. Years of yo-yo diets and bad eating habits can have a negative impact on your metabolism. Simple genetics can also determine the state of your metabolism and it can be frustrating to try fix this type of problem. However, there are foods out there that can assist your metabolism and help you get on the path towards losing weight more efficiently. Let's take a look at just a few of them.
Apples -
This is a little wonder fruit that does more than just keep the doctor away. By eating an apple you are helping your body regulate its own blood sugar. When you have the right balance of blood sugar, your metabolism is freed up to start burning calories, instead of being forced to horde them.
Oatmeal -
This food not only speeds up your metabolism but it can also reduce cholesterol and lower your blood pressure naturally. Try to have at least one serving of oatmeal a day. Cookies don't count!
Lean Meats -
Your body needs the right balance of protein, carbs and fats to keep working correctly. Lean meats actually help your body balance itself and its metabolism. Again, when you're not fighting blood sugar levels that are all over the charts, your metabolism has a chance to work.
Vegetables -
Non-starchy vegetables are the perfect food for your metabolism. They're filling and balanced and help keep everything in good working order. Stay away from corn and potatoes, focusing instead on green, leafy vegetables.
Skim Milk -
Dairy should usually be avoided, but skim milk in small quantities can actually help speed up your weight loss. Dairy products help balance your blood sugar levels, when used in moderation. Skim milk cheeses can also be eaten in small amounts for this same purpose.
Whole Grains -
While many people try to eliminate all carbs from their diet, but if you must have your bread... Pick good whole grains in small amounts to find that right balance for your body. Rye bread is actually very effective at speeding up the metabolism since it once again helps balance your blood sugar.
There is a recurrent theme with all of these foods. Each one helps your body regulate blood sugar levels. This is the key to speeding up your metabolism properly. When you have the right balance, you can look at your metabolism as a smoothly functioning machine. When you put the wrong kind of fuel into the machine, it cannot function properly.
The best way to determine which balance of proteins, carbs and fats are right for you is to speak with your doctor. The standard recommendation is the 30/40/30 rule, but not everyone is the same. Speak with your doctor or a nutritionist to help find your correct balance. With Jumpstart medicine I have 14 protein, 6 carb, and 1 dairy (and it is suggested to get 2 additional dairies via a protein exchange such as non fat cottage cheese or non fat cheese.)
I highly recommed Jumpstart. I have a special offer for anyone in wanting to try Jumpstart in Redwood City or Mountain View: $25 off your first visit (just print it and bring it to your appointment).
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November 19th, 2008 — Meals, exercise, healthy eating, motivation, tools
Today marks day 6 in my medically assisted weightloss journey. Sunday evening I had my first craving and I made it through...
We were having dinner at my wife's parents house... It was a bit of an event... Needless to say I was expecting temptation...
Here is how I prepared... (Water, Water, Water)
Pre-exercise snack... 5 almonds and 1 serving skim milk mozzarella.
Morning Exercise: I went to the gym and did 30 minutes of cardio (20 fast uphill walking and 10 stationary bike.) I then lifted weights...
Breakfast: 2 serving of egg substitute (1/2 cup), 2 servings fat free american cheese (2 slices), 1 serving of non fat cottage cheese (1/4 cup). About 20 minutes after breakfast I had 3 large asparagus which is 2 carbs.
Lunch: 2 servings slices turkey pastrami (3 slices). 1 serving skim milk mozzarella.
Then right before leaving to go to my in-laws I had 5 almonds.
So far my daily count is 9 protein and 2 carbs... (I get to exchange nonfat cottage cheese and cheese for protein plus 10 almonds.) My doctor mentioned I could have a 5 almond snack, but it is not in my book so I will have to ask how it counts...
I brought a nonfat no sugar dressing to dinner...
Dinner:
The hors dourves... There was an unleavened pizza that looks really good, but I opted for broccoli dipped in the salad dressing I brought. I estimate I had 1 serving of broccoli.
The actual dinner was the hard part, but it was easy enough... I had just the broth of the mathza ball soup and chicken with the skin pulled off. I had a leg and thigh and ate a little more than 1/2. I also had asparagus and zucchini (both were done to perfection on the grill.)
I estimate my total count for the day being 13 protein and 5 carbs.
So what was the temptation... The unleavened pizza, the excellent wine that was served, and the matzah ball soup... Desert was not a temptation as I was full after the meal.
If you are facing a known event were temptation will be present... I encourage you to follow my example...
- WATER
- Exercise early in the day
- Eat well but within you diet before the meal leading up to the event
- Eat 5 almonds 1/2 hour prior to the temptation
- Bring you own salad dressing because you can have all the salad you can eat
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November 13th, 2008 — Weight Loss Journal, drink, food, healthy eating
Sometimes it is too easy to make excuses about eating the right foods. Whether it’s simply inconvenient, we feel that eating healthy deprives us, or the lure of unhealthy food is too strong, we end up putting off eating right until it may be too late. Here are five easy ways that you can start eating better, right now – today even, before you get into more unhealthy territory.
1. Start with dessert.
Sometimes, there is nothing quite like a dessert, especially after a good dinner. However, that simple little piece of cake may pack more than half of your day’s calorie allotment. This is the perfect opportunity to start sneaking some healthy food choices into your diet, and chances are, you’ll end up liking them just as much. Instead of having that piece of cake, try a piece of fruit. If that is too much, consider adding frozen yogurt instead. Making small changes like this during one meal will help you make bigger changes all day long.
2. Replace your snacks with something better.
Afternoon snacks are sometimes necessary to get us through a long day, but that doesn’t mean that you have to automatically reach for a candy bar. In fact, what your body really needs is a quick dose of protein. It will hold you longer and give you more energy than simple carbs. Instead of something sweet, go with a small serving of low fat cottage cheese, or a stick of low fat string cheese. Other great snacks include a small handful of peanuts, or almonds that contain healthy fats.
3. Throw out that soda.
Many of us have a nasty soda habit that can be hard to break. Start by replacing one soda a day with some sparkling flavored water. You’ll still get that carbonation, and the flavor will make the water a little more palatable. Once you’ve cut back on one soda, gradually increase your replacements until you’re no longer drinking any. It will be easier on your body to gradually wean yourself off of the caffeine. Soda is full of empty calories, and you should notice a big difference, even by cutting only one out of your daily diet.
4. Switch up your carbs.
Instead of reaching for a loaf of white bread in the store, go for a whole grain loaf. These carbs are a little better for you and will help you feel more satisfied. It can take a little getting used to, but after a week or two you may find that you actually prefer whole grain bread to white bread.
5. Skip the dressing.
If you eat a lot of salads, but can’t seem to lose any weight, the culprit may be your dressing. Replace any high fat dressings with either low fat vinaigrettes or switch to a lower fat version of your current dressing. Instead of putting it on your salad, place it on the side and dip your lettuce in. You’ll be surprised at how much you have left over.
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October 24th, 2008 — Book Review
Anytime it takes five people to write one book, you’ve got to wonder whether the subject matter is really difficult, or if there was a shortage of available projects on the market. The New Glucose Revolution tackles a pretty complex subject, but we failed to see how five people were really necessary to write one little book. However, despite this fact, we did find it an interesting read.
The main concept of the book is that by paying attention to the glycemic index for foods, you can make better food choices and lose weight more rapidly. The book breaks down foods into three main groups, Low, Medium and High GI to assist the reader in determining which foods are safe to eat. The authors maintain that if your diet contains foods that are too high in the GI index, it will be more difficult to lose weight.
Many people, such as diabetics, already live on a low GI diet, but that doesn’t mean that they are skinny. While there are tremendous benefits available to paying attention to just how much sugar is in the food that you eat, it certainly is not the cure-all pill. That said, this book does give an exhaustive account of how monitoring your GI intake can help you lose weight.
Perhaps the best resource are the 67 pages that are devoted to listing popular foods and revealing their GI amounts. This is very helpful for those looking to ingest less sugar and try to watch how many carbs they are actually eating. The recipes and food preparation tips are also very helpful and overall, we found the book to be a solid treatise on the subject that provides more than enough resources to stick with a low GI diet without risking boredom. You may not agree with everything in the book, but it is still a good read.
If you are interested in learning more about how sugar impacts weight loss, and how using the GI scale can help you lose weight, this is certainly an interesting read. While many of the concepts are pretty tough, the authors did a good job of breaking everything down and making it easier to understand. The inclusion of recipes was a nice touch, and overall it was a good read.
We recommend the book on the basis that there is a lot to be learned here and this is one of the few resources that makes decoding the GI scale a lot easier. There are a few problems with it, such as not focusing enough on exercise, but overall, this was a decent book and there is a lot to be learned. If you are looking for a great weight loss solution and have frequently come up empty, this may not be a bad book to add to your collection. Just remember that there is no replacement for exercise and any diet can be enhanced by adding more activity to your life.
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August 9th, 2008 — Weight Loss Journal, review
Recently, I had the pleasure of being contacted by a representative of Dr. Michael Snyder. Dr. Snyder is a Bariatric surgeon. He wanted me to try something for free... No it was not a complementary Bariatric surgery. 
It turns out that Dr. Snyder had invented a product called the FullBar. The idea behind the Fullbar is to provide a healthy and delicious bar when eaten with a glass of water fills your stomach and provides the felling of of being full. Clever name right?
So, the complimentary bars arrived Thursday. There were 3 flavors in my package: Cocoa Crisp, Penut Butter Crunch, and Carmel Apple Crisp. I can attest they all taste great and are made with great ingredients like Agave Nectar and Brown Rice Syrup. From a hunger control stand point they work too... I ate mine with lunch and had a hard time eating anything for lunch or dinner.
My concern was the calories, carbs, and the protein to carb ratio. At 170 calories the bar is 14% of my daily allowance. The bar contains 31g of carbohydrates and only 4 g of dietary fiber; therefore, a countable carbohydrate count of 27g. That is 3 of my 6 carbohydrates for the day. The bar contains 5g of protein, which give the bar a 5:1 carbohydrate to protein ratio. The ratio was the issue my weight loss doctor had with the bars. In order to balance the ratio I ate the bars with 2 servings of roasted edamame.
Intellectually, the glycemic index of the carbs should be taken into account, but at this time such information is not available and has not been incorporated into the nutritional labels of products in the United States. For example, refined sugar is not the same as Agave Nectar yet the grams of carbohydrates count the same in my diet.
Up until my own doctor pointed out the high amount and ratio of carbs I was very high on this product. Unfortunately, this product doesn't fit into my medically assisted diet. That doesn't change the fact, I think this product could help a lot of people.
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June 18th, 2008 — blood sugar, caffeine, carbohydrates, fats, metabolism, proteins
If you want to jump start your weight loss efforts, you're going to need to focus on your metabolism. For most of us, our metabolisms have either been slowed by yo-yo dieting or even genetics and it can be hard to get them back again. However, it is not impossible to kick start your metabolism once again. You just need to make sure you are using the right techniques.
Many people fall on the theory that caffeine is the easiest method you can use to increase your metabolism. While this is true in the short term, the drawbacks are numerous and it's not good for your body or your heart to take too much caffeine. You can actually end up with caffeine intoxication if you have more than 500mg of caffeine in a day. That's the equivalent of two large cups of coffee from Starbucks to put that into perspective.
Instead of relying on external ways to increase your metabolism, it's time to look inward. First, let's talk about blood sugar. If your blood sugar is out of whack, your metabolism is too. Your body is spending too much time processing the wrong kind of foods and your metabolism suffers for it. If you're constantly throwing your body through feast and famine when it comes to sugar, chances are your levels are far out of whack.
To fix this, you need to make sure that you are getting the right balance of proteins, carbs and fats. This gives your body the chance to actually start burning fat instead of working on handling all the sugar that you've thrown at it. Keep in mind however, that you do need some sugar in your diet to keep functioning properly.
Next, you're going to want to build lean muscle mass. It simply is more effective at raising your metabolism than anything else. You can start doing this by adding in some mild weight lifting into your exercise routine. Even women can benefit from lifting small amounts. As you build muscle mass, don't panic if the numbers on the scale go up a bit. This is perfectly normal since muscle weighs more than fat. It is only temporary and if you keep burning fat, those numbers will come back down.
You can look at it as though you are restructuring your body. You are removing fat, which slows down your metabolism, which lean muscle mass that will raise it. Over the long term, you're retraining your metabolism and getting it to speed up.
By learning how to manage your blood sugar properly and by building more lean muscle mass, you have the perfect recipe for increasing your metabolism. It won't happen overnight, but if you stick with it, you'll be able to burn fat quickly and more efficiently. Don't rely on supplements that make crazy promises and endanger your health. They may work in the short term, but unless you address the issues that caused the slowdown of your metabolism in the first place, you're not fixing the problem.
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June 17th, 2008 — carbohydrates, diet, healthy eating, wellness
When it comes to dieting over the past 100 years, there have been so many new techniques and advice books that they could literally fill a library all on their own. With these new techniques have come a lot of myths that have been ingrained in our consciousness. We may not even know where we picked up a factoid, but we're certain that it is true. There are numerous diet myths out there that are not only false, but also harmful. Let's take a look at the most common ones.
1. Carbs are evil.
While in large quantities carbs can be very bad for you, each and every one of us does need carbs in a balanced diet. The key is finding the right kind of carbs. Yes, you should stay away from refined flour, white rice and other high-starch foods. However, adding whole grains, oats and other smart carbs can actually help you lose weight. You'll still be able to lose weight without feeling so deprived.
2. You can target zones of fat on your body.
While it would be great if this were true, it simply is not. There is no magic belly fat buster. We all have our problem areas and it would be terrific if we could target them, but it's just not true. If you want to lose weight in your stomach, you're going to have to eat less, exercise more and wait for the results. You'll lose fat all over, not just in your stomach.
3. It's a good thing to trick your body into dangerous medical states.
One of the most common diets involves cutting out carbs so that your body thinks it is in a state of ketosis. While it sounds like it could work, this is actually quite dangerous in some cases and may even cause organ damage. There are medical conditions that can cause a fatal form of Ketosis. Do you want to mimic one of these dangerous conditions? It's just not smart without doctor supervision. As we mentioned earlier, we all need carbs, we just need to eat the ones that are "smart."
4. Starvation or fasting is an effective weight loss tool.
This is patently false. Although you'll see quick results, you are doing irreparable harm to your body's metabolism. When you go into starvation mode, you're telling your body that it needs to store more calories, not less. Once you're done with your fast and you go back to eating normally, that weight you lost is going to pile right back and then some. That's right, you'll be gaining more weight since your body is now thoroughly confused.
5. You can lose tons of weight without exercise.
While this would be great, the only way to consistently lose weight without exercising is by starvation or deprivation. Yes, reducing calories will make you lose weight, but you're going to eventually plateau. A healthy diet includes the right amount of exercise to keep building lean muscle mass, the key to continuing your journey to burn fat.
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June 3rd, 2008 — fad diets, goals, healthy eating, hydration
We all know that fad diets are a bad idea and rarely work, but it is so easy to get swept away by their claims that many forget this. Who doesn't want to lose ten pounds in a few days? The problem is, these diets not only are not effective over the long term, but they can actually end up harming your body. It's no good being thin if you've wrecked your health in the process. Instead of picking on individual name diets, we're going to cover the techniques that need to be avoided for weight loss. New and very similar diets pop up all the time, so it's best to focus on their methods.
1. Lose ten pounds in a weekend with special drinks.
This is an incredibly popular diet that many people swear by. Yes, it works, and most see a weight loss of around 5 to 8 pounds. However, the reason that it works is that it sucks all of the water out of your system and basically acts like an incredibly powerful laxative. This diet is one that should be avoided simply because its side effects are so dangerous. Thousands of people have managed to become severely dehydrated as a result of these diets. In addition, since it's only water weight that you're losing, those pounds are going to creep right back on the minute you start eating normally again.
2. Starvation diets.
Although these diets produce almost instant results, they are incredibly damaging to your metabolism and your brain. When your body goes into starvation mode your metabolism actually slows down - it does not speed up. This means that once you return to eating normally, you're going to gain even more weight than before. Your body needs food, plain and simple. Your brain cannot function properly without the right kind of fuel. Starving yourself is the worst way to lose weight.
3. Diets that focus on one type of food.
Soup, cabbage, you name it, eating one food only is not a smart idea. Your body is built with an internal balancing system that requires the right percentage of fats, proteins and carbs. By depriving yourself of this balance, your body will eventually rebel and demand, usually through insanely strong cravings, the food that it needs. Again, you may see quick results initially, but they won't last long.
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May 27th, 2008 — Meals, healthy eating
We all know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but sometimes the siren call of the snooze alarm is too hard to ignore. We wake up, way behind schedule and there's simply no time to eat a healthy breakfast. Over time, this can lead to bad habits that can derail your healthy lifestyle. It's just easier to grab a donut than it is to sit down and eat a healthy bowl of cereal. However, you don't have to deny yourself a healthy breakfast, even if you are in a rush. Here are some tips to make sure that you don't avoid eating breakfast.
1. Time yourself -
The next Saturday morning you have free, keep track of the amount of time that it takes you to eat a healthy breakfast. Chances are, it's not as long as you think. It shouldn't take the average person more than 2 to 3 minutes to eat a quick bowl of well balanced cereal. You can easily fit that into your morning routine, even if you are running behind schedule. Ask yourself which is more important - being 2 to 3 minutes late, or gaining 2 to 3 pounds after you gorge yourself at lunch all week?
2. Make prep time a breeze -
We can't sit down to a three course breakfast every day and sometimes even pouring the milk takes too long. Set yourself up so that you don't have to spend so much time preparing your morning meal. For example, put out a bowl of your favorite cereal and a spoon the night before. All you'll have to do is splash a little milk in it. If you're worried about mice, stick the bowl in the fridge. You can preload your toast in the toaster, or simply just get your breakfast tools all lined up to make it easier.
3. Find healthy alternatives -
There are times when you simply do not have time to eat a good breakfast. Look for a healthy breakfast bar that contains a good balance of proteins, fats and carbs and grab one on your way out the door. It's fine to do this when you're pressed for time, but try not to make a habit out of it. If breakfast bars aren't your thing, look for small items, like yogurt, that are easy to carry and eat while you're on your way.
4. Make time for break time -
If you normally get a coffee break around 10 or 11, you can use this for breakfast time if all else fails. Try to bring a brown bag breakfast with you to avoid falling into the temptation of eating out. You can still get the benefits of a healthy breakfast this way, even if it is a little late.
Studies have shown that people who eat breakfast regularly are thinner and have a much easier time avoiding weight gain. Take that step towards healthy eating and try to make time every day for your breakfast.
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