Carbohydrate intake?

At our last meeting I was talking about my carb intake and how I have already seen some great progress. Here are some thoughts on that. Primal Blueprint is where I got this information. The link is also included. Let me know your thoughts.

300 or more grams/day - Danger Zone!

Easy to reach with the “normal” American diet (cereals, pasta, rice, bread, waffles, pancakes, muffins, soft drinks, packaged snacks, sweets, desserts). High risk of excess fat storage, inflammation, increased disease markers including Metabolic Syndrome or diabetes. Sharp reduction of grains and other processed carbs is critical unless you are on the “chronic cardio” treadmill (which has its own major drawbacks).

150-300 grams/day – Steady, Insidious Weight Gain

Continued higher insulin-stimulating effect prevents efficient fat burning and contributes to widespread chronic disease conditions. This range – irresponsibly recommended by the USDA and other diet authorities – can lead to the statistical US average gain of 1.5 pounds of fat per year for forty years.

100-150 grams/day – Primal Blueprint Maintenance Range

This range based on body weight and activity level. When combined with Primal exercises, allows for genetically optimal fat burning and muscle development. Range derived from Grok’s (ancestors’) example of enjoying abundant vegetables and fruits and avoiding grains and sugars.

50-100 grams/day – Primal Sweet Spot for Effortless Weight Loss

Minimizes insulin production and ramps up fat metabolism. By meeting average daily protein requirements (.7 – 1 gram per pound of lean bodyweight formula), eating nutritious vegetables and fruits (easy to stay in 50-100 gram range, even with generous servings), and staying satisfied with delicious high fat foods (meat, fish, eggs, nuts, seeds), you can lose one to two pounds of body fat per week and then keep it off forever by eating in the maintenance range.

0-50 grams/day – Ketosis and Accelerated Fat Burning

Acceptable for a day or two of Intermittent Fasting towards aggressive weight loss efforts, provided adequate protein, fat and supplements are consumed otherwise. May be ideal for many diabetics. Not necessarily recommended as a long-term practice for otherwise healthy people due to resultant deprivation of high nutrient value vegetables and fruits.

I am going to do my best to be in the 50-100 gram range for the next three weeks.

Please visit this link, great information.....


http://www.marksdailyapple.com/the-primal-carbohydrate-continuum/

What Foods Should I Avoid?

Excessive consumption of high-glycemic carbohydrates is the primary culprit in nutritionally caused health problems. High glycemic carbohydrates are those that raise blood sugar too rapidly. They include rice, bread, candy, potato, sweets, sodas, and most processed carbohydrates. Processing can include bleaching, baking, grinding, and refining. Processing of carbohydrates greatly increases their glycemic index, a measure of their propensity to elevate blood sugar.

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What should I eat?

In plain language, base your diet on garden vegetables, especially greens, lean meats, nuts and seeds, little starch, and no sugar. That's about as simple as we can get. Many have observed that keeping your grocery cart to the perimeter of the grocery store while avoiding the aisles is a great way to protect your health. Food is perishable. The stuff with long shelf life is all suspect. If you follow these simple guidelines you will benefit from nearly all that can be achieved through nutrition.

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New from WEight Watchers - Prepackage Cheeses

New from Weight Watchers ~ Prepackage Cheeses 

Available in (8) eight varieties, all of the cheeses provide a delicious, convenient option to higher calorie, regular cheese. The best part is these great tasting products all have a POINTS value of either 1 or 2 per serving.

Visit WeightWatchers.com/cheese for more information.

Three Ways with Tomatoes

Vertical Salad - Slice an assortment of tomatoes (red, yellow, heirloom) and layer them in a stack. Place some arugula leave on the plate and drizzle with extra virgin oil. Sprinkle with fresh herbs (basil, thyme, or dill are good choices), salt and pepper.

Roasted Grape Tomatoes - Toss a pint of grape tomatoes with one Tbsp oil and a sprinkle of salad and pepper. Transfer to a baking pan and roast in a 425 degree oven for 7-10 minutes or until skins start to split. Sprinkle with chopped basil or mint.

Fresh Salsa - Combine 5 plum tomatoes (about on pound) chopped, 1/2 cup each chopped fennel and red onion, 1 packed Tbsp each chopped basil and cilantro, 1 Tbsp seeded and chopped jalapeno, 1 Tbsp each olive oil and orange juice, and 1/2 tsp orange zest in a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper.