Recenlty I read this book "Why we get fat" and learned that the primary source of obesity and overweight is the hormone insulin, which when eleveated causes fat cells to direct new fat from the bloodstream into them. And when insulin is low, fat cells are triggered to release their fat for fuel. Turns out the primary culprit of insulin levels being raised (other than genetic factors) is carbohydrates, or sugars, which raise your blood sugar levels. When blood sugar is elevated, your body produces insulin.
Our western diets are so based on these "cheap calories" (carbs) that many of us have built up an insulin tolerance, with chronically elevated insulin levels. This is why we have such a hard time loosing weight.
So I'm taking to cutting carbs (starches and sugars) out of my diet. Here's a list of my foods to eat, not to eat:
- Anything with sugar
- Pasta, grains, breads
- Starchy foods like potatoes, beans, corn, peas
- Fructose and Granulated Sugar
- Drink Powders, Hard Candies, and Gummies
- Cereals
- Dried Fruits
- Low fat Crackers, Rice Cakes, and Potato Chips
- Flour, Cakes, and Cookies
- Jams And Preserves
- Potatoes (Hash Browns and French Fries)
- Sweet Pickles, Sauces, and Salad Dressings
- Pizzas
- See this chart
- Meats
- Eggs
- Cheese
- Vegetables (non-starchy)
- fruit
- nuts?
- walnuts, macadamia, almonds & pecans are relatively low carb nuts
- cashews, pistachios are relatively high carb nuts