Category Archives: Diet And Food

John Douillard has been on the leading edge of dynamic optimal health for decades. And I have personally benefited from it. Now he questions our obsession with gluten-free, dairy-free eating by asking the question, 'Why, after centuries of eating these foods with no problems are so many people so adversely affected by them?' His answer to that question is scientifically accurate and thought-provoking. Its because our digestion is suboptimal to begin with. And our detoxification systems are overloaded for many other reasons. Dr. Douillard has helped thousands of people cure their food intolerances by treating the cause at its root not just the symptom. And whether or not you ever decide to consume gluten or dairy again, what youll learn in this book is crucial to your health. -Christiane Northrup, M.D., ob/gyn physician and author of the New York Times bestsellers: Goddesses Never Age: The Secret Prescription for Radiance, Vitality, and Wellbeing, Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom, and The Wisdom of Menopause

Amidst Americas current gluten- and dairy-free craze, the title Eat Wheat may seem somewhat shocking. However, Dr. John Douillard has been a highly respected healthcare innovator for many years, and this new book may be his greatest contribution yet. His compelling evidence-based approach for safely eating wheat and dairy, will greatly ease the concerns of a rapidly growing segment of our population committed to eating healthy. For those of us who enjoy eating a well-rounded diet and believe in 'everything in moderation,' this book is a must-read. -Dr. Rav Ivker, DO, ABIHM, Cofounder and Past-President, American Board of Integrative Holistic Medicine, Past-President, American Holistic Medical Association, and best-selling author of Sinus Survival

Eat Wheat is clearly the most brilliant and groundbreaking dietary book in recent years that everyone should carefully read both the lay person and the medical professional. Dr. John Douillard explodes the myths behind gluten intolerance and reveals the real culprit in our own weakened digestive systems. He exposes similar issues behind the wholesale rejection of dairy products, which like wheat, have enormous nutritional value and usage going back thousands of years. He reveals the faulty science and commercial propaganda that have turned millions of people against some of the most valuable foods in human history. Dr. Douillard highlights the wisdom of Ayurvedic medicine and its profound insight into the role of Agni or the digestive fire, which modern medicine has not yet properly understood. He carefully explains how, by improving our digestive fire, we can increase both our food choices and promote our own positive health and vitality.-Dr. David Frawley, author Yoga and Ayurveda, and Ayurvedic Healing

What?? Could it really be true that you can eat bread again? Dr. John Douillarda leading expert in Ayurveda, a 5,000-year-old system of holistic medicine, and one of the most brilliant physicians Ive ever metsays Yes! Just like the great cholesterol myth, Dr. Douillard says gluten has been wrongly targeted as the source of your digestive problems. Instead, he contends that weak digestion is the true issue. Eat Wheat lays out the compelling scientific evidence that supports this seemingly radical idea and shows you how the wisdom of Ayurveda can help you to not only feel better than you ever have, but also how to strengthen your digestion so much that youll be able to enjoy your forbidden favorite food again: a mouthwatering, fresh-out-of-the-oven, steaming hot slice of bread coated with melting butter.-Christine Horner, M.D., board-certified surgeon, natural health expert and best-selling author of Waking the Warrior Goddess and Radiant Health, Ageless Beauty

Combining insights from modern scientific research and the brilliant, ancient system of Ayurvedic medicine, Dr. John Douillard takes the analysis of food sensitivities deeper to get at the root causes. Ayurveda teaches that if you can't digest a particular food even if it's packed with nutrients, organically grown, and cooked with mother's love it can cause symptoms, even disease. Eat Wheat explains not just which foods cause problems, but why, and what (beyond simply avoiding them) you can do about it. -Timothy McCall, M.D., author of Yoga as Medicine: The Yogic Prescription for Health and Healing, Founder/Director of Yoga As Medicine Seminars and Teacher Trainings, Co-Editor of The Principles and Practice of Yoga in Health Care, Medical Editor for Yoga Journal, and creator of DrMcCall.com

The Sanskrit word for wheat is 'godhuma.' 'Go' means the organs of the senses and 'dhuma' means to remove the cloud of perception. Wheat actually improves sensory perception, and to remove it from our diet impairs our perceptions. When we strengthen our metabolic fire, we are able to digest gluten and dairy products. -Vasant Lad, B.A.M.S., M.A.Sc., Ayurvedic Physician, author of Ayurveda: Science of Self-Healing, Textbook of Ayurveda series

How is it possible that after all these years on this planet, we humans are still debating what foods are good for us and what foods are not? In this book, Dr. Douillard makes a compelling scientific argument to show that wheat and dairy are not problematic foods if consumed properly and in moderation.-Joshua Rosenthal, CEO of Institute of Integrative Nutrition

If you are one of the millions of people that have eliminated wheat and dairy from your diet, and yet you're still suffering with digestive woes and questioning why you're not feeling your best, the answers lie within the pages of this groundbreaking book. Using traditional wisdom combined with modern science, Dr. John Douillard, gets to the root cause of the wheat and dairy controversy and teaches you how to start eating delicious foods again without compromising your life or your health. -Andrea Beaman, Chef/HHC/Educator

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Eat Wheat: A Scientific and Clinically-Proven Approach to ...

The overall goal of the DASH Diet short for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension is to lower your consumption of sodium, which aids in lowering your blood pressure. Since the diet focuses on eating the right foods with the right portions, it's also effective for short- and long-term weight loss. Find out more about the DASH Diet and if it's right for you.

Dietician Marla Heller's version of the DASH Diet, from her book The DASH Diet Weight Loss Solution, is divided into two phases:

During the 14 days of Phase 1, you will learn how to satisfy your hunger and, as a result, feel fuller longer. To regulate your blood sugar and help curb your cravings, avoid fruit and whole grains, which have a lot of natural sugar, and alcohol, which also contain sugars. That said, you can enjoy2-3 servings of low-fat dairy per day.This would include 1 cup of skim milk or low-fat yogurt. Avoid regular or even fat-free cheese because they are often high in sodium.

By avoiding starchy foods with sugar, youre helping to regulate your blood sugar and diminish cravings. Try leafy greens like lettuce and spinach or cruciferous vegetables like broccoli or cabbage. You can also eat cucumbers, squash, peppers, and tomatoes.

More: Dr. Oz's Favorite Salad Recipes

You can also enjoy up to 6 ounces of lean meats, fish, and poultry a day. Aim for 4 to 5 servings of beans or lentils a week.

Opt for protein-rich foods that have healthy fats, like fresh nuts and seeds, or fatty fish like salmon or mackerel. Avocados are loaded with monounsaturated fats as well as antioxidants lutein, vitamin E and beta-carotene. Toss them in a salad along with vegetable oils, especially olive, canola and nut oils, which you can use as salad dressing.

More: The Healthy Fats Grocery Shopping List

After the first 14 days, you will continue to eat the foods from Phase 1 but re-introduce some other healthy foods that will help you continue your weight loss. How long does Phase 2 last? Its your life plan, so it should last forever so you can keep your blood pressure low and keep weight off.

Whole Grains: Choose from cereals, breads, and pasta. Aim for 6 to 8 servings a day.

Fruit: Make fruit (fresh or frozen) a part of your diet every day. Aim for 4 to 5 servings a day. Try making these low-sugar fruits part of your diet.

Low-Fat Milk or Yogurt: Stick to 2 to 3 servings a day as in Phase 1.

Sugar: You can have 3 to 4 servings of sugary foods each week.

Alcohol: You can have a small glass of red wine occasionally, which represents one fruit serving.

The next page has a weeks worth of meals! Phase 1 has 3 sample days, and Phase 2 has 4 sample days.

Breakfast

Midmorning Snack

More: Grasp the DASH Diet in 5 Clicks

Lunch

Midafternoon Snack

Before-Dinner Snack (Optional)

Dinner

More: The DASH Diet Tracking Chart

Breakfast

Midmorning Snack

Lunch

Midafternoon Snack

Before-Dinner Snack (Optional)

Dinner

More: Dr. Oz Explains the DASH Diet

Breakfast

Midmorning Snack

Lunch

Midafternoon Snack

Before-Dinner Snack (Optional)

Dinner

Breakfast

Midmorning Snack (Optional)

Lunch

Midafternoon Snack

Before-Dinner Snack (Optional)

Dinner

More: The Complete DASH Diet Guide

Breakfast

Midmorning Snack (Optional)

Lunch

Midafternoon Snack

Before-Dinner Snack (Optional)

Dinner

Breakfast

Midmorning Snack (Optional)

Lunch

Midafternoon Snack

Before-Dinner Snack (Optional)

Dinner

Breakfast

Midmorning Snack (Optional)

Lunch

Midafternoon Snack

Before-Dinner Snack (Optional)

Dinner

Continued here:
7-Day DASH Diet Meal Plan | The Dr. Oz Show

Diet, also called (18891947) Imperial Diet, Japanese Kokkai (National Assembly), or Teikoku Gikai (Imperial Assembly), the national legislature of Japan.

Under the Meiji Constitution of 1889, the Imperial Diet was established on the basis of two houses with coequal powers. The upper house, the House of Peers (Kizokuin), was almost wholly appointive. Initially, its membership was slightly less than 300, but it was subsequently increased to approximately 400. The peers were intended to represent the top rank and quality of the nation and to serve as a check upon the lower house. The pre-World War II House of Representatives (Shgiin) was originally composed of 300 members, all elected, but gradually this number was increased to 466. Its powers were in many respects largely negative. Without Diet approval, no bill could become law. The government did have the right to issue imperial ordinances in case of an emergency, but if these were to remain in effect the Diet had to approve them at its next session. There was one significant limitation upon the traditional legislative control over the purse strings. If the Diet did not pass the budget in a manner acceptable to the government, the government had the right to apply the budget for the previous year. This provision was borrowed from Prussian practice. The Diet did not initiate important legislation; this was chiefly the function of the executive.

Under the Constitution of 1947 the Diet, renamed Kokkai, was drastically altered both in structure and in powers. There remained two houses, the House of Representatives (Shgiin) and the House of Councillors (Sangiin). The latter takes the place of the old House of Peers and has a membership of 250 consisting of two categories: 100 councillors elected from the nation at large with the remaining 152 elected as prefectural representatives. Every voter may cast a ballot for one candidate in each category, giving him a total of two votes. The members of the House of Councillors serve for six years, with one-half of the members standing for election every three years. The House of Councillors cannot be dissolved in case of conflict between it and the executive branch. The balance of power, though, lies in the lower house, where general agreement with executive policy must prevail. In case of a deadlock between the two houses over the selection of a prime minister, the vote of the lower house takes precedence. The budget must be submitted first to the lower house; if the two houses cannot agree, the position of the lower house prevails after 30 days. This same provision applies to treaties. With other legislation, if the councillors reject a bill or refuse to act upon it within 60 days, the House of Representatives can make it law by repassing it by a two-thirds majority of the members present.

The House of Representatives has 467 members elected from 118 electoral districts. Each district has from three to five representatives, but the voter casts only one ballot, with the candidates receiving the highest number of votes being elected. Lower-house members are elected for a term of four years, but the house can be dissolved at any time by the government, in which case elections must be held within 40 days.

As in the past, the Japanese Diet rarely initiates important legislation; such laws ordinarily come to the Diet under cabinet sponsorship. However, an individual members bill can be introduced in the lower house if it has been signed by 20 or more members, and in the upper house with the signature of 10 or more members. Under Diet law, the committee system has been drastically altered to accord more with U.S. practice. Each house has slightly more than 20 standing committees dealing with such subjects as foreign affairs, finance, and education. Government legislation goes first to the appropriate committee, where it is examined and often vigorously debated. Membership on these committees is determined by the Diet in rough accordance with the party ratios in each house. A member normally retains his assignments as long as he sits in the Diet. Thus he develops some detailed knowledge and may provide a challenge to government policymakers of opposing parties or convictions.

Japanese politics in the second half of the 20th century has revolved around the Diet. That body is no longer on the periphery as it was under the Meiji Constitution. Moreover, with all adults over 21 eligible to vote, the Diet is more representative of the public will than it has been at any time in the past. Certain historic problems remain, however. Large-scale scandals are not lacking; the basic causes of corruption have not been eliminated. Even provided with constitutional support, the Diet has had some difficulty establishing itself as a respected body in the eyes of many of the Japanese people. Slowly, however, democratic procedures have acquired a tradition and an acceptance in Japan.

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Diet | Japanese government | Britannica.com

Losing weight with minimal effort sounds like a win-win situation. With ads promising that you can drink your way to a slimmer figure and detoxify your body to boot, liquid diets sound too good to be true -- and often, they are.

What Are Liquid Diets?

Liquid diets control calorie intake by restricting what you eat to mostly or all liquids. How they work varies from product to product. Some liquid diets are fluid only -- fruit or vegetable juices juices or shakes -- that replace all of your meals, taken three or four times a day. These programs are either do-it-yourself options sold over the counter, or medically supervised plans available only through doctors' offices or hospitals.

Other types of liquid diets replace just one or two meals (usually breakfast and lunch) with drinks, but let you eat a healthy, balanced dinner. These diets may also include snack bars for in-between meals.

Do Liquid Diets Really Work?

Liquid diets contain a reduced -- and often significantly reduced -- number of calories. If you eat fewer calories than you burn off, you will lose weight. However, that weight loss may be short-lived. When you drastically reduce the amount of calories you consume, your metabolism slows to conserve energy. Unless you change your eating habits, you'll gain back the weight as soon as you return to your old diet.

Some liquid diets work better over the long term than others. Researchers have found that diets that include both food and liquids can help overweight people control the number of calories they eat with liquid meals and help keep the weight off for several years.

As for the claim by some liquid diets that they can 'detoxify' the system by cleansing it of impurities, there is no evidence to prove it. The body, say experts, is a very sophisticated machine that has its own system of detoxifying through the liver and sweat.

How Safe Are Liquid Diets?

Ideally, liquid diet drinks should contain a balance of nutrients you need throughout the day, but that isn't always the case. Very low-calorie diets (400-800 calories per day) in particular can be lacking in these nutrients and should only be used under medical supervision. Missing out on essential nutrients can lead to side effects such as fatigue, dizziness, hair loss, gallstones, cold intolerance, electrolyte imbalance, and heart damage. A lack of fiber in your diet from not eating whole fruits and vegetables can lead to constipation and other digestive ailments. You also can lose lean body mass if you don't get enough protein in your liquid diet.

Are Liquid Diets Used for Medical Purposes?

People who are about to undergo certain surgical procedures, such as colonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy, which call for little or no food in the intestines, might need to go on a liquid diet for a day or two before the test. Sometimes patients are put on a liquid diet for a few days after surgery or during certain medical treatments until their digestive tract is fully functioning again and they can digest food normally. Medically necessary liquid diets often include clear liquids such as soup, fruit juice, and Jell-o.

People who are obese and need to have surgery (including bariatric weight loss surgery) will sometimes go on a liquid diet to get down to a safer weight before the procedure. This type of liquid diet is supervised by medical professionals.

Some research suggests that liquid diets might help people with certain health conditions. For example, there is evidence that patients with Crohn's disease, which causes inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract, can benefit from a high-calorie liquid diet. By giving the intestines a much-needed rest, a liquid diet can help suppress the symptoms of Crohn's disease.

How Can I Safely Get on a Liquid Diet?

First, talk to your doctor about whether a liquid diet is appropriate for you. Certain people -- namely pregnant or nursing women and people with insulin dependent diabetes -- should skip liquid diets entirely.

If your doctor gives you the OK to go on a liquid diet, you should also see a registered dietitian, who can go over the diet with you and make sure that you're getting enough calories and nutrition. Your dietitian might recommend that you take a vitamin or nutritional supplement while you're on the liquid diet.

Before you choose a liquid diet plan, know what you're drinking. If considering one of the commercial diets, look at the daily values on the nutrition facts label. Be sure you're getting 100% of all the recommended vitamins and minerals. (The USDA has a guide to help you understand your Recommended Dietary Reference Intakes.)

So that you don't regain all the weight when you transition back to solid food, pick a diet that is not too low in calories and that lets you lose the weight gradually. Liquid diets that include a meal or two per day, or that teach you healthier eating habits, will be more likely to help you keep the weight off over the long term.

WebMD Medical Reference

References

Andrea Giancoli, RD, spokeswoman, American Dietetic Association.

Flechtner-Mors, M. Obesity Research, August 2000.

National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse: "Crohn's Disease."

Yamamoto, T. Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, December 2007.

Reviewed by Kimball Johnson, MD on June 23, 2012

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Liquid Diet: Facts About Plans and Effectiveness

Supplements can't make up for unhealthy diet (2-15-18)

Rose Beltz , KREM 7:49 AM. PST February 16, 2018

We do our best to combat getting sick by covering our mouths and washing our hands. We also up our game with home remedies, vitamins and supplements.

However, those supplements may not help as much as you think.

Consumer Reports shows Americans spent $35 billion on dietary supplements in 2015. The makers of these products promise a lot of benefits ranging from improving memory to losing weight.

While dietary supplements and multivitamins may seem like the obvious way to plug the gaps of a busy life, doctors are still mixed. The evidence behind them is controversial and in some cases non-existent.

For those reasons, the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force does not support vitamin and mineral supplements to prevent or fight disease.

So what can you do?

We reached out to professors at The Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine for the answers.

Clinical Assistant Professor and Registered Dietitian Nutritionist April Davis says to start with lifestyle first by moving your body, laughing more, eating a variety of foods and improving social connections, mindfulness and sleep.

Also, consider cutting out processed food, refined and added sugars and stress. These are things that might work against any added dietary supplement.

If you follow these steps and still feel deficient in a specific nutrient, research whole food options that can offer it. For example, adding nutrient-dense nuts and seeds to your diet offers a great mineral supplement.

Nutrition experts said people can become so focused on the health benefits of a certain vitamin, that they miss the importance of a key factor within a daily diet: Food synergy.

Food synergy is the process in which vitamins in different foods work together so your body can absorb the nutrients it needs to be healthy.

For example, Vitamin C is found in citrus fruits and dark-green vegetables and can enhance the bodys absorption of iron, found in lean meats, fish, beans and leafy green vegetables, when eaten at the same time.

Food synergy is also important because it makes our bodies use the nutrients properly. Something that cannot be done with a manufactured supplement. It also prevents us from absorbing too much of a single vitamin.

This is important because taking too much of a vitamin, supplement or antioxidant, no matter how healthy, can increase your chances of disease.

If you feel the need to take a dietary supplement, nutritionists recommend one that is made from a whole food source.

Nutritionists also stress the importance of working with a registered dietitian nutritionist or integrative practitioner to find the best type, dose and duration for the supplement because, ultimately, supplementation is strongly based on someones health, age, gender and their medical and prescription drug history.

2018 KREM-TV

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How to safely and healthily use supplements in your diet ...

The Atkins Diet

(Robert C. Atkins, M.D.)

The Atkins diet may be one of the most well-known fad diets. It is a high-protein, high-fat, low-carbohydrate plan. This diet has been around for decades and has undergone many revisions. The previous plan allowed for unrestricted amounts of meat, cheese, and eggs while severely restricting carbohydrates, including sugar, bread, pasta, milk, fruits, and vegetables.

The Atkins diet web site states the current plan "is about eating delicious and healthy foods, which makes it so much better than any of those fad diets out there. You eat a variety of your favorite foods -- lean protein, leafy greens, vegetables, nuts, fruits, whole grains. Plus, you get delicious Atkins bars and shakes from day one and every step of the way."

The plan is based on the theory that eating carbohydrates creates a production of insulin, a hormone secreted from the pancreas, leading to increased weight gain and hunger. When converting to this approach, the plan holds that dieters will experience a reduced appetite, and their bodies will use stored fat for energy versus burning glucose from carbohydrate digestion. Burning fat for energy will supposedly lead to weight loss.

The most recent version of the Atkins diet is by far the most nutritionally balanced. For the first time, the Atkins diet has placed an emphasis on the kinds of fat being consumed instead of allowing all dietary fats. The monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats are now emphasized over saturated and trans fats. The diet has also changed to allow "good carbs" instead of severely restricting all carbohydrates. These foods provide fiber, vitamins, and minerals that were once lacking in this diet. The high amount of protein will be beneficial in keeping you full. Research is clear that protein has a positive impact on increasing satiety, which means that you will feel full between meals.

The Atkins diet has gone through numerous revisions over the years, though there was never any acknowledgement of flaws in any of the diet plans. Until recently, there have not been any studies on the safety or efficacy of the Atkins diet. Short-term studies have shown improvements in blood cholesterol and blood sugar and an increased weight loss over the first three to six months in comparison to control diets. Unfortunately, the weight loss is not sustained at one year, and the improvements that were seen were due to weight loss and not the actual diet. The long-term safety of low-carbohydrate, high-protein diets is unknown at this time. In a 2007 rating of diet books done by Consumer Reports, the Atkins diet was ranked at the bottom.

There are four phases to the plan, and the first one is severely restricted in carbohydrates. The induction phase lasts two weeks, and the claim is you can lose up to 15 pounds in this time. During this time you consume no more than 20 grams of carbohydrates per day. For example, one slice of bread has 15 grams of carbohydrates, one serving of fruit has 15 grams of carbohydrates, one serving of dairy has 12 grams of carbohydrates, and one serving of vegetables can have between 5 and 15 grams of carbohydrates. It's clear that 20 grams is extremely limited, potentially unhealthy, and would be very difficult to follow for the long-term.

The Atkins web site states that "depending on how much weight you have to lose, you can safely continue with the induction phase as long as the following three conditions are met:

Most people who follow this diet are not under medical supervision, and this can become a very dangerous situation for them.

The the induction phase gets people used to losing weight at a fast rate, which will not last and is not healthy. Faster weight loss does not mean healthy weight loss. Any diet that emphasizes fast, easy weight loss is one to approach with caution. The guidelines are clear that a safe, healthy rate of weight loss is to lose 1 to 2 pounds per week after the first couple of weeks. The Atkins diet states you will lose "only body fat" by eating regular meals, taking in adequate calories, and keeping your insulin levels down. There is no way to only lose body fat when losing weight. Each pound you gain from consuming excess calories is 75% fat and 25% muscle, and each pound you lose from cutting back 3,500 calories is the same ratio of fat and muscle. Claims that you will lose only fat are not based on science despite the fact that the Atkins diet claims to be scientifically based.

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Diet Plans & Programs: Facts on the Popular Diet Plans

Doing well on the ketogenic diet means that you understand the right foods to eat. Because your mom told you to eat your vegetables that means you need to get some vegetables into your system daily.

But on keto, not all vegetables are good to have.

Why?

Because vegetables contain carbs!

This is one of those mind-blowing facts that seems to take people aback.

Carbs are in bread, pastas, and sweets, what the heck are they doing in vegetables?

I cant tell you why theyre there. Theyre just there.

They arent crazy like in bread but they are there depending on the vegetable.

In this post, I want to show you some of the veggies that you are safe to eat on the ketogenic diet.

An important rule of thumb to keep in mind is that if the vegetable is grown above ground (spinach), then chances are you can eat it on keto. Lettuce is an exception in that if you eat too much you can easily knock yourself out of ketosis.

If the vegetable grows below ground then you should stay away.

Celery is one of those weird zero-calorie foods that actually helps you burn more calories than you consume.

I guess thats why its pointless eating celery unless you can dip it into something. Thankfully on keto, you have the luxury of mixing your celery with either ranch or almond butter.

Please dont mix both together because that is just gross.

Really gross.

Spinach is the goto veggie for a lot of keto dishes. I like to mix it with my eggs in the morning and if I need a quick snack Ill grab a handful of spinach, pour some ranch on it, and Im good to go.

One of my favorite keto recipes is this Spinach Mexican Casserole.

Funny thing is that I absolutely hated spinach as a child.

Now? Its not so bad.

If you could marry asparagus then my wife would leave me and marry asparagus.

Thats how much she loves it.

I enjoy it but Im not crazy about it.

Its great when you wrap it in bacon and cook it with some coconut oil. Thats a keto goers dream right there.

Technically this is a keto fruit but Im listing it here because some people dont want to spend time thinking about the technicalities between fruits and vegetables.

Avocados are a fantastic source of fats and can be a great way to make sure you hit your daily macros when doing keto.

This is another breakfast or snack item that I like to include in my daily routine. It works as a fantastic fuel source when your body finally reaches ketosis.

Ill admit that I didnt know much about zucchini until my wife introduced me to zucchini boats and wooooooo boy, things changed.

I love zucchini boats!

Stuff them with almost anything you want and you have yourself a nice little dish.

Its amazing the creative things that people come up with when it comes to food. I would just grab a zucchini and dip it into a bottle of ranch.

My creativity is limited.

Another staple of the keto diet, cauliflower has superpowers because it can act as a substitute for rice or mashed potatoes.

But if you really want to enjoy your cauliflower then you need to lightly season it and roast it in the oven.

Im serious.

I could eat just that for a couple of meals straight. It really is that good.

Cucumber is similar to celery in my mind in that you need to mix it with something to get any value out of it.

It goes great in detox waters but we arent talking about detox waters here.

We are talking about veggies that you can actually eat in your keto recipes.

Cucumber works though when you want to add a bit of crunch to a meal or just have it over your spinach salad.

I have a confession in that the only time I eat cabbage is when I have it in my spicy sausage & cabbage skillet melt.

Thats it.

Im sure there are other great uses for cabbage but thats the only time I actively hunt it down.

I have nothing against cabbage.

Its just cabbage.

Broccoli.

Dont give it to me unless youre going to cover it in cheese or ranch. Yes, both of these are keto-friendly and that is why the ketogenic diet is so awesome!

I used to think that cauliflower was broccolis ugly step-sister, but now I know its the other way around.

Broccoli is good but it takes a backseat to the almighty cauliflower.

When I lived in Los Angeles, kale was a superfood.

I hate it.

I really cant stand the taste of it.

Raw. Cooked. Burnt.

It doesnt matter, I dont like kale.

I understand its benefits but that doesnt mean I have to enjoy it.

Because I dont. Get it out of my face.

My mom loves brussels sprouts. They arent bad but I cant stand the smell of them cooking.

Keep me out of the kitchen and just let me know when they are ready and Im all over them.

If youre looking for a snack then check out these cheesy brussels sprouts and if you actually want a meal then scope out this brussel sprout burger recipe.

Its important to understand that all of these vegetables have carbs. They just have a lesser amount than other foods so as long as you arent eating a whole field of them you should be okay.

Remember, on keto, the general rule is that you want to stay below 20g of carbs daily so some carbs arent bad. Especially when they come from vegetables that have a low glycemic index.

If youre interested in learning more about the ketogenic diet and how it can help you lose weight then check out our 28-Day Challenge where we guide you through the keto diet and help you lose between 10-21 pounds in just 4 weeks with keto.

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11 Low Carb Vegetables That You Can Safely Eat on the ...

No on both counts. In fact, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has advised consumers to steer clear of over-the-counter weight-loss products that contain HCG. HCG is human chorionic gonadotropin, a hormone produced during pregnancy.

As a prescription medication, HCG is used mainly to treat fertility issues. HCG is not approved for over-the-counter use, nor has it been proved to work for weight loss. Some over-the-counter HCG weight-loss products are labeled "homeopathic" but the FDA says they're still not safe. Companies that sell over-the-counter HCG weight-loss products are breaking the law.

So why has there been so much talk about the HCG diet? Perhaps it's because the diet recommends severe calorie restriction typically just 500 to 800 calories a day. People who follow such a very low-calorie diet are likely to lose weight, at least in the short term.

However, diets that so severely limit calories have risks, such as gallstone formation, irregular heartbeat, limited intake of vitamins and minerals, and an imbalance of electrolytes.

Side effects have also been reported with the HCG diet and include fatigue, irritability, restlessness, depression, fluid buildup (edema), and swelling of the breasts in boys and men (gynecomastia). Another serious concern is the risk of blood clots forming and blocking blood vessels (thromboembolism).

If weight loss is your goal, there are safer ways to lose weight. Talk with your doctor or other health care provider about how to make healthy changes that lead to permanent weight loss, such as eating a balanced diet and getting regular exercise.

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HCG diet: Is it safe and effective? - Mayo Clinic

Both stress eating a ton of protein and minimal carbs, putting the dieter into "ketosis," when the body breaks down both ingested and stored body fat into ketones, which it uses as energy. People on such diets often deal with fatigue and light-headedness as they adjust to a lack of carbohydrates.

Though the experts on the US News and World Report panel that created the list said eating that way isn't harmful short-term, they ranked the diets poorly on long-term weight loss success, ease of use and overall impact on health.

"When you are on the keto diet, you drastically cut your carbs to only 20 per day. That's less than one apple!" said nutritionist Lisa Drayer, a CNN contributor. "The keto diet is just not sustainable over the long term. It doesn't teach you how to acquire healthy eating habits. It's good for a quick fix, but most people I know can hardly give up pasta and bread, let alone beans and fruit."

The expert panel was particularly concerned for people with liver or kidney conditions, "who should avoid it altogether," the report said, adding that there was not enough evidence to know whether the diet would help those with heart issues or diabetes. Because of the recommended "cycling" nature of the diet, taking breaks and then starting it again, experts also warn that hormones could fluctuate.

The panel slammed the diet as having "No independent research. Nonsensical claims. Extreme. Restrictive." and tied it with the raw food diet as "the worst of the worst for healthy eating."

First place is a tie

"What I love about both the DASH and Mediterranean diets is that they offer guiding principles for eating, like eating more fruits and vegetables, as well as whole grains, fish, legumes, nuts and low-fat dairy foods," Drayer said. "I personally love the fact that a daily glass of red wine is encouraged as part of the Mediterranean diet."

The DASH diet is often recommended to lower blood pressure. Its premise is simple: Eat more veggies, fruits and low-fat dairy foods while cutting way back on any food high in saturated fat and limit your intake of salt.

The meal plan includes three whole-grain products each day, four to six servings of vegetables, four to six servings of fruit, two to four servings of dairy products and several servings each of lean meats and nuts/seeds/legumes.

The Mediterranean diet also ranked first on the US News and World Report list for easiest diet to follow, best plant-based diet and best diet for diabetes. It came in second for best heart-healthy diet, just behind DASH.

The diet emphasizes simple, plant-based cooking, with the majority of each meal focused on fruits and vegetables, whole grains, beans and seeds, with a few nuts and a heavy emphasis on extra virgin olive oil. Say goodbye to refined sugar or flour. Fats other than olive oil, such as butter, are consumed rarely, if at all.

Meat can make a rare appearance, but usually only to flavor a dish. Meals may include eggs, dairy and poultry, but in much smaller portions than in the traditional Western diet. However, fish are a staple, and an optional glass of wine with dinner is on the menu.

The ever-popular Weight Watchers diet was ranked fourth, followed by the MIND diet, a combination of the Mediterranean and DASH diets that some may find a bit easier to follow, as it requires less fish and fruit.

Best weight-loss diets

Weight Watchers topped the list of best weight-loss and best commercial diet plans, and it tied with HMR for best fast weight-loss diet. HMR, the Health Management Resources program, involves purchasing meal replacements, such as shakes, nutrition bars and multigrain cereals, and adding vegetables and fruits to round out the meals.

Since 2015, Weight Watchers has been focused on its Beyond the Scale program. It is designed to help people move more and focus on overall well-being, including more "me" time, which includes mindfulness and self-compassion.

Drayer agreed: "I've always been a fan of Weight Watchers because it teaches you how to incorporate all types of foods into your diet, and it also offers a support component, which can be extremely beneficial."

But whatever diet you choose, she recommends choosing the one that fits your lifestyle and that you can stick to over the long term.

"I always recommend meeting with a registered dietitian, who can take into account your health history, lifestyle habits, likes and dislikes, and develop an eating plan that is specific to your needs," she added. "I also recommend checking with your doctor first before starting any new diet plan."

Read more here:
Keto diet ranks last on 2018 'best diets' list - CNN

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