Fundamental Dietary Keys To Weight Loss

By:  Maria



Obesity rates continue to climb across the country.  Even more sobering; according to the 2011 annual Obesity Report, not one US state showed a decrease in obesity rates!

While many people do not take this statistic seriously and only consider obesity and/or being overweight as an aesthetic issue; the reality is far from that.  The rising rates in obesity contribute to increased rates of serious diseases - most end up being life threatening.

There are some important priorities that everyone should consider implementing into their lives if weight loss and optimal health is an important concern.

Fat doesn't make you fat, carbohydrates make you fat.

There are some significant misconceptions that need to be changed in order to scratch the surface in this country's weight issues.  One of the big ones is that fat makes you fat.

The hormone that controls fat is insulin; and how much insulin do you secrete in response to a fat-laden meal? ZILCH, ZERO, NADA!

So when is insulin secreted??  Insulin is secreted in response to sugar, i.e. carbohydrates, NOT fat. Eat more carbohydrates, in particular refined carbohydrates, and your body quickly converts them into sugar, which will then trigger an insulin surge, and your body will store more fat. This also creates a cycle of other health problems.
Fat is not the enemy.

 

Mainstream health "experts" continue to insist that sugar is ok "in moderation" and that a consumption of all grains (which, btw, are converted to sugar in your body), is essential in a healthy diet.  What they don't take into consideration (besides the fact that you get ALL and MORE nutritional benefit from vegetables without the insulin issues you get from grains), is that sugar is the #1 source of calories in the US - so much for "moderation"!  When you take into account the fact that sugar, especially in the form of high fructose corn syrup and refined carbs, are added to just about EVERYTHING....the picture becomes clear in terms of why our obesity rates continue to climb.

What is all that sugar doing to our bodies?

Triggers weight gain
Contributes to chronic inflammation
Creates a huge insulin spike (fat storage)
Leads to insulin resistance (which contributes to obesity, high blood pressure, heart disease, high cholesterol)

 

So what are the fundamental keys in transforming your health and well-being?

1.  Significantly restricting the intake of sugar and carbohydrates, especially refined, white carbohydrates (carbs in the form of veggies are perfectly OK) and

2.  Increasing our consumption of high-quality, healthy fats

All Fats are not created equal

Quality is key here.  A good source of healthy fats include:

Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Virgin Coconut Oil, Organic nut oils

High-quality, supplemental Krill Oil (my favorite) or Fish Oil

Butter made from organic milk (ghee)

Raw nuts such as almonds and pecans (use nuts in moderation- about a handful only)

Egg yolk, from free-range hens (with all those egg-white omelets your throwing away the best part!)

Avocados

Grass-fed, naturally-raised meats

Avoid low quality vegetable oils

Just as you would avoid processed foods, you want to avoid processed fats as well.  Vegetable oils like corn, soy, safflower, canola, etc. are highly processed and are dangerous to your body.  These oils are heated to temperatures so high that it causes the oil to go rancid.  In order for the rancid smell to disappear, the manufacturers need to further process the oil by adding chemical deodorizers.  Once consumed, you introduce free radicals into your system, causing serious oxidative damage over time.  Fat is important for cell membrane growth, which means it is critical you consume a high quality and heat stable source, otherwise you are exposing your cells to damage and a faster aging process.

Watch this, read here and do some research of your own.

Here is a simple plan that is fundamental in your nutritional plan:

Quality protein should be the centerpiece of most meals.

Every day should include a wide variety of vegetables, leafy greens and some organic fruit.

Eat plenty of healthy fats while avoiding processed vegetable oils.

Avoid processed, refined carbohydrates and sugar!

Follow the dietary keys mentioned above with complete commitment and you will see great things happen to your health and with your body composition.