BellaOnline Forums Food and Wine Low Carb Low Carb diets a farse?

I totally agree, Lisa...I think it's so important to be conscious of what we put into our diets. Not to say that occasionally, having a "fun" cereal with sugars or fun shapes is not okay (I have to admit, every few months or so, I have to have my Lucky Charms fix), but if you are smart about it and eat it in moderation you shouldn't have a problem, you know? (Plus on Lucky Charms days I walk around the block one extra time, get my heart pumping, and make up for it!) LOL!! <img src="/images/graemlins/rolling.gif" alt="" />

Hmmm I'm seeing a theme here <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> It would just never occur to me to have Lucky Charms in the house. I don't crave sugar, so it's not "a treat" to eat fake sugar marshmallow things with fake colors <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> It would seem pretty odd! Instead I can have a really delicious omelet with all sorts of fantastic flavors like fresh broccoli or cheese or ham pieces or bacon or whatever. Those to me are really tasty. The fake flavors of tiny marshmallow sugar-things just isn't a treat, and if I took that walk *without* having ingested a ton of sugar first, then think of the extra benefit it would bring <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I'm just saying, there are many delicious things out there in the world, and to have Lucky Charms be in the house so it can serve as a special treat seems to be a recipe for disaster. You wouldn't eat it if it wasn't there, and if you're craving sweet things, it would be healthier to soothe that craving with say blackberries or blueberries or something. If you train your tongue to like the natural sugars in that, not only do you get a 'sweet fix' but you get a ton of healthy food into you too, instead of junk <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> And if you walk around the block an extra time, you use that energy to build muscle instead of burning off the sugar rush <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

hey,alexandra would love to know how you make your home made peanutbutter.I have bought it from healthfood store,but to make my own would be great

It is SUPER easy. Just take 1 1/2 cup peanuts plus 1 Tbsp peanut oil. Note there is NO need for sugar here!! <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Blend until smooth in a food processor. The end!

hi lisa,

i know i have had this discussion with you before, but it seems as if newbies bring it up, again.

i agree with much of your nutritional thought patterns. but your label of "low-carb" just is not consistent with what is commonly considered "low-carb".

you would be more accurate to label your thought patterns as "a balanced approach", or something similar.

you should really look at other low-carb sites and low-carb books - you will find that for the most part, they are way, way too low on carbohydrate intake. and many do not differentiate between carbs - only whether it breaks down fast or not. so a potato, which supposedly breaks gives us its carbs very quickly is the same as a piece of candy that also gives its carbs very quickly.

there is so much misinformation within the low-carb circle.

Low carb diets work because they prevent surges in Blood Sugar, thus preventing surges in Insulin, thus preventing the depositing of fat. Low-Carb is not to be confused with High-Fat, which is why the Atkins diet, etc.end up being more dangerous than healthy for many people. But if you eat green veggies and fish and chicken all day and avoid sugar and flour and pasta and white rice, that can be nothing but good for you.

Now if I could only practice what I "preach" ;-)

Gymeejet - I own I think 10 different "Low carb" books by different authors. It may be that you're true if you look at the 1970 version of low carb - I have one or two of those for historical reasons - but if you look at 2006 releases of low carb instructions, they really do talk about these concepts <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I can't speak for other low carb websites being accurate or inaccurate <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

NickiGee - you are exactly right! What are you having trouble practicing? We can help out <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

hi lisa,

the only book that i actually own is "protein power" - february 1996. when they started talking about limiting the amount of carrots because they were too high in sugar, i labeled them as FANATICALLY overboard on low-carb.

Hi Lisa... I don't post often and am VERY late in replying to your post BUT...

You said it all here! Kudos to you!

So many people are "fake" low carbers. They eat low carb but talk about the treats they allow themselves, like sugar cereals, regular sugared birthday cake or complete dinners in restaurants with bread and potatoes. Some how these people just don't get it. Granted, I'm not as pure about my eating as you are (at least not yet) and I do eat my share of low carb ice cream, candy, etc. but would never never even think of eating the sugared stuff. I haven't since the end of 2003 and it would take a gun at my head to take more than a tiny taste of something. I do live in the real world and continue to bake for my husband, using flour and sugar. He's on low-cholesterol, low-fat because he doesn't want to give up his double serving of oatmeal in the morning, his five fruits per day, etc. Low carb just doesn't appeal to him. As a result I prepare food for two meals every night. The only things we share are the vegetables and salads if we're having broiled meat. He prefers one-dish casseroles with pasta or rice. Occasionally, I do make something we can both eat using Dreamfield's but most often even those recipes have too much fat for him. I'm getting off the track here...

Low carb is a way of life, chosen because of it's health benefits. You can't jump back and forth between low and high carb. A desire to do so means you aren't following the plan correctly. If you are following the eating plan as it was designed you have no desire for the "real" stuff we don't eat. Too many people just don't get it.

Thank you for that post. It says far more than I believe you were even intending.