Mar. 27, 2007 - Eat Well, Live Well
My sister-in-law, a Type 1 diabetic since childhood, recommended a great book to me called Eat Well, Live Well by Pamela Smith.
"It's 3 o'clock in the afternoon, You're tired and hungry. It's true- you didn't eat breakfast. You weren't hungry then. and that cup of coffee and doughnut gave you enough pep to last until lunch. You had a big salad then. Pretty healthy - all that green stuff, even if you did pour on the dressing. So why are you starved? And where have your energy and concentration gone?" Book Excerpt
The first week on the "diet" my SIL noticed her blood sugar levels even right out - this was motivation enough for her to keep following it. She has been following the diet for 10 months and lost 30 pounds. She has also begun moderate exercise and has really been pleased with the changes in her body. (Go Bonny!)
After SIL mentioned the book a few times I decided I could at least read it. I was happy to see this "diet" consisted of foods I already use often like Whole Grain Bread, plain yogurt and low fat cheese. I could start immediately without having to run to the store. At my next grocery shopping trip, I stocked up on other foods I wanted to have on hand.
Reading through the book a couple of things really stuck out - 1. You need to eat often throughout the day to keep your blood sugar level and avoid food cravings. And 2. Always eat a carbohydrate with a protein (don't worry - if you don't know what is what, she will tell you). Eating this way boosts your metabolism and gets your body burning calories while eliminating the sugar "highs" & "lows". I had been struggling with low energy level and sweet cravings and reading this book showed me why I felt this way! After following these principals for the past 3 weeks, I can definately agree that this regular eating will boost your energy and change your eating mindset.
You eat small portions 6 times a day! She goes through a list of "10 commandments for eating" which I agree with and already understand. There is a Weight-Loss plan for woman and men as well as a Maintenance Plan. It's more of a guideline to teach you about portion sizes and good food choices. I have kept this page propped open on my counter for 3 weeks now just so I can refer to it quickly and stay motivated to eat correctly.
I'm sure you could find this book at your library or through inter-library loan. (Always my first place to look for books!)
I do have more "Baby Steps for Healthier Eating" to share in the future. I just haven't had much spare time to blog these days. Anyway, I'm planning to post about "Choosing the Right Oil" in the near future and share my experience with Coconut Oil along with another super resource for eating well.
