Salutations!

As the cost of "Sick"care skyrockets so to do the cost associated with every aspect of the sick care industry (insurance premiums, co-pays, pharmaceutical drugs, sick leave, etc.). The time to act and take care of ourselves while jealously guarding our health has come. We can no longer afford to hand over our health or our wealth to others and hope to live happy, productive lives. The goal of this blog is to wade through some of the more mundane as well as a few sensational health issues that affect us today and how to get over them.







Showing posts with label Weight Loss. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Weight Loss. Show all posts

Wednesday, January 7, 2015

Diabetes - A 21st Century Scourge: Phase 2 Approved Food List



Admittedly the Phase 1 part of the plan is restrictive to say the least which is why it is designed to last just 4-6 weeks at a time. The benefit is extensive, however, allowing for an appropriate jump start to any anti-diabetes campaign. At some point it becomes necessary to transition to Phase 2.

The second phase of this plan is meant for lifelong changes to eating habits that will nourish the body and sustain your efforts to reverse or significantly mitigate diabetes. The first thing you will notice is the increase in the variety. The uptick is based on the increased likelihood that your metabolism is either higher or in much better working order after following the phase one program. The phase 2 food chart gives the recommended amounts of each food category that should be consumed during any particular meal.

The focus of every meal is to be as healthy as possible. Limit meat portions especially red meat which should be kept to no more than 18-22 oz. per week. Lean meats such as fish, elk, lamb, and turkey should be your focus. You may also find it helpful to have one or two of your meals be vegetarian based limiting your meat consumption to one or two meals a day.

Eating Out

Extreme care must be taken when eating out. Your diligence is required when ordering for many reasons. One, the ingredients used to create meals in most restaurants will be inflammatory and have the potential to set you back in your goals. Second, portion sizes are almost always two or three times larger than what is recommended for consumption at one meal. You may find it helpful to decide in advance that you will only consume ⅓ - ½ of what your ordered and ask for a box to pack it in in advance. Remember to eat slowly and savor each bite. This will help you feel satisfied without overeating.

When ordering salads order dressing on the side and stick to vinaigrette style dressings. Soups should be broth based. Avoid cream based soups as they are loaded with rancid oils, fats, and calories. Soups with lentils and beans will be far more filling with fewer calories. If having a meal that consist of only soups and salad be sure to have some fiber handy to help you feel full after the meal if necessary. This will help you not succumb to the temptation of ordering additional food. 

Desserts

Having a tasty treat with a meal or as a snack is always tempting but there are some things that must be considered. If you have reached your waistline goal and your blood sugar is under control then partaking from time to time shouldn't be a problem. If at all possible, though, save dessert for special occasions and rare treats. Your focus is to not go back to what you are trying to leave behind. When you do have dessert be sure to consume some fiber in the form of a supplement to help lower the glycemic value thus avoiding a spike in blood sugar and insulin production.


 Meal Planning


Plan your meals on a weekly basis. Shopping and preparing your meals on a day that is convenient for you is a great way to ensure success on your journey. The food chart provided will come in handy in assisting you in this process.


Approved Foods for Phase 2

Legumes, Beans and Starches (Servings are 1/2 cup for women and 1 cup for men)
Cereals (with unsweetened almond milk or unsweetened coconut milk)
Low Glycemic Fruit (1/2 cup servings)
Vegetables (at least 1/2 cup or more women and 1 cup or more for men)
     Beans: kidney, lima, navy, pinto, red, black
     Black-eyed peas
     Green peas
     Butter beans
     Chickpeas (garbanzo beans)
     Green beans
     Lentils
     Yams
     Sweet potatoes


















     Old fashioned oatmeal or steel cut (1 serving for women, 1-2 servings for mens)
     Blackberries
     Blueberries
     Raspberries
     1/2 grapefruit
     Granny Smith apple
     Kiwi
     Strawberries
     Asparagus
     Bell peppers
     Broccoli
     Brussel sprouts
     Butternut squash
     Cabbage or sauerkraut
     Carrots (1/2 cup, raw only)
     Cauliflower
     Celery
     Collard greens
     Cucumbers
     Eggplants
     Lettuce
     Okra
     Onions
     Spinach
     Squash
     String beans
     Taro
     Tomato
     Turnips
     Watercress
     Zucchini



Approved Foods for Phase 2 Cont.


Lean Proteins
(Dairy) - Dairy is best avoided but limited quantities of the following is ok.
Lean Proteins (Meats) - 2 to 6 oz. for women and 3-8 oz. for men
Healthy Fats (two servings per day, none at dinner)
Oils (two servings per day, none at dinner, do not heat)
     Cottage cheese, plain-non fat
     Cream cheese
     Low-fat Greek yogurt, plain or vanilla
     Eggs (pastured center or organic) - two to three large eggs or one yolk and three egg whites

















     Beef, organic extra lean. Limit red meat consumption to 18 oz. per week.
     Buffalo, bison, elk, caribou, venison, goat, ostrich
     Chicken and turkey (remove skin)
     Turkey sausage
     Turkey bacon
     Fish, wild caught (cod, flounder, haddock, herring, halibut, mahi-mahi, sea bass, perch, snapper, tongol tuna, orange roughy, tilapia, salmon, trout, sardines, mackeral
     Almond butter (2 tablespoons)
     Almonds (about 18 almonds, 1 oz.)
     Organic peanut butter (2 tablespoons)
     Peanuts (1 oz.)
     Pecans (1 oz.)
     Cashews (1 oz.)
     Avocado, fresh (1/2 cup
     Guacamole (1/3 cup)
     Hummus
     Pumpkin seeds (2 tablespoons or 1 oz.)
     Sunflower seeds (2 tablespoon or 1 oz.)
     Flaxseeds (3 tablespoons or 1 oz.)
     Organic cold-pressed olive oil (1 tablespoon)
     High-oleic sunflower oil (1 tablespoon)
     Cold-pressed peanut oil (1 tablespoon)
     Cold-pressed sesame oil (1 tablespoon)
     Cold-pressed avocado oil (1 tablespoon)
     High-oleic safflower oil (1 tablespoon)


Cont. Lean Proteins (Meats) - 2 to 6 oz. for women and 3-8 oz. for men



     Lean pork (limit pork consumption to one serving per week)
     .Shellfish (wild caught if possible) - Limit consumption to 1-2 servings. (shrimp, crab, lobster, scallop, oysters, mussels)



Monday, December 1, 2014

Diabetes - A 21st Century Scourge: Approved Food List and Sample Meal Plan for Phase One




In line with the previous post we continue with practical ways to help alleviate or mitigate diabetes through meal plans. As stated in the aforementioned article Phase 1 is not intended to be a plan that lasts forever. It is only intended to jump start your transformation and accelerate weight loss when combined with an exercise plan. Eventually there should be a transition to Phase 2 which usually happens at the 4-6 week mark. As with any meal plan or exercise regime please consult with a trusted medical practitioner.


Approved Foods for Phase 1

Beverages
Lean Meat/Protein (grilled or boiled 3.5 oz.for women, 6 oz.for men  - choose one per meal)
Vegetables (raw or steamed, 1 cup; choose one per meal)
Fruits (choose one per meal or as a snack)
Breads
     Water

     Tea

     Coffee




     Lobster

     Veal

     Beef

     Chicken breast

     Crab

     Fresh white fish

     Shrimp

     Bison (buffalo)

     Elk

     Venison (deer)

     Egg (only occasionally either hard boiled, poached or scrambled but no oils
     Spinach

     Chard

     Chicory

     Beet greens

     Green salad

     Tomato

     Celery

     Fennel

     Onions

     Red radishes

     Cucumbers

     Asparagus

     Cabbage
     Apple
     Granny Smith apple*
     1/2 Grape- fruit
     1/2 cup Straw- berries

(You may choose to eat your fruit with a meal or as a snack)

















*Recommended
     1 Piece Doctor Krack-er Crisp Bread





Phase 1, Week 1 Meal Plan

Day One:
Breakfast:
     Fresh white fish or one egg (hard boiled or poached). Vegetables can be added to the egg (onions, tomato, spinach, chicory, celery with a little salt and pepper to taste. No cheese or mushrooms.
     1 apple
     Or you may have a protein shake with fruit
            Snack:
     1/2 cup strawberries
            Lunch:
     Chicken breast
     1 cup spinach or green salad
     1 Doctor Kracker Seedlander Crispbreads
            Snack:
     1/2 grapefruit
            Dinner:
     Lean beef, elk, buffalo, veal, or filet mignon
     1 cup green salad or asparagus
     5 pieces 365 mini-toast

Day Two:
            Breakfast:
     1 egg and 2 extra egg whites
     1/2 grapefruit
     Or a protein shake
            Snack:
            Lunch:
     Fresh white fish
     1 cup cabbage or green salad
     1 Doctor Kracker Seedlander Crispbreads
            Snack:
     1/2 cup strawberries
            Dinner:
     Crab or shrimp
     1 cup asparagus or green salad
     5 pieces 365 mini-toast




Day Three:
            Breakfast:
     Fresh white fish or one egg (hard boiled or poached). Vegetables can be added to the egg (onions, tomato, spinach, chicory, celery with a little salt and pepper to taste). No cheese or mushrooms.
     1 Granny Smith apple
     Or a protein shake
            Snack:
     1/2 Strawberries
            Lunch:
     Chicken breast
     1 cup tomatoes or green salad
     1 Doctor Kracker Seedlander Crispbreads
            Snack:
            Dinner:
     Deer, elk, veal or fillet mignon
     1 cup spinach or green salad
     5 pieces 365 mini-toast

Day Four:
            Breakfast:
     Fresh white fish or one egg (hard boiled or poached). Vegetables can be added to the egg (onions, tomato, spinach, chicory, celery with a little salt and pepper to taste. No cheese or mushrooms.
     1/2 grapefruit
     Or protein shake
            Snack:
     1/2 cup strawberries
            Lunch:
     Chicken breast
     1 cup romaine salad
     1 Doctor Kracker Seedlander Crispbreads
            Snack:
            Dinner:
     Filet mignon
     1 cup spinach or green salad
     2 slice melba toast




Day Five:
            Breakfast:
     Shrimp or one egg (hard boiled or poached). Vegetables can be added to the egg (onions, tomato, spinach, chicory, celery with a little salt and pepper to taste). No cheese or mushrooms.
     1 Granny Smith apple
     Or protein shake
            Snack:
     1/2 grapefruit
            Lunch:
     Fresh white fish
     1 cup cucumbers or green salad
     1 Doctor Kracker Seedlander Crispbreads
            Snack:
     1/2 strawberries
            Dinner:
     Veal, filet mignon, or extra lean hamburger meat
     1 cup mixed greens salad or asparagus
     5 pieces 365 mini-toast

Day Six:
            Breakfast:
     Shrimp or one egg (hard boiled or poached). Vegetables can be added to the egg (onions, tomato, spinach, chicory, celery with a little salt and pepper to taste). No cheese or mushrooms.
     1 Granny Smith apple
     Or protein shake
            Snack:
     1/2 grapefruit
            Lunch:
     Fresh white fish
     1 cup cabbage or green salad
     1 Doctor Kracker Seedlander Crispbreads
            Snack:
     1/2 cup strawberries
            Dinner:
     Deer, elk, veal or fillet mignon
     1 cup mixed greens salad or asparagus
     1 Doctor Kracker Seedlander Crispbreads



Day Seven:
            Breakfast:
     Fresh white fish or one egg (hard boiled or poached). Vegetables can be added to the egg (onions, tomato, spinach, chicory, celery with a little salt and pepper to taste. No cheese or mushrooms.
     1 Granny Smith apple
     Or a protein shake
            Snack:
     1/2 grapefruit
            Lunch:
     Chicken breast
     1 cup romaine salad
     1 Doctor Kracker Seedlander Crispbreads
            Snack:
     1/2 cup strawberries
            Dinner:
     Veal, filet mignon, or extra lean hamburger meat
     1 cup mixed greens salad or asparagus
1 Doctor Kracker Seedlander Crispbreads








Sunday, September 28, 2014

Diabetes - A 21st Century Scourge: Nutrients for Weight Loss in Diabetics



Every excess pound above your ideal body weight makes developing diabetes or pre­diabetes extremely easy and reversing the condition exceedingly difficult. There are several imperatives regarding diabetes and weight loss. One, movement equals improvement. In order to reduce inflammation and burn off glycogen released when stress hormones are present you must exercise moderately (when able) otherwise weight management will not happen. Second, your meal plan must meet the demands of reversing diabetes. Finally, taking the right supplements in adequate amounts will help you on your way.
Keep in mind that there is no magic bullet out there to get you where you need to go. Depending solely on supplements is a sure way to not meet your goals. Be sure to think of these recommendations as Sherpas helping you up the mountain of diabetes reversal.
The goal here is to nourish the body in such a way as to trigger your body’s natural ability to reduce fat storage and induce fat cell destruction. Supplement recommendations will be divided into sections: Fat burning, appetite suppressants, increased satiety and energy production.
Thermogenic (fat burning):
      Green tea (or green tea extracts): used for thousands of years for a range of health benefits green tea and its extracts profoundly increases thermogenic activity in the body. This helps your body increase fat burning over a sustained period of time with no side effects (unless you are extremely sensitive to caffeine). 3-­4 cups of green tea daily and/or 100 milligrams of green tea extract is recommended.
      Fucoxanthin: a component of fucoidan it is derived from edible seaweed. Asian cultures have used and consumed seaweed full of fucoxanthin for thousands of years and have experienced wonderful health benefits as a result. In recent years it has been gaining more and more interest for its thermogenic powers with new human studies supporting this claim. It is also noted for its ability decrease the body’s ability to store abdominal and liver fat. 5 milligrams three times daily is recommended.
Appetite Suppressants:
      L-­tryptophan and 5­-hydroxytryptophan (5­-HTP): these amino acids help to control carbohydrate and sugar cravings by helping the body produce more serotonin which naturally deters these cravings. 50­-100 milligrams one to three times daily or 100-­300 milligrams before bed. Serotonin Max may be a good place to start. *Special note: if you are taking a SSRI antidepressants or triptans for migraines please consult with your physician before taking these supplements.
      N­-acetyl L-­tyrosine: a naturally occurring amino acid that helps the body increase
dopamine and norepinephrine which decreases appetite and improves mood. 500-­2,000 milligrams daily taken on an empty stomach usually does the trick. Avoid taking in the late afternoon as it may interfere with sleep.
Increase Satiety:
      Fiber: fiber does so many wonderful things for the body like help control sugar levels through various mechanisms but the focus here will be on feeling full. Both soluble and insoluble fiber play a significant role in this process.  It is recommended that most people consume at least 30 grams per day (most only get about 14 grams per day). A high quality fiber supplement split up over the course of the day (10 grams 3x daily) will assist with feeling full, reduce cravings and moderate blood sugar levels.
Increase Energy:

       Acetyl L-­carnitine: supports, protects and regenerates mitochondria and mitochondrial functions. It is also able to cross the blood­-brain barrier to support and energize brain cells and increase the number of neurotransmitters in the brain. Increased energetic output and mitochondrial function (where energy is produced) helps to reduce weight through desiring to move and then doing so!

*Before beginning any supplement regime it is best that you consult your primary healthcare practitioner or doctor.

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Slow and Steady Wins the Weight Race!

Generally I do not write articles about myself. Generally. However, I do have a story to tell that I hope will be of inspiration to someone and that is why I’m making an exception. I don’t merely right articles or have an interest in health arbitrarily. There are many reasons for why I write, like a sincere desire to help others, with my own personal struggles not being the least of them. Weight gain, inflammation and severe sinus issues plagued me. If nothing else it proves that I am not immune to the pitfalls of life and more specifically a western diet and lifestyle. If you find yourself in a struggle don’t despair but take comfort in the fact that with knowledge, time and effort most any issue can be mastered and overcome.

How I gained the weight

I can sit on my butt with the best of them. Oh how easy it is to plop down on the couch and watch another mind numbing episode of (fill in the blank here). This is an insidious trap because inactivity feeds off of and breeds more inactivity. The more I sat the heavier I got and the more I didn't want to become active.

I was already about 20 lbs. heavier than normal when I returned to my hometown and then it happened. A combination of home cooking, fast food and the weekly stop at the “soul food” restaurant packed on an additional 20+ lbs. I gradually gained 42 lbs over a 16 year period of time. Sounds familiar? In addition, unbeknownst to me, I was suffering from severe allergic reactions to the inflammatory foods I was consuming. The result was a sinus issue so extreme that I was popping Sudafed twice a day. I blamed the usual suspects like dust, pollen and pet dander even though these never bothered me growing up and I didn’t have a pet to be exposed to pet dander so I don’t know why I considered that one. Grasping at straws I suppose. Add frequent nosebleeds and headaches to the mix and I was miserable and resigned to taking over-the-counter medications.

Stress is often a common denominator when it comes to weight gain among most people and I was no exception. My work in law enforcement was demanding and working many hours off duty left me fatigued which always compounds stress related issues. When you throw in the demands of family and everyday life chronic stress was a constant companion. An annoying, relentless, and pound producing companion! In short, the more cortisol, the more hunger increases and we know what happens next.

How I lost the weight

Although I don’t remember the exact date it happened I do remember the day I woke up startled, expecting to see someone in the room because I could hear them snoring. As I looked around frantically I slowly began to realize I was the only one in the room and it was me I heard snoring. I actually woke myself up and it was then I knew something had to change. At that time I realized I was approximately 40 lbs overweight and slowly falling apart at 32 years of age. Something had to go and I decided it was the weight instead of me. Intuitively I knew I was eating horribly. I confess an extreme weakness for Krystal burgers, soul food and Oreo cookies. Don’t even think about asking me to share! The amount inflammation in my body must have been astounding. Unfortunately, at that time in my life I had just began my journey to better health and sharing with others health related information and was not knowledgeable enough to really help myself. I did know enough to stop the fast food and slow down on the cookies but my food consumption evolution had only just begun. Thankfully I continued, little by little, and discovered the way I should go. Slow and steady does win the race. And when it comes to weight loss slow and steady is wonderful because it provides the stability you need to keep the weight off for good.

As I neared the end of my weight-loss journey I encountered an eating plan geared towards diabetics and those with pre-diabetes. After a few tweaks I reformulated the plan and began to use it and experienced great success. Most of us know how difficult it is to lose those last 5-10 lbs. and I wasn’t excluded. With the anti-inflammation food plan I eliminated or limited significantly sugar, dairy and non-healthy fats intake. Combined with moderate exercise my metabolism skyrocketed and I exceeded my weight goal by two pounds. Before anyone gets the wrong impression please realize that my consistent habits over a three to four year period lead me to my goal. There is no magic formula, no silver bullet. You must be consistent over the long term for sustained success.

Having spent many years in the military I knew exactly what I needed to do to get the weight off from an exercise point of view. Admittedly I hate running. I find it torturous, beneficial, but torturous nonetheless. As you can imagine the weight didn’t come off easily because I found it difficult to commit enough to running but I did it anyway. I have two points to make here. The first is that sometimes you have to do things that you really don’t want to do to achieve your goals. Just make sure they lead to positive results. The second point I want to make is that one should definitely look for activities that excite and connect with you. For me I have found cycling to be a great workout and it has done wonders. Search for what gets you moving and do it. Track your progress, keep raising goals and hold yourself accountable (or find a buddy to help hold you accountable).

I definitely  believe in supplementation. Any supplement that is truly natural and provides non-toxic nourishment for the body I’m all for. Be diligent about what you buy and understand that it is nourishment the body needs not gimmicks. If you’re supplements are chemically based and filled with synthetic materials and synthetic vitamins beware. These things tend to create inflammation and encourages weight gain over the long term.

My primary goal for sharing my story is to let people know that with forethought, perseverance, and consistent change you can begin to lay the groundwork for long term and sustained weight loss. Establishing a sound eating plan and consistent activity will lay a proper foundation in case other issues need to be addressed (e.g. poor thyroid function, adrenal fatigue, the need for cleansing, chronic stress, etc.). I cannot stress enough how important it is to avoid gimmicky diet plans and supplements that could cover up or even exacerbate the issues given as an example above. Gimmicks can mask the true nature of why you are gaining weight or are unable to lose it. If you are interested I will be more than happy to provide my phase one and phase two eating plan food charts. Just email me at thoughtfulhealth@gmail.com and I will forward them to you. Go in good health!