Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Paleo diet experiment

OUR ANCESTORS ate like this...
 
 
 
 
 
The name comes from our pre- agricultural ancestors who picked off fruits from trees and hunted for their meat.
The only concern that I have with that, is that cave men didn't live past mid thirties.
I did some research and some soul searching and decided to try it for a month.  I have been having trouble losing the last 10-15 lbs of baby weight.  Most of my clothes feel snug and my cute twenties muffin top turned into a cake top as I approach 40's.  And last summer my doctor emphasized that my BMW (BMI) is in an unhealthy zone. 

What is the paleo diet?..
No carbs (grains), no sugar just fruits and vegetables and protein ( meats). Some people limit the dairy too. I for one believe in the power of CHEESE and milk products.

How does it work?
The idea is that when we eat carbs the body changes that into glucose ( sugar) which fuels us, gives us lots of temporary energy. Whatever doesn't get used by the body turns into fat.  Now the diet effect, by eliminating carbs and extra sugars we force the body to break down the fat for energy...hence the weight loss. 
Now knowing a little bit about nutrition I feel that totally eliminating grains can be somewhat disadvantageous.  Carbs along with other nutrients are needed by the cellular machine to regenerate and repair itself, without them the "cell" mechanic shop doesn't have what it takes to keep functioning properly.  So I will limit them to breakfast only. 
 
And of course I will also indulge a bit on weekends.  I firmly believe that there is no better way to enjoy yourself then through the comfort of delicious food shared with friends and family.
 
The PARADOX of the PALEO-diet: If evolution allowed for cave-men to adapt it is because they figured out that settling and developing agricultural societies were better suited for food needs hence forgoing the dangerous hunting.  So one has to infer that there are always pitfalls to any diet.  I will just use to jump start my weight loss.
 
LOW caloric DIETS= YOUNG HEARTS
And on a different note there have been studies done that suggest that limited caloric diets make the heart "act" young, hence slowing down the aging process.  The idea is less fat clogged arteries and veins less work for the heart muscle to pump blood. 
 
 DISCLAIMER: As with a new diet thread lightly and talk to your doctor.
I will keep you posted on my results.
Till next year.
Jojo

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