A follow-up to the recent blog on wheat. Wheat was one of the foods I eliminated two years ago, and, (due to some wheat’s digestive issues), I attribute that to some of the 30 pounds of fat I lost. Eliminating genetically modified wheat (GMO) is not an easy thing to do-it is everywhere in pastas, breads, pastries, cookies, cakes, and crackers. Buckwheat is a great substitute, as is rye, amaranth, quinoa, brown and wild rice, sorghum, teff, oats, corn (non-GMO) and wheat berries. Note: If you are sensitive to gluten, the protein found in several grains, the list is more selective. My weight dropped pretty quickly at first; 2-3 pounds per week for the first few weeks. And, it stayed off! Give it a try.
I’m reading a book titled “Clean” by Dr. Alejandro Junger. In a nutshell, it’s about removing toxins in the gut and liver, restoring natural balance, and allowing the body’s natural ability to heal itself. I highly recommend reading it. Clean really opened my eyes as to what I put in my mouth. Toxicity in foods can cause a small but troubling health problem, like extra weight, ongoing fatigue, allergies, depression, or a digestive disorder. It can also cause bigger problems, like cardiovascular disease, cancer, obesity, and autoimmune disorders. Since I always advise my clients, “What you put in your mouth 3-5 times a day has a huge impact on their health,” I thought I’d better lead by example. Plus, I wanted to feel better. I started having leafy green salads five nights per week. I vary what I put in them; cauliflower, carrots, beets, broccoli, artichokes, and olives. I eat fish 4-5 times per week, and snack on nuts and seeds. Berries are an incredible food for the gut, so I include them 4-5 times a week also, along with goat yogurt or cottage cheese. Breads are almost non-existent in my meal planning.
I also included these foods: Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is rich in potassium and other nutrients. Plus, ACV is acidic, but like lemons, becomes alkaline in the body (which is really good!). The typical western diet needs more alkalinity in it-meats, dairy, grains, sugars, starches, and certain fruits are acidic, and these foods make up most of the American diet. Remember, when the body is acidic, calcium is pulled from the bone bank to neutralize the pH of the blood. I typically start my day with 2 cups of warm lemon water, then coffee or tea. Speaking of tea, I brew several pots of 1/2 green tea and 1/2 peppermint tea each week-I drink 3 cups of this concoction each day. Now I’ll be the first to tell you I’m no saint. I did plenty of unhealthy living in my 20’s and 30’s. But I have to tell you (now that I’m smarter), that since embarking on this change in diet, I not only lost a lot of fat, but I feel better, and have more energy. My bowels are happier too!
Get well, John R Blilie, M.S.