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food fight
Dear Cheryl,
For years I have heard low fat is the way to lose weight, but I find the more I reduce
fat, the more fats and carbohydrates I crave…plus, I feel confused by all the diet
choices, most of which are touting protein and fats vs. high carbs. Who do I
believe? Please enlighten me.
— Confused.
Dear Confused,
For years, a low-fat diet was touted for healthy hearts. However, this theory has
been disproved since throwing out fat meant throwing out the good fats as well. In
asking who to believe regarding cravings, your own body is your best source of
information. Trusting how you feel after eating is your best judge of what foods are
working for your individual body type, rather than against it. Since you are aware
that greatly reducing or eliminating fats sets up cravings for more carbs and fats, it
leads me to believe that your body is asking for more of the essential fatty acids. All
of our bodies need omega-3, found in fish oil, certain nuts, certain fatty fish, and
flax seeds.
The idea that ingesting fats will make you gain weight is actually a fallacy.
Chemically, when one eats fat, the body is told to release glucagons and thus to
release fat from the cells, causing weight or fat loss. Conversely, when one eats
high carbs, insulin increases and the cells are signaled to store fat. The idea that
high carbs, low fat is the way to lose weight is obsolete and incorrect. Moreover,
any food plan that leaves you hungry will be difficult to maintain over time and since
fat causes satiety of appetite, low-fat diets are likely to leave you with feelings of
dissatisfaction and cravings for more.
The ratio of adequate fats combined with protein to carbs is important in keeping
food cravings at a lull. Not only does protein combined with sufficient healthy fats
induce satiety, but your brain actually works better, is able to focus, and, high
levels of omega-3 intake have been proven to reduce depression.
— Cheryl Ades
(writer for two years) I suggest keeping a food journal noting how you feel after
eating certain food combinations including how long you are free from physical
hunger between meals, your ability to focus as well as clarity of thinking, and your
level of anxiety.
Dear Cheryl,
For years I have heard low fat is the way to lose weight, but I find the more I reduce
fat, the more fats and carbohydrates I crave…plus, I feel confused by all the diet
choices, most of which are touting protein and fats vs. high carbs. Who do I
believe? Please enlighten me.
— Confused.
Dear Confused,
For years, a low-fat diet was touted for healthy hearts. However, this theory has
been disproved since throwing out fat meant throwing out the good fats as well. In
asking who to believe regarding cravings, your own body is your best source of
information. Trusting how you feel after eating is your best judge of what foods are
working for your individual body type, rather than against it. Since you are aware
that greatly reducing or eliminating fats sets up cravings for more carbs and fats, it
leads me to believe that your body is asking for more of the essential fatty acids. All
of our bodies need omega-3, found in fish oil, certain nuts, certain fatty fish, and
flax seeds.
The idea that ingesting fats will make you gain weight is actually a fallacy.
Chemically, when one eats fat, the body is told to release glucagons and thus to
release fat from the cells, causing weight or fat loss. Conversely, when one eats
high carbs, insulin increases and the cells are signaled to store fat. The idea that
high carbs, low fat is the way to lose weight is obsolete and incorrect. Moreover,
any food plan that leaves you hungry will be difficult to maintain over time and since
fat causes satiety of appetite, low-fat diets are likely to leave you with feelings of
dissatisfaction and cravings for more.
The ratio of adequate fats combined with protein to carbs is important in keeping
food cravings at a lull. Not only does protein combined with sufficient healthy fats
induce satiety, but your brain actually works better, is able to focus, and, high
levels of omega-3 intake have been proven to reduce depression.
— Cheryl Ades
(writer for two years) I suggest keeping a food journal noting how you feel after
eating certain food combinations including how long you are free from physical
hunger between meals, your ability to focus as well as clarity of thinking, and your
level of anxiety.