I have written on this topic before, but with some amendments, I offer it again, since there are still many people trying to learn about this new low carb/paleo/primal way of eating.
No doubt some people may not be aware of or into the whole low carb/paleo/primal way of eating, meaning eating foods more like our prehistoric ancestors, eating foods we evolved to eat; simple clean diets with grass fed meats if possible, some roots and berries equivalents, and very few if any modern processed foods.
Also, some people may not be aware that the old demonizing of fat is passe’ and that recent studies show that low-fat diets have run parallel to the increased fattening in the population–not surprisingly all low-fat processed foods have increased or added sugars and starches. Science reporter Gary Taubes does the best job of showing why low fat dieting is unnatural and unhealthy for humans.
There are now studies coming out with increasing frequency showing that lowering carbs to healthy ones only, those non-starchy vegetables and low-sugar fruits, does the best to improve all the significant numbers like blood sugar, cholesterol, etc. Protein should be moderate, with adequate fats added to provide satiety.
High or higher fat is satisfying, and in fact winds up being less fattening than the average western diet which is heavy on fast-foods or prepared/frozen foods, foods which use poor quality fats to make matters worse. Our bodies were meant to use fat for all of the major functions, and used in place of sugar-starches-artificial sweeteners, high-fat low carb winds up being a much healthier way to eat.
Don’t be afraid of any fats except major vegetable oils like corn, soybean, cottonseed, and use olive and safflower oils, along with nut or seed oils from walnut, macadamia, grapeseed for salad or cold uses , along with butter, lard, and meat fats for cooking. Foods taste much better, and your hair, skin, nails, teeth really show the difference.
I avoid over-using cheese, but do enjoy brie, cheddar, and mostly goat cheese, several times a week.
Fats of course can be overused if there is still much carbohydrate present in the diet, so be aware of that for the combination of carbohydrates and fats is fattening.
Lastly this type of diet encourages preparing our own meals at home, which is less expensive, rarely more time consuming, and by far healthier. I check my blood sugar every morning while still in the fasted state, and also weigh myself then; if I have eaten out the night before (and I always eat low carb) I will still see a big bump in both blood sugar and weight from all the salt and hidden carbs which frequently can be in the salt and other seasonings. Eating out also presents temptations we usually avoid at home.
We have half a century of bad information to overcome if we as a nation expect to curtail the rising obesity problem, and reclaiming our health.
Yours in learning,
Nan aka Sugarbaby
Sugaraholics 