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I have questions about dieting.

Okay, so are all carbs the same? Why are carbs from highly processed grains worse for you than carbs from veggies or beans? Or are they?

Okay, what is glycemic index? Does this have something to do with insulin spiking up and down in your system or whatever? Does it affect energy?

If you don’t eat carbs does you body have to burn fat for energy?

How many calories does a man or woman need to eat per day?

How many calories are in a pound of fat?

How many calories do you burn just sitting around and doing nothing?

If an exercise says it burns 300 calories in an hour, do you subtract what you would burn from just sitting around from the total to get the actual calories burned from the exercise?

What is the easiest diet to stick to?

What the heck is a ‘balanced diet’ anyway?

I have read that it’s not just the calories you are eating, but when you are eating them that matters.

Atkins diet says don’t eat any carbs, 4-Hour Body says to eat beans and take a day off every week from your diet, I’ve heard of one called the Sonoma diet or something like that, what the heck is the cabbage diet, I am so confused.

All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.
— Gandalf, J.R.R. Tolkien
I’m Alright
Life Less Ordinary

Oh yeah, and what about exercise? I walk a bit, but it takes a while to walk a couple of miles or more. Can you get just as much benefit from riding a recumbent bike or something for a minute or two if you do it with a lot of intensity? Doesn’t that speed up your metabolism for the rest of the day?

All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.
— Gandalf, J.R.R. Tolkien
I’m Alright
Life Less Ordinary

Wow, Jeff you pose great questions…and this will be a great thread when we attempt to answer all your questions.
There are so many types of answers to these questions. And if you start searching the web..you will surely get confused. Like many things in life..it depends who you speak to…for some.
—————
Nutrition and exercise are so much more controversial than you would think. Due to a variety of factors I am very comfortable with what I believe is best for me. And while much of what I have concluded that is best for me…some may believe it isn’t enough or …“too much” for them.

When you mention exercise…there is talk that at least 30 minutes a day is a must. Though there are many factors that would help one choose which exercise, when, how, and quantity/quality of it all….So let’s open your thread to a mixture of non-cut and dry answers & what the “experts” say and/or from our community members and what they have learned with their specific experience. Is that ok?

cabbage soup diet you asked about

Atkins

Carbohydrate Guide

Most people should get between 40% and 60% of total calories from carbohydrates, preferably from complex carbohydrates (starches) and natural sugars. Complex carbohydrates provide calories, vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
Foods that are high in processed, refined simple sugars provide calories, but very little nutrition. It is wise to limit these sugars.
To increase complex carbohydrates and healthy nutrients:
Eat more fruits and vegetables.
Eat more whole-grain rice, breads, and cereals.
Eat more legumes (beans, lentils, and dried peas).
Here are recommended serving sizes for foods high in carbohydrates:
Vegetables: 1 cup of raw vegetables, or 1/2 cup cooked vegetables, or 3/4 cup of vegetable juice
Fruits: 1 medium-size fruit (such as 1 medium apple or 1 medium orange), 1/2 cup of a canned or chopped fruit, or 3/4 cup of fruit juice
Breads and cereals: 1 slice of bread; 1 ounce or 2/3 cup of ready-to-eat cereal; 1/2 cup of cooked rice, pasta, or cereal; 1/2 cup of cooked dry beans, lentils, or dried peas
Dairy: 1 cup of skim or low-fat milk

Read more: http://www.righthealth.com/topic/carbohydrates/overview/adam20#ixzz1WrobyBV4

BE YOU

from weightawareness.com
  • “ There is always a little trial and error until the correct plans evolve”
  • “Weight Awareness also recommends that the reader visit and read the topic section on nutrition to learn how the body needs and uses foods as fuel. After enjoying that section, the weight loss diets may be reviewed with a more physiologic understanding. This should allow the reader to be better prepared to evaluate these weight loss diets. With this understanding, perhaps more effective conversations with your health care provider may be possible” from weightawareness.com

…I’ll add more links later(:

BE YOU

MedLine Plus
What are Carbs??

Definition
Carbohydrates are one of the main dietary components. This category of foods includes sugars, starches, and fiber.
Alternative Names
Starches; Simple sugars; Sugars; Complex carbohydrates; Diet – carbohydrates; Simple carbohydrates
Function
The primary function of carbohydrates is to provide energy for the body, especially the brain and the nervous system. An enzyme called amylase helps break down carbohydrates into glucose (blood sugar), which is used for energy by the body.
Food Sources
Carbohydrates are classified as simple or complex. The classification depends on the chemical structure of the food, and how quickly the sugar is digested and absorbed. Simple carbohydrates have one (single) or two (double) sugars. Complex carbohydrates have three or more sugars.

Read more: http://www.righthealth.com/topic/carbohydrates#ixzz1WrlrOYhQ
Thorough on Carbs
Complex carbs
Simple Carbs
Scroll Down for videos on carbs

BE YOU

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH!

My brain is exploding!!!!!

I downloaded a book called “The China Study”. Have you ever heard of it? I also got “In Defense of Food”.

All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.
— Gandalf, J.R.R. Tolkien
I’m Alright
Life Less Ordinary

Personally, I have gotten a lot out of Eat to Live by Dr. Fuhrman
Here is a review:
When prominent physicians, such as Mehmet Oz, MD, have patients whose life depends on losing weight, they call on Joel Fuhrman, MD
EAT TO LIVE completely revised and updated for 2011 includes an entire new chapter on conquering food addiction and overeating. It instructs readers on how to leave behind the discomfort of toxic hunger, cravings, and addictions to unhealthy foods. You’ll find new inspiring success stories from people who have used the program to lose dramatic amounts of weight and recover from chronic illnesses; up-to-date scientific research supporting the principles behind Dr. Fuhrman’s plan; new recipes and meal ideas. This easy-to-follow, nutritionally sound diet can help anyone shed pounds quickly-and keep them off.

New recipes and menus are included as well as new and updated Frequently Asked Questions.

Both doctors and patients are calling this the medical miracle diet. Find out why!
—————————
Another review:

Pros

Educates dieters with information so that they are able to make informed choices regarding healthy dietary choices.
High nutrient and low calorie diets may increase longevity.
Promotes the intake of fresh fruit and vegetables (at least two pounds of vegetables and four serves of fruit daily).
Reduces risk of and may actually reverse diseases associated with aging such as diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular disease.
Beneficial for individuals who need to lose weight quickly in order to prepare for surgery.
Includes menu plans and recipes with both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options.
Cons

Extremely restrictive which may make eating out very difficult.
Requires a fair amount of time spent on food preparation.
May not provide adequate protein for many dieters especially those who are very physically active.
Some dieters such as those with inflammatory bowel disease may not tolerate the large amounts of raw vegetables and fruit.
Many dieters would probably not enjoy eating this way.
Conclusions

Dr. Fuhrman’s diet plan is very extreme however it is well supported by scientific research particularly in regard to its potential benefit for dieters with high cholesterol, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

It is however important to be aware that not everyone responds favorably to this approach and some dieters achieve more beneficial results when they include larger amounts of healthy fats and protein in the diet.

———————
From me…for this book I get into the studies…the values and issues with various foods…

And I use the info with things that work for me. I am not on a low protein diet…but the book motivates me to add my greens..and beans to my meals…

BE YOU

I’m back from one grocery store, gonna hit another one later. I’ll tell you what, if you buy dried beans – they are really cheap! I also loaded up on lots of frozen veggies. I know fresh is better, but these won’t go to waste. Collards, spinich and turnip greens. Also got a bag of mixed beans for making some kind of cajun soup. Later I’m gonna go get some cabbage and a few other things.

All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.
— Gandalf, J.R.R. Tolkien
I’m Alright
Life Less Ordinary

If you wanted to help truly needy people, you know, people that really don’t have enough to eat, beans would do a lot to help them. Full of nutrients and cheap, cheap, cheap. I haven’t paid attention to the price, but Sam’s Club, I believe, sells dried beans by the sack. In a third world country, I’ll bet a family could at least EAT for a good while on a sack of beans.

All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.
— Gandalf, J.R.R. Tolkien
I’m Alright
Life Less Ordinary

Those are some really good links, Laurie. I am going to post some of the info as I work my way through them.

Summary of the Cabbage Soup Diet
————————————————
How the Cabbage Soup Diet works for weight loss
The cabbage soup diet is a seven day diet designed to jump-start a person’s diet and cause them to lose weight quickly. On the cabbage soup diet a person can eat as much cabbage soup as they want for seven days and should expect to lose 10 to 15 pounds. Each day of the cabbage soup diet there are specific foods that must be eaten including potatoes, fruit juice and vegetables.

Advantages of the Cabbage Soup Diet for weight loss
On the cabbage soup diet, a person will lose weight fast and can eat as much of the foods allowed each day as they want. The cabbage soup diet may also provide a “kick-start” for a more moderate diet.

Disadvantages of the Cabbage Soup Diet for weight loss
Many people who have tried the cabbage soup diet report feeling light-headed and weak. Some people who tried the cabbage soup diet also noticed a decrease in their ability to concentrate. The cabbage soup diet is too low in complex carbohydrates, protein, vitamins, and minerals to stay on for an extended period of time. The cabbage soup diet is not as good as a regular, long-term diet and is extremely monotonous. The cabbage soup diet does not help a person change their eating habits which some people consider an important factor in allowing permanent weight loss.

Also: Much of the weight lost is water and will return right after you go off of the diet. Why bother?

All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.
— Gandalf, J.R.R. Tolkien
I’m Alright
Life Less Ordinary

Summary of the Atkins Diet
——————————————
How the Atkins Diet works for weight loss
The Atkins weight loss diet is based on the fact that the body metabolizes carbohydrates before fats. If a person eats fewer carbohydrates, the body will be forced to burn fat for energy. The Atkins weight loss diet effects are based on the fact that a person can change their metabolism and lose weight by eating foods high in protein and fat and limiting foods high in carbohydrate. Banishing carbohydrates forces the body to enter ketosis, a state in which the body burns fat and food cravings disappear. The body enters into its starvation mode. Over-consumption of carbohydrates causes overproduction of insulin which leads to increased hunger and weight gain.

The Atkins diet allows a person to eat unlimited amounts of protein, eggs and cheese. On the Atkins diet, carbohydrates such as pasta, beans, bread, fruit, and starchy vegetables are severely limited. Carbohydrates are limited to only 15 to 60 grams per day on the Atkins diet while protein and fat are highly encouraged. It is expected that a person can lose up to 16 pounds in the first to weeks of the Atkins diet.

Advantages of the Atkins Diet for weight loss
Many people like the fact that they can eat as much protein and fat as they wish since these foods are often restricted in more traditional diets. For people who have tried a low-fat, high-carbohydrate diet plans without success, increasing protein and decreasing carbohydrate in their diet often results in decreased food cravings and leads to rapid weight loss. The Atkins diet is relatively easy to follow and there are not any complicated meal plans that go along with it.

The basis of this weight loss is correct, in that the body will go into its starvation mode if it can not obtain enough energy from the diet and there are not enough carbohydrate reserves.

Disadvantages of the Atkins Diet for weight loss
Any weight loss diet that limits carbohydrates causes the body to rely on fat or muscle for energy and may cause dehydration. When the body converts stored fat to supply energy, it creates ketones as a by-product. Ketones may suppress appetite, but they also cause headaches, fatigue and nausea. Anyone with diabetes, heart, or kidney problems should not follow the Atkins plan because it promotes the formation of ketones.

Eating unlimited amounts of fat, especially saturated fat, can lead to an increased risk of heart disease. Some studies have shown a greater initial weight loss on the Atkins diet compared with a traditional calorie-controlled diet. However, after one year there was no major difference in weight loss between the Atkins diet and a traditional calorie controlled diet. The long-term health effects of this diet may be potentially risky because of the amount of fat that is consumed. In fact, law suits have been filed against the Atkins Diet with allegations of promoting heart disease.

All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.
— Gandalf, J.R.R. Tolkien
I’m Alright
Life Less Ordinary

Pay Attention: Useable Net Carbohydrates
—————————————————————
One way to attain lower carbohydrate values on a product is through the method of carbohydrate counting used to value the product. Many labels list ‘total carbohydrates’, then subtract certain items from the total to arrive at ‘net’, ‘effective’ or ‘useable’ carbohydrate value. This net value is often the highlighted value on the front of the food pack.

The ‘net’ carbohydrate content often results from subtracting grams of fiber from the total carbohydrates. Manufacturers reason that fiber, while technically a carbohydrate, is not absorbed by the body, so shouldn’t be counted as a carbohydrate.

As for sugar alcohols, such as the sugar substitutes maltitol and mannitol, manufacturers say that while these also are technically carbohydrates and a source of calories (though fewer than sugar), they have a negligible effect on blood sugar, so also shouldn’t count as carbohydrates.

Some dietary experts prefer to include sugar alcohols as carbohydrates, since they are absorbed, but would subtract fiber, which is not absorbed.

Since labels usually list both total carbohydrates and carbohydrates from fiber and sugar alcohols, a person could perform their own calculations, based on which line of thinking makes the most sense to them.

All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.
— Gandalf, J.R.R. Tolkien
I’m Alright
Life Less Ordinary

In response to Rejuvenated-Reinvented-Free Spirit’s post:
cabbage soup diet

6 large green onions (also called “spring” onions)
2 green peppers
1 or 2 cans of tomatoes (diced or whole)
3 carrots
1 container (10 oz. or so) mushrooms
1 bunch of celery
half a head of cabbage
1 package spice only soup mix (In the US, Liptons is a good choice)
1 or 2 cubes of bouillon (optional)
1 48oz can Low Sodium V8 juice (optional)
Season to taste with pepper, parsley, curry, garlic powder, etc. (Little to NO SALT!)
Directions:

Slice green onions, put in a pot on medium heat and start to sauté with cooking spray. Do this until the onions are whiter/clearer in color (about 4-6 minutes).

Cut green pepper stem end off, then cut pepper in half to take out the seeds and membrane. Cut the green pepper into bite size pieces and add to pot.

Take the outer leafs layers off the cabbage, cut into bite size pieces, add to pot.

Clean carrots, mushrooms, and celery, cut into bite size pieces and toss them in. Add tomatoes now, too.

If you would like a spicy soup, add a small amount of curry or cayenne pepper now.

For seasonings, you can use a spice soup packet of your choice (no noodles!) or use beef or chicken bouillon cubes. These cubes are optional, and you can add spices you like instead (make sure not to add much salt, if any at all).

Use about 12 cups of water (or 8 cups and the 48 oz of Low Sodium V8 juice), cover and put heat on low. Let soup simmer for a long time – about 2 hours or until vegetables are tender.

another good site- cabbage soup recipe

BE YOU

from weightawareness.com
One of the most important proven concepts that is often overlooked in the efforts to lose weight is the fact that inorder to lose weight, the human body should have less energy in than energy out. As active children, typically this concept was never a problem because in general children would not eat enough of anything to satisfy their energy needs. This was in part because children were always ‘on the go’. Unfortunately, activity and diet times have changed towards weight gain instead of weight loss. The increase in sedentary times and quick convenient meals has swung the balance askew and this imbalance is what is causing the weight gains and the associated medical problems to rise.

Regardless of the diet method chosen, it is always important to remember to acknowledge the activity level and the actual amount of energy that is required to function throughout the day. Too much of anything or any diet may result in no weight loss if the energy expenditure is ‘out of balance’. Weight loss diets should be maintained long enough to tilt the balance towards using more energy than is consumed, and doing so for a long period of time.

BE YOU

Calorie Counting – A Guide to Calories & Weight Control

BE YOU

Love this thread folks especially the time nnd care you give to sharing stuff with us .

Its a bit different but i have ordered a book called

Self Healing Crohns And Colitis by David Klein

which im waiting for .
It is a vegan diet and he himself suffered with colitis for years so he knows what he is talking about ,and this books about giving your body a chance to heal .I have thought for ages it could be controled /healed through food but drs and consultants all said no .

Im going to give this a try ,will let you know more when book arrives ,love flowergirl

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