Health Foods You'll Eat... And Enjoy!

By now we’ve all heard that white flour is bad for you and whole grain is good. But what if you or your family doesn’t like the taste of whole grain pasta? Health food isn’t good for you, unless you eat it!

Here are some great tips to improve the way our bodies process the white stuff, by minimizing potentially harmful effects.

The problem with white pasta, white bread and white rice is that some genius decided to eliminate the most nutritious parts, including fiber and nutrition. The carbohydrates break down too fast, which increases blood sugar and spikes insulin. The process happens too quickly for the body’s own good, and hunger can hit again soon.

BUT if you intercept this process, the whole system would slow down. For instance, protein, fat and fiber reduce the glycemic index of white foods, stabilize glucose levels, and keep appetite at bay.

There’s a fabulous product called textured vegetable protein (TVP - pictured above). This little wonder has barely any calories, but adds a decent dose of fiber and protein to any dish. It has no perceptible taste, but picks up flavor from foods and sauces it is cooked with. The only ingredient is defatted soy flour.

Dry TVP looks like granola, and has the consistency of ground meat after reconstituting it in water. Vegetarians use it to substitute for meat in a bolognese sauce, or for chopped clams in a faux clam sauce. A quarter cup dry has 80 calories, 0 fat, and adds 12 g of protein and 4g of fiber, along with Iron, Potassium and Magnesium. I can just toss a few pinches into an entre for one.

TVP is an exceptional product, and at $2.39 for a 10 oz package, it is cheap enough to cure world hunger! CLICK HERE for more info


Spelt flour is another outstanding product. This looks and feels like white flour, and I use it to thicken sauces, instead of cornstarch. You can also buy spelt pasta, which has nearly triple the protein and fiber of white pasta. It contains all eight essential amino acids needed by the human body, and is a good source of manganese, niacin, thiamin, and copper. I’d suggest mixing some with white pasta to gradually introduce it. This will reduce the glycemic index, and add impeccable nutrition.

Olive oil also reduces the glycemic index of white bread and others in a healthy way, since healthy fats slow the breakdown of unhealthy carbs.

The trick is to slow absorption, while adding nutrition, without spoiling taste! These tricks do all of the above.

Blog posting was originally posted on Diet.com

Dr. Abby Aronowitz
www.yourfinaldiet.com

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A couple of posts from Abby's diet.com blog:

bigfatmom says @ 11:25am ET on February 27, 2009

I wish i could lose weight really bad. Because my mom was very over weight when she die at the age of 58 yrs.old. And I don't what my my daughter look at me and call me fat again.I 'm 278 lbs. and I have no money to start this program. Can someone help me.Before I die. I don't what to die at a very young age(35 yrs old)

BigFatMom

Doctor Abby says @ 3:21pm ET on March 1, 2009

Dear Big Fat Mom,

Thanks for writing!

The best way to improve your health is to focus on "lifestyle." Stop worrying about dying, or whether people call you fat, and begin to do what you can to live more actively, given your money situation and physical health. Begin taking baby steps towards doing exercise, if you've been too lazy. This can be as simple as walking up and down a single flight of stairs, a few times a week. Just move your body more than you've been moving it. Research has found that health can improve by increasing movement, regardless if weight is lost! Continue incorporating new ways of moving your body, and slowly increase the time spent doing it... for the rest of your life! It doesn't have to be a crazy exercise regime that lasts for a few weeks and then ends.

Next, try eliminating transfats from your diet. The ingredient usually says "partially hydrogenated oil" or margarine. These are killer fats. Don't worry so much about the other fats.

If you smoke, try to quit; this is even more dangerous in my opinion than being fat.

Now, begin listening to your body, for feelings of hunger and fullness. Try eating slowly when hungry, and stopping when full, not stuffed.

If you tend to binge, pick one crunchy carbohydrate that is relatively low calorie and only binge on that. Good examples are flavored rice cakes, or, my favorite, Pirate's Booty.

Next, incorporate healthy junk food, so you can be satisfied without feeling deprived. There's a list of brand names in the appendix of my book, "Your Final Diet."

This is my best prescription for living the longest life possible, given your genes. Your genes have programmed you to be a large woman, so become the best large woman you can be!

All best,

Dr. Abby!

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ScoutMomAng sats @ 8:29am ET on March 1, 2009

Dr Abby,

You never mention where to buy this stuff. If I can't find it how can I try it?

Doctor Abby says @ 3:26pm ET on March 1, 2009

Hi ScoutMom,

Thanks for writing.

My fantastic web designer, Terri Negron found some links for you. They can be found on my personal blog. http://yourfinaldiet.blogspot.com/

Dr. Abby

The Easiest Exercise In The World!

We all know we should exercise.

Have you ever attempted exercise with great vigor, only to deflate after a few weeks or months? Does this correspond with your food diligence as well, being either “on” or “off” your diet?

People often go through a period where they’re “in the zone.” They watch what they eat, exercise, get on the scale regularly, and feel a strong sense of control. They catch a quick burst of joy when the scale inches down… or if someone asks if they’ve lost weight!

Of course, the other side of this tarnished coin is the sloppy opposite -- eating like a pig, not caring, feeling out of control, and barely moving your butt.

This is all part of the “diet mentality.” It’s a set up for yo-yo dieting, which typically makes it much easier for the body to store fat and regain weight. This may adversely affect blood pressure and other measures of health.

We need one way of living that’s relatively healthy and can last forever.

So, my latest recommendation incorporates a new and exciting exercise. This workout is so easy and convenient, that you’ll barely know you’re doing it!

It is the new crown jewel of Dr. Abby’s Diet Revolution!

The first step is buying some strap-on wrist and ankle weights. They’re cheap and can be found online right HERE

Upon arrival, strap those babies on, and simply go about your business at home. Ta da! It’s instant weight-bearing exercise. Emptying the dishwasher is now a weight-bearing exercise. Taking the garbage out or putting away laundry magically becomes strength training.

Your muscles and bones will thank you profusely, as you celebrate a major victory. Isn’t this as easy as it gets? Even if you spend most free time on the couch, you’ll even be exercising more muscles when you get up to go the fridge!

For bonus points, do some stretches in every direction from time to time. Want some aerobics? Jump up and down. If you’re too lazy to do this, you need deep therapy. (I’m available!)

More Product Info: Adjustable combination Ankle/Wrist weights.
CLICK HERE




Dr. Abby Arononwitz - www.yourfinaldiet.com
Blog posting was originally posted on diet.com