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  • dogsandjogs
    dogsandjogs Member Posts: 1,907
    edited June 2012

    I will have to ask my cardio NP about fasting since I have atrial fibrillation and am also on a blood thinner.  So might not be able to.

    I do juice several times a week and have a protein drink daily. The protein drink gives me instant energy, but the juice doesn't.  A vegan friend of mine said it is usually the opposite LOL

  • luv_gardening
    luv_gardening Member Posts: 1,393
    edited June 2012

    I was on an intermittent fast for three months.  I only ate during a four hour window each day, squeezing in two fairly low carb meals in that time.  I also took strong antioxidants during the fasting phase, the idea being to starve any cancer cells that might be developing. The antioxidants should stop any glucose starved cancer from using glycolysis to feed, thus killing it.  So the theory goes... 

    Due to my high risk of recurrence it's important for me to remain vigilant.

    At the moment I'm trying the "2 days a week low carb, the remaining 5 days sensible eating" diet, but I can't seem to get through the low carb days without cheating.  After the three month intermittent fast I found I continued to lose weight through xmas and just didn't have much of an appetite, but now my appetite is too strong.

    The 2 day carb diet is to improve insulin resistance and reduce the chance of getting BC according to this study.

    Intermittent, Low-Carbohydrate Diets More Successful Than Standard Dieting, Study Finds 

    Cutting carbs just 2 days a week can spur weight loss  

    If this works to lose weight, it would seem like an ideal diet with five days a week to relax a bit.  I have my doubts though.

  • Momine
    Momine Member Posts: 7,859
    edited June 2012

    Joy, I am very interested in the 2 carb-free days a week too. Right now I am a bit too thin, so I haven't tried it yet.

    What sorts of things do you eat on those 2 days? As far as I can understand it should be no carb and under 600 calories, and thta does sound a bit challenging. I am thinking lots of raw veggies basically.

  • luv_gardening
    luv_gardening Member Posts: 1,393
    edited June 2012

    Momine, there were two options for the low carb.  One was low calorie and the other allowed as much protein and fat as desired but no extra carbs. They both had good results in the study.  I eat a lot of eggs, fish, cheese, nuts especially brazil and walnut which I think are the lowest in carbs.  Then low carb vegetables. I used to fail with a 7 day low carb diet as it was very binding but I can eat plenty of fibre on the five sensible days to keep things moving.

    Last time I was on moderate carbs so I'm having to find out what I can eat to make this work.  Last week was my first and I only lost a tiny bit, but I don't have much to lose.  I'm more interested in the health aspect and not putting my previously lost weight back on.

  • Momine
    Momine Member Posts: 7,859
    edited June 2012

    Interesting. I had only come across the 600-calorie, 2 days a week study.

    However, I do not find it difficult to get enough fibre on a low-carb diet.

    Yesterday for example, we had lunch out at a noodle shop. Since noodles are a bad idea, I had their peking duck. It had duck, raw scallion, cucumber and carrot. I did eat the rice pancakes that came with it, but that is not a lot of starch. But the lunch was low on veggies.

    In the afternoon, I had no-fat Greek yogurt topped with berries and walnuts and a teaspoon of maple syrup.

    In the evening we were out again. I had a large mixed salad with greens, cabbage, carrot etc. Cooked green beans with tomato. Sauteed green peppers with a little feta and grilled mushrooms. No bread or other starch.

    In general, to feel full and well with reduced carbs, I find that I need to eat boatloads of veggies. Now that it is summer, I plan to make a salad for dinner most nights. 

  • luv_gardening
    luv_gardening Member Posts: 1,393
    edited June 2012

    Lucky you, unfortunately I've suffered with slow metabolism all my life and I need to take steps to stay regular, and metamucil makes me worse.  Many suffer with high protein diets according to the literature.  I normally only eat eggs and cheese if it's accompanied by someting like beans or prunes.  On the bright side, when there's a germ going around and everyone else is running to the bathroom, it often doesn't affect me.

    I found a list of veggies and their carbs on this page.

    How Many Carbs Are in Vegetables?

  • Momine
    Momine Member Posts: 7,859
    edited June 2012

    Yes, but what I am getting at is that cutting carbs does not necessarily mean that you have to load up on the proteins instead. You can load up on lettuce instead basically.

    Thanks for the list, that is very useful. 

  • luv_gardening
    luv_gardening Member Posts: 1,393
    edited June 2012

    OK, It's freezing here in my house so I'm not sure veggies would fill me much.  Salads sound delicious, wish I could be over there in the Mediterranean!

  • Momine
    Momine Member Posts: 7,859
    edited June 2012

    It takes a bit of adjusting, but If I do include meat, for example, I will use it more as a flavoring than as a main event.



    Try sauteeing garlic and mushrooms, then add either red cabbage or broccoli or green beans, a tiny bit of liquid a lid and let cook till tender. You can eat a big pile of that along with a small piece of sausage or other meat.

  • Kaara
    Kaara Member Posts: 3,647
    edited June 2012

    I've been on the no to low carb diet since last November and have lost 12 pounds (you level off as your weight stabalizes).  We purchased a vita mix blender and blend a lot of our vegetables into smoothies to which we add protein powder and other minerals.  This takes care of getting enough fiber to keep our system regulated.  We also do a lot of fish, hormone free chicken and turkey, and very little meat.  We also try to do as much gluten free as possible, as wheat products tend to upset our stomachs.  I also take a ton of supplements to reinforce the diet.

    We cheat now and then, but most of the time we just stick to the protocol and feel much better because of it.  The first couple of weeks are the worst and if you can get through that, your body adjusts to the new diet quickly.  Raw vegetables with a hummus dip are a great snack when you feel that you are craving carbs, and some fruit and nuts work when you crave desserts. 

  • luv_gardening
    luv_gardening Member Posts: 1,393
    edited June 2012

    I could never get on with low carb diets due to the problem mentioned above plus I ended up eating too much protein to satisfy my need to eat so I didn't lose weight.  Then since I rarely eat meat it gets pretty boring.  The beauty of the 2 day intermittent diet is I can get other nutrients, fruit and fibre on the other 5 days, and any parties, meals out etc can be fitted in.  I imagine it would be good for maintaining weight loss if it works.

  • Momine
    Momine Member Posts: 7,859
    edited June 2012

    You could try eating veggies though. Just saying.

  • dogsandjogs
    dogsandjogs Member Posts: 1,907
    edited June 2012

    The thing is, I'm very active jogging/power-walking about 3 1/2 hours a day. So I really need the carbs for energy. And since I'm a vegan I don't eat cheese, fish or meat. I do cheat a little by eating free-range eggs though. But in order to lose weight I just have to add more veggies.  And at my last blood test (for coumadin levels) my blood was too thick (no doubt because of all the greens) so we have to add more Coumadin to my schedule. 

    Any ideas?  I really can't function normally without at least a few slices of bread, and rice, or potatoes or beans. 

  • luv_gardening
    luv_gardening Member Posts: 1,393
    edited June 2012

    LOL, yes Mom, er.. Momine!  I do eat veggies but could do better.  I eat plenty of cabbage as it's more filling and a brassica.  Love mushrooms, I could eat them every day.

    Dogs and Jogs, there's no point in trying a low carb diet if you're vegan.  It was hard enough when I was a stricter vegetarian.  I eat a lot of beans and they are high carb, even nuts soon add up.  But I can eat them on the 5 sensible days so I won't feel deprived. Soy is out too for us ER plus ladies.  So I'll have to get more adventurous with those veggies.

  • Momine
    Momine Member Posts: 7,859
    edited June 2012

    OK, carry on then ;)



    It would seem to me that low-carb would be easy for a vegan.

  • abigail48
    abigail48 Member Posts: 1,699
    edited June 2012

    gary has said that others shouldn't try & follow what he does.  when I said he doesn't sleep I meant 3 - 4 hrs a night & catnaps except when he wants to get a project done then he'll go a day or 2 with no rest.  he does a juice water fast once a week I think & every year or so a water fast in a wilderness area.  he has never been sick except once rather recently when one of his chemists? put too much vitamine d in one of his powders.   I don't take his powders, I probably would if I could get them from him by realmail or internet, but they require a phone call except for a few offered by other perveyers.

  • abigail48
    abigail48 Member Posts: 1,699
    edited June 2012

    joy:  why take a comercial oroduct for binding?  gary has a fiber powder, but I've always thought such no food value stuff was no good.  for binding, (loosening) use a bit of ground cinnemon, some blueberries, an aple(for the pectin)

  • Kaara
    Kaara Member Posts: 3,647
    edited June 2012

    My green smoothie drink takes care of all the fiber I need...made with lettuce greens, kale, green apple, strawberries, zuccini, protein powder and whatever else you might want to add.  It's healthy, filling, and tastes good!  It's my breakfast on most days.

  • exbrnxgrl
    exbrnxgrl Member Posts: 12,424
    edited June 2012

    I'm a prune or senna tea girl. Caryn

  • Kaara
    Kaara Member Posts: 3,647
    edited June 2012

    Caryn:  That works too!

  • abigail48
    abigail48 Member Posts: 1,699
    edited June 2012

    gary's talking about the healing power of coconut water. 

    last week he spoke about mamograms.  said thermal imaging was a good alternative, to find if there was a mass & what kind it was, then a biopsy if naecesary to find out if it was malignant.  he said the radiation used for mamograms is 6 times more powerful than they say.      I'm just your humble reporter, I wouldn't do a lot of what he reccommends, cocnut water for sure though, I've also been eating tomatillos, never had any before.  wow, tasty, very sour,  YAY FRESHTOWN

  • abigail48
    abigail48 Member Posts: 1,699
    edited June 2012

    yesterday he went on about the worst thing you can buy at the supermarket:  diet soda.  that aspartine is amazingly toxic, that the methal  ??? turns to formaldayde, & it;s in vaccines too & that is probably the causative part of vaccines as well as aluminum & mercury

  • luv_gardening
    luv_gardening Member Posts: 1,393
    edited June 2012

    Thanks for all the input re output. Wink  Over the decades I've tried so many things, tons of water, exercise, lots of raw veggies etc.  What works for one person is useless for another.  When I went for a colonoscopy the bowel specialist could only come up with ideas I'd tried and rejected, or his favourite medication which is still sitting in the pantry years later.  But I seem to be doing well with plenty of beans and some fruits.  Other things that work can backfire, so to speak...  LOL.. Got the giggles now. 

    My mum used to cook rhubarb, but that actually has one of the laxative ingredients in it so not good to overdo.

  • abigail48
    abigail48 Member Posts: 1,699
    edited June 2012

    er+ beans probably not a good idea.  beans: yum (alas),   meat is quite binding, stays in the gut a long time

  • Kaara
    Kaara Member Posts: 3,647
    edited June 2012

    I had my first thermography in March of this year...quite a difference from a mammogram and no radiation.  Mine was all clear, so that was comforting.

  • dogsandjogs
    dogsandjogs Member Posts: 1,907
    edited June 2012

    What kind of beans are bad?  Green, or kidney, black, lima, etc.

    I haven't heard this before. Please explain further. Thanks!

  • luv_gardening
    luv_gardening Member Posts: 1,393
    edited June 2012

    I eat legumes, but all beans, seeds and nuts are phytoestrogenic.  

    The highest amounts are in soy, flaxseeds and sesame seeds, everything else seems mild to me and barely worth worrying about, especially if eaten occasionally.

    Bear in mind that if we eat a few drops of soy or a few sesame seeds on our bread that will be a negligible amount.

    Here's one list I have on file but it doesn't mention beans other than green and soy. 

    Total phytoestrogen content presented below is the sum of isoflavones (genistein, daidzein, glycitein, formononetin), lignans (secoisolariciresinol, matairesinol, pinoresinol, lariciresinol), and coumestan (coumestrol).

     
    Phytoestrogen food sources Phytoestrogen content (µg/100g)
    Flax seed 379380
    Soy beans 103920
    Tofu 27150.1
    Soy yogurt 10275
    Sesame seed 8008.1
    Flax bread 7540
    Multigrain bread 4798.7
    Soy milk 2957.2
    Hummus 993
    Garlic 603.6
    Mung bean sprouts 495.1
    Dried apricots 444.5
    Alfalfa sprouts 441.4
    Dried dates 329.5
    Sunflower seed 216
    Chestnuts 210.2
    Olive oil 180.7
    Almonds 131.1
    Green bean 105.8
    Peanuts 34.5
    Onion 32
    Blueberry 17.5
    Corn 9
    Coffee, regular 6.3
    Watermelon 2.9
    Milk, cow 1.2

    Other sources of Phytoestrogen
    In addition to these phytoestrogen foods there are a number of phytoestrogenic herbs which are also known for their high phytoestrogen content. Such herbs include:
    • Don quai
    • Red clover
    • Ginseng
    • Soy
    • Ginkgo biloba
    • Black cohosh

    One cup of soy beans is about 200g which would contain over 200,000ug.
    A clove of garlic would weigh a fraction of 100g, say 100ug.
    A cup of green beans would weigh about 100g so 106ug is negligible.

    Thanks Abigail for bringing up the estrogenic concerns. Now here's a perfect example of how we look after our own and don't need detractors interfering.

  • dogsandjogs
    dogsandjogs Member Posts: 1,907
    edited June 2012

    Wow, that is quite a list. Thank for posting. This will be difficult for me because I'm vegan and eat a lot of bread and beans -maybe I should try to focus more on rice?   I do eat a lot of veggies-hopefully that will offset the other things.

  • luv_gardening
    luv_gardening Member Posts: 1,393
    edited June 2012

    Dogs and Jogs, only the top few are a problem, the rest are negligible in the amounts we eat. You'd need to eat plates of garlic or beans for the phytoestrogens to count at all.

  • dogsandjogs
    dogsandjogs Member Posts: 1,907
    edited June 2012

    Hardly ever eat garlic - do eat plates of lentils, or lima beans, or black beans, etc though with added onion and celery. Since those beans are not on the list they should be ok. I can't believe that all those natural foods can hurt you. I have done almost completely away with instant dishes (what we used to call TV dinners back in he fifties. Try to cook everything from scratch.

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