Holistic Weight Management by NFTS Host Dr Holly

Last Update: June 20, 2018 at 11:37 am

Weight Management & Diets

by NFTS Host Dr Holly, heard Wednesdays at Noon Pacific on News for the Soul Radio…

 

Let’s end the month of January with a commentary on weight management and diets. Many people, make a New Years Eve declaration or commitment to adjust their weight. People go on diets and start programs at the gyms or working with their household “weight gadgets” whether that be the ball or tread machines or whatever.

Many people come to me asking which diet is best? We have talked about this many times before but let’s revisit which is the best diet to lose weight.

Many diet promoters will claim that there is clinical evidence for their particular diet or that there is a money back guarantee – how can so many such divergent diets all be the one and only? And how can they all have clinical evidence? The answer is simple.

Most diets are really about what you are not doing as opposed to what you are doing! When people go on diets, or start taking MLM or health food store products, they also:

  • Stop eating fast foods
  • Stop eating junk food
  • Stop eating processed food
  • Stop eating microwaved food
  • Stop eating deserts
  • Eliminate sugars and simple carbs from their menus

They also start doing a few healthy things:

  • Start putting more thought into their planning
  • Start eating protein breakfasts or shakes
  • Start eating more vegetables
  • Start preparing food in a healthier way, ie., baking versus deep fried
  • Start eating small healthy lunches
  • Start eating small healthy dinners
  • Start exercising, walking, going to gyms

Nothing here is indicative of any given diet. But most diets involve this kind of behavior – which is why they work.

Note, I haven’t said anything about calorie counting here. most people today, recognize that the old calorie counting process isn’t what it is all about. I have used the same example for years to emphasize how ridiculous calorie counting is:

Let’s look at two major ways to consume 1000 calories:

  1. A Big Mac, medium order of fries and a medium cola

OR

  1. 6 oz grilled salmon steak with a dill/butter seasoning; 1 cup asparagus; green salad (2 cups lettuce or spinach; sliced carrots; cherry tomatoes; avocado oil & balsamic vinegar dressing with garlic, dill, chives, oregano and parsley dressing) and a baked potato with butter and sour cream; with a true tea and strawberries dipped in real chocolate for desert

Nutrients & compounds in sample a) Vitamins A, C, minerals calcium, iron, potassium, sodium AND loaded with saturated and trans fats and sugars; as well as, canola oil, soybean oil, hydrogenated soybean oil, natural beef flavor, dextrose, sodium acid pyrophosphate, table salt. (although they claim a protein component, I couldn’t find any amino acids?); potatoes do have fiber, sodium, vitamins B, B2, B3, B5, C, E & K; minerals calcium, copper, iron, manganese, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, and zinc but unfortunately, they are fried in oils that are detrimental. While frying foods has little impact on many of the minerals and proteins, it does destroy good fatty acids and anti-oxidant vitamins. In addition, they end up with a carcinogen called acrylamide that is formed in some foods when cooked at high temperatures and accumulates in the body. And of course, most of the potato nutrient is in the peel, which is gone.

Nutrients in sample b) healthy fats; good fibers; omega 3 fatty acids (& some good 6s & 9s); vitamins A, B1, B2, B5, B6, B7, B9 (folate), B12, C, D, E and K; minerals choline, copper, iron, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, zinc; amino acids calcium, cysteine, lysine, methionine, taurine, (actually potatoes have 20 amino acids, although in small amounts); polyphenols (great anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatories) catechins, procyanidins, flavonols (quercetin), etc. All of which is good for you and helps you to metabolize and absorb the nutrients, without negative side effects.

So, you can understand why just counting calories is really not the point. Attending to the nutrients in a given food is of huge benefit. Also knowing the risks of even healthy foods can be of benefit. For instance, although Kale is a great food for the liver and detoxification, it can also become toxic if too much is consumed. Or for instance, consuming too many foods high in lectins, like lentils, nightshade vegetables and grains can be a detriment to some people.

We have all heard how unique and individual our systems are. So while a given diet, be it Mediterranean or Vegan or Paleo or low carb or whatever may work for one person, it may not be of ultimate benefit for another. However, eliminating the “bad” behaviors and including the “good” behaviors typically works for everyone.

So, ultimately, there is never one diet program that works for everyone over the long term. Do your research. Work with a good health practitioner. And find the program that works best for you!!

 

Find more articles by Dr Holly at DrHollyBooks.com