Carbohydrate's Addict Diet: Part 2
Before my trip to Italy, I started reviewing the carbohydrate addict’s diet, which actually makes a great deal of sense if you test as a carb addict.
The co-authors, both doctors who had an issue with being overweight, explain how the program works. Basically you pick one meal each day, your reward meal, that provides your main carbs for the day, as many as you want (within reason) to be eaten within one hour.
The reason they give is that carb addicts have a problem with insulin production and when the meal is spread out more than one hour, the problem rears its ugly head.
The other two meals are called complementary meals and the authors list which foods are allowed. The list is quite long, so adhering to the diet doesn’t appear that difficult.
Here are the basic guidelines:
#1. Eat complementary meals daily- By keeping fiber high, fat and carb intake low for these two meal, your body releases less insulin, which results in less hunger, fewer cravings and a feeling of satisfaction.
#2. Eat a reward meal every day- One meal each day you may eat any food you like (unless your dr. says otherwise) with no amount limit, although the meal should be nourishing and well balanced.
#3. Complete your reward meal in one hour- This guideline relates to timing, because the second phase of insulin release occurs about 1 1/4-1 1/2 hours after you begin eating. If you limit your eating time to one hour, the second phase of insulin release (which you want to avoid) appears to be kept low.
#4. Consume all alcoholic beverages during your reward meal- Again, make sure you do this within the same hour of your reward meal.
#5- Absolutely no between-meal snacking is allowed- Even small quantities of carbohydrates can stimulate insulin release.
My problem with the diet is that there is #5, no eating between meals, because that triggers the insulin problem, so I am experimenting with limiting my carbs to one meal and in between, eating more protein instead of carbs. Also, why not nibble on avocado or nuts or cheese, which are basically protein?
I think this food plan has merit if you test as a carbohydrate addict. If you want more information, you can buy the book or go to the authors’ website: www.carbohydrateaddicts.com. There are actually four different books on their site,including a cookbook and carb counter, although the original text does have both included. I assume the newer books have more recipes and more foods in their carb list.
On their website is a list of topics for frequently asked questions: FAQs. Here is that list:
ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS
BEVERAGESBOOKS FOR CARBOHYDRATE ADDICTS
BREAKFAST SUGGESTIONS
GLUCOSE TOLERANCE FACTOR CHROMIUM
GOAL WEIGHT
HIDDEN CARBOHYDRATES
HYPERINSULINEMIA
KINDS OF CARBOHYDRATES
MAINTENANCE
MONOSODIUM GLUTAMATE
ORIGIN OF THE TERM “CARBOHYDRATE ADDICT”
PREGNANCY AND NURSING
PROTEIN POWDERS
REWARD MEAL BALANCE
REWARD MEAL SAMPLES
REWARD MEAL TIMES
RIGHT BODIES IN THE WRONG TIME
SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER
VACATIONS ON THE PROGRAM
VEGETARIANS
WEIGHT-LOSS SLOW DOWNS AND PLATEAUS
Happy Rewards eating!
Here are the authors of the carbohydrate addict’s diet and website.