Tag: Starchy Vegetables

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Weight Loss Exercise

What to Avoid on the Paleo Diet

Now that you know what foods you can eat we should discuss those that aren’t recommended and why.

Cutting out dairy products may seem strange but it is one of the principles of the Paleo diet. This includes foods like ice cream, butter, milk, yoghurt and cheese. Now some people on the Paleo Diet do eat diary but on a very limited basis.

The reasoning behind not eating these sources of dairy is that they were not available 500 generations ago. The majority of these products are processed and therefore not a ‘natural’ food. Again some dieters will drink raw milk occasionally.

Another more technical explanation is to do with the way your body treats the calcium in these foods. This is to do with alkaline and acid levels in your body. All food is processed through your kidneys and excessive amounts of calcium are excreted by your body.

There is no need to worry about becoming calcium deficient on the Paleo diet, you won’t. Plus many of the leafy green vegetables contain high amounts of calcium!

A little sea salt added to your foods will not affect your dieting attempts. On the other hand salt found in processed foods can. Too much salt makes your body retain water and when this happens you will feel bloated and puffy. Unfortunately food manufacturers put high amounts of salt in foods as a preservative. This is not natural and can have adverse results on your health.

Potatoes are other starchy vegetables should also be avoided on the Paleo diet. The thinking behind this is that they are supposed to be cooked and not a true raw food. There is lots of debate over this.

Another level of thinking behind starchy vegetables is the effect they have on your blood sugar levels. Potatoes are known to cause high spikes in your blood sugar level and this is why they should be avoided. High spikes are what causes you to have sudden and acute hunger pangs along with feelings of weakness.

No processed foods should be consumed at all on the Paleo diet. This includes grains, crackers, cookies, breads and canned foods. They all contain huge amounts of bad fats and sugars. These products can be linked to being a cause of heart attacks, stroke and diabetes.

Processed foods like ketchup, sauces, sugars, oils, margarines, hot dogs, bacon, soft drinks, muffins and fruit juices are to be avoided at all costs. They are chock full of chemicals, fats and other ingredients that you cannot pronounce.

All types of legumes and grains should be avoided as well. The reasoning behind eliminating these foods is that they must be cooked to become edible.

When you take a look at the foods you can eat and compare it to those on this page you will see that the difference is in the state of the food. Allowable foods on the Paleo Diet are in a natural form while the others are all artificial and have been manipulated in some way by humans. When you honestly think about it which would you prefer to eat?

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Weight Loss Exercise

Foods to Include in a Simple Diet Plan for Weight Loss



If you want to lose weight, you need to exercise and eat a healthy diet. Making the right food choices is essential in any diet plan. A simple diet plan for weight loss should include wholesome, natural foods that will provide the nutrients your body needs and help boost your metabolism.

Best Food for Weight Loss

A diet plan for weight loss should be simple and easy to follow. Anything complicated that requires exotic, hard-to-find, or expensive foods is doomed to fail. Luckily, the best foods for weight loss are easily available and often affordable. The following foods can be included in a simple diet plan for weight loss:

1. Lean Proteins – The body needs protein to build and maintain muscle mass and boost metabolic functions. Proteins also help regulate the appetite. The best sources of protein are lean meats such as skinless chicken, fish, and pork with most of the fat trimmed off. Avoid fatty meats because they are high in saturated fats. Other excellent sources of lean protein are eggs, beans, nuts and seeds. Beans are high in protein and fiber but low in calories. Nuts such as almonds and walnuts provide healthy essential fats along with protein.

2. Fruits – The natural sugars in fruits help curb your craving for sweets and provide carbohydrates for energy. Fruits are also high in fiber which keeps you feeling full. Additionally, fruits are packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Include fruits in a simple diet plant for weight loss. You can add fruits to your meals or for a healthy snack.

3. Vegetables – Like fruits, vegetables are low in calories but high in vitamins, minerals and fiber. A diet plan for weight loss should include plenty of vegetables especially leafy greens, bell peppers, onions and tomatoes. Go easy on starchy vegetables such as potatoes and corn but have your fill of spinach, kale, broccoli, and collard greens.

4. Whole Grains – The body also needs carbohydrates from grains and cereals. Whole grains provide carbohydrates for energy as well as fiber, vitamins and minerals. They are nutrient-rich and help maintain stable blood sugar levels. Avoid highly processed and refined carbohydrate sources such as white bread and candies.

5. Low-Fat Dairy Products – Dairy products are excellent sources of calcium, protein and fat. Choose low-fat dairy over the full-fat versions to help reduce the total calories consumed. Non-fat or low-fat milk, yogurt and cottage cheese can help you lose weight.

Simple Weight Loss Diet Plan

When you are trying to lose weight it’s important to eat the right amount of food often enough so you don’t get hunger pangs. Start your day with a healthy breakfast consisting of 2 eggs scrambled in a non-stick pan. You can add chopped onion and green pepper to your scrambled eggs. Have a piece of whole-wheat toast and a small cup of berries or melon.

For your morning snack, eat an apple or a handful of nuts. Lunch can be a fresh salad with light Italian dressing, and grilled skinless chicken breast.

Your afternoon snack can be a banana or an orange. For dinner, you can have grilled fish, steamed vegetables, a salad with tomatoes and lettuce, and vinaigrette dressing.

  • Foods to Include in a Simple Diet Plan for Weight Loss


Foods to Include in a Simple Diet Plan for Weight Loss

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Weight Loss Exercise

Which Is The Best Low Carb Diet?




The question of which is the best low carb diet often comes up for people who are searching for ways to incorporate the low carb way of eating into their lives. Low carbohydrate food plans can be very effective but they are not always easy.

Atkins Low Carb Diet

Dr Robert Atkins is credited with making low carb diets popular with his book ‘Dr Atkins’ Diet Revolution’, first published in 1972. It was largely revised in ‘Dr Atkins’ New Diet Revolution’ (2002) which remains the ‘bible’ for many people following the Atkins diet despite later amendments by the company that took over Dr Atkins’ business after his death.

The Atkins diet focuses on restricting carbohydrate intake to a very low amount (under 20 net carbs) for a two- week induction period, then gradually increasing them to the point where you stop losing weight (the ‘critical carbohydrate level for losing’). Foods are also limited during induction, and then gradually added back.

You can eat unlimited meat, fish, eggs and pure fats (oils and butter) at all times. Cheese, cream and vegetables are limited in induction, although you are advised to eat at least 2 cups of lower carbohydrate vegetables from the approved list. Milk, nuts, fruit, beans, starchy vegetables, whole grains, whole wheat products and alcohol are not allowed during induction but are added back later. Refined carbohydrates such as white bread and sugar are not allowed at any stage.

South Beach Low Carb Diet

Which Is The Best Low Carb Diet?

South Beach Low Carb Diet

The South Beach Diet was developed by Dr Arthur Agatston. In the first phase it is very similar to Atkins induction but includes a few more foods, for example beans, nuts and seeds in limited quantities. Other foods are phased in later.

South Beach is more restrictive in the types of fats consumed, promoting monounsaturated fats (olive oil, canola oil) and minimizing saturated fats like butter.

The main difference in format between South Beach and Atkins is that South Beach counts portions while Atkins counts grams of net carbohydrates (subtracting fiber, which is not digested).

Other Low Carb Diets

There are many other low carb diets out there. Some of the best known are Protein Power, the Sonoma diet and the Paleo diet. Broadly speaking they follow the same principle which is that restricting carbohydrates allows the body to go into lipolysis or ‘fat-burning’ mode, resulting in weight loss. At the same time there is plenty of fat consumed, which helps people stick to the diet because they do not feel hungry, even when calorie intake is relatively low.

So now for the big question: which is the best low carb diet? The answer will lie with you to some extent. Low carb diets do work provided you can keep to the rules. But think about what suits your lifestyle or food preferences before you start.

Vegetarians will find the induction phase of Atkins difficult, although it is possible as long as you eat both eggs and dairy foods. South Beach is probably easier for vegetarians.

The gram-counting style of Atkins is good for people with an analytical type of mind who like to know exactly where they are with a diet. South Beach would be better for people who would find carb-counting annoying and wouldn’t actually do it.

The bottom line is this: the best low carb diet is the one that you can stick to.

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