Possibly The Most Boring Blog Ever
It's Slate's Clean Plate: Outlandish experiments in sensible eating.
Hilariously, it's not sensible eating at all. It's what people tend to think is sensible eating, filled with the carbs (like Grape Nuts) that study after study show are so unhealthy for us to eat. The girl is hungry and lethargic all the time -- which she wouldn't be if she were eating delicious foods like bacon that have fat in them.
Poor, silly girl. Somebody go on Slate, will you, and direct her to Gary Taubes and Dr. Eades, who will educate her a way of eating actually based in evidence.
In short, as you'll read in Taubes' book above, there's a mountain of evidence that shows that it's carbs that cause the insulin secretion that puts on fat.
No need to starve, Dearie...just stop eating Grape Nuts and eat bacon, eggs, and steak instead. You're likely to find yourself effortlessly thin.
Thursday night, Gregg made me a dinner of lamb chops, buttered green beans (with lots of butter) and salad with lots of dressing. Yum! I had a little snack about a half hour ago -- a wedge of Brie and some dry Italian sausage. It's now 12:11 am as I'm writing that...which means it's only about five and a half hours until I eat three strips of bacon...one of the great joys of my existence. (I have to wake up seriously early tomorrow and write...but since I stopped eating carbs, I need less sleep than ever...although I do have to admit that I took a 20 minute nap this afternoon.)
Until bacon...
via Kate Coe
I had a quick glance through it and this struck me
Usually when I cook I take a shower before eating to get the smell off of me.
I think we're dealing with someone who actively dislikes food. What happened to "get it while it's hot"?
Ltw at February 4, 2011 6:11 AM
I had a quick glance through it and this struck me
Usually when I cook I take a shower before eating to get the smell off of me.
I think we're dealing with someone who actively dislikes food. What happened to "get it while it's hot"?
Ltw at February 4, 2011 6:15 AM
Holy S&%^!
Shoot me now.
I wonder if she's ever had spinach sauteed in a little vinegar and a little bacon fat. She could eat a whole bushel without knowing it.
What a joyless existence.
There's some type of eating disorder going on, and she must be lots of fun.
siobhan at February 4, 2011 6:56 AM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2011/02/04/possibly_the_mo.html#comment-1836527">comment from siobhanJoyless existence indeed. I just had my breakfast -- three strips of bacon, Italian parsley sauteed in coconut oil, two eggs sunny-side up with cheese on top, sauteed with a little extra bacon fat. Delicious, and I won't be hungry all morning, and when I am hungry for lunch, it'll be mild hunger, unless I forget to eat until 2:30 and then I'll be more hungry, but not the way I used to be before I knew to eat fat and protein and cut carbs.
Amy Alkon at February 4, 2011 7:00 AM
I don't even eat low carb and that list depressed me. What a bland, undelicious existence. Very unhealthy attitude toward eating and life.
mse at February 4, 2011 7:15 AM
with cheese on top
Dammit. I knew I forgot to put something on my eggs this morning. Two eggs, two strips of bacon, a glass of juice and a spot of tea.
And yes, that hits the spot.
I R A Darth Aggie at February 4, 2011 7:20 AM
Joyless existence indeed.
I think that's the point.
And did you see her preparation in the prior installment? I can see why she wants to shower before eating, because it literally looks like something shat that food out onto the plate.
Mel at February 4, 2011 8:29 AM
Amy, is this "slow carb" diet on your radar? It's featured in a book called "The 4 Hour Body" (by the same guy who did "The 4 Hour Work Week" and seems to be getting a lot of attention at the moment.
It's basically the same principles that you have promoted here for a long time - plenty of protein, veggies, fats, with little or no processed carbs.
It's not new diet news by any means, but it does seem to be generating some buzz - I have a few friends who have picked it up due to the book being on the NYT bestseller list, and they seem to getting good results.
BerthaMinerva at February 4, 2011 8:43 AM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2011/02/04/possibly_the_mo.html#comment-1836582">comment from BerthaMinervaI've heard of The 4-Hour Body. The subhead -- "An Uncommon Guide to Rapid Fat-Loss, Incredible Sex, and Becoming Superhuman" -- makes it sound a bit over-promising, as does the title!
And as for carbs being "processed" or not, wheat and oats seem to be very bad for us, regardless of whether they're processed.
http://heartscanblog.blogspot.com/search?q=whole+grain
Amy Alkon at February 4, 2011 9:01 AM
Those meals look like shit.
Robert at February 4, 2011 9:35 AM
Amy - thanks for the link to the heart scan blog. This concept of wheat withdrawal is interesting to me and may help explain what I went through when I attempted a low carb diet several years ago. I was completely miserable with constant headaches that did not respond to medicine. I felt like I couldn't think at all, which really scared me. I lasted about a week and a half and finally decided that I just couldn't do low carb. Perhaps I am one of those people who experience longer than usual wheat withdrawal. I have been hearing about Gary Taubes and reading snippets in blogs and magazines that make me want to try low carb again. I've been cutting back on carbs here and there, but have been hesitant to really go for it after my last experience. With this new information I may try experimenting with pulling out specific carbs from my diet and monitoring my response. Hopefully I can eventually find a route out of this carb hell!
ak at February 4, 2011 9:55 AM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2011/02/04/possibly_the_mo.html#comment-1836614">comment from akak, I went through it, too. Taubes advises drinking chicken broth with salt daily. I took aspirin and just suffered through it.
Amy Alkon at February 4, 2011 9:59 AM
Amy, I've been waiting for a low-carb post like this lately - to give me a chance to THANK YOU so much! I've lost 10 lbs. in the month of January and it was 100% effortlessly. I haven't even been doing the Atkins induction type all-meat diet, either; I've have plenty of dairy and veggies (perhaps that is why I have not had any negative side effects.) I can honestly say that I could easily eat this way for the rest of my life. You were also right about the energy. I noticed that after just a couple days. Plus, I've been in a much better mood.
This is why you should never give up on this subject, even if some people grow bored with it. I've read your same advice about eating at least 30 times before finally acting on it.
KarenW at February 4, 2011 10:31 AM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2011/02/04/possibly_the_mo.html#comment-1836643">comment from KarenWThanks so much, KarenW, for posting that. I'm so angry at the "science" that's been laid on the public, I'm compelled to keep posting on this.
And congrats!
Amy Alkon at February 4, 2011 10:37 AM
Bacon.
It's Good.
That is all.
Sabrina at February 4, 2011 11:29 AM
There's no doubt in my mind that cutting way down on carbs and sugar helped me lose about twenty pounds and keep it off. If I indulge too much over a holiday with the family I end up with a sugar hangover that has me dragging the next day. And I can attest to the initial withdrawal symptoms, as my partner informed me that I was "a little cranky" that first week (cursing a blue streak would be more accurate).
But I have to admit I'm not totally convinced that all fiber and wheat is bad. Unless of course I'm misreading the details. I haven't actually read Taubes approach. But speaking only for myself, I find bacon a little too greasy and fatty. And basic oatmeal (not the instant sugar-filled stuff) helps me keep things moving, so to speak.
JonnyT at February 4, 2011 12:03 PM
To each their own, I guess. I'm glad I don't know her--she might want to feed me.
Pricklypear at February 4, 2011 12:37 PM
Amen to the "fat and protein" preaching!
I was MASSIVELY overweight. Over the last two years I've dieted, eating mostly fat and protein.
I lost 50 lbs in 2009 and another 50 in 2010.
Since Christmas I haven't been keeping track of calories, weighing food, or any of that. I have, however, continued to minimize carbs.
I got on the scale the other day.
Even not on a "diet", I've lost weight over the last month.
Breakfast this morning? Four eggs and a strip of bacon.
Lunch? A big slab of prime rib.
Not only am I feeling better than I ever have before, not only am I losing weight ... but the food is freaking DELICIOUS.
Preach it, Amy!
TJIC at February 4, 2011 12:53 PM
I've always been in pretty good shape, but I lost 15 pounds by eating high-protein, low-carb, low-calorie, going from a size 6 to a size 2 (vanity sizing is out of control though-at 5'8 I shouldn't actually be a size 2). More energy and feel great! I'd be lying if I said that cutting calories wasn't a huge part of it, but eating lots of protein and quality foods make it easier to eat less without going hungry or lacking nutrients.
I do it very differently from Amy though--big differences being that I'm a vegetarian except seafood, don't like much dairy, and I eat fruit. I get protein from salmon, tuna, mahi-mahi, shrimp, scallops, eggs, fake meat products, and protein bars (not the best food in the world, but convenient since I'm on the go all day). Fat from feta and mozzarella cheese, olive oil, walnuts, and natural no-sugar-added peanut butter. All kinds of vegetables, and one or two pieces of fruit per day--right now just apples, pears, or grapefruit because it's winter, but I'll eat a more diverse variety of berries and melons in the summer. I love fruit, and I feel sluggish and unhealthy if I don't eat some every day--no way am I giving it up. And dark chocolate if I want something sweet.
My point is that I think anyone can benefit from incorporating a low-carb focus into their diet, even if you don't like lard or bacon. I don't think you have to go all the way or give up 100% of carbs to see the positive effects.
I also don't think there's anything inherently wrong with eating cereal for breakfast (although I don't myself) if you just really like cereal. Or bread or pasta or anything that Taubes would say is poison. I know plenty of people who eat like this and have zero problems with their weight. What's sad though is people who would prefer the eggs and bacon but are eating the Special K because they wrongly think it's "healthier" and are therefore needlessly depriving themselves. Even worse if they're not losing the weight and have no idea what they are doing wrong. That's why I think it's great that you're putting this information out there so people can make an informed decision when they choose what to eat.
And I could write an ode to eggs! They're incredibly cheap, easy to make, can be prepared a variety of ways, filling, no carbs, high protein, and taste good. I eat two eggs plus two whites and feta cheese in a flat "puff" every morning. It's 250 calories and 25 grams of protein. Even if you couldn't care less about carbs and just counted calories I would challenge anyone to find a better breakfast.
Shannon at February 4, 2011 1:25 PM
Really there is a wheat withdrawal with headaches? I have since late December pretty much cut out ALL pasta, bread, sugar, starchy vegetables, and fruit I have had no major headaches or that. Body aches yes but that is due to running. My only problem is cravings not horrendous just thinking about Pasta or Pie or ice cream once in a while. I beat them down or drink some alternative sweetner drink once in a while to get my sweet tooth fix.
As to the broth thing are those cube things okay or is there an alternative like MIso.
John Paulson at February 4, 2011 9:00 PM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2011/02/04/possibly_the_mo.html#comment-1837021">comment from John PaulsonI eat dark chocolate gelato about once a week. It's possible artificial sweeteners trigger an insulin response -- have only seen that in passing, and I don't know if there's a lot of evidence behind it.
I was a sugar fiend before I started eating this way, so maybe that's why I experienced some withdrawal.
It's such a pleasure to never count calories!
Amy Alkon at February 5, 2011 12:05 AM
Yea I am being careful with the Artificial sweeteners. I only drink DIET soda once or twice a week. I chew gum that has some but keep it to a couple of pieces.
My only other sweet is Talking rain seltzer water that has essences but no sugar or carbs.
But if I am really jonesing for some sweet I will maybe drink diet soda or chew some gum.
Still what kind of broth is good? Cubed/Oxo fine?
How do other people get their sweet cravings?
John Paulson at February 5, 2011 12:44 AM
I dropped wheat, and all other high Glycemic Index/Glycemic Load foods, about three weeks ago.
I feel much, much better than before, am (of course) losing weight, and don't get distracted mid-day with a craving for carbs. In about a month I'll see if my cholesterol levels have decreased.
I've also replaced, for the most part but not entirely, pork and beef with buffalo and venison.
Other things that I find help: no milk whatsoever; really good cheese a few days a week; increased frequency of legumes with meals; lots of green and orange veggies; a daily probiotic capsule; and moderate consumption of red wine & an occasional wee dram of single-malt whiskey. (N.b., in America the latter is called "alcoholism"; in France it's called "teetotaling").
Jason at February 5, 2011 9:45 AM
Expensive chocolate. You need so little to get there it may as well not count.
http://www.guittard.com/
brian at February 5, 2011 3:54 PM
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