Weight Loss / Weight Gain: Carbs and food cravings - why fat may not make you fat

Did you know that 6lbs of body fat takes up nearly a gallon of space? Neither did I, until I read it in “Protein Power: the high protein, low carbohydrate way to lose weight, feel fit and boost your health” By Dr Michael R. Eades and Dr Mary Dan Eades. Read it for yourself – page 133. I’ll even lend you my book if you like....And no I don't get any money for endorsing the book or the regime - I just thought it was an interesting fact.

It’s no wonder having lost about 8lbs of body fat since changing my gym in January that I am smaller than I was. Granted it’s subtle changes, like my jaw line is more prominent (no more double chin!) and my shoulders are smaller but my butt and stomach still need some work.

Which is why yesterday I started the next phase of my health and fitness journey. Yesterday I cut out – most of the refined carbs out of my diet. I did have a couple of teaspoons of rice mid afternoon – which came courtesy of a californian sushi hand roll, and a tsp of plain flour which helped to make the sauce that I had with dinner.

Along with removal of breads, rice and pasta are noodles, starchy vegetables (carrots aren’t as bad as I thought they were) and fruit such as apples, pears and bananas – far too much fructose (simple fruit sugars which converts straight to sugar in the body and spikes the insulin). So until I have gotten my insulin back under control – and no I am not a diabetic, but I know I have had a nasty habit of spiking my insulin, then these foods will have to go for a while.

How do you know that you are like me?

If you get hungry very soon after eating a meal based on carbohydrates,
If you feel tired and sleepy not long after eating carbs
If you crave junk food – namely chocolate or potato crisps

Then you have spiked your insulin levels, the body has had to dump massive amounts of insulin into the blood stream to combat the rush of sugars you’ve just pumped into your body, and the insulin is racing through your blood stream capturing as much sugar as it can and stuffing it into your fat cells, making your body react.

Vicious cycles.

So what can you do about it?

If you don’t want to remove the refined carbs from your diet completely (and lets face it who really does - apart from body builders that is) then you are going to have to make sure that you do not eat carbs on their own. Have an apple with some nuts or cheese. Make a sandwich using good quality protein – eggs, meat, fish.

And wait 2 and a half to 3 hours before you eat anything else. If you find yourself getting hungry before then – drink lots of water and get busy. It’s very rare to be hungry when you are thinking about something else.