Hellobee Boards

@travellingbee: you NEED to read J.J.Virgin's book on swaps.
http://www.amazon.com/The-Virgin-Diet-Foods-Pounds/dp/0373892713
Mind you, I haven't TRIED it yet, but I will say, I did eliminate dairy for some time and lost a ton of weight. I also have eliminated sugars multiple times in my life and lost weight dramatically. Here are a few snippets or ideas from her theory (I am taking pictures of some pages from my book with my cell phone for ya):

from her blog:
"Gluten
Why? Gluten triggers the release of a protein called zonulin that loosens the tight junctions of your small intestine which makes it more permeable, allowing particles to slip through and create an immune reaction and inflammation.

Lateral shifts:
· Instead of wheat wraps, try Romaine or rice wraps.
· Instead of pasta, use corn-free quinoa pasta or spaghetti squash.
· Instead of couscous, try quinoa.

Soy
Why? Most soy is genetically modified, heavily sprayed with pesticides and significantly processed. Soy can also interfere with thyroid function and damage gut health.

Lateral shifts:
· Instead of soymilk, use unsweetened coconut or almond milk.
· Instead of soy ice cream, try no-sugar-added coconut milk ice cream.
· Instead of processed soy foods, occasionally use fermented soy like tempeh and miso.

Eggs
Why? About 70% of my clients test positive for egg intolerances. Eggs are also high in pro-inflammatory arachidonic acid.

Lateral shifts:
· Instead of an omelet for breakfast, have a protein smoothie with pea, rice, potato and/or chlorella protein, unsweetened coconut or almond milk, berries, and freshly ground flaxseeds or chia seeds.
· If you do occasionally eat eggs (in The Virgin Diet, I encourage you to challenge them after you’ve completely eliminated them and the other 6 foods for 3 weeks), only choose barnyard or omega-3 organic eggs.

Dairy
Why? Milk is high in lactose, a sugar that can create insulin resistance and blood sugar imbalances. Studies show dairy can also trigger or exacerbate acne and other skin conditions. Think again if you use dairy for strong bones. The Nurse’s Health study showed that the nurses with the highest dairy consumption also had the highest incidence of osteoporosis. Nuts, seeds, and leafy greens provide calcium as well as other bone-building nutrients, without the reactions of dairy.

Lateral shifts:
· Instead of cow’s milk, try unsweetened coconut or almond milk.
· Instead of yogurt, try kefir or coconut milk yogurt.
· Instead of ice cream, try no-sugar-added coconut milk ice cream.

Peanuts
Why? Actually a legume, peanuts are prone to mold and a nasty fungus called aflatoxin. Their fatty acid profile is not as beneficial as that of tree nuts. Most store-brand peanut butters are high in trans fats and high-fructose corn syrup.

Lateral shifts:
· Instead of peanuts, try raw almonds and other nuts/seeds.
· Instead of peanut butter, use almond and other nut butters.

Corn
Why? Corn is inflammatory, high glycemic, and most of it is genetically modified.

Lateral shifts:
· Instead of corn as a side dish, try quinoa or legumes.
· Instead of popcorn (a trigger food that’s very easy to overeat), munch on raw veggies with hummus.

Sugar/ Artificial sweeteners
Why? You already know sugar’s many problems. Artificial sweeteners are actually worse: their sweetness can trigger an insulin response, and one study showed people who drank diet sodas gained more weight than regular-soda drinkers.

Lateral shifts:
· Instead of sugar and artificial sweeteners, try monk fruit (lo Han), erythritol, or pure Stevia as sweeteners.
· Learn to appreciate the natural sweetness of flavors like vanilla and cinnamon.

You only need to remove these 7 foods for 3 weeks to benefit, but you should completely eliminate them during that time. Many clients enjoy these healthier alternatives and feel so much better that they never want to go back!"

@travellingbee: get a spiralizer!!! It's a total game changer and vegetable noodles are a great substitute when you're craving pasta. We make zucchini noodles and sweet potato noodles weekly. I have this one but the Paderno brand except they look the exact same and this one is cheaper:
http://www.amazon.com/Essential-Spiralizer-Tri-Blade-Spiral-Vegetable/dp/B006THC75E/ref=sr_1_5?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1402423028&sr=1-5&keywords=spiralizer

I love baked goods and we swapped out regular flour for almond and coconut flour years ago. I also use honey, maple syrup or coconut sugar instead of refined sugar. Oh, and almond butter instead of peanut butter.

Hmm...since I've already eliminated dairy and soy maybe I should eliminate sugar too. I mean, right now I eat a ton and am not losing, but maybe the sugar would be the final kick.

And if that doesn't work, I could try gluten too, but that will just make me so sad.

I have tried focusing on adding good rather than eliminating certain things. My goal is to eat half of each meal fruits and veggies, with the other half being lean protein with the occasional grain/starchy vegetable. I have lost 30lbs since December. I have studied a lot about nutrition in the last year, and I find a middle of the road approach works best for me. Eliminating stuff completely feels much more difficult. I have made changes that I can stick with for life, and I feel like that will make me more successful in the long run.

I follow the Nutrition Diva podcast, and her website is pretty awesome too. http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/nutrition-diva