Wheat Belly!

Day 337
Wt. 185.6 (-2.8)
Total Weight Loss 46.6
Countdown to Goal: 242 Days
LBS to Goal: 35.6

This is the book that is changing my weight loss! As you all know, I have struggled with a long plateau. I thought I had made it through but I stalled out again. I posted on Facebook asking for ideas to get my weight going down again. Jessica Ramsey posted that she was doing the Wheat Belly Diet with good results. I immediately bought the book for my Kindle and started reading it. It is written by a cardiologist who explains the changes in wheat over the decades and the effect that this has on our insulin production and blood sugar. Being a dietitian, everything he said made sense. Excessive insulin causes glucose to be converted to fat cells  because it's job is to convert blood sugar into a form that the cells can absorb and use it. Therefore, you do NOT want to put anything in your body that will cause more insulin to be secreted than is needed by your body. Wheat and wheat products have the HIGHEST  glycemic index which is how  it increases your blood sugar. Wheat's glycemic index is almost TWICE as high as pure sugar!!!   These excess fat cells are stored around your vital body organs- your belly! That is where almost all of our health problems come from because this fat secretes ESTROGEN - even in MEN!!!
I started the diet after lunch a week ago today and I have lost about 3 pounds! I am NEVER hungry! Wheat causes all the hunger and food cravings! My IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) has been practically non-existent this week! I HAVE HAD AN ENTIRE WEEK WITHOUT STOMACH PAINS!! HALLELUYER!
There is a LOT of information in the book and it is not easy to explain in a few sentences. I'm going to attempt to share what I have learned so far because many of you have asked me about it. I really recommend the book because it is way more than a diet, it's a way of eating for life.
First of all, NO WHEAT in any shape, form or fashion. When you start reading those labels, it is in EVERYTHING!! They even toss shredded cheese in it to keep it from sticking together.  I spent and hour and a half at Kroger last night reading labels. Anytime FOOD STARCH is listed as an ingredient, it is almost always wheat. It is way more than just gluten-free. Dr. Davis said not to eat the gluten-free alternatives like crackers, cereals, etc. because they use potato starch, rice starch and other highly processed starches that will have a similar affect on your insulin/blood sugar/BELLY! Whole grains have been praised as being great for our heart but IT IS A LIE! If that is so, why are so many people who are eating right and exercising still caring around the belly fat??? ME!!!
Here is the jist of the diet. Meals need to center around VEGETABLES - fresh or frozen, meats (not cured), eggs, fish, cultured cheese, nuts and certain seeds. MUFA's (mono-unsaturated fatty acids) are to be eaten liberally. This is like olive oil. He does not recommend many of the vegetable oils that I thought was healthy.  Dairy, beans, rice and fruits are to eaten in limits because of the glycemic value. Most artificial sweeteners cause insulin release - even more than sugar! Splenda (sucrolose) and Truvia (Stevia) are allowed because they have a glycemic index of zero and do not impact insulin release. Most processed food is bad for you - he said to look for one ingredient foods. The peanut butter I bought last night was Kroger brand natural and it has to be kept in refrigerator. Most peanut butter has sugar and many additives.
I hope this gives you an idea of what wheat belly is. If you are interested in learning more, you should buy the book because it is worth the money. If you would like to see what I am eating, send me a friend request on My Fitness Pal because my food diary is available for you to view.