Enough Already With Hyperbolizing The Low-Carb Diet, Health Leader Says

Do remember that outstanding "Happy Monday" column I shared with you last week from health and fitness advocate Nicki Anderson from Reality Fitness in Naperville, IL about her realization that there are other ways besides the low-fat diet to be healthy? Well, all you know what broke loose among her newsletter readers who thought Nicki had lost her mind.

Here are a few of the spirited responses she received:

"Nicki, are you saying you believe in all of that low-carb nonsense?"

"Nicki, you've never lent yourself to any particular doctrine when it comes to nutrition, you've always been very good at being general. Please, say you haven't gone to the 'dark side.'"

"What's this? You've gone low-carb on me?"

Ahhhh, welcome to my world, Nicki! LOL! Yes, the low-carb antagonists are letting her know what they think about her openness to lending credence to the low-carb lifestyle as a viable means for controlling weight and health. After all, she's seen people like me and others find GREAT SUCCESS eating this way.

But Nicki has stuck to her guns and made the following brilliant statement:

"The minute we say there is only ONE way to be healthy, we're in trouble," she said. "I am firmly convinced that although there are definite no-no's when it comes to lifestyle choices, often it's simply a matter of what makes sense for your body and your lifestyle."

And thus the choice is up to the individual to find what works for them, follow a proven plan that has been shown to genuinely help people, and then keep doing that for the rest of their life. This is my philosophy and something that Nicki Anderson has fully grasped as well.

For those who disagreed with what she wrote last week, Nicki offered this additional explanation of what she believes in this week's "Happy Monday" newsletter. This is REALLY AWESOME, so read it all the way through. ENJOY!

So here's the deal. For over 20 years I have been involved in some capacity in the health and fitness industry. I have watched nutritional trends come and go, and come and go and come and go. Many of these nutritional trends are calorie restricted diets that allow only enough food to keep your heart pumping.

When it comes to weight management and sustaining a healthy weight, it has never been about more than eating well, eating clean if you will and eating with color. Unfortunately, we have evolved to the point that the ONLY reason we exercise and eat "diet food" is to lose weight, period, end of statement. So we don't pay attention to eating for good health, only for weight loss.

We don't need "special" diet food to lose weight, we don't need hours of exercise and we sure as heck don't need super restricted diet's telling us what we can't eat. But a lot of people have made a lot of money off of the constant pounding message, "Eat what you want without gaining weight and actually lose weight!" and what has that miracle food been? Low-fat. Hmm, every person I know that has a fridge full of no-fat foods is battling the bulge. If we simply went back to basics, portion control and less sugar/processed foods, we'd be fine.

Here is what I have seen in my 20 plus years in the industry. And let me reiterate for my RD friends that read my Happy Monday newsletter. I know, I know, I'm not a Registered Dietitian, I am simply sharing my thoughts and experience, what I've read and of course, my humble opinion. :-)

But here's where we have gotten into trouble, whether it's low-fat, low-carb, low-sodium, low-protein, high-protein, high fiber, and on and on, we end up thinking whatever "program" we are on allows us carte blanche when it comes to quantity of food. In other words, when low-fat came around, every conceivable snack was created to be low-fat, it didn't matter if it was good for you or not, it was low-fat so people bought it and ended up eating it constantly. They figured, "If it's low-fat I can eat all I want!" Remember, the whole oat bran craze? Suddenly breads, cereals, crackers (again, all snack food) had copious amounts of oat bran. Again, another craze that ended up being pretty short lived.

Between you and me, I don't care if something is low-fat, low-carb, low-sugar, low-sodium, I am not going to use it as an excuse to overeat, and you shouldn't either. Low carb (when you look at the big picture) is not some wacky way out there practice, it is simply getting away from years of overimbibing in processed foods. Foods loaded with sugar are designed to help everyone lose weight, and to date, well our country is heavier than ever.

Low carb is no different than eating the way my family did 30 years ago, before processed carbohydrates became a food group and food of choice. Everyone looks at those that prescribe to the low carb philosophy as a bunch of whack-jobs, believe me there are plenty of zealots with every weight loss program, but YOU have to read between the hype and the health and make a smart choice.

Regardless of what philosophy you choose to follow, it has to be smart, healthy and can't be all about, "How much I can eat because it's low whatever." It DOESN'T MATTER! You should not overeat ever. Before all of this designer diet food, most folks ate healthy amounts of decent foods. Kids didn't walk around with a bag of "Combos" in their hand when I was a kid. Fast food was a once-in-a-while deal and chips and crackers we saved for parties 4x per year.

Any excuse to eat en masse is what the diet industry has perpetuated, so let's see if I can offer some succinct thoughts to help you on your road to a healthy lifestyle, whatever route you choose.

- Just because the labels on the front of boxes or cans, etc. says, "low" whatever, doesn't mean it's good for you nor does it mean you can eat all you want. Nor does it mean eating it will guarantee weight loss.

- Don't be fooled by labels that promise something. Oftentimes when it claims it's low in carbs or low in fat, you look at the side label with the nutrition information and it contains 3 servings which drastically changes the actual nutrition info.

- No matter what program you follow, or what "special" foods you buy, quantity will always matter, you eat too much, you will gain weight, period, end of statement. Also, it's about quality. I buy as much organic, whole rich foods as I can, when I can.

- I attended a lecture by Jose Antonio, who is a food scientist and he said, "Do you know you cannot overeat protein, but you can easily over eat carbohydrates?" Processed carbohydrates are loaded with sugar and often cause a withdrawal affect so that you find yourself always going back for more.

- At holiday parties, stay away from puffed pastries, and instead of overdoing on cheese and crackers, have cheese with canteloupe or cheese and veggies. You'll fill up more quickly and stay satisfied for a longer period.

- If you choose to drink alcohol, always have one 8 oz. glass of water for every drink. You'll most likely drink less and stay well hydrated.

I continue to read and expand my knowledge of the human body and the effect that exercise and nutrition has on it. It's fascinating stuff, I'm telling you. I continue to be amazed at what new studies reveal and some old studies continue to be solid. But at the end of the day, it's about finding what's best for you and what allows you to stay healthy and well. If you're chronically overweight you know whatever you're doing isn't working for you, change it, experiment, explore, read and in the end, pick the healthiest choice for you!

Cheers and Good health!

THANK YOU for reiterating this message again, Nicki, because it is one that more and more people like you should be coming to grips with. Those who actually investigate what livin' la vida low-carb is are often surprised by what they see--this way of eating is a normal, natural, healthy, whole foods dietary approach that looks nothing like the way plans like the Atkins diet are typically portrayed in the media and by so-called health "experts."

As more and more medical and nutrition professionals read Good Calories, Bad Calories, then we'll be seeing others like Nicki Anderson having an epiphany moment where everything they've always believed is challenged. And that is where the rubber meets the road as we seek to overcome the needless objects to the amazingly healthy low-carb lifestyle.

Anderson: Low-Fat Diets Have 'Created A World Of Carbohydrate Addicts'

You should subscribe to Nicki Anderson's "Happy Monday" newsletter

There are only a handful of people in this world who I hold a tremendous amount of respect for their willingness to remain open to new ideas and yet remain firmly grounded in their ability to discern what is right even when it is unpopular. It is the rare individual who possesses such a quality, but that's exactly what I have found in my friend and fitness motivator Nicki Anderson.

I first blogged about Nicki nearly two years ago and the work she is doing at her Naperville, IL-based Reality Fitness weight and health center. She is one of America's leading voices on behalf of implementing quality fitness routines into the lives of everyday people regardless of their size. Her life's passion is to share with others that exercising can and should be a fun and exciting part of your healthy lifestyle.

I've featured the writings of Nicki Anderson here at my blog previously because her enthusiasm spills over and is so infectious when she hits a topic of particular interest to those of us who are livin' la vida low-carb. I remember when she wrote this article about the low-fat diets failing in response to this historic 8-year study published in JAMA last year showing the once-heralded king of the healthy diets is one of the biggest shams ever perpetrated on the world. And Nicki NAILED 'em for it, too! In September 2007, she exposed the rampant abuse of the over-the-counter weight loss drug Alli in a very timely column.

Well, it seems Nicki has been doing a lot of research and reading about the wonderful world of livin' la vida low-carb over this past year (with a little gentle nudging from somebody you know--*wink*) and is becoming increasingly convinced there is more to it than once thought. While she's always been highly respectful of me and my nutritional choice for weight loss and health, now it seems she is learning to love and appreciate why this way of eating is so fantastic for people like me.

In her latest "Happy Monday" newsletter today (which you can sign up for FREE at RealityFitness.com), she shares with her readers this evolution that is happening within her realm of thinking regarding diet, health and nutrition right now to get them to begin questioning what they have always believed to be true as well. There are a lot of patients and medical professionals who are still so deeply indoctrinated in the low-fat dogma that it's gonna take someone like Nicki to point them in the right direction.

With permission to reprint her fabulous "Happy Monday" column here at my "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb" blog, here's what Nicki Anderson wrote:

It's absolutely necessary to explore new information when it comes to exercise and nutrition. With companies always trying to make a fast buck, sometimes the trends aren't always in the best interest of your health.

- Nicki

I have always tried to do my best to teach my clients and readers that healthy living is about balance, and I will always believe in that approach. One of the toughest things about my industry, health and fitness, is that information is constantly changing. One day we read that cardio exercise for 60 minutes is mandatory and the next day we read, 3 segments of 10 minutes each is sufficient.

Then there's the nutrition, ay-yay-yay! Everyday it's something new. But not always in the best interest of overall health but more in the interest of big business and huge profits.

Over the last 10 years, I have watched very closely the direction that nutrition has been heading. Now remember, when I lost my weight almost 30 years ago, it was done simply by eating colorful food, watching portions and eliminating unnecessary sugars. I have always followed that and it has always served me well. Back then "diet food" was non-existent. Today you've got absolute garbage that is touted and sold as weight loss food, confusing the masses and tricking them into believing they work. Healthy food? Why no, simply low-fat and surely low fat food means low fat on the body too? Right? Um, no.

In the 80's the low fat craze was at it's peak, yet somehow everyone was dieting more, hmmmm. When I jumped on the low-fat wagon, I paid no attention to the fact that I constantly needed to eat, my energy levels were erratic, and every day was a battle to maintain a healthy weight, but I figured that was normal. We all know that in this country when a trend starts, it spreads like wild fire and everyone is on the bandwagon, no questions asked. And in the 80's it was low-fat all the way!

In the 90's, The Atkins Diet resurfaced (after a 20 year hiatus) and because many had been indoctrinated in to the world of low-fat, Dr. Atkins was perceived as a certifiable lunatic. Since I pride myself on being open to different ideas on nutrition, I started doing some research to find out where Atkins was coming from. Mind you, as people often do, the problem with his popularity (not in a good way) was that many people took bits and pieces of Atkins book (just the part to lose weight), not understanding exactly what the science was behind his approach, and simply started eating nothing but meat, cheese and eggs, which was not his philosophy.

Check out a little history, back in 1850's there was a gentleman by the name of William Banting. The gist of Banting is that he was overweight and he couldn't figure out how to get rid of it. Everyone was telling him something different and then he hooked up with a doctor who told him to, "Avoid sugar, bread, sweets and walk up and down your stairs a few times a day." In a year, he lost 50 pounds. This was where the understanding that excess sugar translates to excess pounds started.

The more I researched, the more I realize that low-fat diets are no longer the ideal when it comes to weight loss or good health. In fact, in my humble opinion, the low-fat diet world has created a world of carbohydrate addicts. Think about it, all of the "diet" foods created over the last 20 years are typically sugar filled, processed, garbage "diet" foods, aka unhealthy carbohydrates. Snackwells anyone? Don't you find it odd that millions of dollars have been spent on low-fat foods yet our country is heavier than ever? Type II Diabetes is higher than ever and affecting younger and younger children? More and more disease, obesity related of course. Clearly something is not working.

Research indicates much of it has to do with the fact our country is full of carbo imbibing dieters that are completely unaware of the damage that all of the high processed, high sugar foods actually causes to our body and ultimately our health. Think about the low-fat, diet foods that are always advertised, ice cream, breads, cereals, boxed snacks, cookies, and on and on. Nothing natural, nothing whole, nothing normal, all processed, high sugar foods, aka "carbage." But hey, they're low-fat! Ugh!

I'm not a doctor, nor a dietitian but in my 25 years (since low-fat has been around) more and more people are struggling with weight. I got back to my healthy eating roots, more color, less sugar and no processed foods. At 46 years old, my energy level is great, my weight is healthy, I don't crave garbage foods, my hair and skin is healthy and well, I feel great. When clients come through my doors, many of them are eating around 75% processed carbohydrates per day! Breads, pastas, crackers, packaged snacks and the list goes on and on, because they're LOW FAT! Ugh!

If you look at what a lot of recent studies show, you will find that more and more, low-fat diets are not working to create a lean, healthy and sustainable weight. Look I'm not a proponent of all or nothing in any realm, but I think it's time we set aside the low fat snacks (which are simply an excuse to overeat the wrong things.) Let's take a gander at some interesting studies and information so you are able to come to your own conclusion. Remember, it's not about all or nothing, it's about finding a balance between healthy choices and healthy living.

No matter what you believe, seek to lower the processed foods you eat and focus on whole, real food, it is worth your time and study. If we can perhaps learn to focus on foods that fuel us well and are not out of a box, maybe just maybe we can lick this obesity thing, not to mention greatly enhance the quality of your life.

Check out some interesting sites recommended by my friend Jimmy Moore, LivinLaVidaLowCarb.com king! He posts some fascinating things that certainly leave you wondering what we've been doing the last 30 years, hmmmmm.

So here's some reading for you, let me know what you think.

Dr. Michael Eades

SUGAR SHOCK!

Weight of the Evidence

Jimmy Moore's Blogspot



Send your feedback and encouragement to Nicki Anderson and she continues this journey toward dietary truth by using this contact page. I've urged her to read Gary Taubes' Good Calories, Bad Calories next and assured her it will blow her mind. When she does get around to reading that book, LOOK OUT! She'll be unstoppable! :D

Rampant Abuse Of ALLI Weight Loss Drug Reported

Nicki Anderson exposes a dirty truth about a risky new weight loss drug

My friend and fellow fitness lover Nicki Anderson who owns and operates the Naperville, IL-based Reality Fitness health center wrote an incredible article in her weekly "Happy Monday" newsletter this week about how the allure of "quick weight loss" can oftentimes deter you from the more important job of retaining your health.

Ever since I first blogged about Nicki early last year, I have grown to love and appreciate her perspective as a weight loss and health counselor for those who desire to get fit. She is arguably one of the most enthusiastic people in the health world you will ever meet and I count it a privilege to know her.

Get a taste of Nicki by reading what she thinks about the low-fat diet as well as some comments she made in a newspaper story on low-carb. She's definitely someone who deserves to be listened to when she speaks about diet, health, and nutrition and today's subject matter is no exception.

You'll recall I've come down pretty hard against the new over-the-counter weight loss drug called ALLI. In fact, I dedicated an entire podcast show (which became an instant classic and one of the favorites among my listeners!) to it which precipitated quite a response from both pro and con from those who had an opinion about taking it.

Well, Nicki shared what some of her own clients are saying about the use--or should I say ABUSE--of ALLI as part of the weight loss regimen of those they know. Keep in mind this ALLI drug is available EVERYWHERE now, including Wal-mart, drugstores, and anywhere there is a pharmacy. It ain't cheap, but price is no option for many when they just wanna lose weight ANY way they can.

Click here to read the shocking details of what Nicki's client told her about how some people are using ALLI in their desperate attempts to lose weight and to learn why eating healthy should ALWAYS take precedence over being skinny.