My Low-Carb Product-Free Diet Experiment

One of the most fascinating things I have noticed since I began blogging about the healthy low-carb lifestyle back in 2005 is how amazingly diversified the low-carb community is about the "proper" way a low-carb diet should be done. The definition of "healthy low-carb living" varies depending on who you talk to. In fact, if we had a room full of 100 low-carbers I would bet you'd have at least 50 or more different versions of livin' la vida low-carb. And that's okay because individualization of the diet is what makes it work in the long-term.

Some people believe you should only eat whole foods all the time. And for the most part, that's a good philosophy to live by. In fact, if you look at my low-carb menus then you will see that's precisely what I eat the vast majority of the time. Of course, I also like to add in some chocolate and other treats from time to time to enhance my low-carb lifestyle. It's what helped me lose 180 pounds in 2004 and I've been doing it ever since.

However, with my recent 30-pound weight gain in 2008 that has pretty much sustained for the past six months, I've been looking at ways to bring that weight back down. I now know that I'm dealing with an erratic blood sugar issue that is tied to an unusual insulin response even after a low-carb meal. Frustrating doesn't even begin to explain this process, but I'm certainly not giving up.

After interviewing Dr. Keith Berkowitz in June (and I'll be having a follow-up interview with him coming the first week of August) about his "reactive hypoglycemia" theory, I decided to implement a strategy of eating more often with lots of small "meals" throughout the day and I saw some success. But then the weight started going up again and I cut back on my protein intake to slow down gluconeogenesis. Again, good progress, but then the weight came back up yet again. I even cut out all of my favorite low-carb products a couple of months back for two weeks--DIDN'T LOSE A SINGLE POUND! UGH!

So, imagine my discouragement to see the following recommendations for getting my weight to reduce from my low-carb doctor this week:

1--no low-carb "treats" or substitutes for otherwise high-carb food (although sugar-free Jello and other desserts such as we allow our patients would be okay in limited amounts)
2--foods should be chosen from those listed on the "No Sugar, No Starch" guide we give patients
3--adequate protein (as determined from lean body mass) should be consumed, but care should be taken not to exceed protein requirements
4--portion-control and calorie-restriction should be implemented, as determined by BMR

No "treats" at all are allowed right now for me, including my chocolate bar, low-carb wraps, bars, or anything. NONE! I'll skip the Jello thank you very much, but I'll make some cheesecake out of cream cheese, heavy cream, and other REAL foods. I'm well aware of what's good to eat that is non-sugary, non-starchy, so that won't be a problem. Getting that "adequate protein" is the tricky part for me right now, although I've done well with it as of late. Controlling portions and calories goes against everything I've ever done with livin' la vida low-carb, so that's gonna be hard.

But I'm game for it and starting today I'm doing all of this. I'm gonna go low-carb product-free as an experiment and see if it makes a difference in my weight. I feel fantastic right now health-wise, but the sustained weight hovering around 260 is getting old quick. Even my stepmom Faye said to me during my visit to Tennessee earlier this week, "Oh no, Jimmy, you're not gaining back all that weight again are you?" What a slap in the face when I'm busting my butt trying to figure out what's going on. I'll be blogging more about this soon.

In the meantime, you can track my progress on this new diet experiment to see what if any impact cutting out the low-carb products will have. Based on my previous experience, it's not gonna do anything to help with this issue I have now. I've eaten these things throughout my 180-pound weight loss and ever since, so why would it suddenly be impacting me now? I don't understand that logic at all.

Here we are, though. I'm doing it and you can see what I'm eating at my low-carb menus blog. I'll share how my weight is doing each day along with the meals I am eating. I'm not convinced this is the answer, but nothing else has worked yet--WHAT THE HECK! :)

Lo Carb-U Markets Unique Foods For Your Carb Conscious Appetite

Do you live in an area where there aren't a whole lot of choices when it comes to finding foods for your low-carb lifestyle? Do you ever wonder if there are any great-tasting low-carb alternatives to many of your favorite foods?

If you answered "yes" to either or both of those questions, then let me introduce you to a company called Lo Carb-U Foods. This Los Angeles-based business is a one-stop shop for anything and everything low-carb. They carry most of the Atkins products, but also offer many of the niche products you won't find at your local supermarket or Wal-mart.

I recently received some products from Lo Carb-U Foods and would like to share with you some of my favorites:


CINNAMON NUTRAGEOUS GRANOLA SNACKS

Do you miss the taste of a granola bar at breakfast or for a snack? This crunchy cinnamon snack can be eaten like cereal with some low-carb milk or as a stand alone cure for the munchies. Made with pecans, almonds, flax seed, oats and more, this product only has 1 net carb for a half cup serving. This is a great food to have when you just want a little something sweet, but nothing heavy. Even my wife LOVED it!


THINKRISPS ORIGINAL CHEDDAR

Have you wanted to taste something crunchy with the flavor of a Cheeze It cracker? Well, here it is! This baked cheese snack is amazingly made with JUST cheddar cheese, but it is oh so good. At just 1/2 gram of carbs per 16g serving, what a great snack as you are livin' la vida low-carb!


EVERYTHING BAGELS

Who says you can't have a bagel when you are on a low-carb lifestyle? These surprisingly delicious bagels are made with everything, but the kitchen sink and are loaded with lots of fiber which is good for you when you are low-carbing it! Also, that fiber can be subtracted from your carb intake, which gives you a net carb total of just over 5 1/2 carbs for each bagel. I made some excellent turkey and cheese sandwiches with these bagels or you can eat it by itself with some cream cheese. Livin' la vida low-carb is so much easier to do with products like this!


WHITE CORN TACO SHELLS

You can add Mexican flavor back to your low-carb program with these superb taco shells. Just brown some ground beef and add some taco seasoning (watch out for hidden sugars, though!). These 3 net carb shells help you make a low-carb fiesta for your mouth to savor again and again. I was really surprised by the texture and taste of these tacos!


CRISPY CARAMEL CANDY BARS

For that sweet tooth, you will enjoy these aptly named Splurge candy bars made with stomach-friendly, maltitol-free sugar substitutes, including oligofructose and erythritol. This particular flavor sort of tastes like the Whatchamacallit candy bar I used to love as a kid. It only has 3 net carbs and is an outstanding product to supplement your low-carb lifestyle.


CHICAGO DEEP DISH PIZZA

I saved the BEST for last. If you love to eat pizza and you like a good deep dish crust. then your low-carb dream has come true! At just 4 net carbs for a personal-sized pizza, your taste buds will go into overdrive at this delicious offering. And you won't need to eat 30 of them to feel satisfied. 8-)

There are literally hundreds more products to choose from when you shop at Lo Carb-U Foods. Check them out some time and let us know which products you enjoyed the most. You can click on the banner at the top of this blog anytime to go to the Lo Carb-U Foods web site. Or, if you want to talk to someone LIVE and place your order by telephone, you can call them at 1-877-LOCARBU. Keep in mind they are on the West Coast, so please don't call before 11:00am EST. :-)

Tell Jason and the gang at Lo Carb-U Foods that Jimmy from "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb" said HEY!