Here goes "bag" one!

Well…it has taken a couple of days, but I am finally going to deal with one of those “bags” I discussed in my last post. Here goes the “FAT” bag!

I have been doing a lot of soul searching and research regarding how I should eat. I have Type II diabetes and it is all-important that I not let this chronic illness rob me of my vitality and life! I have done a good job of controlling it with diet in the past. And while it isn’t awful now, my last HGBA1c test was 6.5. I want it below 6! (For those of you who aren’t diabetic, the HGBA1c measures average blood sugar over the last 3 months. If you are diabetic, 7% or lower is good.)

I need to get back to losing weight and eating in a way that maintains proper blood sugar levels. For me, that is a low carb diet. I have done Atkins in the past, with some success. I also was on the South Beach Diet for a time and did well there too. That is, until I started adding grains back into my diet. What a disaster! I have been on a yearlong binge and have gained about 2/3 of my weight loss back! DAMN!

I have discovered the eating plan I want to adopt. It is easy, healthful and it is one I CAN live with. It is “Stella Style”. You may know of George Stella, the Low Carb and Lovin’ It” chef from Food Network. Yes, I know…many people consider him to be a dork! But he is a likeable dork, and you certainly can’t argue his success! His bio, family story & photos are all on his website http://www.stellastyle.com/. I like his approach and the fact that he and his family have lived it!

Here are just a few points regarding the Stella Style way of eating. These are excerpted from George’s book “Eating Stella Style – Low-Carb Recipes for Healthy Living”.
· Eliminate the “white stuff” from your diet. (Sugar, white flour, potatoes)
· Replace processed foods with fresh, healthy foods.
· Get into your kitchen & cook!
· Eat well-rounded meals
· Identify the right foods without obsessing over every carb.

Does that sound like some crazy, whacko diet? Nope! Sounds pretty sensible to me! Now I know there will be a few out there who will get all bent out of shape about the whole low carb diet thing. Do the research and read the medical press!

First, low carb diets aren’t all about bacon and cheese! Grilled salmon, steamed broccoli & a spinach salad is a low carb meal. Fat IS NOT the enemy…sugar is!

Second, medical research is validating the low carb diet again & again. More about this in future posts.

There! I have put it out there for all to read. As of Monday, October 1, 2007, I will be eating, cooking & living “Stella Style”.

Whew! That “FAT” bag is one I surely will not miss!