Re: What, no grains???

[Guest guest]

Todd sage advice, you really seem to understand the process, it is a fine balancing act. Out of curiosity what have been your experiences with particular food choices and their individual glycemic responses. Any surprises? Don

[Guest guest]

Hi Leonard,

First, welcome to the Group! Grains can be eliminated because 1) There are really no "Essential Carbs"...i.e. without protien (8 essential amino acids) and EFAs (Essential Fatty Acids, Omega 6 & Omega 3) you would eventually die. The same is true for the essential vitiman.

However, many of us have eliminated grains and all "High GI" (GI is an index that tells you how fast a food is converted into glucose in your body...personally, whenever I add a new meal, I check my blood glucose with a simple meter designed for diabetics because I find a better measure of GI is the whole meal, not the individual foods as some combinations are different than the indivudual components).

Personally, even a slice of toast or a bowl of oatmeal sends my blood sugar rising well above the level at which I am targeting (hense insulin is released...a hormone most often linked to age related illnesses).

However, I love a seven grain ceral and it's nutrition is excellent so I solved the delema by eating my grains 3 days per week exactly 1 hour before I do my aerobic exercise. You see, exercise lowers blood gluose just like insulin (it uses a totaly different, and complex pathway) so the net effect is that I get to enjoy my grains occasionally and still keep insulin levels within a tight range. (The Zone books talk alot about insulin...to me, it's only one component of the overall anti-aging strategy but their is growing evidence that it is an important cornerstone).

Don't go overboard with the Zone stuff, keep in mind the Walford basics...I think the Zone Books don't focus enough on the quality of food because it was written more as a practical guide for dieting and heart patients...because we all practice CR, our lifelong calore intake is reduced so we have to be more pickly about what we eat.

If you are interested in monitoring your blood glucose levels, I found a meter at Ekerds drug store (US) (Ekerds brand) that was only $9.00 and it comes with 10 test strips. The strips is where it cost a few bucks...50 for $25 bucks. Still after you have tested most of the main foods you eat, you'll not need it. It's good to keep a record of your fasting glucose levels anyway (after not eating for 12 hours) because that's a CR marker.

Keep reading the posts and books and internet info on the subject...if you become committed to CR, it's good to have all the knowledge. It can be very simple, but some of the fun is really understand your body and how it reacts...for me, the rewards have been fantastic...I have never felt so good in all my life.

Thanks,

Todd R. BarberChairman, Reef Ball FoundationCEO, Reef Ball Development Group, Ltd.6916 22nd Street WestBradenton, FL 34207941-752-0169 (Office)941-752-0338 (Direct Line)941-752-1033 Fax941-720-7549 Cellreefball@...http://www.artificialreefs.orghttp://www.reefball.comhttp://www.reefball.org

----- Original Message -----

From: crmail@...

Sent: Sunday, July 29, 2001 8:25 AM

Subject: [ ] What, no grains???

Hello Everyone --I was just reading all the files (and thanks to whomever it was who sent me some great email helping out newbies), and discovered this: "Note: all grains can safely be omitted from one's diet." I must admit, that brought me up short.It reminded me of a 12-step food program (CEA-HOW) which is based on virtually nothing but protein and green vegetables.Can anyone go into detail on the rationale for cutting out grains entirely? It seems that this would involve the elimination of some valuable nutrition components, and contra Walford.Cheers,Leonard

[Guest guest]

> Hello Everyone --

>

> I was just reading all the files (and thanks to whomever it was who

> sent me some great email helping out newbies), and discovered this:

> " Note: all grains can safely be omitted from one's diet. "

Leonard: take such posts with a " grain " of salt. You will find all

modes of diets, advice, extremism on the lists. Many of us eat grains

and are more moderate in our diets. I, for one, and I have been quite

successful at my CR program (more than I dreamed I could be). Some

people don't eat any fruits either. So be wary of any advice that

sounds too extreme. Moderation is the key.

As for tips starting out, read all the Support group " files " on the

home page. They;re aimed at helping newbies.

[Guest guest]

Hi Todd, thanks for the welcome!

I've done a *lot* of reading about nutrition (I suspect virtually

everyone in this group has), and I think that CR pretty much ties all

the loose ends together for me (including McDougall, Shintani, De

Maisons, Pritikin, Ornish, et al). He adds some tweaks that are

astonishing, and that the others don't seem to have considered (less

is

more, if done right--the hierarchy of veggies followed by legumes and

then complex carbos).

I have some " zone " books but they left me underthrilled, especially

about the percentage of fat ingested. I'd like to see some really *

basic* meals from others, that don't require quite the preparation of

the MegaMeals. I'd like to have 1 or 2 basic CR breakfasts, lunches

and

dinners and gradually develop variations on them.

And I'm confused: If I take the fast lane, do I eat nothing but

megameals? Or do I choose among the free choice meals?

(And pardon me while I get to know how to use this website properly)

Cheers,

Leonard

[Guest guest]

> Leonard: take such posts with a " grain " of salt. You will find all

> modes of diets, advice, extremism on the lists. Many of us eat grains

> and are more moderate in our diets. I, for one, and I have been quite

> successful at my CR program (more than I dreamed I could be). Some

> people don't eat any fruits either. So be wary of any advice that

> sounds too extreme. Moderation is the key.

>

> As for tips starting out, read all the Support group " files " on the

> home page. They;re aimed at helping newbies.

Thanks, FS --

They are indeed *very* helpful (I noticed you're quite prominent among

them -- ;-D) -- in fact I downloaded them all and put them in a WP doc

so I can reference them offline!

Cheers,

Leonard

[Guest guest]

Hi Don,

Yes, there were some very interesting surprises. Here's some of my observations:

-At the early stages, when I was still eating a fairly high carb diet, my body would respond quickly with insulin and my insulin rarely passed 130 even with high GI foods. Once I had followed what I call a Walfordized Zone diet then my body seemed unable to produce insulin so easily...after that...I really had to watch my breads and grains 'cause they would send my glucose level as high as 145. So, the conclusion is that once you switch to lower glycemic foods (if you do) then be careful about binging because you can really send your sugar level high.

-Oatmeal,barley, quintana, etc...all I have tried, even the slow cooking kind, sends my sugars high...I was hoping to find a nice whole grain that would be slower to enter the body...but to no avail.

-Exercise, even moderate, drops my levels when they get too high. If I eat a piece of toast with my meal, I'll just go up and down the steps for 5 minutes or so about an hour after eating and I can keep the glucose in check. However, eating a snack just after exercising (which is recommended in many books) sends my sugar just as high as if I did not exercise. The trick I have learned is to plan the workouts to know about how many calories you are going to burn up...I then eat some of my favorite grains to equal about that many calories...doing this, your blood sugar does not drop too much after the workout then you don't need the snack right after the workout. I usually have a regular meal about 1-2 hours after the workout.

-My favorite breakfast is non-fat yogert, fresh blueberries, fresh strawberries, and a scoop of whey protein mix....some days with a few crushed almonds for a little extra fat. However, my sugar will rise to about 130 after this meal....so my guess is that the blueberries and strawberries have a bit higher GI than we think. (However, they are so powerful antioxidents I think it's worth the higher levels...but that is just my personal opinion and not backed by facts).

-Some books said that your body drops insulin when you taste anything sweet, even sucrolose or artificial sweetners....I have not been able to document this response. Therefore, perhaps as a result of a low insulin creating diet, my body does not seem to drop insulin as quickly. (I did not test this before CR...perhaps it droped insulin more easily then?).

-The only tuber I can take without too much glocose is sweet potatos...perhaps Dr. Walford is on to something with his sweet potatos.

-Beware of Zone Bars....some flavors send your sugar levels higher than others...in fact, most of the Zone Brand foods I tested sent my sugar levels much higher than meals I designed....perhaps this is another reason Dr. Sears disassocated himself with the Zone marketing arm.

-Acholol was a big surprise...instead of sending your sugar up, it sends it plumitting....then several hours later (depending upon how much you drink) it sends it back up. My wife is a Doctor and said that the pathway for re-uptake of the sugar generated is depended on the B vitimans so this is a very tricky thing to deal with if you are on CR. Most of us don't drink much (we can't afford the empty calories) but I think a glass of red wine, dosed at the right time, could also help regulate sugar. I am going to study this some more over time to see if I can get the formula just right to balance the glucose levels.

Thanks,

Todd R. BarberChairman, Reef Ball FoundationCEO, Reef Ball Development Group, Ltd.6916 22nd Street WestBradenton, FL 34207941-752-0169 (Office)941-752-0338 (Direct Line)941-752-1033 Fax941-720-7549 Cellreefball@...http://www.artificialreefs.orghttp://www.reefball.comhttp://www.reefball.org

----- Original Message -----

From: Dsved51@...

Sent: Sunday, July 29, 2001 11:41 AM

Subject: Re: [ ] What, no grains???

Todd sage advice, you really seem to understand the process, it is a fine balancing act. Out of curiosity what have been your experiences with particular food choices and their individual glycemic responses. Any surprises? Don

[Guest guest]

Leonard,

Everyone has their own approach, I strongly suggest that you get Dr. Walford's diet planner software. What matters is that you get less calories and all the nutrition you need. It is a matter of personal style how you get there. Some like a few good meals...me for example, I love variety so although I have some personal favorite CR favorable meals...I experiment every day and just use the software to track what nutrients I did not get (I supplement if I happen to miss a particular nutrient...but the software can suggest optimal foods given what you are missing that day).

Also, as you get into CR further, I believe your taste buds change. You'll like veggies more even some varieties you did not like before so don't be afraid to retry foods you thought you did not like.

Don't be so worried about Fat...as long as it's the right kind of fat...it's a complex subject, but you'll hear lots of posts on it in the group. Just remember if you eat much fat, even the good kind, you won't get to each much volume of food and for some folks volume reduces hunger (not so in my case so I vary my fat intake a bit more than many in the group).

Thanks,

Todd R. BarberChairman, Reef Ball FoundationCEO, Reef Ball Development Group, Ltd.6916 22nd Street WestBradenton, FL 34207941-752-0169 (Office)941-752-0338 (Direct Line)941-752-1033 Fax941-720-7549 Cellreefball@...http://www.artificialreefs.orghttp://www.reefball.comhttp://www.reefball.org

----- Original Message -----

From: crmail@...

Sent: Sunday, July 29, 2001 12:11 PM

Subject: [ ] Re: What, no grains???

Hi Todd, thanks for the welcome!I've done a *lot* of reading about nutrition (I suspect virtually everyone in this group has), and I think that CR pretty much ties all the loose ends together for me (including McDougall, Shintani, De Maisons, Pritikin, Ornish, et al). He adds some tweaks that are astonishing, and that the others don't seem to have considered (lessis more, if done right--the hierarchy of veggies followed by legumes and then complex carbos). I have some "zone" books but they left me underthrilled, especially about the percentage of fat ingested. I'd like to see some really *basic* meals from others, that don't require quite the preparation of the MegaMeals. I'd like to have 1 or 2 basic CR breakfasts, lunchesand dinners and gradually develop variations on them.And I'm confused: If I take the fast lane, do I eat nothing but megameals? Or do I choose among the free choice meals?(And pardon me while I get to know how to use this website properly)Cheers,Leonard

[Guest guest]

Hey Todd,

Your reply in my email is full of HTML garbage -- how do I get rid of that? Anyway, I'm waiting for the software to come out in Mac format. Walford wrote to say that they'll have on OS X version soon.

I'm not particularly worried about fat, but I do have a few more questions, especially:

How does CR square with the claim that cutting calories slows metabolism? Or does the 1800 mark obviate that?

Cheers,

Leonard

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[Guest guest]

Indeed, CR does change the metabolisum...not so much a slowing, it is better described as a shift in resources...i.e. away from reproduction and toward survival (immune responses)...the evolutionary take is that when resources are scarce, animals are better off trying to survive longer to reproduce when resources are more abundant. Your body will get much more effiecient at processing calories...for example, you body will not spend as much effort to produce heat...hense why CR folks often report an intolerance to cold climates. This is actually a good thing from longevity in that you are not generating free radicals to burn food soley for heat.

Remember, CR is a lifestyle change...not a diet.

Thanks,

Todd R. BarberChairman, Reef Ball FoundationCEO, Reef Ball Development Group, Ltd.6916 22nd Street WestBradenton, FL 34207941-752-0169 (Office)941-752-0338 (Direct Line)941-752-1033 Fax941-720-7549 Cellreefball@...http://www.artificialreefs.orghttp://www.reefball.comhttp://www.reefball.org

----- Original Message -----

From: cr email

Cc: ;

Sent: Sunday, July 29, 2001 1:09 PM

Subject: Re: [ ] Re: What, no grains???

Hey Todd, Your reply in my email is full of HTML garbage -- how do I get rid of that? Anyway, I'm waiting for the software to come out in Mac format. Walford wrote to say that they'll have on OS X version soon. I'm not particularly worried about fat, but I do have a few more questions, especially: How does CR square with the claim that cutting calories slows metabolism? Or does the 1800 mark obviate that? Cheers, Leonard

______________________________________________________________________

Get your FREE Web based email account now at http://mail.mailexcel.com - and send and receive emails worldwide!

[Guest guest]

About the HTML garbage...i think that is placed there by ...the server that processes everyone's emails...we can't get rid of it so just ignore it.

Thanks,

Todd R. BarberChairman, Reef Ball FoundationCEO, Reef Ball Development Group, Ltd.6916 22nd Street WestBradenton, FL 34207941-752-0169 (Office)941-752-0338 (Direct Line)941-752-1033 Fax941-720-7549 Cellreefball@...http://www.artificialreefs.orghttp://www.reefball.comhttp://www.reefball.org

----- Original Message -----

From: cr email

Cc: ;

Sent: Sunday, July 29, 2001 1:09 PM

Subject: Re: [ ] Re: What, no grains???

Hey Todd, Your reply in my email is full of HTML garbage -- how do I get rid of that? Anyway, I'm waiting for the software to come out in Mac format. Walford wrote to say that they'll have on OS X version soon. I'm not particularly worried about fat, but I do have a few more questions, especially: How does CR square with the claim that cutting calories slows metabolism? Or does the 1800 mark obviate that? Cheers, Leonard

______________________________________________________________________

Get your FREE Web based email account now at http://mail.mailexcel.com - and send and receive emails worldwide!

[Guest guest]

--- In @y..., " Todd R. Barber " <reefball@r...>

wrote:

> About the HTML garbage...i think that is placed there by ...the server

that processes everyone's emails...we can't get rid of it so just ignore it.

>

> Thanks,

Todd and everyone: Try changing in your e-mail " preferences " - HTML to

plain text. That has worked in the past.

[Guest guest]

--- In @y..., " Todd R. Barber " <reefball@r...>

wrote:

> Indeed, CR does change the metabolisum... This is actually a good thing from

longevity in that you are not generating free radicals to burn food soley for

heat.

Fascinating. So I guess exercise offsets the tendency by revving up an

otherwise more-slowed-down metabolism?

Leonard

[Guest guest]

What browser are you using?

regards.

----- Original Message -----

From: cr email

Cc: ;

Sent: Sunday, July 29, 2001 12:09 PM

Subject: Re: [ ] Re: What, no grains???

Hey Todd, Your reply in my email is full of HTML garbage -- how do I get rid of that? Anyway, I'm waiting for the software to come out in Mac format. Walford wrote to say that they'll have on OS X version soon. I'm not particularly worried about fat, but I do have a few more questions, especially: How does CR square with the claim that cutting calories slows metabolism? Or does the 1800 mark obviate that? Cheers, Leonard

______________________________________________________________________

Get your FREE Web based email account now at http://mail.mailexcel.com - and send and receive emails worldwide!

[Guest guest]

I don't get "email" garbage as you call it. I'm wondering what you guys are using for a browser/email.

Regards.

----- Original Message -----

From: Todd R. Barber

Sent: Sunday, July 29, 2001 1:30 PM

Subject: Re: [ ] Re: What, no grains???

About the HTML garbage...i think that is placed there by ...the server that processes everyone's emails...we can't get rid of it so just ignore it.

Thanks,

Todd R. BarberChairman, Reef Ball FoundationCEO, Reef Ball Development Group, Ltd.6916 22nd Street WestBradenton, FL 34207941-752-0169 (Office)941-752-0338 (Direct Line)941-752-1033 Fax941-720-7549 Cellreefball@...http://www.artificialreefs.orghttp://www.reefball.comhttp://www.reefball.org

----- Original Message -----

From: cr email

Cc: ;

Sent: Sunday, July 29, 2001 1:09 PM

Subject: Re: [ ] Re: What, no grains???

Hey Todd, Your reply in my email is full of HTML garbage -- how do I get rid of that? Anyway, I'm waiting for the software to come out in Mac format. Walford wrote to say that they'll have on OS X version soon. I'm not particularly worried about fat, but I do have a few more questions, especially: How does CR square with the claim that cutting calories slows metabolism? Or does the 1800 mark obviate that? Cheers, Leonard

______________________________________________________________________

Get your FREE Web based email account now at http://mail.mailexcel.com - and send and receive emails worldwide!

[Guest guest]

> What browser are you using?

Netscape 4.7

Leonard

[Guest guest]

Hi Leonard,

The last time i used netscape, i didn't have trouble receiving html

messages. I don't remember how to set it, but i'm sure i was getting full

page ads, etc, without the html " garbage " . I never had to use " plain text.

I'm now using IE5.5/Outlook express (free download). i don't like it as

much, but it is much friendlier to my computer (not necessarily to me), if

you klnow what i mean. I never have any crashes, since i switched to IE and

added an aol acct. Now i have insurance. Of course i still don't do anything

important on the internet computer except download data files. I was just

wondering what the problem was. Now i have to switch this to plain text so

you can read it.

Regards.

----- Original Message -----

From: crmail@...

Sent: Monday, July 30, 2001 5:22 PM

Subject: [ ] Re: What, no grains???

> What browser are you using?

Netscape 4.7

Leonard