We need to reduce refined carbohydrates in our diet because they can increase food cravings and contribute to higher insulin levels, which can lead to diabetes and heart attack.
If you’re sensitive to the effects of sugar, you may find that it worsens that brain fog so common in perimenopause. So, cut down on bagels, white rice, potatoes, and pasta. Become educated. Sugar is listed on ingredient lists in many forms, including dextrose, sucrose, fructose, and rice syrup. Even honey is made of fructose and glucose!
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I can sure relate to these conversations. I got divorced when my kids were small and met friends through my kids daycare and we have kept in touch over the years. They are good friends but I don't get to see them as much as I'd like to. This past mon
Very beautiful. I meditate when I get home from work. I get up at 5:30 and just can't get motivated to get up any earlier. When I wake up in the middle of the night, I immediately go to prayer. It's comforting. Teresa
really good suggestions!!! and, honey has food value where sugar does not. and, I find I only use tiny amounts of it!! Sugar is addictive, most white food turns to sugar. Thanks
Agree,some have to go one step at a time as it acts like any addiction that one tries to quit cold turkey…my drug of choice is sweets but I have turned to fruits and resist the candy line at the counter begging me to buy one @:)
I have pretty much eliminated refined carbs from my diet for the past three years and have lost over 20 lbs. I did it because I don’t tolerate gluten. I have never been tested for celiac disease but finally figured it out on my own. After a while I lost most of my cravings. I still ogle the sweet rolls at Starbucks and enjoy the smells, but have not gone “off the wagon” in 2 years. It has improved my allergies tremendously. My favorite snack is now popcorn.
I know from experience that you’re absolutely right. The problem is the addiction… I love sweets! Low carb and high protein work great for me, but getting there (again!) is another problem. ♥
I’m right there with you as far as the addiction. I’m trying to do Phase 1 of the South Beach diet right now. You eliminate sugar and bread (potatoes, rice, pasta, etc.) for 2 weeks, then gradually reintroduce healthy carbs. I’m having a hard time with the sugar craving, tho.
I weaned myself off refined carbs early in my marriage because husband was running marathons and couldn’t tolerate them – so I joined in. It was an amazing change, after an upbringing of sugary and fatty foods. I got to the point where even the sight of sugary treats turned me off. Dessert was not tempting at all. I felt very healthy and alert (even though I wasn’t the one doing the running!)
However, as the years passed, I got back into eating all the bad stuff, and then tried a few months of the ‘south beach’ diet, which is basically throwing out all the refined carbs again. That helped me drop about 20lbs and keep it off — as long as I keep chanting ‘no sweets, no carbs’.
i know why we should eliminate them, but nothing compares to a good, fluffy white rice like the one my husband makes on the rice cooker. Yes, i have tried the brown, but no comparison! And desserts are my passion. I am aware of my addiction so i am good. I am buying the one point desserts from weight watchers and keeping it at a minimum. But i am going on a cruise and the dessert “cart” is a whole room! Lord, have mercy on me! I envy those middle age women that are nice and thin like Sally Field. She must be very good with her diet!
Sadly Sally Field suffers from osteoporisis – a condition that she probably wishes she didn’t have. Lynette, you may be lucky enough to have strong bones
Oh, my that is me , I love sweets and bread, pasta, and pastry, but i have found I do so much better without gluten. the brain fog goes away and i feel better, and my bloated tummy slims down. sugar is bad, sometimes i get on binges, (small ones, but any of it is not good) and I always feel better without sugar! a little here or therre, especially a little raw honey is all i really need. Like TL, high protein and low carb is better for me, and any carbs should be veggies / greens. I eat a little white rice, a little potato, but try to get lots of salads and vegs and some meat. I talk the talk better than I walk the walk though!! Altho I have not had soda pop for years. too much sugar! Very good info, thanks, Susan!
I agree with you, and try to be careful about my carb intake….Too much makes me sluggish, and adds to the inflamation and swelling of my hands, feet and face….I can always tell….I have noticed more problems as I am getting older and in menopause…I do love a good bagel once in a while, also chinese, italian, japanese, oh well, anything that have excess carbs as part of the meal…I am trying , though, to eat “cleaner” and notice the big change in the way I feel, and then continue to eat…for me, it is just hard to be continually consistent….=] but I will keep trying…..
Happy to read this post. When I tell others that Carbs, especially refined carbs but even potatoes and corn, affect me like a drug, they think I am nuts. The thing is, people are so used to the physical feelings they have they can’t imagine that it is the food they are consuming that is causing unbalance and sickness. When you start cutting back or eliminating carbs it is amazing how much better you feel.
My daughter and I both have the same intolerance to too many carbs…fried foods, bagels, and sugar and alcohol….any more than a small amount sends us into a drug induced state….almost instant brain fog, then lethargy followed by a deep sleep, waking up feeling poisoned and yucky. So I understand your post very well. I worked with a woman who daily had a headache after lunch….for many years….I would tell her…it has to be something you ate…and she never got why I thought that, but it was always right after lunch only. Now I need to find replacement snacks and meals that are not carb loaded….and salad and yogurt and fruit do not always satisfy. Do you eat whole grain english muffins or those skinny whole grain bagels ? I know slimfast fills me up….but that also has carbs and sugars…so not certain that is ideal.
Slimfast also has soy in it, which is NOT good for you, at least not the processed soy products foisted upon us by the FDA and Agribusiness lobby. High protein snacks…tuna,boiled egg,nut butters, etc…. are the best, plus lots of green veggies. If you must have bread products, the heavier w/multi grain is the best, but use like a condiment.
I’ve found that five mini-meals a day works far better than three regular meals with snacks. Yogurt can be carb laden. Stick with berries like raspberries and blue berries, nuts and seeds for snacks. An ounce of pure cream over the top of them gives you the fat w/out the sugar. Know that sounds calorie laden but you’ll be surprised how well it works.Good luck.
EAS AdvantEDGE® Carb Control™ Ready-to-Drink was what I used to drink; low carb, packed with vitamins and it really helped keep my energy better than anything (although it does use soy). As I said earlier, I’m back to being addicted to all the bad stuff, even though I KNOW that low carb, high protein is the way I need to go. EAS is available most anywhere, although (of course) Wal-Mart is the cheapest I’ve found. It comes in a few flavors and is really good. You may want to try it out and see if it replaces the Slimfast problem! ♥
Since January, I have eliminated refined sugar and white flour and have been trying to keep my net carbs (grams of carbs minus grams of fibre) to between 20 – 30 grams per day. I can’t believe the difference in my health. Where do I begin?
It has been great!
Such great tips you share Diane….love them ! Working nights is hard on the diet, and sleep, and also depression due to lack of sun. Some nights I am ravenous and trying to figure out why. I know getting the sugar and carbs out of the body takes some time…not sure how much time. I need to find satisfying replacements for those sugars and carbs. Sometimes salad and yogurt does not do the job and the hunger returns. I would love to have no food cravings !!
Susan…thanks for the topic….what do you suggest for filling foods that are low in refined carbs ? I’m always searching for something satisfying and turn to fried foods, breads, and pasta.
Yes! Also think about eliminating dairy products. After reading the Paleo Diet by Loren Cordain in my anthropology classes, I have eliminated grains, dairy, and legumes. These all may contribute to so many of the chronic diseases in our country today. I feel great, don’t gain weight, can think again after being on the diet for the past two months. Check it out.
Great advice thank you Susan. For people who want low-glycemic recipes (similar to low refined carbs) you can find some at this link and sign up for the free newsletter. http://www.glycemicindex.com/
View the current edition Low carb and low GI are not the same • Low GI diets DO increase satiety • Download Pulse Canada’s gluten-free cookbook • Low GI porridge for brekkie • The scoop on nuts and health • 3 recipes from the GI News kitchen
One of the most challenging things about low carb eating for many of us busy women is that that most convenience foods are not available. Therein lies the root of the problem actually, because our modern lives have become so busy we now rely on fast foods and pre-prepared meals which are laden with carbs. As a result, we have become addicted to highly refined sugars and flours.
If you are truly committed to eating low carb you will have to be prepared to spend a bit more time in the kitchen — going back to basics and preparing your foods from scratch. I would highly recommend anything written by Dana Carpender. She is my low carb guru and an over 50 Vibrant woman too! Here is her site: http://holdthetoast.com/blog
There are also good low carb product suppliers online. In Canada, I use: http://www.thelowcarbgrocery.com. In the US you can check out http://www.carbsmart.com/ and if you are in Long Island, visit the diet shop (also run by a vibrant woman): http://www.thedietshop.biz.