6 Reasons to Change to a Low Carb Lifestyle

Information on the Low Carb (carbohydrate) food (or the LCHF - Low Carb High Fat) Lifestyle is trending and gathering momentum in social media, science and medical fields and increasing public awareness. Recently over lunch with friends we discussed people who have switched and are following this nutritious and remarkable Lifestyle. Prepare to be amazed, often within days, at the change in both your body and your behaviours - read on :

Vegetarian quiche with tomato & cheese topping

Low Carb is the key

"What I am hoping to show is that eating a lot of sugar is another environmental factor in producing heart Disease. I do not propose to show that sugar is the one & only factor ..."

~ Dr John Yudkin "Pure White & Deadly

Low Carb Success Stories (People I know):

Let's just stick with the facts with testimonials from real people :

Dawn has been following a low carb high fat lifestyle for 2 weeks (from May 18) and has lost 10 lb
Lilly has lost 15 lb in the past 6 weeks
Leah has followed a ketogenic diet since January 1 this year (5 months) and has lost 27 lb, and finally,
James - has lost 77 lb in exactly one year! What is more amazing is that he was a Type 2 Diabetic and on medication for High Blood Pressure when he began
... and we know others who have similar stories ie losing 40 lbs weight in 6 months with reduction / elimination of prescription meds

Cukes & tomatoes for fresh Greek Salad - just add Feta cheese

It's not Just the Weight - It's Everything Else

All the above people, including myself, have experienced many, if not all the following changes after cutting out sugar and changing to a LCHF Lifestyle:

"I now have energy galore" was one comment that I can identify with
A big plus was that "brain fog" has gone or decreased drastically
Weight as well as many inches were lost, with morale boosting sizing down of clothing
Being gloomy and depressed was replaced with a marvellously happy mood
The BIG pluses for James are remarkable. After one year and a loss of 77 lb he is no longer diabetic with all that implies and he does not need to take prescription drugs for high blood pressure (which he no longer has). He is one of many who have drastic improvements in their health.
An all round increase in positiveness such as: well-being and feeling good with expressions like "loving Life" and feeling years younger!

... depending on the specific type of LCHF diets ...
there is a consistent focus on eating
unprocessed food, consisting primarily of cruciferous and green
leafy vegetables, raw nuts and seeds, eggs, fish, unprocessed
animal meats, dairy products and natural plant oils and fats
from avocados, coconuts and olives." ~ T. Noakes

The Low Carb - High (Healthy) Fat Lifestyle

Following are links to information on the Mediterranean Lifestyle. "One interesting finding of this eating plan is that it dispels the myth that people with or at risk for heart disease must eat a low-fat diet." (Harvard)

Diet Review: The Mediterranean Diet, Harvard
Mediterranean Diet Eating Plan benefits & Food Pyramid, Mayo Clinic
A recent variation of the Mediterranean diet The Pioppi Diet" by Dr. Aseem Malhotra & Donal O'Neill
The Mediterranean Diet from UNESCO

" It is time to bust the myth of physical inactivity and obesity:

you cannot outrun a bad diet”

~ Dr Aseem Malhotra

Notes:

Changes from LCHF can result in a beneficial reduction or elimination of often harmful, prescription drugs (e.g James)
For many people, giving up food "addictions" to white bread, sugary sweets and drinks, desserts (such as ice cream) are often the biggest deterrent and challenge to starting their LCHF lifestyle
I kept a food Log for the first 21 days for my benefit as I was amazed at the high amount of carbohydrates and sugars I did not know I was eating - it's those hidden sugars

Personal Notes:

I changed to a LCHF lifestyle / diet during the past year for health reasons. I am at a comfortable weight which has not changed for many years although I still lost a few inches. At this time my energy level and overall health and well-being are the best I have been in many years
My recent annual medical blood work showed that my cholesterol levels are further improved even since changing to a "high" (read healthy) fat from a "low-fat" style diet
In the last few months I had concerns with my eyesight becoming blurred and increasing headaches. I was pleasantly surprised when I had an optometrist checkup and the result was my eyesight had evidently improved and I simply needed new glasses. Thankfully no brain tumour a common metastasization of lung cancer. Connected or coincidence to a change in diet?
Yesterday I received results from my annual breast cancer double mammogram from the doctor. Wonderfully "All Clear" = Joy and thankfulness. Connected or coincidence?

For myself, even though 11 years have passed since breast cancer surgery plus subsequent lung cancer surgery, my recent health good news is simply fantastic. The overall health benefits, including reducing of prescription drugs and improvement and general well-being is a major reason to consider this lifestyle. It's worked for me and it works for so many others. Be the best you can be in every way for your own health and well-being. Best wishes and great success and happiness ~ Liz

~ with special thanks and good wishes to Dawn, Lilly, Leah & James ... and many others