At City of Hope Medical Center in California, researchers studied two groups of men. One group consumed a high-fat, low-calorie diet. The other group followed a low-fat diet with the same [...]]]> The right fats can dramatically reduce your risk of heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s, and other diseases. And they can even help you lose weight.

Yum...healthy fats is good stuff!

At City of Hope Medical Center in California, researchers studied two groups of men. One group consumed a high-fat, low-calorie diet. The other group followed a low-fat diet with the same number of calories. The men on the high-fat diet lost 63% more weight.

But wait…how can that be? Hasn’t the AMA and the American Heart Association and the USRDA told us for years that a low fat diet was not only good for us but THE way to stay lean, sexy and healthy.

Oops…

So, what are the RIGHT fats? Animal fats are very healthy … if the animals are raised on their natural diet. For example, grain-fed beef can have 500% more saturated fat than grass-fed beef. (Saturated fat is healthy in small, naturally occurring amounts, but too much can be harmful.) I hope you will make it one of your goals to improve your health by choosing to eat healthy fats. These include not only fats from naturally raised animal products, but also fish oil, olive oil, coconut oil, walnut and macadamia nut oils, avocados, and nuts. At the same time, limit your intake of processed vegetable oils (like corn and soybean oils), which are in almost all processed foods. And completely avoid any product with the word “hydrogenated” on the label.

Steve

Prograde is my choice!

That means you should AVOID: sugar, flour, baked goods, white pasta, soft drinks, fruit juices, [...]]]> Carbohydrates have been vilified over the past few years. While carbs are not inherently bad, it is important to choose the right ones. The key is to avoid those that cause your blood sugar and insulin levels to rise rapidly.

That means you should AVOID: sugar, flour, baked goods, white pasta, soft drinks, fruit juices, refined grains, corn, and starches (including white potatoes).

Carbs did this?

Your carbs should come primarily from whole fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds, and berries. If you enjoy potatoes, stick with yams or sweet potatoes. They have more nutritional value, and they won’t spike your blood sugar as much. If you simply must have bread and pasta, choose products made from whole or sprouted grains. But a word of warning: If you are overweight or diabetic, it’s best to avoid ALL grains.

If you currently eat a lot of sweets, sugar-added drinks, bread, and pasta, cutting out these foods will not be easy. They put your emotions and your metabolism on an up-and-down rollercoaster that is similar in many ways to the effect of an addictive drug. But after a few weeks or a month, you’ll feel like a new person. The pounds will slip away, your hunger will become more regular and less pronounced, and you will undoubtedly notice an improvement in your energy levels, concentration, and mood.

If you haven’t done so already, I urge you to make this change in your diet. You’ll be glad you did.

Your old buddy,

Steve

During the last day of the seminar we were given the “secrets” to a healthy eating regimen and suffice [...]]]> I attended a seminar several years ago hosted by a very famous, very tall, motivational speaker who later played himself in the Jack Black film “Shallow Hal”. In the film, Jack called him “Banana Hands.” Anyway….

During the last day of the seminar we were given the “secrets” to a healthy eating regimen and suffice to say, protein was portrayed as the evil scourge of mankind.

I swear...I never knew!

Here’s my advice: Be EXTREMELY wary of any eating plan that informs you to strictly limit the protein you eat … or the fat … or the carbohydrates. In case you hadn’t figured it out yet, your body needs ALL of these macronutrients. You need the right kind.

In this segment I’ll briefly discuss the importance of protein.

Each and every meal you consume should be built around a healthy source of protein. Protein helps to build, repair, and replace the cells of your body. It is vital for a strong immune system – and it boosts your metabolism and helps preserve muscle when you are burning fat.

If you eat meat and dairy (which I HIGHLY recommend), choose products (including eggs, yogurt, cheese, and milk), if you can get them, from animals raised on their natural diet: grass-fed beef, bison, lamb, wild game, and free-range poultry. You should also eat wild – not farm-raised – fish that is known to be free of mercury (such as sardines and wild Alaskan salmon).

Nuts and beans are also excellent sources of protein. And if you use a protein powder, choose one WITHOUT artificial sweeteners.

I heartily encourage you to make it one of your health goals from now on to base all your meals around your healthy protein sources – and to choose protein sources that are as close as possible to the design God gave them and intended.

Steve
Your Prograde Pro