3 Keys to the Perfect Diet - A Summary of LCHF

The response to my Blog "LCHF, the Perfect Diet" has been overwhelming.  In 2 months it has climbed to my 2nd most popular post ever.  The testimonies that come in continue to stun me.  In light of its popularity, I figured a summary of the post explaining the diet and eating plan may be even more beneficial.  So here you go!  You can still get the whole explanation here...

THE INTRO

Professor Tim Noakes, a world-renowned nutritionist and leading sports scientist introduced me (and many of the public) to the concept of "LCHF" (Low Carb High Fat).  A concept made famous by Dr. Bob Atkins, whose diet allows a few carbs.  This one takes it a step further and encourages even less carbs.  New, leading and highly reliable scientific research is revealing that it is a lot healthier than we thought.  And nowhere near as damaging as we thought!  Dr Andreas Eenfeldt's blog has guided me along the way.

FAT IS NOT BAD

Millions of dollars of food-industry marketing has made you believe carbohydrate is essential part of a balanced diet and that fat is bad.  It seems as though they were wrong.

LCHF (Low Carb High Fat) is fat friendly.  (Immediately your brain-washed mind says "that can't be healthy!")  LCHF says replace the carbs with fat as your energy source.  

This theory is backed up by new and reliable science proving our body burns fat as energy more efficiently than carbs, and it is a whole lot healthier for our body when it does.

This theory means...  Eat as much fat as you want with a healthy balance of protein and veg, but don't be afraid of fat!  Your body needs it.  This makes you fuller for longer (satiated), and thus you end up eating less.

1. THE BASIC RULES

You don't have to count your calories, watch how much you're eating of a certain food, or limit your fat intake.  Nothing of the sort.  

The rules are simple:

1. Cut out as much Carbs & Sugars as possible.  (Sweetened yoghurts, starchy veg like Potatoes, Butternut & Carrots)

2. Have adequate portions of protein.

3. Have adequate portions of veg (Peppers, Lettuce, Broccoli, Cauliflower, etc.)

4. Don't be afraid of fat (cream, meat, etc.)

2. THE SCIENCE BEHIND IT

Insulin is the hormone that causes your body to store fat.

The more insulin you have in your body the more fat will be stored.  Of course if fat is being stored, it isn't going to be burned.

By cutting out Carbs & Sugar, your insulin levels slowly decrease (it takes a few days to weeks), causing a process called Ketosis, where the body starts burning fat.  When your body goes into Ketosis, you're in the sweet spot.

Heaps of research shows that consuming fat (even saturated fat!)does not increase your risk of heart disease!

It's that simple!

3. MY EXPERIENCE & MEAL-PLAN

After 13 weeks I am still loving it and 7kgs down!  A common day looks like this: 

a. Coffee with heavy cream in the morning (no sugar, cream over milk because there is less lactose and carbs and the fat helps make me feel fuller. My wife has full-cream milk though.)

b. Bacon & Eggs for breakfast, no toast. 

c. I only start getting hungry at 1pm, which is a salad packed with chicken, bacon, gouda, mozarella. 

d. A snack of Brazil & Macademian Nuts (or peanuts) in between lunch & dinner, or some Greek Yoghurt (high fat, no sugar!) and Cream. 

e. Some beef/fish/chicken/pork and veg for dinner.  (Steak is my fave!)  All fat remain firmly on the cut!

f. Some more coffee in the afternoons or evening.

g. About 1,5 - 2 litres of water a day.  I'm not strict.

Don't worry about eating smaller portions regularly, that's based on the theory that Carbs are our main source of energy.  It's also practically impossible in today's busy lifestyle.

I feel much less hungry than before and I'm eating less in total.  I don't have drops of energy (so common after lunch with carbs!) and I actually feel more focussed. 

So there you go!  It's as easy as that!

I encourage you to consider the health benefits of cutting out Sugar & Carbs.  

And again, CONSIDER THE SCIENCE...

Start with this guy here, DR Andreas Eenfeldt, who has the most comprehensive collection of science proving the benefits of the LCHF diet.

Also, check out this video he did with an American GP here.

Am I against Carbs & Sugar?  No.  I will go back to the odd Steak Roll, chocolate & cold-drink.  But I'm now keenly aware of what they will do to my blood systems.  I want to get to a place where "all things in moderation".

YOU CAN READ THE ORIGINAL, FULL BLOG POST HERE!

What about you?  

Have heard of the LCHF?  Would you consider trying it out?

Does this information differ from your understanding?