Anti-inflammatory diet

[Titus2Mommy]

I had my yearly physical today and my doctor wants me to go on an anti-inflammatory diet to deal with allergies/asthma/arthritis/fatigue/weight loss issues (these have all gotten much better since T-Tapp, but I still suffer some). Anyway, she recommended Dr.Weil's anti-inflammatory diet. Has anybody done this? Has anybody done Dr.Perricone's diet and do you know if it is similar? Does anybody have any other anti-inflammatory diets they recommend? I want something very user friendly to try and do this. My dh is totally on board for the whole family. He wants me to set up a weekly menu and try it for a few weeks, but I need a good resource first.

Thanks,
Angie

[T'appy Tapper]

I have Crohn's desease, so I've read several anti-inflammatory diet books. Right know I'm doing the Maker's Diet by Jordan Rubin. When I first started I was doing the Guts and Glory Program by Jordan Rubin and Dr. Joeseph Brasco. In fact, Dr Brasco is my doctor. We travel 12 hours twice a year to see him. As far as user friendly, I'm not sure what you mean. It's pretty straight forward, and not very complicated. No crazy drinks, pills, or certain days or times that you have to eat. It's a very healthy, well balenced diet that is pretty much would Tearesa would call all God Made. No processed food. Period. There is more cooking involved, but if you don't mind being not super fancy, it can be pretty simple. For instance, for breakfast I either do some free range, organic eggs cooked in coconut oil, and a piece of fruit , or just a green smoothie. Sprouted breads are very good, too. And since they are sprouted, they are anti-inflamitory. For lunch I usually do a salad with some protein on top. You could do wild sockeye salmon, free range chicken, or grass fed beef, or any other healthy protein. For dinner I will cook. It will either be a healthy protien with veggies on the side, or a full recipe. Sally Fallon's Nurishing Traditions is my all time favorite cook book. And for snacks I will do flax seed crackers and raw cheese, fruit, carrots and guacamole, sprouted nuts, or organic greek yogurt.
One kind food that is absolutely incredible for almost all ailments are fermented foods. Kefir, kombucha, natually fermented veggies. All these foods are loaded with probiotics and are non alcoholic. All these books talk about them. They are super easy and very cheap to make.
Another great food is coconut. It more than just oil. There's coconut kefir, coconut water, milk, cream ,and meat. All great for the problems you been having. Right now I'm reading a book called Coconut Cures, by Bruce Fife. It's fascinating!
Anyway, those are some suggestion to get started. I hope that helps.

[Titus2Mommy]

Thank you so much! All your input and recommendations are wonderful. What I meant by "user friendly" was pretty much not complicated. I have a family of 9 still at home to make meals for, so complicated recipes with weird ingredients is not going to fly in the long run. I am already used to cooking, so I don't mind time in the kitchen. This will be a huge transition for us.

I am glad to hear you are able to eat organic eggs and beef since we raise those and rely heavily up them. The book my doctor recommended only lets you have eggs/beef twice a week. Your meals sound pretty "normal" to me.

Anybody else read Dr. Perricone's or Dr. Weil's books?

Blessings,
Angie

[ayj67]

I did Perricone Diet and still practically basing my regular food on that 85% of the time. I do ease up on refined carb like challah bread (but I always put coconut oil). Pretty much the same line as TappyTapper's diet, except if you cannot eat (or afford) wild salmon 5 times a day, take your Omega 3 fish oil supplement everyday. Recently, in Forever Young, which was had a deal with T-Tapp a few months ago, recommending Chia Seed.

So, it is GM, it is low in refined carb, but you can have whole grains. If you have gluten allergy issue, you will want to whole grain other than wheat & rye. If you want to try alternative receipe for whole grain, I will suggest oat, I used rolled oat to subsititute wheat flour for muffins and was quite sucessful.

You need to pay attention to oil, the only oil is safe for anit-inflammatory is extra virgin olive oil and coconut oil. If you have access to pasture cow milk, the pasture whole milk can be in your diet. Goat milk, good too. If you don't have diary issue, you can have yougurt, kefir, etc. I eat eggs so many times and I cannot count, I myself might be eating 1 dozen a week. Cholesterol is not contributed by egg, lecthin in eggs will counter act and emusify, it is cholesterol neutral. Pasture beef is okay. The excess carbohyrates causes inflammation. Angie, remembering your gall bladder issue, you really need to switch over to coconut oil...

Balance diet, anytime you have carb, it better accomany with good fat, lean protein or high fiber. 3 smaller meals and 3 snacks a day, strategically planned and they all should be a balance profile in carb, protein, fat and fiber. A cup of full fat yogurt and a slice of cantalope or an apple with a slice of cheese or nut. A slice of no nitrate deli meat with fruit, etc for snack. I sometime do peanut butter or almond butter with fruit.

You don't need to buy sugar and dry pasta anymore, as those should not be incorporated as daily food. You can have a little on special occassions. Your vegetables and fruits will be your main source of carb, along with whole grains that you are not allergic too. Remember Tappy Holiday that we need to eat 7 servings of vege? I guess if you can aim 5 serving by minimum a day on anti-inflammatory diet, you cut those carb out and fill yourself with good nurtition vege (color of rainbow - not iceberg lettuce).

[Titus2Mommy]

AYJ,

So, you do the Perricone diet 85% of the time kind of like GM/MM? That is encouraging. I am a perfectionist and tend to want to follow the rules. It is good to know that I can have balance and still get results.

I already take fish oil, which is good because I know we can't afford that much salmon.

We already use fresh ground wheat, spelt and oats. We use half whole grain and half white, so that will be a change.

Yes, I do need to change my oil.............it is so expensive though. I guess if you know the benefits it will pay off. Do you use the coconut oil for baking and cooking?

We already have organic beef and eggs and we can get raw milk from our neighbors, although I don't drink milk due to acne. I am just so glad we can have eggs and beef. I don't think my family would have gone for the tofu. I do plan on having more legumes than we currently eat.

I can balance our meals and snacks with carbs, fats, and protein.

I don't like much pasta, so yeah for me, but boo for my family who loves it. I am glad dh was the one to say we should all do this! No sugar? What about honey or sucanat?

During Tappy Holidays I typically got in 4-5 veggies, but I am sure I could work my way up there! Wow, I think we can do this!! I am definitely leaning towards Perricone vs. Weil. Thanks for the review and it is good to know somebody is out there to come alongside me. I was feeling totally overwhelmed, but I am more peaceful and positive now.

Blessings,
Angie

[ayj67]

Angie,

You have a big family, you can get a gallon of coconut oil for around $50, that is virgin organic. Between Tropical Tradition, Nutiva and Mountainroseherbs, you should be doing fine, just watch for the sale. Last time I check, mountainroseherbs sells a gallon of virgin coconut for $40, even with shipping, it still will be around $55. Nutiva used to have $50 last year, now it jumped to $65 but shipping is free. If I see a bargain sale, I will PM you. Just don't buy from Whole Food, they will eat you alive for the 16oz size. EVOO is like $25-$30 a gallon at Costco. You need to buy in bulk.

I use coconut oil when I make pancake and muffin, if you can use vegetable oil, you can melt the coconut oil in low with the microwave and then stir in your ingredient. I have no idea how it will do with very cold ingredient, as coconut oil will harden below 74-76 degree. I am not too worried as you really cannot have much baked goods anyway. Coconut oil tastes a lot better than EVOO in baked goods, that is all I can tell you.

I use them on the bread the kids eat if I am not using peanut butter. I use that to cook french toast wiht cinnamon swirl bread too. Coconut oil and eggs are good breakfast items and it smells so good.

If I can cut out white rice I can cut out pasta... Kiddos and DH loves white rice, so when I am done with this bag of 25 pounds of brown rice, I will buy white rice again, but I will put a heavier hand on the entree with good fat and vege.

I have no idea what sucanat is. All sugar are high in glycemic and articifical is no no, as you won't know what it will cause. Use honey sparingly (it is MM on Teresa's book, along with high glycemic fruit), if it is a seasoning, then just use a little bit. You know, after the first spoon, your tongue cannot taste it any more, so I will suggest use it on the topping a 1 dollop with the first bite, once the taste bud is satified, that is good enough, instead of stiring a few teaspoon in 8 oz of tea.

Fruit that you can feel free to have is the berries, they taste sweet but actually very low in glycemic index, carrots are high in glycemic index, but the few oz you are eating is not going to cause spike. Sweet Bell pepper, cucumbers are also good snack food with nuts and deli meat or cheese. Cantalope, apple and grapefruit are good and blessed fruit for everyday too.

Banana, Mango, Pineapple and Watermellow, eat a small amount infrequently. However, if you have sugar craving, eating a good serving of those will be better for you than eating a snickerdoodle cookie.

I make this easy breakfast oat meal, I grind the rolled oat in the blender and then mix in almond meals (you can get from Trader Joe's), I also add more oat bran for fiber and nutrient and cinnamon for the blood sugar control effect. I put them in air tight container. In the morning, I will boil my water in the electric kettle, and then put 3-4 tablespoon of the oat and almond powder in a mug and add hot water and stir real quick. Instant oatmeal that still have all the benefit. You can add milk or not, also left over frozen fruit if there is any around. Someday, when I am hungry, in the middle of the stirring, I add a raw egg, the boiling oat meal will cook it in the mug, egg is completely blended in.

[Titus2Mommy]

I will check those sources for coconut oil. I have been buying a 14 ounce bottle for $10.00. This will be a huge savings!

Sucanat is sugar in it's most natural form (still has some vitamins/minerals). It is what I have always used when not using refined sugar. That is good to know that our taste buds only taste the first bite. It sounds like I need to study my low glycemic foods.

Your breakfast meal sounds.............interesting. I will try it and let you know what I think.

I am working on an implementation by steps. I think if I do all this it will overwhelm both me and my family. I have the book ordrered from the library so hopefully it comes soon. Thanks for the listening ear and tips!

Blessings,
Angie

[ayj67]

Which one you are checking out? Both Perricon Diet and the 7 Secret to Beauty Health & Logevity will be good (I found T-Tapp from the 7 Secrets).

If I have time to cook some eggs, omelete or something more substantial I would, but most morning I had to choose between getting something fast, or pre made smoothie, or a nut bar on the go.

[Titus2Mommy]

I have both checked out from the library. I will probably buy them both, but I wanted to make sure that I was totally on board before buying. I was able to get 7 Secrets on audio for dh to listen to while he drives to work. He is wanting the whole family to transition, so I thought this would be good. Do you think a man will enjoy this book (the title sounds kind of girly)?

It is good for me to have some quick breakfast ideas too.

Thanks for being such a good support for me! I will keep you posted.

Blessings,
Angie

[ayj67]

Angie, I will stick with borrowing it from the library. You just need to understand the theories behind it and then the recommended supplements and why. I am not taking all his is recommending, as some of them seems strange and I am not finding them in mainstream store and his brand of supplement is way too expensive. I am taking Fish Oil regularly and adding cinnamon, turmeric and good spices when I cook. I also see his recommended superfood to add to diet and try to eat those as much as I can, but there is no need to follow his receipe.

If you listen or read his book and really few that you will read it or going back to it over and over, then of course, buy it, it is less hassle. DH has to read it if he is really on board, so that he won't keep asking why...

7 Secret covers exercise (where I found T-Tapp), herbal rememdy (that is how I found out oil of oreganol), etc. Since Omega 3, T-Tapp and OoO are all so wonderful to me, the book is worth it's price, and I buy his newer books out of my gratitude.

[Titus2Mommy]

Thanks! Now to wait patiently for it to get here.

Angie

[ayj67]

Did you order you book online with the library, unless there is a waiting list, you can just do some automatic renewal when you get the book home. I think I can normally renew the book twice if there is no waiting list when I want to renew (even as soon as I checked the book out to me). Our library gives 3 week, so I can get 9 weeks the max out... Skim his theory on all the cells and mitochrondria, I fall asleep on those as I was not a molecular cell biology major. However, all other plain speaking research are good to know, you might want to jolt down items that you are interest and go to the back to find the research reference and do you own internet research. Internet is a great gateway to open access to research material and then the related research on pros and cons...

[Titus2Mommy]

I got the books and have the first two chapters read. I am a little overwhelmed in all the changes we have to make, but I figure one thing at a time. Does this work doing it GM/MM? I think that would be an easier way to implement things for the whole family.

Blessings,
Angie

[ayj67]

Angie, like I said, just skim the chemical and biology theory, Perricone is very restrictive, but he is giving that kind of restricted diet to star athletes and Hollywoord movie starts. I don't go crazy following the supplements, just do what I can and deemed necessary for my condition. I know I was low fat by habit and I really add Omega 3.

Just skim thru it, do read the health and stress interaction, read the recommended menus for his plan, you will just spin it to your liking to come up with yours. For portion control, if his suggested servings is too small, just eat more color of rainbow non starchy vegetables, you will be fine.

GM/MM, you mean following it 2 days on and 1 days off? I guess you can try 3 days on GM and 1 day on MM to start, as that is what Teresa recommended for people needs to lose more and see faster change. Still, MM day, don't go crazy on MM food, you need to know that by MM food, it is still need to be non artifiical (no msg, nitrate, high fructose corn syrup, etc.), maybe you will be having some pastry, white bread, white rice, cheese cake, ice cream or very sugarly fruits, but in moderation. If you have gluten problem, you will just have to see how adding it on will affect you on Day 4. I know in the blood type diet or other allergy diet, they will recommend eliminating the allergent food for 3-6 months before a small introduction. If you are just wheat sensitive, which makes you gain a lot of water weight, that you can just eat a little on MM day.

[Tracy222]

Here is link to the Perricone approved food list for the 28 day diet, there are no serving sizes, stop when you are full. http://www.perriconemd.com/display.do?ruleID=100693&itemID=5&itemType=LANDING I've had really good luck with this program and clearing up my skin, this is from the most recent book, Forever Young.

[ayj67]

Hi Tracy,

So, he relaxed his serving size? In his older books, there is serving size, but then he did add to add more vegetables to fill up. I guess I am eating the new way already, you just cannot eat little when you are T-Tapping. Yes, the list aree the food I eat everyday (plus the occassional MM). I was only halfway thru Forever Young.

[Titus2Mommy]

My dh is listening to the book on DVD and he is loving the first two technical chapters. He already has trout fishing planned for May. I am so glad he is totally on board in doing this.

I was thinking on MM days letting our family eat foods that can be inflammatory, but yet still GM, such as potatoes, corn, tomatoes, and whole wheat. I think this transition would be easier. Our garden is 75% corn, tomatoes and potatoes. Sigh. I don't necessarily know that we will have to cut those out totally or not yet because I am not that far reading. I just got that from skimming and I don't even know if it was Perricone's book or another anti-inflammatory recipe book I have.

Once I get a bulk food order made we will be ready to begin implementing it more. Do you recommend doing the 28 day diet or gradually implementing his system?

I am placing an order with Country Life Natural Foods for a lot of things. Is $19.00 for 54 ounces of organic extra virgin coconut oil a decent price? Also, what about $38.50 for a gallon of organic, cold pressed, extra virgin olive oil (Bragg's)?

Thanks!
Angie

[ayj67]

Angie,

My long reply was gone, system logged me out...

Anyway, if you don't pay more for shipping, the coconut price is good. EVOO is like wine, it can be cheaper and it can be a lot (a few times more) expensive, if they both come from the same bulk food order and no extra shipping, then try it out. The price and quality is determined by the co-op?

Corn and potatoe is definitely out on Perricone, so use it sparingly even on MM day.

I started eating food on Perricone's ok list and I did not pay much attention to 14 or 28 days, as it was already way easier than South Beach Phase I. Why not just try it for 7 days first, if the family complain, add some MM back. However, for yourself, since you don't have to get the MM things on your plate, you can just double the portion on vege or protein and stick with the plan for 14 or 28 days and see if you have significant improvement on weight, inches and skin.

Then, you can ask yourself if you want to include those back. If you start putting them back, I will suggest you do 1 at a time each week, and see if you have bad allergic or bloating issue with a particular food (like introduction of baby food).

[Titus2Mommy]

AYJ,

That is frustrating to lose your reply! I have started to copy my replies first just in case I get logged out.

The shipping is included for the oils, so I will try them. I have some small jars to keep me held over while I wait.

So, tomatoes might be ok on Perricone? That would be sweet. Yes, I suppose I could let the family have corn and potatoes and skip it myself, although that may be hard with potatoes, but I can do that for a month and then gradually add in and see how I do.

I will keep you posted on how I am doing - and probably ask more questions along the way. I think I am at least starting to believe I can do this!! Thanks for the tips and encouragement. It is nice to know somebody who actually has done this for awhile.

Tappy Tapper,

My Coconut Cures book is in at the library. I am excited to dig into that too. Does The Maker's Diet allow tomatoes? I make so many soups and meals with tomatoes.

Blessings,
Angie

[ayj67]

Angie, when are you starting your 28 days? I will do it with you (No MM for 28 days)... Come back to the 6 weeker, what we share might help the other 6 weeker, we all miss you there too...

[Titus2Mommy]

Awesome! I am going to start my 28 days May 2nd. We go away to Bible Quizzing Nationals tournament April 27th through May 1st, so it wouldn't work for me to start before that. Although I will be eating well while away since families go together and take our own food, and the majority of it is homemade, wholesome and organic, so that should be a jump start for me!

As far as supplements, you don't take them all do you? That would be insanely expensive! Right now I take: Alfalfa, B complex with adrenal/nerve support, D3, fish oil, mulitvitamin, Rhodiola Rosea.

I will pop back in the 6 week thread. I felt bad when I couldn't keep up with everybody (so many posts), but I do miss it!!

Blessings,
Angie

[ayj67]

Angie,

Cool, will do it with you, even I signed up for the green smoothie challenge, I do not see how GM will not be compatible. You are taking 2 more than I do, I occassionally take B-12, D3 (only when I am catching somthing), definitely not on Rhodiola Rosea, but it will be great for you, as that is for adrenal...

Just post when you can at the 6 weeker, you don't have to read all of the posting...

[Titus2Mommy]

Great! I will post here when I get back from our trip. I am trying to get meals planned before I leave, so I can come home and start.

Oh, more great news.........dh hasn't taken his heartburn medicine in a week! He has been on that daily for over 3 years, so this is definitely working, and we aren't even doing everything by the book!! I am excited to measure this next week since I "feel" lighter and more energetic.

Where is the green smoothie challenge?

Thanks,
Angie

[ayj67]

The green smoothie challenge is a program for 6 week, I think it is $50, you will get some senior fit download ($30), got lectures from Teresa and Green Smoothie Queen weekly on exercise and nurition tips. With the order, you get an instant $20 rebate. I have no idea what else is entailed, and if Teresa will have mini challeng on exercis or what. http://forum.t-tapp.com/content.php?73-Green-Smoothie-Challenge-Starts-May-1st!

Great to hear that anti-inflammatory works for DH already. It takes the whole family's support to get on a way of eating. Since you are the cook, your drive the success. They only time you will really encount the problem is for an extended vacation that you don't cook and had to eat out (MM food is way cheaper than GM), or you are visiting someone else, and all they prepare is MM food.

[Titus2Mommy]

I did find the Green smoothie challenge. It looks good, but I am not sure if I will do it yet. Good luck to you!

Thankfully the trip we are going on next week all the people are very health conscious. We actually pull a trailer with a refrigerator and freezer full of homecooked meals and fresh salads, fruit etc. Last year I lost a few pounds during that week. I am sure normally though those will be the things that will make it hard to keep eating right, but if for short periods you must just go with it.

Blessings,
Angie

[BlessedMama]

Glad you are feeling a bit better, Angie! And yes, do pop in when you can on the 6 Weeks thread!

Hope you have a great time on your trip!

[Tracy222]

AYJ, sorry I didn't see your message about the Perricone diet earlier, serving sizes for most ites are not restricted in the Forever Young progrma - if you ever on his Facebook site, you will find most people say they are too full, LOL! I think some items, like nuts, there are service sizes, like 10 almonds, etc. Oddly enough, I can never eat all the meat, and will usually eat more nuts - I still lost weight and had good results. I followed the basic premise, but not down to "4 hazelnuts". When it comes to things like oatmeal for breakfast, I eat as much as I need to be full - some days that will be 1/2 cut, other days that will be 1 cup with some berries. Really, I think it's only when you get into adding things like sugars, etc. that you get yourself in trouble anyway.

[ayj67]

Tracy, I have been ignoring portion for a long time, I don't do starving. I too started having more low blood pressure, like getting down to lot at something at a low shelf then get up, dizzy. I too will add more salt in my diet (not that I am doing low salt) but obviously no junk will result in low sodium. Funny thing is high blood pressure and strokes runs in my family...

Back to the saddle with less MM, will start ramping up to get back to Perricone without MM this week.

[Titus2Mommy]

I am getting really grumpy with this eating. I felt so great for a week and now my cravings are going wild. I am hoping to find some information in the book that addresses this, but so far I haven't. Dh is doing just fine......lucky guy. I will keep trying.

Blessings,
Angie

[Tracy222]

AYJ, funny how the blood pressure works! I don't do starving either - I binge!

Titus2Mommy, are you doing Perricone? or another anti-inflammatory? When I get cravings, I eat larger portions of beans - I like black beans and salsa and for some reason find them really satisfying. I do find I usually need 2 servings of carbs a day - usually I will have oatmeal for breakfast with some protein and beans at either lunch or dinner.

[Titus2Mommy]

Yes, I am doing Perricone. I think the protein would really help. Black beans and salsa sound really yummy! Great idea, thanks.

Blessings,
Angie

[BlessedMama]

Ohhh! I remember when I did the Daniel Fast I had a mango black bean salsa that I just looovveed! I'll see if I can find the recipe to share with you. I would eat it as a snack, sometimes for all my snacks! LOL!

[Titus2Mommy]

Please do, Trisch!

[ayj67]

Angie, the Perricone sugar craving control is up your Omega 3 intake and add cinnamon (1/4 teaspoon a day). You blood sugar won't be too low (for craving) or too high for inflammation. Beans is definitely another good thing to add on, just a handful per meal, the resistant starch in bean (that mean the fiber cannot be digested) will help stablized blood sugar, if you cannot do cinnamon, do beans. I actually make bean soup or chili with cinnamon added. Also, cinnamon goes well with sweet pototoes, sprinkle with cinnamon and evoo before baking, but when you are done with the 28 days.

If you are going to make mango black bean salsa, a few dashes of curry powder or turmeric...

Of course, HD or butterfly are the sugar craving measures for T-Tapp...

[Tracy222]

Trisch, that salsa sounds wonderful! Angie, I add cinnamon to my tea and still eat the beans. When I am doing Perricone, I really don't watch my portions other than to just eat the carbs twice a day until I am satisfied (no more than 2x, and for me, only oatmeal or beans - I have tried quinoa and soba noodles when I can find them, I like both but am usually in too much of a hurry to be bothered, LOL!)

[Titus2Mommy]

I am ready to start the 28 day challenge!! I may not do perfectly until I get groceries and finish reading the book, but I will be doing GM.

Blessings,
Angie

[ayj67]

Angie, I am sure you will do fine especially, you already are using organic meat and eggs.

[Titus2Mommy]

Well, I am doing pretty good with GM, but not sticking to the 28 day Perricone too well. There are SO many restrictions. I do feel better just with the changes I have made already.

Angie

[ayj67]

Angie, just do what you can, that is the premises of GM/MM, once you know what is purely GM under the Perricone restrictions, you know and is aware of what MM food you are eating.

Even if you are just doing 2 day on GM 1 day on MM you will be fine from now on, as you have gone thru the learning process with Perricone. Until you learn, it is very difficult to explain the difference between GM and MM. From now on, you will be able to judge what and how much MM causes what problems to you.

Purely Perricone is difficult to start when you have so many MM items still at home needs to be used up. We just need to try to be good, 80% - 90% GM is way better than 50% GM.

[Titus2Mommy]

That is encouraging! Thanks, Aurora. Things I am having a hard time cutting out totally are to me GM, but according to anti-inflammation a no no, such as: corn, potatoes, tomatoes, and whatever other nightshade veggies are out there. I don't even know anymore if it was Perricone that cut these things out or if that was in another book. Also, some dairy (cheese) and some condiments (salad dressing, mayo, ketchup). I am working on making my own dressings and mayo, but it just takes time to get there and I don't want to get overwhelmed and quit everything just because I pushed myself too fast. It really is going better than I thought.........as long as I can give myself a little grace. I have to work on that perfectionist side of me!

Blessings,
Angie

[ayj67]

You know, Angie, nightshade vegetables are banned on certain blood type on Peter D' Adamo's blood type or geno type diet. If you are Type O, might very well be affected by the gluten and lectin. You know about gluten, lectin are the sugar in protein that is corn, tomotoes, chicken and many nightshade vegetables that has interaction with your blood type.

I don't think Perricone cut those out, Perricone cut gluten and high glycemic food (potatoe, sweet potatoes, corn are out).

Just focus on the real food and main ingredient aspects for now, codiments and dressing, try the best you can but no need to go crazy unless you eat half a cup of ketchup a day, or use barbecue sauce like a soup. To me 2 teaspoons of soy sauce to marinade 2 lbs of beef is not going to cause a huge difference, as long as soy sauce has no msg, however, you do need to be careful because of the wheat in there is gluten.

[Titus2Mommy]

Go figure we are all type O in our family. We will keep with what we are doing for now and go from there. When we get that down if I still don't see progress with allergies/asthma/arthritis then I will take the next steps. There has to be a lot of benefit with a good start. Yeah, I don't use many condiments at all, but I am still using them some. How is your month going?

Angie

[ayj67]

So far, I only ate half a slice of pizza yesterday, heat wave, let DH get Pizza for the kids. I ate a big salad, quiona, sauteed southern green, since I have to put the pizza out, I ate a very very small slice (area combined to be less than a piece of slice bread for visual). I will just chalk that as my indulgence quota (have not dipped into it since Monday). I normally allow myself a small quota of MM food even going on Perricone. Less than 100 calories a day of chocolate or cheese cake, etc. Pizza is included in those categories.

I don't count calories except for the MM food, need to know how much bad I am doing to make a judgement call. You will not see me eating half a pizza and wash it down with a pitcher of diet coke.

[ayj67]

Yes, Angie, focus on Perricone first, I cannot wrap my brain around the blood type or geno type diet yet. A lot of my beloved healthy food is banned for my Type B blood or Normad geno type: Chicken, corn, tomatoe, avocado, sesame, soy.

For now, if I do not have any healthy issue because of those food, I am not cutting them out. I have gone on South Beach for a long while years ago, during Phase I, all grain and high GI food are cut out, I lost weight but I don't have health issue improvement, as I don't have any chronic condition. Adding those food back did not cause me any problem either (except adding a lot of carb over a long haul will put the fat back). Carb is always something that we have to manage, how much, how often.

[Titus2Mommy]

It sounds like you are doing great! It helps me to see how you make a balance and yet not compromise. Yesterday we had company. I made mock potato salad in place of potato salad and black eyed peas in place of baked beans. Instead of chips I had veggies with yogurt dip I made. I did have a brat (somebody else brought the meat) and I did have a couple chocolates (with hoedowns) that my dc gave me. Normally, I would have not shared them so freely as I did yesterday. Thankfully I only had a couple and they are all gone now. So, I tried to eat well, but I made a couple compromises. I am starting to feel better.

Blessings,
Angie

[gibsongirl]

I had my yearly physical today and my doctor wants me to go on an anti-inflammatory diet to deal with allergies/asthma/arthritis/fatigue/weight loss issues (these have all gotten much better since T-Tapp, but I still suffer some). Anyway, she recommended Dr.Weil's anti-inflammatory diet. Has anybody done this? Has anybody done Dr.Perricone's diet and do you know if it is similar? Does anybody have any other anti-inflammatory diets they recommend? I want something very user friendly to try and do this. My dh is totally on board for the whole family. He wants me to set up a weekly menu and try it for a few weeks, but I need a good resource first.

Thanks,
Angie

The most basic and simplest anti - inflammatory diet is the Specific Carbohydrate Diet and can be read about in the book Breaking the Vicious Cycle. It was written by a cellular biologist Elaine Gottschall and is based on the research and practice of Dr. Valentine Haas. It works with healing the gut environment and there are several yahoo support groups. The diet reduces inflammation in the gut and throughout the entire system. The SCD was developed for ciliacs, crohn's, colitis, diverticulitis, etc. It is very effective on all leaky gut syndromes such as arthritis, and fibromalgia. Of course, this is working with food to heal and is perfect with T-Tapp:D
http://www.breakingtheviciouscycle.info/index.htm
http://pecanbread.com/p/scdscience2.html
http://pecanbread.com/new/elaine2/index.html enhanced SCD and the Weston Price Foundation
http://pecanbread.com/p/intro/elaine.html about Elaine (the SCD also helps children with ASD's)
There are more sites that discuss the benefits beyond the gut.
We use coconut oil regularly:D
Therese

[Titus2Mommy]

We are heading out of town for a few days to see my new baby nephew. Hopefully I can do ok with my eating while on the road. How is your 28 days going?

Blessings,
Angie

[ayj67]

Hi Angie,

I had a corned beef slider (the littel roll is white bread), I had 1 deep fried chicken tender, and half an order of garlic fries at the ballpark on Saturday. That was all the bad I have done so far, oh, and a half paper cup (4 oz) of strawberry lemonade. We don't go to ballpark much anymore, maybe once or twice a year, cannot afford it anymore. No bad eating on Mother's Day, just ate 3-4 dark chocolate coated almonds. Did not dip into my indulgence allowance any other days (other than that tiny piece the other day).

Yes, don't go nuts on celebration and special occassions, just better choice the best you can, and special occassion is not daily items, it cannot derail good consistent efforts.

I like your menu. The only iffy items is the brat coming from the gues, I hope they got it from a local meat and susage place or they got the no nitrate type from the store. Nitrate is cancer causing and it will also inhibit the pancreatic functions. From time to time, I get some hot dogs and bacon from Trader Joe's, the TJ brand has no nitrate or nitrite. If your local butcher shop make those and swears no added artificial funny stuff, you can have it when the weight and inch loss are stablized on special occassion (like next year's Mother's Day brunch). Yes, also watch out for Deli Meat for the kids, make sure no nitrite. It is so difficult to find before I found them in TJ. I on occassion just bake a turkey or roast beef, sprinkle a little salt or herb, slice and wrap in saran wrap for a few days as my own cold cut for salad, snack, or lazy dinner plate items. It is quite affordable that way.

My 3 yo's 4th birthday is coming up the Friday after next, I definitely am going to eat some cake or cheesecake and if I ended up baking oat muffin cup cakes with whipped cream frosting for his pre-school, you bet I will sample one or two...

[Lani]

I had my yearly physical today and my doctor wants me to go on an anti-inflammatory diet to deal with allergies/asthma/arthritis/fatigue/weight loss issues (these have all gotten much better since T-Tapp, but I still suffer some). Anyway, she recommended Dr.Weil's anti-inflammatory diet. Has anybody done this? Has anybody done Dr.Perricone's diet and do you know if it is similar? Does anybody have any other anti-inflammatory diets they recommend? I want something very user friendly to try and do this. My dh is totally on board for the whole family. He wants me to set up a weekly menu and try it for a few weeks, but I need a good resource first.

Thanks,
Angie


Hey Angie,

You may find Phyllis Heaphy's story helpful. She absolutely changed her life from an auto-immune situation with anti-flammatory diet. Here's a link to her story including
a short video:

Phyllis' story (http://www.lanimuelrath.com/workoutroutinesforwomen/2011/overcoming-rheumatoid-arthritis-with-diet-phyllis-heaphys-story/)

Lani

[nightshade]

Hi Ayj, you give lots of great info! What do you do w/ the oil of oregano? i've been wanting to get some, but for now I put one sprig of fresh oregano in my morning green smoothies. I'm really trying to focus on eating sensibly for the next 6 weeks. This first week was a disaster though, lol. I need to stay far away from bread & my roomate's peanut butter!

[Titus2Mommy]

Lani,

Thanks for the article! I was convinced, but this article has me even more convinced. She mentioned she used to get inflammation after working out. I wonder if that is why after my bootcamp I was so swollen for so long? I will add Dr.McDougall's book to my must read list.

Angie

[ayj67]

Hi Nightshade,

There are quite a bit of information on Oil of Oreganol on the forum. I started using it around 4.5 years ago when I was pregnant with my 3 yo, soon to be 4yo, as I don't want chemical drugs in my system to affect the baby. It is anti-biotic, anti-inflammatory, it is a pain killer, anti-viral, anti-fungal, anti-septic as you see, it became my go to remedy for anything I have. Other than the 7 days that I was trapped in the hospital for unexplained post partum fever, I have not taken any prescription or OTC drugs. If I catch the signs of sickness early on, a few drops to a few half dropperful of OoO will kick the virus within 12-24-48 hours, just keep taking until you are well. It will get rid of stomach flu, E. Coli, etc. You can take it internally and apply topically, like cold sore, acne, althetic foot, skin conditions that does not get better, insect sting, or sprains and bruises.

Last Jan - Feb, I caught the very nasty 2011 Flu, since I just came out of a bootcamp and then did not have enough sleep while going to visit my MIL and back, my immunity was pretty down, and I was not in my right mind to thing about taking OoO. So, that flu took me and I think OoO and D3 help tremendously (D3 & OoO enhanced each other), and even I think I caught bronchitis, but I was able to recover within a week, and then, finally, cayenne get rid of the last of the cough from bronchitis (which I was prone to not being able to get rid of). You can check out the old threads for the 6 weeker's in Feb to March, many of us were catching the flu. All of us were able to get relieve or speed up the recovering from the flu with D3 & OoO.

If you use fresh oreganol, I am not sure how much of the real OoO essence, carvacrol, you are getting. Only the Mediterranean variety has that medicinal property. Origanum Vulgare.

I found OoO info from Dr. Perricone's book, and when it says it was able to kill the SARS virus, I perked up. I tried out for my sisters' sake, they are all in Hong Kong are always getting flu and funny mutant superbugs. Dr Cass Ingram has 15 - 20 books for the use of OoO, but they are all very similar. In the beginning, before I started coming to the forum, I get the North America Herbs & Spice brand, and they are quite expensive, but I have no point of reference.

After I started here, I found out other people are using them to, and I was referred to more affordable sources. Order from jcrowsmarket.com if you are in the East Coast. On the west coast, mountainroseherbs.com. will be good. jcrowsmarkets only carry OoO and cayenne and other limited tibetan herbs and the iodine, mountainroseherbs has a wide variety of herbs other than OoO, I order tea and other essentail oil from them and they are in Oregon.

I don't use OoO everyday, only on days that I feel off and that a cold or flu is attacking (3 year old brings germs from pre-school on a weekly basis) or having weather related sinus headache. I had my share of carpel tunnel, sinus headache, high blood pressue in my last trimester, but not one single chemical pills. OoO is anti-biotic, it has the same anti-biotic effect to kill off the beneficial flora in your digestive track, so when you are done using it, make sure you have enough yougurt of pro-bitoic back to avoid yeast overgrowth. If you have a chronic condition and will need to take OoO everyday, it would be best that you take OoO in the morning and eat yogurt at night everyday.

[nightshade]

thanks for the info AYJ! I've heard Dr. Cass Ingram speak on OoO, but I didn't try it because of the cost. I do already order stuff from Mountain Rose, so perhaps I will try theirs. In terms of probiotics, even though I like yogurt I am most definitley lacto-intolerant so I don't eat it anymore. I took Dr. Ohira's probiotic pills for a few months, but not anymore. Thanks I will keep this info in mind.

[ayj67]

Nightshade, when you get the OoO, you need to dilute with EVOO before internal or external, it is too strong to take by itself and it stinks, and drink water to flush it down. I dilute to 1:3 -1:4. For starter, you might want to dilute 1:20 - 1:50.

When I get lazy, I will drop an undiluted OoO, when I already have a big mug of lukewarm water nearby.

[Titus2Mommy]

AYJ,

How are you doing with your eating? I am doing "ok." Dh has lost 12 pounds already! I am not sure why he is losing so much faster than me, but I am happy for him and hoping I follow right behind.

My bulk food order comes tomorrow, so I am getting excited about that. It will really help me with recipes. I am also looking at getting a good cookbook to help out. I am thinking Nourishing Traditions.

I hope it is going well for you!
Angie

[BlessedMama]

Men+testosterone=losing faster. It's a fact of life! :)

[ayj67]

Angie,

I am doing good on the diet, had a scoop of ice cream in waffle cone on Saturday and a glass of champagne at night, way within my indulgence allowance for the week. Since I am busy at work this week and I can't take off on Thursday to bake, so no baked good for the pre-school, and I won't have more treats other than a slice of birthday cake for my little boy on Friday.

yes to what Trisch said. In another word, we have estrogen, that plays with our thyroid, progesterone, etc. It is hard to control once we are over 40. Woman has a biological clock to have babies, and a biological clock to gain weight. Don't every compare youself to a man, any man. Only compare yourself to your sisters (if you have any) and mother, who are genetically more close to you. If they are in the same situation in the similar age, you highly likely will be the same. However, with good eating habit and T-Tapp, we can avoid the genetic trap. What is so empowering about Peter D'Adamo's geno type diet is, he believes with the correct foods and appropriate exercise, we can switch off the bad gene and turn on the good gene. Perricone is a very good start, I learn my GM habit from it. If you still have a lot of room for improvement after 3-6 month of Perricone, we can look into the Blood Type and Geno Type, but don't get stressed out, we can do it together.

Let's make sure your health is improved with this Perricone Diet, that is the most important aspect, as once you gain your health and vitallity, your body will be free up to do what it is supposed to be, a well-oiled lean and mean machine. If your body is pre-occupied to take care of little inflammations here and there, hormonal imbalance left and right, it is not going to get rid of the excessive toxin and baggage.

I just counted, we are already Day 16, only 12 days left. Yay to Bulk order! Once your supplies are in, it will even be eaiser to follow. To me, the most difficult is to purge the kitchen and pantry with carefully selected but now not so good food. If those are all used up during the transition, you won't have the mental agony anymore.

I peeked at the McDougall diet on the internet, it is vegetarian without eggs, diary and oil...

[Titus2Mommy]

Trisch, Thanks for the reminder about men vs. women. My dh pointed out that I wouldn't look very nice if I was built muscular like him.......so true!

AYJ,

It is good for me to hear what you do for your indulgence allowance. I need a balance with that. I am a very good at extremes - NO treats or LOTS of treats.

Oh my! I don't like the thought of being genetically like my mother. That is part of the reason I swore I would NEVER diet. She did yo-yo dieting all her life gaining and losing the same weight over and over. We eat healthier (even before Perricone) and I exercise and keep busier than her, so hopefully that is positive. My sister is 14 years younger than me, so that is hard to compare.

Yep, I think Perricone is good for me for now. It is very doable. I have peeked at some of the other diets too, and honestly I don't know if I can or even want to go there.

Blessings,
Angie

[BlessedMama]

Angie, one other thought--as your metabolism heals, you sometimes will either gain weight or stall. Remember--years of not-the-best eating aren't undone overnight! The body will first take care of business on the inside when it gets proper nourishment and exercise. This is like laying the foundation of a building. remember! It seems to take f-o-r-e-v-e-r, then all of a sudden it seems like POOF! There's a house!

I had been T-Tapping for 3 years before my belly really showed that I was losing. But that was because my metabolism was healing and it was doing much better, so then my body could "work on" the outside!

HUGS to you! Hang in there!

[ayj67]

Angie,

I don't want to be like my mother either. She has diabetes, high blood pressure and glucoma, she has been legally blind for 30 years. Eye sight is some important for indepence and quality of life, what I do for a living depends heavily on reading, and live is not the same if I cannot see the image of my children and possibly future grandchilden. My father had a stoke 25 years ago and my brother died with a brain hemoraging when he was young and fit 20. I have many predisposition risk factors, but I do not want to live on chemical drugs and I want to see my kids grow and I need to grow old healthy and gracefully.

If we adopt a healthy way of eating and cooking, we can heal ourself naturally, just like what people did before any of the drugs was invented.

Congratulation on purging the pantry too!

[Titus2Mommy]

Trisch, Thanks for the reminder of the metabolism healing! I know there are inner changes going on and the health benefits are beginning to show more. I had many health benefits just from starting T-Tapp. It is amazing when you start to feel better how you realize you can keep doing more.

AYJ, Sorry to hear about your family's health issues. It is true they are out there for all of us, but if we take care of ourselves at least we can do our part to limit them.

It is going well for us with our new way of life. The kids are beginning to adjust. Our 4yo and 6yo are always asking if things are healthy now. Cute!

Blessings,
Angie

[ayj67]

Hi Angie,

Even the odds are against me, they are just odds, I have free choice of putting what kind of food in front of me and my family. So I am in the driver seat to reverse or advert any negative condition via the strongest medicine, food. We take them 3-6 times a day on a regular basis and we don't tend to forget taking it.

Nowadays, there are so many more naturopathic books out there and we will not totally be in the dark.

Good job on teaching the kids about healthy food. I remember when my 9 yo was 5, he used to ask if there is hydrogenated oil before getting anything from the store shelf (pretty much anything he was interested, he would put back to the shelves). I remember we went to my MIL once, she got a tub of cookies from the "health store" name "Boney", she was gifting the whole tub for my son to enjoy. I looked a the ingredients and said there is hydrogenated oil. My son heard it and would not open the tub and take a cookie. She was puzzled, when my son told her why, she was livid, she said it was a treat and there was only a little bit. I am looking at a tub of hydrogenated cookies (likely 2 lbs) for a little 5 year old boy who is 45 lbs, that is quite a bit of bad stuff, no really a good treat. She was just mad, we ended up taking up the tub home, but I never open it for my son, and after a few months, it went to the trash. The funniest thing was my MIL started dieting over 20 years ago (for as long as I know her), all organic (she was the first to warn us not to buy farm raised salmon), tons of vitamin supplements, she was still using margarine, eat the fat free sugar free cookies and ice-cream, and deemed hydrogenated oil acceptable.

I had buffalo wings, some popcorn chicken last night along with 3 servings of sauteed green beans with evoo and garlic. I had chocolate cake with a lot of whipped cream for my 4yo's birthday. I did not have time to bake, so less temptation.

[Titus2Mommy]

What a story about your MIL and son :-) That is great that he knew what was good. That is strange that she wasn't intrigued by your insight.

We are doing well eating here. We are LOVING the coconut oil!! I am still trying to gather new recipes and enjoying that process. I am amazed at how many times I have been around sweets and not even been tempted - AMAZING!!

Have a great week!
Angie

[ayj67]

Angie,

I am not surprise, once you clean up your diet, you are not a sugar or carb addict anymore. Colorful bell pepper strip are more tempting than candies. I cut them in strips and then put them in sandwich bags, pack them for lunch or snack (variation from carrots and edamame, and I am not a big fan of celery, rather eat cucumber slices).

I think my mother in law has some dellusion thoughts about a good grandmother provides cookies, so by me teaching my kid not to eat hydrogenated fat, it foiled her grandmotherly duty. If she baked the cookies with real butter, I will let me son to have them. Most of her health problem is due to package food, she does not like to cook.

I had some breakfast susauge and fruit rollup (pancake rolled up with strawberry inside) with whipped cream on Sunday after we went to cherry picking at an orchard 45 mins away from us.

Had a little bread with the salad during a business meeting this afternoon. I got the salad instead of the sandwich. Just 5 more days to go. I wonder how you plan for the Memorial Day eating.

[Titus2Mommy]

AJY,

I am so amazed that we can still have such yummy good food! It is nice to know that we can still bake homemade cookies. Too bad your MIL doesn't want to do that instead of buy the junk. My Mom is the same way - packaged food - only probably more unhealthy than the stuff your MIL buys.

Your breakfast sounds very good. My dc would love the pancake roll-up. Good idea. My main breakfast has become homemade granola (with coconut oil and agave), a boiled egg, and a piece of fruit. It is so quick and keeps me satisfied.

My dh will be working for Memorial Day, so we aren't doing anything out of the normal. Let me know how your eating goes. I have any upcoming trip to my cousins for 10 days. I don't know how I will plan for that yet.

Thanks for the accountability and motivation! Keep it up!
Angie

[ayj67]

Angie,

These few days got some office lunch going on, someone I work with are leaving. We have gone to Vietnamese and Thai food, so I had rice noodle soup. Yes, not that good, but not that bad either. At least I stay gluten free.

Yes, just a few more days. It is something very easy to do. You do most days good, then, for days that you have no choice (not to be seen as anti-social), you are still over all better than, much better than, the older way of eating. It is a lifestyle change, make it work.

[Titus2Mommy]

It is amazing how differently I look at food now. It sounds like you are doing great! How much have you lost since you started T-Tapp?

I am leaving on Wednesday to go to my cousins to sew wedding quilts for our son and daughter. I will be gone 10 days. I am trying to come up with a plan. Although they eat fairly well, it won't be Perricone. So, I decided I am going to go to the grocery store to stock her refrigerator. I will do smoothies and some protein for breakfast, and a salad with protein for lunch. Supper I will eat with them and skip things that I now aren't allowed. She may even join in with me! I don't want to ruin what I have worked so hard for, plus I now if I don't stick with it I will feel rotten. I will get a short workout in when I can and we usually walk when we are together, so that is good.

Only a couple days left for our challenge, but a lifetime left for me!!

Blessings,
Angie

[ayj67]

Hi Angie,

I have not weighted myself or measured for quite a few weeks now (have not seen real change since April), I am wearing all my pre-pregnancy clothes when I get to the maintenance stage of the first Perricone Diet in 2005. Last time I checked, maybe a month or so a go, I probably lost 15 pounds and 50 inches since July 2010, (not very exact) but I will certain mark down my progress on 7/30, my T-Tapp anniversary.

I think as long as you add more vegetable, make an extra vegetable dish than what they planned for dinner, you will be fine. You skip or have only a taste of what is banned, and load up on colorful vegetables. If you already have the banned food, then skip dessert, treat that as a treat very easy.

If I go out to restaurant, I will always be mindful of what is the banned items added up for the week. Since I had rice noodle, I have not eaten any chocolate, even TOM. It is easy, no craving anyway.

[Titus2Mommy]

Your inch loss is amazing! My T-Tapp anniversary is June 26th. Too bad we didn't live closer then we could have a T-Tapp birthday party together! I have lost 25 inches and 15 pounds. I must have gained a lot of muscle. It seems the last 5 inches have been coming and going for a looooong time. I am still hopeful of losing one more size and then whatever will be is fine with me.

Yes, good tip about the extra veggies! Isn't that great not craving chocolate?! I love it! How many banned items do you allow per week?

Blessings,
Angie

[ayj67]

I allow 100 calorie a day, 700 calorie a week. 1 week of accumulation, use it or lose it. So i won't eat 3,000 calorie of banned food on 1 day. 1 slice of cheesecake factory cheesecake is around there. 1 grande mocha frappachino is getting close. 2 scoop of full fat good ice cream. if i have a square of chocolate, 35 to 40 calorie.

normally these things you can find out the info from the wraper or the menu.

[Titus2Mommy]

We made it!!! Thanks for the support and gentle pushing. I am hoping to keep this up while away from home this next week and a half. Hope you do well too.

I like your way of getting some MM in if you want to (without overdoing).

Blessings,
Angie

[ayj67]

Angie,

It is a lifestyle was of eating. Some indulgence are necessary to celebrate life. Telling yourself never is not a good strategy for the long haul. Give yourself some wiggling room and a chance to have a little indulgence. If you are still trying to lose, I think fewer MM days is better. Once you are at maintenance stage, you can do MM once every 3 days, like Teresa's.

Just make sure to remember MM day does not mean a whole of MM food. It is the day that you eat "some" sensible MM food.

[Titus2Mommy]

AYJ, What are your thoughts about agave? The GAPS diet recommends honey and I am trying to decide which way to go. Honey is so high on the GI index that I am not sure about it. Just wondering what you use.

Thanks,
Angie

[ayj67]

I think agave was recommended by Dr. Perricone and Dr. Oz, as it is low in glycemic index and natural (way more natural than the lab high frutose corn syrups) when they first come out. I did buy two from Costco and still have 1.5 bottle left since I don't use much sweetener.

I do understand the concern of high frustose corn syrup, in this case, not corn, but agave. I do not see enough research on the difference between corn and agave to human guts and diabetes. So, I would be cautious about the use of it if you are diabetic. I peeked at some diabetes forums, most people do not see effect of it when they are using in moderation.

The key is still use it in moderation, and always consume good fat, good protein and a lot of fibers with the intake of agave syrup.

The problem with high frustose corn syrup is its ability to induce appeptite, which will easily whack a diet by overeating, and non stop overeating. If it does not have effect on you and your family, as your intake is moderate and eating enough other food to offset the impact and you have not have any signs of over eating, it might be okay for you.

There is a sliding scale of good and wholesome sweetener. The worse is the aritifical sweetener that cause chemical issue in your system. I think finally the mainstream news channel break the issue about the diet soda and diet drinks that casuing people bigger appetite, as the non calories but sweet taste causes the brain to pump more chemical for more food all the time, and you get uncontrolled hunger because of the zero calorie drinks. (not to talk about gout problem and other brain chemistry issues)

Honey, maple syrup, thay are better than HFCS, but they are still MM food. No matter what, do not take any artificial sugar substitute like equal, splenda, sweet and low. Sugar Alcohol stays in the guts and digestive track and will cause diahirra (about 50 mg). Stevia, so far has not cause much controversy, but I just do not like the after taste.

So, I will use some raw sugar if I really need it, I will use honey, maple syrup if sweetening is needed, all things with moderation and eat it with your other fat, protein and fiber at the same time. If I have a receipe that calls for corn syrup, I might use agave.

[Titus2Mommy]

I knew agave was low on the gi index, but wasn't sure about it being natural. We have never used artificial sweeteners. We do not have any diabetes issues. I think we will finish up the agave we have and try honey for awhile. I don't like the aftertaste of stevia in foods either, but we use it in our drinks (tea & lemonade).

Thanks,
Angie

[ayj67]

Sweet in moderation, with plenty of fat, protein, and fiber at the same time to balance the glycemic load, you will be fine.