Dieting Is NOT About Willpower!

[BlessedMama]

Did that get your attention?!


We've been on the GAPS diet (Gut And Psychology Syndrome) for almost a month now. We are off Intro and on what's considered Full GAPS now. And we're not starving by any means!

I know there is a plethora of dieting info out there and it can be beyond frustrating to make sense of it all! I also know there's not a one-size fits all, but I would highly recommend you read Dr. Natasha Campbell McBride's Gut And Psychology Syndrome, or at least listen to her YouTube videos. (Just type in her name on the YouTube search and she'll come up--there are a lot!)

Although it's "billed" a "diet" for autistic children, it addresses a whole host of issues from candida to schizophrenia.

Starlene has a wonderful blog where she also has Blog Talk Radio audios you can listen to on the right sidebar (as well as documenting her journey on her blog!)

http://gapsdietjourney.com/

I jokingly said dieting wasn't about willpower, it's the bad guys in my gut screaming for food! Well, turns out there is a lot of truth to that!

Here is a snippet from a post on the GAPS Yahoo Groups:

"I now think that some of those people who eat for pleasure are really eating for candida. That extreme hunger and desire for certain foods as well as cravings are so much about the disrupted gut flora and the infections in the body that demand food that way." (btw, that is from Millie, whose story of healing her son is on Starlene's Blog Talk Radio and will make you cry!)

This from Dr. Natasha (one of her talks):

"Fruits usually feed candida, and candida causes a drop in blood sugar level, it causes hypoglycemia--that's why a lot of people say they are ravenously hungry because they've got low blood sugar levels because the candida just consumes all that. The important thing there to keep the blood sugar level at a good level is to have plenty of fats. In fact, one of the simple remedies to do for hypoglycemia is to keep having coconut oil or coconut cream. Whenever you feel hungry or craving something, you have a couple tablespoons of that and you will level the blood sugar and these cravings will disappear--it is also an antifungal."

Over and over I see the problem with carb cravings is not enough fat. I know there are those that would challenge that, but I'm here to tell you, feeding my kids lots and lots of vegetables is not filling them up. Or me. Or dh.

But as we are starting to add more good fats in (yes, animal fats from humanely and healthy-raised animals), grass-fed butter, coconut oil, lard, etc., that is satiating as well as helping with health. I've been doing this slowly, because from what some people on this list have said, it's almost like we've "lost" our ability to digest fats properly. So you add them in slowly.

The only "sweetener" allowed is honey, in moderation. We are making our own homemade goat milk yogurt, and at first I could eat it (or drink it--it's runnier than store-bought!) without any sweetener. Different batches get more tart and I've added a bit of honey...but then more and more and now I'm craving sweets!

Today I was reading over the GAPS Yahoo site, different posts, and saw again about the fats (which I already knew from Schwarzbein, but sometimes you can't remember everything you've read when you want to! LOL!) As I was getting my yogurt ready, I also thought about how those of us with adrenal issues often need salt--not just any salt, but celtic sea salt or himalayan salt, with the minerals in it. I also knew a little salt often brings natural sweetness out. I didn't have anything to lose (but 1/2 cup of yogurt!) so I added a pinch. I did add some honey--but maybe 1/2 tsp. vs. the usual 1 TB!!!!!!

I guess this is REALLY on my mind because of my mil. She was told to go off salt. Of course fat is bad for you. And she keeps feeling cruddy and she's gained weight.

I'm eating MORE fat than I used to and MORE salt, and I am LOSING weight! I've cut out the sugars, yes, and the grains/starches, but I honestly lost more the past few weeks when I've started eating more foods, when you'd think I would gain! (Oh, and not just weight, which doesn't really trip my trigger anymore--I lost THREE INCHES in one week--as a LTL that's pretty amazing all by itself! )

I guess this is a little rambly, but I want to say to those of you who can't seem to get weight or inches to budge no matter what you do---I understand. Teresa's GM/MM makes the MOST sense. However, if you have a hard time sticking with it, it may not be you're "weak". I am beyond grateful that my dh or dc never, EVER made fun of me or told me "You know you wouldn't be fat if you didn't eat so many desserts!" I was hard enough on myself!

But I now realize I really, truly couldn't "say no". Yes, I still made choices, but what I had to see was the gut imbalance (dysbiosis) affects my brain. Yes, Virginia, even if we're not schizophrenic or ADD, we can still have psychological issues! I can't count the times I was disgusted with myself because I just couldn't be a big girl and say no! Oh, how we beat ourselves up! I am thrilled to find a way to eat that doesn't make me feel guilty or bad about myself!

I am not saying this is the ONLY way. I am saying if nothing else is working, look it over. Even if you follow Schwarzbein (which I feel is one of the best things out there to heal a damaged metabolism, especially adrenal issues), add some things in from GAPS. Nourishing bone broths. Fermented dairy and vegetables. Soak your grains (Nourishing Traditions is an excellent resource for that).

I know it takes time. I'm blessed that my whole family is on board and my dds share the load. BUT--I will tell you what I tell so many of my friends when they say, "but this is hard!"

You can pay the price now, in money, in time.

Or you can pay it later, in loss of health, spending lots of money and time at the drs.

I look at my mil, almost 75 and at the rate she is going, trusting in medical science to save her, she's headed for a nursing home.

And I look at a df's grandmother, also 75, who rides her bike or walks 2 miles every day, eats wholesome foods, takes herbs and supplements, and is on NO medications that I know of. (And also doesn't look 75!)

Who do I want to be like?

Then I better be willing to pay the price!

If you just can't seem to get off a plateau, whether size/inch wise or health wise (or both), you might look into healing your gut. It can't hurt! And it just might be the "missing key" you need! And to be honest, I think it is a whole lot better than other drastic measures out there to "lose weight" (injections, surgery, etc.).

Just as in Schwarzbein, there will be a period of "it gets worse before it gets better"--but hang in there! It is worth it!

And in case you think you will be starving (at times you'll feel like it, but no, you won't!) or that there will be no more pleasure in food without grains or other sugars, you might want to check out these posts on my dds' blog recently!

http://homeschoolblogger.com/sevensisters/785609/

http://homeschoolblogger.com/sevensisters/785594/


Hope that is helpful to someone! I'm excited to eat in a way that is consistent with Dr. Schwarzbein's principles and yet works on the gut imbalance as well--and I'm eating more and better than ever before!

HUGS to you all!

[ayj67]

Trisch, chicken looks yummy and beet salad looks interesting. I will try them once I got all the ingredients. Tonight I am going to make my mashed sweet potatoe with coconut oil

[BlessedMama]

That sounds good! No potatoes for us though for awhile. But you know, this is forcing us to try other veggies and we're finding we like them!

[ayj67]

I haven't have sweet potatoes for a good month now, I just decided that it is time to get some back. When do you put potatoes and sweet potatoes back? I don't like potatoes that much, so that is really not a problem for me.

[BlessedMama]

At least 6 months, which would put in first of November for us. So far we're doing okay without them! I do miss baked sweet potato, though!

[ayj67]

Baked? I just boil them and put waterever liquid left with the sweet pototoe in the blender with coconut oil to mash, yes, no peeling of the nutrition rich skin either. I don't have the time and patience.

[MommyRose]

Great post Trisch. You guys are doing great!! The food looked wonderful too! I loved broiled beets so much I've got 3 different varieties growing in my garden! I usually roast them but will now have to try them on the grill.

[WendyD]

Trisch - I just had a BIG light bulb moment!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yawza - I just went looking for the GAPS book out of curiosity, wanted to check out the cost...the title of the book references the GAPS diet for dyslexia! I've never put the 2 together. With some of the problems my DS is having, it's worth a try. Summer is here so it'll be easier to control his diet. Wow...I'm off to torture my son...lol

[BlessedMama]

LOL Wendy! And you can go to Full GAPS first, if that helps! Intro is a bit more....strict? at the beginning! I've read some pretty amazing testimonies on the GAPS Yahoo groups! Go for it!