Off White Living

DID YOU KNOW THAT OVER 2,000 SCIENTIFIC ARTICLES HAVE BEEN WRITTEN ABOUT THE PHENOMENA OF SUGAR/CARB ADDICTION?? Its no wonder that some of us fall prey to the white stuff, even just “once”, and are back in the throws of bondage w/no way out….

But there is hope: Just recently a friend of mine shared a great term with me.  “Lean and Green”, she called it.  This refers to consuming a source of lean protein and ample green vegetables as part of a weight-loss, but also sugar/carb detox process.

Well, I just love the term and it fits so nicely to explain my suggestions for when you fall off the “off white” wagon and your knee deep into white stuff….

I can relate to falling off the wagon. In fact, for some parts of my life I spent most of my time bouncing up and down between the two: on one day and off the other.  I certainly don’t recommend this approach because it gave me nothing but bruises….

So, if you are struggling I want you to know that it is okay.  You are okay.  It may seem like the “white food” monster has a grip on you, but there is a way out.

THe way out starts with willingness.  How uncomfortable, inconvenienced, wanting for sweets but not having them, are you willing to be in order to flush out the white stuff.  Willingness can move mountains, if that is what you want.  Be honest with yourself.

So, if you are willing to do what it takes and put abstaining from sugar/flour first, then here’s what I suggest nutritionally:

• Eat “Lean and Green”: lean meats (organic and free-range as much as possible) + cooked and raw green veggies for at least 1 full meal, if not two per day.  This helps detox from sugar and bring your pH back to normal (alkaline vs acidic from carbs)
• Boost your water.  Even if you drink a lot of water, drink even more.  Add some lemon to help get the GI tract moving.  You need to eliminate that white stuff so your body forgets about it.
• Eat gluten-free, high fiber grains, such as quinoa, brown rice, and millet/amaranth.  If you must have oatmeal, make sure it is whole oats and that you’re not adding sugar or dried fruits for a few days.
• Consume fruit only with a meal, and focus on low sugar fruits like mango, berries (all types), green apples, lemons, limes, kiwis.  The reason for eating fruits with meals has to do with keeping the blood sugar in balance.  Fruits on their own, while they can have some digestive benefits (Ayurveda and Chinese medicine support eating fruits alone), this is not good for blood sugar nor for detoxing from the “sweet” taste
• Be patient, and take it 1 meal at a time.  Sugar and flour create opiates in some people’s bodies/brains, which means that the longing for them can be really strong. Support from friends, family, coaches, nutritionists, group support systems, etc can help with this VERY REAL PHYSICAL PHENEMONA.

I hope this helps – I know that it works for me, when I find myself on the white road of insanity and sugar….