Make your own determination of what to eat

Again, many people I see will tell me "how much they like food". It's as if they are the only ones who really enjoy food while others don't. How wrong they are. We all enjoy food. What has happened however, is that a lot of us realize the negative impact of many foods, not only on our weight, but on our health in general. Resisting the temptation to snack becomes easier when we look at certain foods as detrimental to our health.

This is especially prevalent in that sweet snack after supper, or the snacks before bed, or at social occasions. Our desire is high, and it feels our resistance to say 'no' is low; so, we partake in the food only to regret how we feel later.

My true hope is that eventually society will begin to shift, and a lot of those sweet snacks will not be being offered, or there will be better alternatives. The more one reads, the more one understands that for a large majority of our population, carbohydrates elevate insulin levels. Insulin not only leads to fat deposition, this hormone is inflammatory and results in inflammation in many parts of the body.

From a health point of view, we really cannot continue to snack in the evening, or allow ourselves to eat excessively at a party (or on a cruise), or dig into those always present snacks available in the work environment. We must be aware that the food itself is 'toxic' to our health and learn over and over again to refuse to eat it. These kinds of foods also have no nutritional value.

In those situations water, tea, coffee, cheese, nuts and maybe some protein are your friends....try at all costs not to indulge in the sugary sweets. Having said that, I realize how addictive food is and how difficult it is for a lot of people to deny themselves these types of food, when the brain is crying out for 'a fix'.

Even though a Dr. Gerald Reaven back in the 80's was showing that carbohydrates and insulin were driving the obesity, heart and stroke, and diabetic epidemic, his work was not recognized and the low fat myth continued to be perpetuated.

So, resist those sweet snacks. Eat more fat and protein (they raise insulin minimally)....work on choosing better alternatives even as your brain screams for the cake or pie or ice cream.

You can do it. Just keep trying and never ever give up.

Dr. Doug