There are two main reasons why clients come to me: to optimize their brain function and lose weight. Neither goal is possible long term without balancing the blood sugar. Why?
As long as your blood sugar is on a roller coaster, your mood will be too. According to my book, Healing Depression: A Holistic Guide, your brain can detect minute changes in blood sugar—as little as 2 mg/dl or less.
As long as your mood is on a roller coaster and your blood sugar is swinging wildly, those attempting to control their appetites will have to fight their body chemistry. This is why many diets fail long-term—they literally force the body into a state of semi-starvation and lower metabolism.
If you are hypoglycemic or hyperglycemic, you may do well to follow an eating program for two weeks recommended by two of my personal gurus, Sue Maes and Philip Maffetone, both nutritionists and kinesiologists. Stabilize your brain function and your blood sugar before attempting to limit your calories in any way.
How profound a difference does this make? One client who had success with this plan suffered from severe eating disorders for 40 years. She tried virtually every diet, worked out with all the best trainers in Atlanta, and still binged night after night. Not only did she overcome her food addictions and lose weight, her entire body shape has changed.
For two weeks, follow the sugar control plan:
Eat as much protein as you are hungry for, including not less than 9 ounces of red meat per week. This includes an unlimited amount of unbreaded fish, fowl, eggs and cheese.
Eat green vegetables, and small portions of cooked yellow vegetables, such as carrots and squash.
Eat fruit and fruit juice as long as there are no sugars added.
For snacks, eat nuts, coconut, cheese and fruit.
You must eat every 2 hours.
You must drink 2/3 ounce of water per pound of body weight to rehydrate. All your brain neurochemicals work in water. Optimize your neurotransmitter function and your appetite and mood control will improve.
Avoid for two weeks: Sugar, sweeteners, pasta, wheat products, cauliflower, soda pop, alcoholic beverages, potatoes, dried beans and lentils.
If you want to eat bread, choose up to 2 slices of sprouted grain bread, such as Ezekial Bread, which can be found at any health food store. If you want to eat rice, boil rice and then place the grains in a dry skillet to brown them. This method changes the utilization of the rice within your body.
This is not a low-carbohydrate diet—this is a no-junk eating plan!Is Your Blood Sugar Control What It Should Be?
How can you tell if your blood sugar is optimal?
You feel energetic.
You feel tired when appropriate—not all the time.
You are able to focus and stay relaxed.
You think clearly.
You have a good memory.
You are able to concentrate.
You are effective at solving problems.
You have an easy going temperament.
You have good control of your appetite.
You are free of addictions to illegal drugs, alcoholic beverages, food and/or cigarettes. Use of these substances may be a subconscious method of stimulating your brain.
How can you tell if your blood sugar is too low?
You are tired all the time.
You are tired for no reason.
You feel restless and can’t keep still.
Diets make you feel like you are starving.
You feel confused.
You have trouble remembering.
You have trouble concentrating.
You are easily frustrated.
You are irritable and have unexpected anger, especially before meals or if you skip meals.
Your blood sugar is consistently below 80 mg/dl or less.
You may have trouble with high blood sugar if:
Your blood sugar is consistently above 120 mg/dl or less.
You have a family history of diabetes.
You are obese with a Body Mass Index over 30, eat a diet high in corn syrup and processed foods, including soft drinks.