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From:	Portia (h-67-101-33-40.snfccasy.dynamic.covad.net)
Subject:	Re: Bumpy Start
Date:	January 10, 2006 at 1:24 pm PST

In Reply to: Re: Bumpy Start posted by J.A. on January 9, 2006 at 8:36 pm:

I think a more accurate statement than "the fat you eat is the fat you wear," is "the extra calories you don't burn off turn into the fat you wear."

It's possible to "wear your fat" if you eat a no-added-fat diet and eat too many calories. Sorry, but that's just fact. It might be easier to eat MORE food, and hence feel MORE satisfied, if you are eating fat-free stuff, like bread, pasta, or whatever, but the research consistently shows that weight loss can be achieved regardless of the combinations of fat, carbs, and protein that one decides to eat. I'm not saying this because I "support Atkins" or "Weight Watchers" or any other SAD-type eating plan. I'm a whole foods vegan and have been for over 10 years; I'm also an ethical vegan. But the literature in nutrition does not support your statement that "the fat you eat is the fat you wear."

I guess there's some physiologic point about how we need many more calories to burn up our carbs as opposed to our fats, so fat is more easily deposited in the body and you don't have to eat too much of it for that to happen (for many people). But the bottom line is that if you want to lose weight, you have to eat less than you burn. Carbs, fats, protein - doesn't really matter.

But that's for weight loss purposes. For health purposes, I'd stick with the most recent research, indicating that a diet high in unrefined plants will optimize your health. Not bread, not pasta, not boxed "whole wheat" cereal--just veggies and fruits.

Eat-2-Live is a reduced calorie eating plan, even including the servings of nuts and seeds. It can be modified depending on your activity level. Omitting nuts is possible on the plan if you want faster weight loss, but omitting the flaxseed is not. Nuts and seeds are high in omega-3 fats, and my understanding is that we just can't get enough of these fats from our other foods.

Nutritional science changes rapidly. And I don't believe nonfat diets are considered optimal any longer. I believe that thinking is from the 70s. We're a long way from the 70s (in many ways, thank God). Focus on nutrient dense food, including nuts, and getting some exercise, and your weight (and your overall health) will come under control.

I didn't realize the level of fat phobia around here until many months ago, when McDougallers started coming over to this forum to check out Eat 2 Live, and their attitudes about fat were startling, to say the least. Hell, they're struggling with weight issues over there, which is supposedly a "fat-free" plan. So pick your poison. For myself, I'll go with the recent research and eat my 15-20 servings of veggies and fruits daily.

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