July 5th Vacation readings

Today has been a lazy day of reading and thinking. I guess that would be physically lazy but not mentally so. I've been reading and pondering a book I got yesterday and just finished, "Why we get fat and what to do about it". It is a fascinating book, full of historical information about the scientific/medical community and the collective wisdom from previous decades, much of which appears to be dead wrong. And from a social perspective, observing why the powers that be refuse to incorporate new information into their views of diet and the causes of chronic diseases' such as diabetes and heart disease.

Like most women in my family (the genetic component) I have struggled with maintaining what I think of as an appropriate weight most of my adult life. I was raised up with the idea that fat was bad because it was supposed to make one fat and cause heart disease. Complex carbohydrate were best, along with small portions of lean protein. Interesting to note, even though this has been the common theme since the early 60's, rates of heart disease, obesity and diabetes have only increased in the ensuing decades. And I'm carrying around 25 pounds more than I should be.

What the author of this book states is that ALL chronic diseases common to western cultures can be linked to excessive and unstable (my words) production of insulin. And what produces this state? Carbohydrates, at least most carbohydrates will do this to excess. Crazy. Yet if you look at the food pyramid we are all supposed to follow for a healthy diet, you find carbohydrates recommended as the bulk of foods we should consume. Hum. Which came first?

I'm not a scientist but I'm also not stupid. Seems like there might be a problem here and I for one am going to try out a diet that is restrictive of carbs, other than veggies that are low on the glycemic index and a bit of fruit here and there. Protein with added fats will make up the rest of my diet and I'll see what happens. Unfortunately this kind of diet will be impossible for me once I get back on the trail but I'll give it a go till then and see what happens. All I know for sure is that the only food that quells my hunger and keeps me satisfied longer has always been protein. So scientific evidence aside, my body resonates with the ideas in this book. I'll keep you posted.