The Basic Low Carbohydrate Diet

SUMMARY

Diets high in sugar and refined carbohydrates like bread, pasta, cereal, and other mainly 'low-fat' processed foods increase your body's production of insulin. When insulin is at high levels in the body, the food you eat can get readily converted into body fat, in the form of triglycerides (to top it off, high triglyceride levels in the body are one of the greatest risk factors for heart disease). Low carbohydrate diets are based on the theory that many people cannot consume large amounts of carbohydrate foods without having their bodies create, and store large amounts of body fats.

Foods to Avoid: All starches and sugars, including grains, cereals, potatoes and foods made with them.

Allowed Foods: All meats, poultry, fish, shellfish, fats/oils, some dairy products (heavy cream, butter, and some cheeses), most green vegetables, and a few low carbohydrate fruits and vegetables.

Low carbohydrate diets do not stress calorie restriction. You eat allowed foods until you're satisfied, and should never be hungry.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN "LOW FAT" AND "LOW CARB" DIETS

When you starve your body of calories, protein, and fat, it burns large amounts of both fat AND muscle to provide fuel. You lose weight, but the loss of muscle tissue not only shows physically, but it also reduces your basic metabolic rate, so you need to cut calories even more. On a proper low carb diet, your body burns mostly FAT and preserves your lean muscle tissue.

You'll start to burn fat for energy:
Since carbohydrates are the body's primary energy source, you'll rarely use your secondary energy source, you own body fat, for energy unless you restrict carbohydrate consumption.

You won't feel hungry in between meals:
The biggest battle that most people have with weight loss is the constant obsession with food. By cutting the carbs, you'll maintain a more even blood sugar level throughout the day. No more false hunger pains or mid-afternoon brain drains.

Your overall health will improve and you'll feel better:
Many of the toxins you take into your body are stored in your fat cells. By getting your body to burn stored fat, you allow it to cleanse itself.

THE DIET

The first 2 weeks you should limit your carbohydrate intake to 20-30 grams per day. Within a few days you should notice a dramatic decrease in your cravings.

After the initial 2-week period you can SLOWLY add more carbohydrates to your daily intake. Be sure to weigh yourself each day and record your weight on a chart. If you see that you are gaining the weight back, then reduce your carbohydrate intake back to 20-30 grams a day. You can take BLOCK&BiND® 15-20 minutes before meals if you want to cheat a little. Remember 2 caplets of BLOCK&BiND® can block up to 50 grams of carbohydrates.

TIPS FOR SUCCESS

Stay away from bread, cereal, pasta, rice, potatoes (including french fries), bananas, corn, carrots and sugar in all forms. You can add some of these foods back into your diet regimen after 2 weeks beyond reaching your ultimate weight goal.

Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water daily. Water plays an important role in helping your body flush toxins throughout the day. You should drink a glass of water before and after each meal. You will be surprised at the positive effect water will have on your weight loss.

Don't pay attention to FAT or CALORIES. Fat is essential in our bodies to help stabilize proteins and carbs and it gives us that full satisfying feeling.

Be sure to take a multi-vitamin daily. As with any change in dietary habits, one of the more important aspects of this diet, and indeed any diet, is taking vitamin supplements. By withholding a lot of vegetables and fruits from your diet, you're missing out on essential nutrients.

**CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN BEFORE BEGINNING ANY EXERCISE PROGRAM.
The information contained in this insert is information taken from many medical and nutritional resources. It is strictly for informational purposes only, and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.