The Pork Belly, Butter, and Broccoli diet

There is nothing like a visit from family and friends to allow me to expound my theories to low-carb virgin ears. It’s interesting, however, what people take on board from my ramblings. There is nothing like telling the men in my life that pork belly and butter are back on the menu, to get them on board. I become their favourite wife/sister/in law/mother/friend!

For some though the thought of giving up bread, the staff of life, is enough to get those brows furrowed. For others cutting down on fruit defies logic and conflicts with everything they’ve ever been told. I know…….. it’s confusing.

You only need to pick up one of the many women’s magazines on sale to further confuse and mix those messages. Without naming the magazine, I can list several conflicting dietary articles in just one publication, promising to solve all of your weight, health, and wellbeing issues;

• Safe Guard Your Heart: by avoiding saturated fats (butter, cream, coconut oil, animal fats).
  • What the?  There is plenty of evidence to demonstrate the merits of good quality natural fats and we should be including them in our diet every day. They provide a feeling of satiety and prevent us over eating.

• Carbs The Elixir of Life: Good news pasta lovers, a high carb low fat diet can extend your life.
  • I beg your pardon? We know that carbohydrate elicits an insulin response. Insulin is our fat storing hormone. As far as I can recall, weight gain will not extend anyone’s life expectancy!

• Eat More Vegetables: Bless, I think we agree on something!

• The Clean Eating Revolution: New Food Rules- now this sounds promising.
  •  Until I turn the page and find recipe for muesli bars made with honey, oats, dried fruit (so much sugar) – not that clean after all.

• Detox – mmm I am dubious until I note that the article espouses the benefits of organic whole food. This one gets a tick.

• Shrink Your Sugar Belly – Now you’re talking!
  • But read on and find that food promoted includes all low fat options (which we know are higher in sugar)

And by the way, apparently the right haircut can take kilos off you!

Admittedly most of these strategies also promoted a lot of relevant dietary advice; nevertheless the messages are inconsistent and confusing.

In this age of 24-hour access to information, don’t just believe me (well you should actually) but read for yourself, find the template that suits you. What ever you do though don’t ever fall into the ‘everything in moderation’ trap it, clearly hasn’t worked for most of us.  Make your own choices. However if you want better energy levels, clearer skin, weight-loss, and better sleep patterns, go as low carb as you can.

Eat food with eyes and a mother, food from the ground, food that has felt the sun. Food that you could pick and eat raw  (besides meat and seafood of course, best to cook that!) Then sit back and enjoy the benefits of this whole and healthy approach.

However, male friends, please note that pork belly and butter are back on the menu only ‘IN THE ABSENCE OF CARBOHYDRATE’, and when balanced out with plenty of broccoli, kale, cauliflower or something similar……… I’ll be checking on that.