Food Plans

I am trying to find a Food Plan best suited for me.The past couple of Day's have been researching and reading about Low-Glycemic index Diets,Low-Carbs/No-Carbs,Vegan,Low-Fat and High-Fiber Diets.

I wish to follow each of these Diets,however am concerned.I want to eat a well balanced Diet and eat the suggested RDA's the Food Pyramid suggests.

I have been eating Meat,steamed Vegetables,Salad stuff,Turkey and Lettuce Wraps,Stir-Fry's using EVOO with lots of Veggies and throwing in part of a baked Chicken Breast (skin removed) and a little Fruit that is Low-Glycemic.

It feels as if I'm not getting something I need or not getting enough caloric intake.Perhaps not eating any Carbs is a shock to my System as Potatoes,Bread,Pasta and Rice has always been a part of my Diet.

Being diagnosed with Reactive Hypoglycemia,I think that 3 small Meals and 3 Healthy Snacks or 6 small Meals may be ideal for me.

Years ago when my late Father was diagnosed with Type II he was given a 1,500 Calorie ADA Diet that we both followed.All Foods were measured (3 square Meals and a Snack per Day),we ate a wide variety of Foods (even Carbs) and lost weight..

Am really having a hard time here..it's overwhelming me!

Sydnee

Everything in the food world is either a carb, a protein, a fat or a combination.

Vegetables- starchy or non- starchy are carbs- so you are not eliminating carbs from your diet- you are eliminating starch. There is no biological requirement for starchy carbs by the human body. There are essential amino acids from proteins, and fatty acids from fats that must be ingested- but there is no molecule called an essential carbohydrate.

As Lanie mentioned, we have been conditioned to eat grains and a lot of the available food is grain based because grains are CHEAP- and modern humans hunt with our eyes instead of our spears- so you think you are missing out on someting, but biologically- you are not. 

If you are still hungry after eating- you are probably shortchanging yourself in the fat department.  Eating fats makes us feel full and satisfied- you may went to end your meal with a nice piece of full fat cheese and a bit of fruit. Lentils and black soybeans are 'starchy' but are mostly protein and fiber- fiber will also make you feel full longer.

We all eat differently here. Overall, I think I take a more moderate approach to food than some others- I include dairy, beans, fruit, nuts, nut butters, soy products (I am a vegetarian), and veggies (all kinds of them- including the starchy ones such as carrots, beet, parsnips).  I eat sprouted bread every once in awhile. In general, I avoid processed grain foods, grains, and white potatoes.  I do eat oats and barley- but not much.

If you really desire to eat the starches, start by cutting way back- make them a condiment instead of the main portion of a meal. Switch to whole grains or low carb products- that will give you a good start and keep you from feeling so deprived. For those of us who are glucose impaired, the FDA food pyramid should have vegetables at the base, not starches.  I have seen diabetic eating pyramids that show vegetables and fruits on the bottom, protein and dairy on the next rung up, fats and nuts the next up, and starches and refined foods on the 'eat sparingly' top part. That works well for me!

sandy