I took the first step and bought the book....

L

LuckeeLaydee

Cathlete
Eat to Live by Joel Fuhrman.

Can anyone here tell me more about their experiences with this eating plan? Anyone not had success with it? My biggest fears are 1) I will lose muscle tone without so much protein (I averge about 110 gms protien per day) and 2) how do I feed my husband and son at the same time without massive work?

Any suggestions/input? TIA.

http://www.picturetrail.com/luckeelaydee

Paula
 
You may want to add some more protein (like hemp protein powder: hemp is an excellent source of easily assimilable protein), but I've got to say, 110 grams of protein is more than you need (or is healthful, IMO.)

Muscle will come from sufficient nutrients (overall calories, not just protein) and work (and recovery).

I'd be perhaps more concerned about overall calorie intake than protein per se. If you find you are starting to lose muscle mass, first look at the calorie count, then consider adding in some protein.

I've read Fuhrman's book (and use his multi vitamins), but I haven't followed his diet in particular. I do agree that eliminating processed oils and increasing greens is a very healthful step to take. I'm not so much in agreement with his guidelines for ideal body weight. I'm an ecto, but even so, if I weighed the 112# (or maybe it was 114#!) he says is ideal for me, I'd be a stick! (I did once weigh 112 for a short time as an adult, and I felt like a stick!)

I'm sure Carole (McMain) will have some info and tips for you!
 
You could always to a search on Eat to Live, as there were a few threads in the last 2 years!! I agree with Kathryn that 110 grams of protein a day is probably not healthy. But as you I did struggle in the beginning of the ETL program with protein amounts. I did cut back my protein to about 60-80 grams a day at first. I was running and doing a P90X rotation. I actually got great results (I lost 17 lbs) and did not loose any muscle tone, I gained some! I had a bit of trouble during runs of longer than 10 miles, but I used a gel that had added protein and that seemed to help the transition. I'd say I probably eat about 50-65 grams a day now and feel great. My feelings are to get good results and muscle tone you have to lift heavy and eat CLEAN!! When I don't eat clean I will loose definition. I find that even harder as I age and get closer to menopause.

The Eat To Live program does require extra work to eat. I would do alot of cooking on the weekends and freeze food so during the week when we both worked, dinners were easy. My DH went along with it so it wasn't hard as he helped. Are your DH and DS willing to go along with the program??..Good Luck...:)
 
I haven't brought it up to my DH yet, But I think I can safely assume that he is not interested in the plan.
I am just sick and tired of the last 5-10 pounds hanging on as well as good health, and I would like to give this a good try. I figured I would start with the non vegetarian plan for a week to ease into it, and then the second week transition to the vegetarian (or vegan?) version.
I kind of assumed I would have to cook on the weekends, use my dishes as side dishes for them and cook them chicken or fish. We could all eat salad as we often do now.
Do you ladies think a seven week period is a long enough time to see the benefits of this diet?
Carole, I am also concerned about enough fats to keep the skin and hair healthy. I am 49 and already have slightly dry skin. It seems like this is low fat as well as low carb (except vegetable carbs of course) and that concerns me.
Did you eat meat at the beginning to "transition" into the full program?
Thanks for your insight.
Paula

http://www.picturetrail.com/luckeelaydee

Paula
 
I do think 7 weeks is enough time to see benefits. The lower fat is really during the 1st 6 weeks for the people interested in loosing weight. Nuts are a good source of fat as well as avocado and that is what I eat. You can keep track of how much fat, carbs and protein you are getting at www.fitday.com . I did that in the beginning to make sure I was getting in the right amounts of everything. I think if I remember right the first week I was going to add chicken to a salad and my DH said "I thought we were going vegetarian" so out went the chicken and I have not had any since!...:)
 
> I am also concerned about enough fats to keep the skin
>and hair healthy.

I would add some raw, whole-food-based fats as necessary (avocado, nuts, coconut) rather than processed fats (most oils, roasted nuts), since you get the benefits of the fats along with the benefits of the enzymes (destroyed by heating and processing) that help the body digest the fat (lipase) so it is used more efficiently. (With nuts, it's best to soak them first, to help remove some enzyme inhibitors that they contain, then let them air dry or dehydrate them).

Also, using raw coconut oil topically is an excellent idea, as it has a fat profile (medium-chain fatty acids grouped into medium-chain triglycerides) that is very similar to that of sebum (our body's own oil).
 
I will start next week or the week after. I need to go shopping and get my "ducks in a row" (uh oh meat!) before I start.
I will, however, start changing some of my meals right away.
today I had oatmeal with flaxseed, a little almond milk, and an apple for breakfast, a HUGE salad, some amys organic split pea soup and a pear for lunch and I am STUFFED. I thought I would die without my in between meal snacks but so far so good. We'll see if I make it to dinner. I will probably eat a piece of fish since it was already planned into the menu, but the rest will be vegies.

By the way, does ezekiel bread work ok in substitue for the pita bread from time to time?

Thanks ladies for sharing the information.



http://www.picturetrail.com/luckeelaydee

Paula
 
Hey Kathryn,

Could you eloaborate more on Coconut and coconut oil? How you use it and why? Thanks~deb
 
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