Dixie Diner Boston Cream Pie |
Carb Krunchers Low Carb Brownies |
Steviva Stevia Powder |
Dixie Diner Boston Cream Pie |
Carb Krunchers Low Carb Brownies |
Steviva Stevia Powder |
NoOodle Noodles are now available. Zero calories, zero net carb noodles created from yam flour and a touch of lime.
As more and more research and clinical trials take place into low-carb, high-protein diets we are discovering that there are many health advantages other than losing weight.
A new study using mice has found that low-carb diets could reduce the risk of getting cancer as well as slow the growth of tumors in cancer sufferers.
The British Columbia Cancer Research Center has been running clinical trials using mice that were fed a diet similar to the South Beach or other Low-GI diets. The mice that ate a diet that consisted of 15% carbs, 58% protein and 26% fat, were found to have slower tumor cell growth than laboratory mice that were fed a more typical American diet of 55% carbs, 23% protein and 22% fat.
The research team put mice that were predisposed to developing breast cancer into two teams, one team were fed the high-carb traditional Western diet, the other the low-carb, high-protein diet. During the first year, almost half of the mice on the high-carb diet actually developed the cancer, but none of the mice fed on the low-carb diet developed breast cancer.
During the 2 year trial only one of the mice on the high-carb diet lived his full life expectancy, and of all the mice on the western diet—70% died of cancer. In the team fed on the low-carb diet, only 30% developed cancer, and more than 50% of the mice reached their life expectancy or exceeded it.
Gerald Krystal, a scientist at the research center, said: “This shows that something as simple as a change in diet can have an impact on cancer risk” The researcher also added “On the Western diet, half of the mice had tumors by middle age. On the low-carb diet, none of the mice had the tumors”.
The study had proved that tumor cells are fed by glucose. By simply decreasing the amount of carbohydrates eaten the glucose in the body is greater reduced, so tumors cannot use it as fuel to grow. Whilst the study was based on mice, the principals should also be strong enough to be applied to our own eating habits.
In addition to this, reducing the amount of carbohydrates consumed also limits the amount of insulin the body produces. Insulin has been found in past studies to actively speed the growth of tumors in both humans and mice.
The emphasis on choosing both good carbs and good fats however, is paramount to overall health.
Recent research has found that low carbohydrate/high fat diets will not lead to hardening of the arteries in patients.
Dr. Kerry Stewart of Johns Hopkins reported that those who lost 10 pounds after undertaking a low carb/high fat diet had no more hardening of the arteries than a dieter on a traditional low fat diet.
Presenting to the American College of Sports Medicine in Denver he said “Losing weight may be more important to health than the diet you’re on, counter to what the public has been told for the last 20 or so years,”
There has been much opposition to low carb/high fat diets over the years, with researchers often raising concerns about adverse effects on heart health and blood vessels in dieters who go on low carb diets such as the Atkins diet.
These latest studies show that low carb diets can actually have a positive effect on heart health including, lowering cholesterol and blood pressure. They also show that the diets may reduce the risk of artery diseases such as atherosclerosis, so therefore reduce the risk of heart disease.
Stewart enrolled 55 obese or overweight, but relatively healthy, patients aged between 30 and 65 to take part in a lifestyle modification program. None of the patients had heart disease, or any markers of risk to cardiovascular health.
The patients were split into two groups with one set being given a low carb diet to follow for six months and the other a low fat diet. They also had to undertake an hour of supervised exercise three days a week. Researchers then monitored the patients for arterial stiffness and various other blood vessel health measures.
The findings showed that the same number of people in each group lost 10 pounds, but those on the low carb diet lost the weight quicker; in 45 days as opposed to the 70 days it took the low fat dieters to lose 10 pounds.
Tests on the patients revealed that there were no changes in arterial stiffness in either of the diet groups, nor was there any change in endothelial functions. Even with adjustments made to take into account the different lengths of time it took to lose the weight, the results of each group were the same.
In an interview with MedPage Dr. Stewart said: “My theory is that if people can achieve weight loss, it will benefit vasculature in every other system of body. Weight loss, in the long run, will count more than the specific content of the diet.”
The research also showed that there weren’t any acute effects on vascular function after a single high fat meal. A companion study with 66 patients revealed that there were no changes in endothelial function after consuming a meal at MacDonalds that contained 900 calories and 50 grams of fat. Conversely, it was discovered that arterial stiffness improved by 16% after consuming the meal. Of this finding Steward remarked: “It really seemed to make the arteries relax more, but we’re not entirely sure how. We’ll have to look more deeply into that.”
Other researchers have asked for longer-term follow up research, and for analysis to be included of the effects of different types of fat.
Steward promised that he would look at future analysis breaking down the types of fat consumed and assured people that the dieticians involved in the initial study had advised patients to stick to healthier fats such as monounsaturated fats and omega-3 fatty acids
He also added that this research should help put aside doctors and dieters concerns about low carb diets.
Michael Nace is a low carb blogger for Linda’s Diet Delites, a leading online retailer of the finest low carb foods!
Simply Scrumptous Low Carb Low Fat Coffee Cake is now available in Very Berry flavor. Just like the other coffeecakes, these are only 70 calories each and 5g net carbs.
One of the things that people miss most on a low carb diet are candy bars and sweet snacks. However, there is no need to completely exclude these from your diet, Linda’s Diet Delites has a great selection of low carb bars and low carb snacks to keep your sweet tooth happy without de-railing your low carb diet.
Sometimes we get a bit peckish and need something quick and handy to tide us over until the next meal. It’s all too easy to get tempted by a candy bar or packet of potato chips, but with a bit of forward planning you can stock your cupboards (and your purse) with healthy, nutricious, and more importantly, low carb bars that will fill that hunger hole but still leave you feeling saintly afterwards.
Atkins Advantage Bars are low carb (just 10g net carbs per bar), low in sugar and yet high in protein. The bars are 1.6 ounces so enough to satisfy your appetite and they come in 14 different flavors for you to choose from, so you will be spoilt for choice. These low carb bars are also on special offer at the moment with a 17% discount, retailing at $7.49 for a box of 5.
Atkins Advantage Low Carb Bars |
We also sell Atkins Endulge bars, these are a luxurious low carb alternative to regular candy bars. There are 6 flavors to choose from and each low carb bar has no more than 3g net carbs. Again, we currently have these on special offer with a 28% discount and they retail at $6.49 for a box of 5.
Atkins Endulge Low Carb Bars |
Eat Rite Crisps Bars are made from rice and marshmallows, and flavored with vanilla. A delicious snack that with only 2 diet counts and 5g net carbs can easily be incorporated into your low carb diet. A pack of 7 bars costs $9.99. They are also gluten free.
Just the Cheese Low Carb Bars |
Doctor’s Carbrite Diet Bars not only contain just 2.5g of net carbs they are also free from artificial sweetners such as aspartame and sucralose. They contain no hydrogenated fats or trans-fats making them a truely exceptionally healthy choice of low carb bar. They come in ten great flavors and are just $1.95 a bar.
Doctor’s CarbRite Diet Bars |
Dixie Diner Sticky Bars |
We all know that on occasion it can be difficult to stay on track while on a low carb diet. Temptation lies all around us, and it’s not always easy to pick the right food choices. One of a low carb dieter’s biggest problems lie with trying to find low carb snacks. Sure, a handful of nuts, a (small) piece of fruit (for the low carb dieter on maintenance), or a stick of celery are great (and healthy) low carb snacks, but sometimes our tastebuds crave something different.
We know that potato chips, cookies and crackers are out of bounds. We know that regular granola bars, candy bars, and muffins are no good for us, so just what can we eat?
Luckily, there are now a delicious and healthy range of low carb snacks as well as chips and crackers for you to choose from, so you never have to be tempted by a bag of potato chips again. The low carb food industry specifically focuses on how the highest-carb snack foods can be deconstructed and re-imagined to give low carb dieters the satisfaction of crunchy, salty, starchy comfort foods. You’ll be surprised at what they’ve come up with!
These Dixie Diner Pita Chips are wheat free and come in two flavors; sweet cinnamon (for those with a sweet tooth) and tomato basil. They can either be eaten on their own like regular chips or dipped into a low carb spread or salsa or some home made guacamole.
Dixie Diner Pita Chips |
Just the Cheese Crunchy Baked Cheese Chips are not only fantastic to eat as a low carb snack on the go, they are brilliant to use for toppings in savory crumbles, crunchy alternatives to croutons in salads and soups, and instead of breadcrumbs for coating. They also come in 9 different flavors!
Just the Cheese Crunchy Baked Cheese Chips |
Skinny Crisps Low Carb Crisps are made from primarily from ground almonds and chickpea flour and are perfect for those on both low carb and gluten free diets whilst being high in fiber. They come in a range of flavors and are an excellent way of curbing hunger pangs. Just three or four chips are enough to keep your hunger at bay until dinner time.
Skinny Crisps Low Carb Chips |
Healthwise Bakery Zero Net Carb Bagel Chips are not only carb free but also low in calories. These come in 7 different flavors and can be enjoyed with your favorite low carb spreads such as peanut butter or one of great flavored jelly spread.
Healthwise Bakery Zero Bagel Chips |
For even more low carb snacks please visit our website www.lindasdietdelites.com
We all know that low carb diets are excellent ways of losing weight. By restricting the amount of carbohydrates we eat, the body produces less glucose which in turn means our body burn more fat. However, whilst we know that we need to avoid breads, pastas, baked goods etc, are we really aware of just how many carbs are found in other foods? Foods that we consider to be carb free can actually be harboring a lot of hidden carbs.
Processed Carbs
Lots of processed condiments and salad dressing have either sugar added, or if it’s a low fat equivalent, then artificial sweeteners such as maltodextrin, dextrose and corn syrup solids. These additives are all carbohydrates and have exactly the same glycemix index as glucose. As well as being sweetened with these chemicals, processed foods are quite often thickened with wheat or corn starches as well.
Blended spices such as Chinese 5 spice, garam masala and chilli powder can surprisingly contain up to a gram per teaspoon. Spices made from roots, bark or seeds such as coriander, cinnamon and black pepper also contain a gram per teaspoon. Stock cubes usually contain sugar and corn syrup and have about a gram per ½ cube.
Processed meats in particular tend to have hidden carbs; ham, corned beef, meatloaf, bacon and sausages all contain either sugar or starch fillers added, and in some cases both. Products labelled low or non-fat are more likely to have starches added. Canned fish products also have sugars and starches added to their sauces or brine. Imitation crab meat is particularly high in added carbs with 12-15 grams of carbs for every 4 ounces.
Natural Carbs
It’s not just processed foods that have hidden carbohydrates, natural foods such as cream, cheese, eggs, fish and meats in their natural states. Liver scores high in naturally found carbohydrates with beef having almost 9 grams per 4 oz serving and veal or calf liver having 3.1 grams. Even seafood has hidden carbs – clams, mussels and oysters being the worst offenders with 5.8 grams, 8.4 grams and 8 grams respectively for a 4 oz cooked serving.
Food labelling can be misleading, in the US for example food manufacturers are allowed to round up (or down) the numbers, so a carton of heavy cream could have the label showing as zero carbohydrates when in actual fact it contains 0.6 grams per ounce. Cheddar cheese has 0.5 grams per ounce and Swiss cheese 0.9 grams. Half a cup of ricotta has 6 grams of carbs and fat-free plain yogurt has 8 grams per ½ cup.
Beverages
We know that alcoholic beverages contain carbs, with beer and wine being the worse culprits. We are also aware that the way that they are absorb by the liver rather than being used directly for fuel means that they stall weight loss but did you know that other beverages are also hiding carbs?
Coffee, both regular and decaffeinated, contains 0.8 grams per 6 fluid ounces. Herbal teas can contain up to 0.5 grams with fruit-teas having even more.
Doctor in the Kitchen Flackers low carb flax seed crackers are now available.
From Doctor in the Kitchen, “Flackers are a delicious, health giving, flax seed cracker. The seeds are sprouted to increase the bioavailability of the nutrients then dehydrated at low temperatures to preserve the omega-3 fatty acid. Flax seeds should be part of every optimal health and longevity diet. They are high in alpha linolenic acid – a heart healthy omega-3 fatty acid. They are packed with fiber, which helps to maintain normal cholesterol levels and promote optimal digestion. Also, these powerhouse seeds are filled with antioxidants, protein, plant lignans, and many vitamins and minerals.”