Many people find themselves in a
predicament during the holidays when they are in the process of
trying to lose weight. Exposure to rich, fattening foods
is at an all time high and the best choices at pot lucks,
company parties, and traditional holiday meals are not what you
would normally consume.
Fiber, water and protein will be
the essential ingredients in assisting your body in the
metabolizing process of the foods you consume.
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How will you use fiber, water
and protein to your benefit?
Ideally, you will take three to
five psyllium capsules with a full 8 ounce glass of water
approximately 30 minutes before your meal. If you are
having any starchy carbohydrates such as rice, pasta, potatoes
or breads or any kind of sugar, you will want to take five
capsules. If you are eating lean protein with green leafy
vegetables, three capsules will suffice. Psyllium husk can
be found at the drug store, grocery store, WalMart, Target, etc.
The name brand is Metamucil and generic versions usually say,
Fiber Therapy" on the bottle. Check the ingredients to
make sure your getting the right thing.
The fiber forms bulk in the
stomach, which stimulates the satisfaction center in the brain,
which helps you avoid overeating. Additionally, as the
carbohydrates break down into simple sugars, the fiber wraps
itself around these simple sugars and allows your body to
produce a slow, steady amount of insulin, which is the fat
storing hormone, instead of having the insulin spike, which
causes the body to store the simple sugars as fat in the adipose
tissue in the body. And because it slows down the
metabolizing process, you will feel full and satisfied for
longer periods of time in between your meals.
A protein supplement is important
if you are consuming a meal that might not give you enough
protein, which happens a lot during the winter for many people.
A good example of this is soup, which can be very healthy and
nutritious, but rarely gives you the amount of protein you need,
even when there is protein in the soup. And, if you are
eating a meal with more carbohydrates than usual, such as pasta,
I recommend you incorporate a great protein juice on the market
called Isopure. This drink comes in many delicious flavors
including blue raspberry, mango peach, icy orange and grape.
You can find Isopure at GNC. It has 40 grams of protein
and also includes calcium, magnesium and potassium with zero
carbohydrates and zero sugars. I recommend consuming the
half a bottle of Isopure right before or even during your meal.
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When you consume half a bottle of Isopure
before your meal, you begin the production of glucogon in the blood
stream, which is the fat burning hormone. The drink ensures that
you are consuming the appropriate amount of protein in your meal,
keeping the protein to carbohydrate ratio balanced.
Between the fiber, water and protein, you
will be able to avoid overeating and you will find it unnecessary to
have more than just a taste of any of the traditional holiday fare that
tends to inhibit your ability to stay on track with your weight loss
regimen.
Preparing for the Holidays