What I always liked about low carb was, if I stuck to it, I’d reduce my cravings. But it’s so hard to stick to it when you can only eat meats and broccoli. This is where glycemic load comes in - limiting the glycemic load gains much of the benefit of low carb without the super-restricted diet. Basically, glycemic load is a direct measure of how much blood-sugar-increasing effect a food has, so limiting glycemic load means limiting your blood sugar fluctuations, thereby limiting the blood-sugar crash which causes cravings.

So low glycemic load preserves most of the benefit of low carb/low sugar while expanding your food choices. Example: apples are low GL - anything under 10 GL is low and apples are 6, and I find there is almost no snack food as satisfying as an apple, especially to satisfy that occasional sweet craving.

The reason why something sugary like an apple is OK is this: the GL measures the real effect of a food on blood sugar, which takes into account our digestive processes. In essence, a low-GL food digests more slowly than a high GL food, so even though an apple has more sugar than other snacks, it absorbs more slowly. The fiber content also helps fill you up. And it’s about as healthy a food as you can eat.

So here’s what I’ve been doing to stick to it:

- low GL foods - all low-carb foods plus legumes, most vegetables, some fruits. Nuts are really good (though my son is allergic so I can’t have them..)
- smaller portions, lots of water - I’ve really been focusing on eating slowly and enjoying my meals, and drinking lots of water. It’s a cliche in weight loss, but it really does allow you to fill up on less.
- eat regular meals, don’t wait until you’re really hungry - we fall back into bad habits when we’re very hungry, so don’t skip meals and keep them regular. An apple in the middle of the day is a great way to avoid coming home from work ravenous.
- no diet pop - I cut all diet pops; I’ve heard they cause cravings, and I never believed it until I quit cold turkey and found my cravings much less compelling. Now it’s all water for me (though I do still drink a lot of coffee)
- Dreamfields pasta - the taste of pasta with a very low glycemic load. It’s amazing stuff.
- legumes - lentils, kidney beans, etc. These are “carby” foods which nonetheless have low GL, and have great intestinal benefits in moderate portions.
- don’t be afraid of some fat - as long as you don’t overdo it, fats help fill you up and curb hunger.

I’ve been on this diet for nearly a month and I’ve never felt so content on a diet. I don’t get very hungry at all during the day - usually I feel like I’m really suffering on a diet, but not on this one. It does take discipline, yes, but not a lot of sacrifice. If you’re frustrated on your current regimen, maybe give GL-reduction a try.

I can’t tell you how much happier I am with my body now that I’m at a healthy weight. It is an amazing feeling. Do it.

– Peter

new site design is nice-looking! woot!

My mom, who taught everything between grades 3-8 for almost 30 years and was born to be a teacher, is positive that if she were just starting out today, there’s no way she would put herself through it. All they can do is teach to the tests … teachers in public schools are no longer allowed to actually teach the kids anything useful. A good friend of ours is currently teaching middle school in Manhattan, and she’s only been at it 3 years and she’s already almost done for the exact same reason.

My aunt is in charge of the “no child left behind” program for the state of Maine, and she’s got some stories to tell too … :/

I come from somewhat of a biased position because I, too, never spent a day in a public school … but if I had kids, I would mortgage my life 3x to put them into a private high school, and figure out how to pay for college later. Only the private schools have the leeway to actually *teach*. And boy, is that ever a messed up situation.

Where I grew up we got toads, hardly ever frogs. There was always at least one living in our basement — we all knew to be careful whenever we went down there, lest we step on one. I’ll never forget the day my sister found one and was holding it and it peed all over her hand … hahahahaha

I hear ya about the bread. I grew up in a household where at least one person was always on a special diet (my dad’s diabetic diet) or dieting in some way, so I guess I just have the mindset that if it costs a little more to eat right, that’s just a cost of living and make it up elsewhere. I know that’s easier said than done, though.

It sounds like you’re definitely on the right track. Have you talked to your doctor about all this? I know you’re fighting DNA as well as calories :}, but sometimes there’s other factors involved, too. One of our good friends had a hell of a time losing weight until he went to the doctor and found out he had some thyroid issues. He started taking medication and the weight fell right off and has stayed off, it’s incredible.