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SECRETS OF THE FAT RESISTANCE DIETÔ By Leo Galland M.D. and Jonathan Galland
SECTION ONE: SUPERFOODS
An exciting advance in The Fat Resistance Diet is that it’s not just what you don’t eat that creates weight loss and vibrant health. What you do eat is vitally important. The program in our book has been carefully built on a foundation of Fat Resistance Superfoods that support health and weight loss by fighting inflammation. Here’s some information on our favorite and tastiest Superfoods. A complete list of Fat Resistance superfoods is available at www.fatresistancediet.com
1. LOSE WEIGHT WITH ALMONDS Almonds are not only delicious and crunchy. They're a powerhouse of nutrients that help with weight loss and can help your heart. That’s why we use almonds frequently in the Meal Plans included in The Fat Resistance Diet.
When overweight Americans used almonds (about 2/3 cup/day) as part of a weight loss diet, they increased weight loss by 62% more than when following a standard weight loss diet and had a 50% greater reduction in waist circumference. Their unique health benefits and great taste make almonds an important part of The Fat Resistance Diet.
Insulin resistance is a negative effect of being overweight. Insulin resistance raises your risk of developing diabetes, high blood pressure, heart attacks, strokes and Alzheimer's disease. Research done at the city of Hope National Medical Center in California found that incorporating almonds into a weight loss diet produced a decrease in insulin resistance that was twice as large as with a standard weight loss diet. Diabetics showed almost twice the improvement in blood sugar control when they lost weight on an almond enriched diet than a standard diabetic weight loss diet.
When healthy American adults eating selfselected diets were asked to eat 1/2 cup of almonds per day, and were given no other dietary advice, terrific changes in their nutrient intake occurred: 1 consumption of dangerous transfats and cholesterol decreased while consumption of beneficial monounsaturated fats increased. 2 consumption of sugar significantly decreased while consumption of fiber increased. A Canadian study found that 2/3 cup of almonds a day, when added as a snack food to the diets of people with elevated cholesterol, significantly reduced the levels of total and LDLcholesterol and especially reduced the dangerous oxidized LDLcholesterol. When a lower dose of almonds (only 12
nuts per day) was combined with a diet high in soy protein and fiber, the effect on cholesterol was as great as using a statin drug. This diet also reduced the level of Creactive protein (CRP), a marker of inflammation. Almond snacks are a regular feature of The Fat Resistance Diet meal plan and recipes.
2. BENEFITS OF BLUEBERRIES We love this rich, dark fruit that mixes sweetness and tartness in every mouthful. As a family tradition, when hiking together on the high ridges of the Appalachian Trail in northwest Connecticut, we gather wild blueberries, warmed by the sun, growing along the trail's edge. This is truly a movable feast that can go on for miles.
Blueberries are divided into two major species: the wild ones are called "low bush" and the farmed berries are "high bush". Both types have received a great deal of favorable attention from scientists over the past several years. Their deep blue to purple color is caused by a group of flavonoids called anthocyanins, which have remarkable antioxidant power. Laboratory tests suggest that these berries may help to prevent degenerative diseases, including 1 2 heart disease 3 stroke 4 memory loss
Like their cousins, cranberries, blueberries contain flavonoids that can prevent urinary tract infection.
Blueberries protect humans and animals from the effects of a condition known as oxidative stress, which underlies all of the common disorders associated with aging. Oxidative stress increases with high fat meals and with exposure to environmental toxins. Here's what eating blueberries can do for oxidative stress:
When healthy volunteers ate blueberry powder along with a high fat meal, the blueberries produced a significant increase in the antioxidant status of their blood, compared to the high fat meal alone.
Fresh or frozen blueberries and blueberry concentrate are used throughout The Fat Resistance Diet to add flavor and color to power breakfasts, tasty snacks and delicious desserts. Fresh or frozen blueberries and blueberry concentrate are used throughout the Fat Resistance Diet to add flavor and color to power breakfasts, tasty snacks and delicious desserts. For a breakfast treat, try our Smart Start Smoothie or Blueberry Cinnamon Bowl. Berries alone are good for a snack or dessert at any time, but are even better when topped with plain nonfat yogurt. For a stylish variation, try the Blueberry Parfait or Frosty Yogurt.
3. INFLAMMATIONFIGHTING CHERRIES We use cherries in The Fat Resistance Diet, for their succulent flavor and beautiful color. Cherries are also important for their ability to control
inflammation, a major purpose of The Fat Resistance Diet. My son Jonathan Galland created delicious recipes in our book that use cherry concentrate. Our philosophy is to incorporate antiinflammatory Fat Resistance Superfoods like cherries into a total dietary pattern and lifestyle that creates optimum health and wellbeing while efficiently promoting weight loss.
Sweet or tart, cherries are a powerhouse of antiinflammatory nutrients. 1 A study from University of California at Davis found that regular consumption of cherries for 28 days produced a decrease in biochemical signs of inflammation in blood, including a 25% reduction in Creactive protein (CRP), the most widely studied marker of inflammation. Elevation of CRP in blood is associated with an increased risk of heart disease and stroke.
2 Another study from UC Davis found that a single dose of cherries reduced the blood level of uric acid in healthy women. Excess uric acid causes gout, a very painful type of arthritis. The use of cherries to prevent gout is well established in Western folk medicine.
Cherries are also rich sources of 1 vitamin C 2 potassium 3 boron, a mineral that plays an essential role in bone health, especially for women.
Cherries and pure cherry concentrate add color and flavor to many desserts in The Fat Resistance Diet, including the amazing Black Forest
Banana Split, Cherry Mint Parfait and Cinnamon Lemon Poached Pears with Cherry Syrup.
4. HOW TO BENEFIT FROM FLAX SEED We use freshly ground flax seed in all stages of The Fat Resistance Diet because of its pleasant, nutlike flavor and its proven health benefits.
Research in humans has shown that flaxseed can (1) reduce blood levels of cholesterol (including the dangerous LDL cholesterol) in people with elevated cholesterol levels (2) reduce blood levels of triglycerides, another risk factor for heart disease (3) reduce sugar absorption from food (4) decrease the levels of chemicals involved in producing inflammation, like Creactive protein (CRP).
The dose used in these studies usually is 1 to 2 tablespoons a day.
If you’re a premenopausal woman, flax seed helps to maintain a healthy ratio of estrogen to progesterone during the menstrual cycle.
Flax seed has also been found to buffer the effects of mental stress caused by performing a frustrating task. Flax seed reduced the increase in blood pressure and release of the stress hormone cortisol from the adrenal glands. This may be important for weight loss, because cortisol is a major cause of stressinduced weight gain.
Because flax seeds are very small and hard, you’re unlikely to absorb any significant amount of lignans or alphalinolenic acid from intact flax seed. We recommend grinding flax seed fresh, just before using it. All you need is organic flax seed (easy to find in health food stores and supermarkets these days) and a simple, inexpensive coffee grinder. Grinding takes about 5 seconds.
Start your day with ground flax seeds in our Smart Start Smoothie, Omega Blast Granola or Blueberry Cinnamon Bowl.
5. FRESH HERBS: BASIL, PARSLEY AND CILANTRO We love basil, parsley and cilantro for their amazing flavors and health benefits. That's why the recipes and meal plans of The Fat Resistance Diet™ are filled with these aromatic herbs. We are delighted to share with you creative ways to get these herbs into your day, to maximize nutrition and flavor.
These herbs are more available than ever, fresh or frozen at the supermarket, the farmers market, the natural food store. You can also plant an outdoor or indoor herb garden. Be sure to include three savory herbs with amazing health benefits: basil, parsley and cilantro. They grow equally well in the ground or in pots. All three are rich in diseasefighting, antiinflammatory phytonutrients called polyphenols and carotenoids.
Basil belongs to a family of aromatic herbs that includes rosemary, thyme, sage, oregano, mint and lavender. Its bright green color and fresh, tangy flavor make basil a favorite in Italian cooking.
Basil's delicate aroma is produced by essential oils that have antibacterial, antifungal and antioxidant effects of their own. Parsley outstrips almost all other vegetables in its ability to raise the levels of antioxidant enzymes in your blood. Parsley gets its health benefits from:
1. A high content of carotenoids. It has almost twice the carotenoid content of carrots (the vegetable for which carotenoids were named) and is matched only by red peppers and kale 2. Apigenin, the major polyphenol in parsley, which is part of the group of compounds called bioflavonoids.
Cilantro, also known as Asian parsley or coriander, is a frequent garnish in Latin and Asian cuisines. Cilantro’s remarkable components can 1. Reduce high blood sugar 2. Lower levels of cholesterol 3. Kill dangerous bacteria 4. Help rid your body of toxic metals by binding to them and promoting their detoxification.
Parsley is used liberally in salads and cooked meals throughout all stages of The Fat Resistance Diet.
Cilantro flavors dishes like our Mexican Salad, Five Spice Chicken, Cilantro Shrimp with Pomegranate Salsa, Asian Grilled Chicken Salad, and several delicious frittatas.
The sweet flavor of fresh basil can be found in favorites like Portobello Pizza, Sesame Cabbage with Carrot, Parsley and Basil, HerbCrusted Fish, Immune Power Soup and of course PestoVinagrette.
Herbs like basil, parsley and cilantro reveal one secret of The Fat Resistance Diet™. The magic is in the details. The way that meals are prepared and seasoned not only makes them mouthwatering, but also makes them anti inflammatory.
6. THE ALLIUM FAMILY OF VEGETABLES GARLIC, ONIONS, LEEKS, CHIVES AND SCALLIONS
Allium vegetables, such as garlic, onions, leeks, chives, and scallions, are used all over the world to flavor delicious meals. In addition to their rich flavors, they possess strong medicinal properties. 1. They stimulate immunity and resistance to infection. 2. They suppress inflammation. 3
They stimulate your body’s detoxification of environmental pollutants.
Garlic oil eaten twice a day by people with heart disease significantly improved exercise tolerance during a 6week period. In a laboratory experiment, a component of garlic induced the shrinkage and disappearance of fat cells through a natural process. Because of their culinary and health importance, Allium vegetables are eaten
every day as part The Fat Resistance Diet™. The abundance of Allium vetegables helps to make The Fat Resistance Diet™ not only a delicious way to lose weight but the healthiest diet you can follow for life.
7. OLIVE OIL for flavor and health ExtraVirgin Olive Oil is our family’s favorite. We love the rich flavor that evokes lovely hills dotted with olive trees in Italy, Spain and Greece. While traveling in Greece years ago my sons and I were hiking and sought shelter under the sturdy branches and green canopy of these trees during a storm. The fruit of these trees have been producing fine oil for centuries, oil which has been prized for its health benefits. Now California also produces excellent oil.
The amazing health benefits of olive oil have received a considerable amount of attention over the past two decades. A study from Spain has shown that higher olive oil consumption was associated with leaner body weight. This is likely due to its antiinflammatory properties. The health benefits of olive oil are traced to two main factors: (1) Oleic acid, a monounsaturated fatty acid, which is highly concentrated in olive oil. Consumption of oleic acid has been associated with 1 Reduction of total cholesterol and an increase in the high density cholesterol (HDLC), which has a protective effect on your blood vessels. 2 Improved sensitivity of your cells to insulin, which helps to prevent the Metabolic Syndrome. The Metabolic
Syndrome, which affects about 25% of U.S. adults, increases your risk of heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity. It is strongly associated with a lack of sensitivity of your cells to insulin. 3 Decreased risk of heart disease, high blood pressure and Alzheimer's disease. 4 (2) Phenolic compounds, which are potent antioxidants found in virgin and extravirgin olive oil. These compounds give unrefined olive oils their distinctive flavors and high degree of stability.
Recent research has identified another antioxidant called oleocanthal, which is only found in extravirgin olive oil. Oleocanthal is a natural anti inflammatory compound with potency strikingly similar to that of the drug ibuprofen in inhibiting an enzyme that causes pain and inflammation. Studies have shown that people with arthritis experience a decrease in pain and stiffness of their joints when treated with fish oil. When extravirgin olive oil is added to fish oil, the benefits are greater and occur faster.
The amount of olive oil associated with protection against inflammation is about the amount you receive when you follow The Fat Resistance Diet, which features olive oil in many recipes and throughout the meal plans.
Cooking Tip: An easy way to use just a small amount of olive oil when cooking is by using an olive oil spray.
8. POMEGRANATE, A JUICE FOR ALL SEASONS This ancient fruit is one of the most highly researched foods of the Twenty first Century. Interest in pomegranate, stems from the high concentration of antioxidants that accompanies the sweetness of its juice. Pomegranate juice has undergone more clinical trials in humans than any fruit juice. These studies have demonstrated that daily consumption of pomegranate juice, about 8 ounces a day for 3 months or more: (1) Reduces dangerous LDLcholesterol in blood (2) Improves blood flow to the heart in patients with coronary artery disease (3) Reduces thickening of the arteries that supply blood to the brain (4) Lowers the level of systolic blood pressure (5) Increases antioxidant activity in the blood of patients with diabetes Laboratory studies have demonstrated that pomegranate juice can maintain the health of your blood vessels by several interacting mechanisms: (1) Reversing a process called LDLoxidation. LDL, which stands for lowdensity lipoprotein, is the major protein responsible for transporting cholesterol in your blood and depositing cholesterol in the walls of blood vessels. The level of oxidized LDL in blood is emerging as a leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease. (2) Decreasing inflammation in the lining of blood vessels. Inflammatory cells called macrophages, found in the walls of your arteries, accumulate cholesterol and deposit it in the vessel wall, initiating a process called atherosclerosis, a major step in hardening of the arteries. Pomegranate juice prevents this type of inflammation and inhibits
atherosclerosis. (3) Raising the levels of nitric oxide, a chemical that keeps your arteries supple and flexible. Many types of stress impair your blood vessels’ ability to make nitric oxide or increase the rate of its destruction. Pomegranate juice can prevent both reasons for reduced nitric oxide: impaired synthesis and rapid breakdown.
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The exact factors in pomegranate juice responsible for its beneficial effects are not certain. Whenever it’s been studied, unsweetened pomegranate juice has been more effective than any single component or combination of known components. Not only does pomegranate juice contain potent phenolic anti oxidants, like other brightly colored fruits, but pomegranate juice contains unique complex sugars that are antiinflammatory on their own. In diabetic humans and mice, feeding pomegranate sugars did not raise blood sugar. Compared to the sugar from white grapes, pomegranate sugar had significant antioxidant effects in diabetic mice. White grape sugar actually increased oxidant stress in diabetic mice, whereas pomegranate sugar decreased their oxidant stress.
In The Fat Resistance Diet, we use only pure unsweetened pomegranate juice. Juice mixtures that add pomegranate to white grape juice not only dilute but may even counteract the pomegranate effect. Some of the favorite pomegranate recipes in The Fat Resistance Diet are Pomegranate Chicken, Pomegranate Lime Dressing, Fruit Kebabs with Pomegranate Glaze, Omega
Blast Granola and Pomegranate Banana Parfait.
9. SPOTLIGHT ON STRAWBERRIES
Juicy and sweet strawberries can be readily found frozen in supermarkets, or fresh in summer markets and farm stands. They make excellent snacks and desserts. Strawberries are rich sources of phenolic antioxidants that: 1. reverse inflammation 2. aid in weight loss 3. reduce the risk of chronic disease.
Strawberry extracts have direct antiinflammatory effects, inhibiting the activation of genes and enzymes that promote inflammation. Most of this benefit is due to another group of phenolic antioxidants called anthocyanins, which help give ripe strawberries their lush red color. Anthocyanins decrease the risk of heart disease and stroke by protecting blood vessels from the effects of wear and tear.
The ellagic acid and anthocyanins found in strawberries aid weight loss in at least three ways: 1. As explained in detail in The Fat Resistance Diet, chronic inflammation blocks the hormones involved in keeping you lean. Antiinflammatory Fat Resistance superfoods like strawberries help restore normal function to weightreducing hormones. 2. Anthocyanins actually increase the body's production of a hormone called adiponectin, which stimulates your metabolism and suppresses your appetite. 3. Both ellagic acid and anthocyanins slow the rate of digestion of starchy
foods, controlling the rise in blood sugar that follows a starchy meal. This effect is used to control blood sugar in people with adultonset (Type 2) diabetes.
You can eat fresh or frozen strawberries as a snack or dessert anytime. Add plain, fatfree yogurt for a creamy topping and chopped walnuts or ground flax seed for crunchiness, if that appeals to you. Or make a batch of our Omega Blast Granola and layer it over the yogurt topping. Some strawberry recipes in The Fat Resistance Diet include Frosty Yogurt, Strawberry Mango Granita, and Banana Strawberry Smoothie.
We recommend organically grown strawberries, if you can find them. Organic strawberries have been shown to have higher levels of vitamin C than conventionally grown strawberries.
10. GREEN SALADS Cool, refreshing salads, made of leafy greens, herbs and a variety of fresh vegetables are perfect any time of year. These salads are a wonderful way to enjoy vegetables, satisfy your appetite, and maximize nutrition. Here we focus on the exciting health benefits of salad greens such as: 1 Romaine and red leaf lettuce 2 Spinach 3 Arugula 4 Endive
All are excellent sources of antiinflammatory, antioxidant nutrients classified as phenolics, polyphenolics and carotenoids. For several hours after you eat a large bowl of fresh lettuce, there is a significant increase in your blood of 1 Betacarotene 2 Quercetin, a potent bioflavonoid polyphenolic 3 Important phenolics 4 Vitamin C 5 Total antioxidant activity Lettuce extracts have the same antioxidant potency as vitamin E. Salad is part of breakfast in Japan, and is part of the breakfasts in The Fat Resistance Diet Recipes and Meal Plans. Our recipe for Greek Salad is a great way to get lettuce and lots of vegetables for lunch. Another favorite from The Fat Resistance Diet is our Asian Grilled Chicken Salad with lots of lettuce and fresh herbs. Mixed salad greens are a combination of leaf lettuces, herbs, and tender greens. Popular in France, American mixed greens can include lettuce, arugula, endive, mustard, parsley, escarole, as well as tender wild greens. Arugula and endive can add a spicy sharpness to its flavor. If harvested mixed greens become slightly wilted, it can be revived by placing in cool water for ten to fifteen minutes. Arugula, a staple green in Italian salads, is not only an excellent source of
bioflavonoids, but contains as much calcium as milk, and the calcium in arugula is readily absorbed. We love mixed salad greens and arugula and use them throughout The Fat Resistance Diet. They go well with frittatas and omelettes for breakfast, and get you off to a fresh start with vegetables in the morning. A wonderful way to enjoy these benefits is our Smoked Salmon, Arugula and Endive Salad recipe in The Fat Resistance Diet.
Sliced bell peppers are an appetizing addition to any garden salad and enhance your body’s levels of antiinflammatory carotenoids. Eating green peppers raises your body’s levels of carotenoids. Sweet orange peppers contain a higher concentration of the carotenoid zeaxanthin than any other vegetable studied. Zeaxanthin, along with its relative lutein, is essential for preventing macular degeneration, the leading cause of blindness in the U.S.
Here’s some more good news for salad lovers: the carotenoids found in bell peppers are absorbed equally from raw or cooked peppers. Fat is essential for carotenoid absorption. For maximum benefit, always eat your salad with a dressing of olive oil or walnut oil.
In The Fat Resistance Diet, we make an important distinction between the antiinflammatory benefits of sweet bell peppers and the potential of hot peppers to provoke inflammation. The chemical reason is this: All peppers, sweet and pungent, contain chemicals called capsaicinoids. The capsaicinoids found in sweet peppers, unlike those found in hot peppers, are nonirritating
and antiinflammatory. That’s why these peppers are sweet, not pungent.
11. TEA: A SUPER BEVERAGE Tea is loaded with powerful phenolic antioxidants that help to promote weight loss and reverse inflammation. We have wonderful recipes using tea in our book The Fat Resistance Diet, and on our website, such as Green Tea Crusted Salmon. Our whole family enjoys drinking tea, served hot in big mugs or cold in a glass.
There are dozens of varieties of tea, all made from leaves of the tea plant, Camellia sinensis. The soil in which the plant is grown, the age of the leaves, the processing of the leaves after harvest and the addition of scents and spices all work together to determine the flavor, the health benefits and the name given to the particular variety of tea. Our favorite is Green tea, which is made from relatively young leaves that are dried without fermentation.
GREEN TEA Green tea has received the most attention, because of its high content of polyphenols called catechins. The most potent green tea catechin is EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate). Laboratory studies have shown that EGCG is a potent antioxidant that inhibits inflammation. Controlled testing with healthy people shows that: 1 2 cups a day decreases measures of oxidative stress and DNA damage in blood. 2 3 cups a day reduces the oxidation of LDLcholesterol, a significant factor in the development of heart disease. This beneficial effect of green tea is accompanied by decrease in inflammation of the arteries,
another important factor in preventing heart disease. 3 4 cups a day of decaffeinated green tea produces significant antioxidant effects for cigarette smokers, whose bodies are exposed to greater oxidative stress than are nonsmokers’.
You should brew tea leaves for at least 3 minutes, in order to transfer the maximum level of beneficial catechins from the leaf to the beverage.
If the caffeine in tea bothers you, either use naturally decaffeinated tea leaves or make your own decaf: First brew the tea for 30 seconds and discard the water. Most of the caffeine but only a small percentage of the polyphenols will have been removed. Then add more hot water and brew the tea for 3 to 5 minutes to extract the polyphenols.
If brewing tea for 3 minutes gives it too strong a taste, you can improve its flavor in two ways: (1) Brew your tea in a small amount of boiling hot water. After 3 minutes add additional water to dilute the taste. (2) Add spices to sweeten the taste and enhance the aroma. The right spices bring antiinflammatory effects of their own. Our favorite tea spices are those used to create our Slim Chai Tea: cinnamon, cardamom and cloves.
12. HEALTH BENEFITS OF TOFU IN THE FAT RESISTANCE
DIET
Tofu is bean curd, made by adding a mineral salt (usually, calcium sulfate) and water to a soybean mash. The mineral salt makes the protein and fiber in the soy mash turn thick and smooth. Depending upon the amount of water it contains, tofu may vary in consistency. For our recipes we like using firm or extra firm tofu.
Tofu is rich in calcium and is an inexpensive source of protein, making it a good vegetarian substitute for meat or diary products. Plain tofu has almost no taste, but it readily absorbs the flavor of herbs and spices added when you prepare a meal. Tofu is a versatile food and an important part of East Asian cuisines. In fact, it's the main way that soy foods are eaten in China, Japan and Korea. In The Fat Resistance Diet, we created some amazing tofu recipes for your enjoyment: Crispy Tofu, Grilled Vegetables with Tofu, Big Vegetable Bowl, and StirFried Vegetables with Tofu.
Studies indicate that regular tofu consumption is associated with: 1 reduced risk of heart disease 2 lower levels of cholesterol 3 improved bone density and reduced risk of fractures 4
As we discuss in The Fat Resistance Diet, high protein foods tend to suppress appetite better than foods with less protein, but a study in healthy humans found that tofu produced greater satiety than animal protein. The effect lasted for several hours and was not associated with a rebound increase in appetite
when it ended.
The special health benefits of tofu have been attributed to two major components: isoflavones and amino acids.
Soy foods reduce levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in your blood and can also reduce your blood pressure. Careful research has shown that the cholesterollowering effect of soy is due to the amino acid profile of soy protein. A unique fraction of soy protein called "7S globulin" increases your liver's ability to remove dangerous LDLcholesterol from your blood.
How often should you eat tofu? That depends upon your own individual health risks. If you have seriously elevated cholesterol or a strong family history of coronary heart disease, you night benefit from eating tofu every day, as part of The Fat Resistance Diet. If your main concern is general health, using tofu once or twice a week appears to produce optimum benefits.
13. RED RIPE TOMATOES Tomatoes are used almost daily in The Fat Resistance Diet™ because of their sweet or tangy flavor, beautiful color and terrific nutritional value.
Tomatoes are excellent sources of potassium and several vitamins 1 folic acid 2 vitamin A 3 vitamin C 4 vitamin E.
Tomatoes also contain important antiinflammatory nutrients called carotenoids and bioflavonoids. Key tomato carotenoids are
1
betacarotene, an orange pigment also found in carrots and
sweet potatoes, an important antioxidant that protects against damage from sunlight. Your body also converts betacarotene into vitamin A. 2
lycopene. In Western countries, 85% of dietary lycopene can
be attributed to the consumption of tomatobased products. 3
Bioflavonoids, which are concentrated in the tomato skin, counteract inflammation and allergic reactions. The main compounds are 1
quercetin, also abundant in onions and apples.
2
kaempferol.
The absorption of carotenoids and flavonoids from tomatoes is greater from cooked tomatoes than fresh tomatoes, since cooking breaks down the tomato cell matrix and makes the carotenoids more available. Addition of olive oil to diced tomatoes during cooking greatly increases the absorption of lycopene. Oil is essential for absorbing carotenoids from tomatoes in salads or salsa. There is almost no absorption of these vital nutrients from salad eaten with a nonfat dressing.
Compared to conventionally grown tomatoes, organic tomatoes have a higher content of vitamin C and bioflavonoids, but not of lycopene or other carotenoids.
Some of the favorite recipes for cooked tomatoes in The Fat Resistance Diet include Parsley and Tomato Omelet, Portobello Pizza, Pomodori con Mozzarella, and Chicken Parmigiano. Salsa also raises blood levels of lycopene. Check out our delicious recipes for Lemon Ginger Salsa (over GreenTea Crusted Salmon) or Pomegranate Salsa (over Cilantro Shrimp).
14. WEIGHTLOSS AND WALNUTS Nuts are great snack foods: convenient and packed with nutrients. Their crunchiness helps them make an excellent part of a healthy dessert recipe. We love walnuts because they contain antiinflammatory omega3 fats.
Recent research shows significant health benefits of eating walnuts:
Scientists at Loma Linda University analyzed the diets of healthy adults and followed them for six years. People who ate walnuts regularly had a reduced incidence of heart attacks. When they advised people to add a quarter cup of walnuts to their diets, or for comparison, to remove all walnuts from their diets, they found that not eating walnuts led to weight gain.
Studies conducted in several different countries have shown that eating walnuts at a dose of 1/3 to 1/2 cup per day reduces levels of cholesterol, in particular the harmful LDLcholesterol. In some studies, eating walnuts reduces the level of triglycerides (total blood fat), even when the total amount of fat in the diet is increased. And beneficial HDLcholesterol either increases or stays the same, so that the important ratio of HDL to total cholesterol always improves. This effect has been demonstrated in health women and
men, in diabetics and in patients with high cholesterol.
In women and men with elevated cholesterol, supplementing a healthy diet with walnuts improves the flexibility and function of blood vessels, when compared to the standard "Mediterranean diet." That's why we have found creative and delicious ways to incorporate walnuts into The Fat Resistance Diet. Aside from their frequent use as snacks, walnuts are found in dishes like Baby Spinach Salad with Apple and Roasted Walnuts, Omega Blast Granola and Walnut Crusted Fish.
Our friends love this dessert. We hope you enjoy!
Black Forest Banana Split
1 Banana, Split 1 Cup Nonfat Ricotta Cheese 8 Walnut Halves ½ Teaspoon Unsweetened Cocoa Powder 1 Teaspoon Cherry Concentrate
Spoon ricotta into a dessert dish and place split banana on each side of ricotta. Put walnut halves on top and dust with cocoa powder. Drizzle cherry concentrate on top. Serves one.
SECTION TWO: TIPS AND TREATS
We have written this section to help you leap over some of the most common obstacles to healthy eating: holidays, dining out, dealing with snacks and desserts. The Fat Resistance Diet is loaded with recipes for healthy snacks and desserts and contains a section on dining out. We have added some more practical tips. There is also a section on detoxification, which has become an important concern of people trying to live a healthy lifestyle.
(1) DRESSING ON THE SIDE: EATING OUT HEALTHIER
How many times have you been in a restaurant and the salad or main dish arrives drenched in dressing or sauce? Eating out can be a pleasure, but can also mean a whole lot of extra fat and calories. So I would like to share with you some simple things to try when eating out. The goal is to enjoy a satisfying meal in a healthy way.
Order a healthy drink. Many restaurants stock bottled mineral water, and that’s what I usually have. For a treat, I sometimes get orange, cranberry or pineapple juice and sometimes vegetable juice. Asian restaurants often serve tea which goes great with the cuisine.
Start with a salad. My favorites are romaine lettuce or mixed greens. Tomatoes, cucumber, sliced onion and a pepper are crunchy and satisfying. And don’t forget to say “Dressing on the side please.” That way you can control the amount of dressing. I like a little vinaigrette or simply olive oil and vinegar. Add some
grilled chicken, fish, shrimp and the salad makes a good meal. Vegetarians can add cheese, tofu or beans for protein.
Satisfy with soup. Vegetable soup or minestrone are a nice way to get vegetables. I skip the cream based chowders or bisques, these are usually high in fat and calories.
Grill or Broil instead of frying Ask for your Chicken or fish grilled or broiled. It’s a classic way of cooking, straightforward and simple and I am usually pretty happy with the result. Again, ask for any sauce on the side, so you can control what you are eating.
Get your vegetables Why not benefit from being in a restaurant by getting your vegetables? I often ask what fresh vegetables are available, and then requested the vegetables steamed. Remember to ask for any sauce on the side.
Get Baked potatoes, not fries. I enjoy the traditional baked potato rather than fries. It goes well with chicken or fish.
Ask for fruit. Desert is a challenge. If you want to finish your meal with something sweet, ask for fruit.
Request Skim or lowfat milk. For your coffee or tea, ask for skim or lowfat milk, most places are happy to
serve them.
(2) FESTIVE AND FLAVORFUL FRUIT SPITZERS
Deep blue, ruby red, rich purple. Colorful, sweet and a little tangy, fruit spritzers are a delicious and festive way to enjoy the holidays. That’s what makes these spritzers our favorite drinks. We’re always stocking up on sparkling water and fruit concentrates, and mixing up a new concoction with great flavor. We like them because they are refreshing, contain no alcohol, and have no added sugar or artificial sweeteners. It’s a wonderful way to get antioxidants into a pleasant drink.
The recipe for a fruit spritzer is simple: sparkling water poured over ice in a tall glass, with a little juice concentrate or juice mixed well. Add a squeeze of lemon or lime for some refreshing tartness.
Basic Ingredients for a Fruit Spritzer
Sparkling Mineral Water or Seltzer Ice Fruit Juice Concentrate such as Pomegranate, Cherry, Blueberry Or 1/4 Cup of Your Favorite Fruit Juice Slice of Lemon or Lime
The whole family can enjoy making these spritzers, and they are kidfriendly. Fruit Spritzers are a really good alternative to soft drinks and alcoholic
beverages. Try making your own special variety of spritzer, and enjoy!
(3) STAYING HEALTHY THROUGH HOLIDAYS
Holidays usually mean family gatherings, office parties, gifts, and added stress. Shopping, feasting and visiting take their toll. To master every holiday season, remember how you felt on January 2 last year. It doesn't have to happen again. You can come through without regrets, feeling invigorated and in control.
What you eat has a major impact on how you feel, especially because food is such a major part of holidays. It's not usually the meals that do you in. It's the snacks, sweets, appetizers, eggnogs and other alcoholic beverages. Onethird of the food consumed in the U.S. is nutrientpoor junk food, mostly eaten as snacks. The math is pretty simple. If onethird of your calories come from foods that are devoid of nutrients, either you're going to become malnourished or you're going to gain a lot of weigh, or both.
Eating healthier during holidays calls for some steps that may surprise you:
(1) Don't go hungryif you're eating out, going shopping or going to a party. Hunger is a slippery slope on which it's really hard to balance. The scene is pretty familiar: you're famished and you're waiting for a meal at a restaurant, you’re at a party or shopping for food. What happens? You eat a basket of rolls, gobble up the hors d'ouvres, grab whatever fast food is handy or buy more food at the market than you really need. Plan your day so you eat before you shop and stow a healthy snack in your bag. We provide a great list of
100 Calorie Diet Saver snacks in The Fat Resistance Diet. When eating out, have a healthy snack before you leave home.
(2) Stock up with nutritious food. Deprivation does not work. The key to healthy eating is an ample and ready supply of the right foods. The right foods contain nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, protein and nutrients like essential fatty acids (EFAs), carotenoids and bioflavinoids, which have gotten so much attention in the nutrition research literature. Don't buy foods made with white flour, added sugars (this includes corn syrup), artificial sweeteners or added fats (especially bad are the hydrogenated vegetable oilsthey increase the risk of heart attacks). Beware of gourmet muffins no matter how "healthy" they look; they're usually loaded with extra fat. Healthy snacks include seasonal fruits like apples and pears, vegetables like carrots or radishes or broccoli florets, a handful of almonds or walnuts or sunflower seeds, some plain lowfat yogurt with fruit or apple sauce mixed in for flavor.
(3) Keep water handy at all times, especially when you're shopping. It prevents dehydration, a problem made worse by coffee. Drinking water can help stave off cravings if they grab you at the wrong moment. A dash of fruit juice turns plain seltzer into a refreshing spritzer.
(4) Eat consciously. Respect your food. Chew it slowly, savoring its flavor, texture and aroma. You'll enjoy it moreand, astonishingly, you'll wind up eating less.
Prepare Healthy Party Foods They don't have to derail your plans to make this the healthiest holiday
season ever. All the food you serve, including delicious party food, can be healthy, if you understand the answer to the following question: What creates appetizing snacks, desserts or hors d'oevres? It's not the calories. Its rich color; a distinctive textureeither crunchy or creamyand a taste that quickens the senses by being sweet, salty or spicy. There's a cornucopia of nutritious foods that together create a dazzling buffet that feasts the eyes and the palate. The beauty of these foods is that they don't require added sugar, butter, or cream to please. Some require a bit of preparation, others don't. Some may need salt, but you can usually decrease the need for salt by using spices. These natural treats add nourishment to your parties and actually supplement the nutrients you receive from the food you eat every day. They are powerhouses of vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals like carotenoids and bioflavinoids, those antioxidants found in plants that make vegetables and fruits the healthiest foods you can add to your diet.
Some healthy choices might include: 1 shrimp with salsa 2 smoked salmon or pickled herring with sevengrain toast topped with fresh dill 3 white bean salad with navy or Tuscan beans 4 chopped red onion, chopped walnuts, and a light dressing of tarragon vinegar and walnut oil 5 pasta salad with olive oil, chopped tomatoes and basil.
Flavor these with fresh herbs like parsley, sage, rosemary, thyme and garlic.
Spreads made from tofu, beans or chick peas without added fat are now
available. If their taste is bland, add a touch of curry, cayenne, garlic or soy sauce.
Serve these with crudites, baked tortilla chips or triangles of fresh pita bread.
Attractive little bowls of almonds, walnuts, and pumpkin seeds adorn your table and, whether roasted or raw, add minerals like zinc and magnesium to your feast. Raisins and dates add sweetness. Most commercial trail mixes or dried fruit mixtures are loaded with added sugar, so it's better to create your own.
If you're entertaining kids, you can also try: 1 airpopped popcorn sprinkled with parmesan cheese 2 carrot sticks with almond butter 3 frozen banana pops 4 homemade fruit juice ice pops 5 granola chews made with rolled oats, nut butter, raisins, and apple juice concentrate.
Healthy beverages can complement your healthy buffet. Warm apple cider brewed with cinnamon sticks is a coldweather favorite.
PUMPKIN COOKIES This recipe is from Dr. Galland’s book on children’s nutrition, Superimmunity for Kids. This book is a favorite of parents who are looking for ways to get good nutrition for their families. The whole idea of
Superimmunity for Kids is to provide recipes that contain superfoods that children of all ages need. And these pumpkin cookies are kidtested: they won rave reviews at my brother’s Halloween party.
2 eggs 3 ounces apple juice concentrate 3 ounces orange juice concentrate 2 tablespoons yogurt 1 1/2 cups pumpkin, either cooked fresh or canned, with no additives 2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon grated nutmeg (optional) 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 cup raisins 1 cup seeds or nuts, such as pumpkin or sunflower, or chopped nuts, such as walnuts ½ teaspoon extravirgin olive oil, to coat the pan
Preheat the oven to 375 F., and lightly coat two cookie sheets with oil. Put the eggs, juice concentrates, yogurt and pumpkin in a blender and puree well. In a large bowl, mix the dry ingredients, and then add the wet ingredients from the blender. Stir just until combined, but don’t overmix.
Drop the dough by tablespoonfuls onto the lightly oiled cookie sheets. These cookies don’t spread when baked, so shape the dough as you wish.
Bake in the oven for 15 to 18 minutes at 375 F., or until cooked through and
nicely browned. Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on a rack.
(7) DETOXIFICATION: A KEY TO VIBRANT HEALTH
We are very excited to bring you our knowledge about the critically important topic of detoxification. Why are we so enthusiastic? Because we are passionate about finding natural solutions that help our family, friends and readers live a healthier, happier life.
First, let’s get a basic understanding of what we mean: Detoxification is a natural, automatic process that occurs in the body 24 hours a day. We can support our body’s ability to detoxify through positive lifestyle choices such as enhanced nutrition, limiting toxic exposures in our environment, exercise and stress reduction. In our book The Fat Resistance Diet we provide our basic approach in Chapter Nine: Detoxify—and Lose Weight.
When we talk about detoxification we do not mean fasting, purging or other procedures, and do not recommend these. Fasting can be dangerous and undermines the body’s ability to detoxify naturally by depriving the body of adequate nutrition.
In this series of newsletters on detoxification we will explain why you need to think about detoxification, and outline steps you can take to help your body detoxify. Why is this important? Because if you are carrying excess pounds, toxins may be blocking you
from losing that weight.
Toxins cause inflammation, leading to leptin resistance. When leptin resistance occurs in the body, excess weight is maintained. The Fat Resistance Diet was created to reduce inflammation, overcome leptin resistance and allow metabolism to increase.
The liver is the major organ for detoxification. For the liver to function well in its job of detoxification, it requires nutrition: adequate protein is essential to this effort, and many vegetables and herbs can help. The Fat Resistance Diet provides protein throughout the meal plans and nine or ten servings of fruit and vegetables per day.
There are special foods you can eat that help the liver function well to process toxins:
* sea vegetables, especially those used in Japanese food: hijiki, nori, wakame, dulse and kelp) are especially rich in antiinflammatory caretenoidsand add an exotic flavor as salads and condiments. * dark greens, such as kale, collards, dandelion greens, mustard greens and Swiss chard; these are loaded not only with carotenoids but with phytonutrients that aid liver detoxification.
Safeguarding Your Personal Environment
Do you ever experience?
Lack of concentration Irritability Mood swings Foggy headedness Inability to lose weight?
Exposure to toxins at home, the office, school or in a store can trigger these problems. Everyday items such as paint, printers, magic markers, copiers can produce the problems listed above. As Dr. Galland points out in our book The Fat Resistance Diet, environmental toxins can contribute to leptin resistance, and weight gain.
How do we know? Because we have personally experienced these problems and have sought to find solutions for family and friends. Now we want to share with you practical steps that can make a big difference in how you feel. These are simple things we can all do to limit exposures to toxins and hopefully protect our health.
Steps to Limit Toxic Exposures
Rule of Thumb: If you are home or out and notice a chemical odor, for example paint fumes, take some positive action to limit exposure:
1) Leave the area until the odors disappear 2) Open a window
3) Use a hepa air purifier
Be aware of your environment and if you smell something, limit or eliminate your exposure.
Common Toxins to Watch Out For:
Paint. For your home or office, look for low VOC paint which is less toxic.
Laser Printers and Copy Machines. Use a deskjet printer or copier instead.
Household Cleaning Products: Use all natural and nontoxic cleaning products. I use baking soda and water for most cleaning, and vinegar diluted with water for windows.
New Clothing. Wash new clothes well before wearing to soak out some of the dyes and bleach used in manufacturing. Avoid heavily scented laundry detergent and fabric softener; these increase your exposure to chemicals.
Stale Indoor Air. Indoor air pollution is recognized as a common problem. With airtight buildings and homes, toxins can build up. Get outside for some fresh air during lunchtime.
In his book Power Healing, Dr. Galland highlights detoxification as a central pillar of healing the body. Detoxification is a natural process that the body performs continuously.
These are some of the natural defenses against environmental toxicity. The body:
1) Is constantly shedding the external layer of skin, and replacing it with a new layer. 2) Is constantly shedding the lining of the intestinal tract. A completely new lining is generated every 3 to 6 days. 3) Performs immune responses that protect against toxins attaching to the gastrointestinal tract and lining of the lungs. 4) Breaks down toxins in the liver, and eliminates them in urine or bile. 5) Repairs cells using enzymes, and promotes healing.
With all of this activity going on, the body requires excellent nutrition to optimize the detoxification process. That’s why detoxification is an important part of our book The Fat Resistance Diet, and covered in detail in Chapter 9—Detoxify and Lose Weight.
Dr. Galland points out that the largest contact between the body and the external world occurs in the digestive tract. If spread out flat, the digestive tract would cover the area of a tennis court. With this large area of contact, it’s vital that the digestive tract function well to absorb nutrients and seal out harmful elements. It’s a complex and important job to manage the microbial organisms such as bacteria and yeast that reside there.
When this functioning is impaired, intestinal permeability occurs and toxins enter the body. Conditions associated with intestinal permeability include joint and muscle pain, fatigue, headache, and skin problems such as acne, eczema, psoriasis and hives.
For more information, visit www.fatresistancediet.com and see Power Healing, available at amazon.com.
Copyright © 2007 Renaissance Workshops Ltd. All Rights Reserved
Dr. Leo Galland is a boardcertified internist who is internationally recognized as a leader in nutritional medicine. He has written several dozen scientific papers, textbook chapters and three highly acclaimed popular books, The Fat Resistance Diet, Power Healing and Superimmunity for Kids. Jonathan Galland, cocreator of The Fat Resistance Diet, is a health writer and speaker who writes a weekly column for Carib News and is frequently interviewed on national radio shows including Martha Stewart Living.
This article is provided for general educational purposes only and is not intended to constitute (i) medical advice or counseling, (ii) the practice of medicine or the provision of health care diagnosis or treatment, (iii) the creation of a physicianpatient relationship, or (iv) an endorsement, recommendation or sponsorship of any third party product or service by the sender or the sender's affiliates, agents,
employees, or service providers. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem, contact your doctor promptly.