This is a response I made to a woman who wished to lose weight quickly for a bellydance gig. I think many of us have the mentality of "I just need to lose 5 lbs for that special event", but real health and lasting weight loss means changing the way you view your relationship to food and exercise. Enjoy!
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As a healthcare professional, I agree on many of the points being made here. The "paleo" diet is one of the most helpful diets for maintaining healthy body muscle-to-fat ratio. Whole fruits, vegetables, leafy greens, lean meats (go organic, grass-fed and wild-caught whenever possible for the best ratio of anti-inflammatory omega-3 fats!), and good fats like avocado, flax, coconut, sesame, and olive will give you the most satiety and help you through sugar cravings. For optimal health and weight loss, don't skip meals or use coffee or cigarettes to suppress the appetite. The trick is to give the body enough fiber and good fats so that it feels full, and eat 5 small meals a day so that your blood glucose (sugar) is balanced and you don't get overly hungry.
Check out the glycemic index for an idea of which fruits and vegetables are less sugar-balancing. A general rule of thumb is that if it's starchy or low in fiber, it converts quickly into sugar in the body. Starchy no-nos would be things like most root vegetables and starchy fruits (potato, sweet potato, yams, pumpkin, cassava, plantain, banana, dates, mango, papaya, and any dried fruit). Check out Glycemic Index for more information.
Remember that keeping weight off is about lifestyle. Cultivate a lifestyle that encourages healthy eating, and the weight will stay off for good. I know you can do it!
