Tue, Aug-11-09, 13:24
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Senior Member
Posts: 139
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Plan: Protein Power
Stats: 156/118/120
BF:36%/22%/18%
Progress: 106%
Location: Seattle, WA
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Dear Robston,
If I understand correctly the science that the Eadses have used as the basis for PPLP, it is important to limit carb allotments on a per-meal basis as well as for the total day because this minimizes any fluctuations in blood sugar that could cause an insulin spike. The goal is to avoid an intake of sugar that could cause a rapid rise in insulin levels. You are training your body to use ketones consistently and efficiently, as well as increasing your insulin resistance over time. Especially during induction, I wouldn't vary from those limits.
That said, I was only about 7-10 days into induction when it was my 15th wedding anniversary, and I was able to go out and have a fabulous dinner (including my wine, which Atkins does not allow) while staying within my limits and not feeling deprived. (I defy anyone to feel sorry for themselves when surf-n-turf is in front of them!)
After a minimum of about 4 weeks of induction, you may be able to get away with "saving up your carbs" for a meal. I try not to do it and I don't recommend it, but I've done it occasionally and it certainly didn't cause any noticeable negative effects at that point.
I also wound up doing much better and making progress much faster after eliminating grains. Now that I have reached goal, I occasionally will have a low-carb tortilla or perhaps a half cup of rice, maybe once a week. I have noticed that I do feel much better without the grain products in my diet. If I eat any type of starch at all I prefer rice because it is far more digestible than wheat, corn, or beans. I had not done this in previous low carb eating cycles, and I noticed that it made an enormous difference this time around. I like my wine too, so I'll never be able to go completely Paleo in the truest sense, but following the PPLP eating plan closer to the Paleo side is more effective.
Above all, be honest with yourself about what you can and cannot handle at once. Just going low-carb in any manner, as long as it is consistent, will allow you to reap enormous health benefits. It may be easier to get through the first week or two of induction and the general adjustment to making low-carb choices if you allow yourself the low-carb bread or tortillas. You can decide later if you want to try and phase them out to see if you feel physically better. Obviously, you can be a very healthy hedonist!
The Eadses recognize this and have done an enormous amount of work and research that I truly believe you can trust (I'm also an MD and have studied the science pretty extensively). If you stick with their plan, it will work for you. But you do need to stick to it the way they've outlined it, especially during induction when you are repairing your ailing metabolism.
I hope this helps and I'm looking forward to hearing about your future progress. Good luck - you can do it!
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