Amber Waves of Grain

There is a growing mountain of evidence that excess carbohydrates lead to excess body fat. Eating high-glycemic index(GI) foods like many grains leads to a rapid rise in blood sugar. The pancreas then secretes insulin to decrease the blood sugar, and this insulin also signals the body to store fat and not to release already stored fat into the bloodstream.

This higher insulin level also suppresses glucagon( which promotes fat burning) and HgH, which builds muscle. And, the high insulin level also makes you hungry.

The Low Grain Diet proposes a 3-phase plan to wean people off grain in order to reduce body fat and keep blood sugar level.

Phase I: the start-up phase lasts for 3 days, during which all grains are eliminated and one eats every 2 hours throughout the day. Among the allowed foods are lean meats ( chicken, beef, shrimp, turkey,etc.), low-starch vegetables( spinach, cabbage, kale, tomatoes,etc.), eggs, cheddar cheese, yogurt, raw walnuts, lentils, split peas, apples, avocados, grapefruit, lemons, limes, oranges, flaxseeds, and coconut or olive oil.

Phase II: days 4-? ( until you have lost the desired amount of body fat) has you eat 3 moderate meals and 3 snacks daily. The foods allowed are the same as during the start-up phase.

Phase III: the maintenance phase allows you to slowly re-introduce root vegetables( such as squash, yams, and carrots) in moderation. The allowed grains are: brown rice, millet, quinoa, teff, oats, amaranth, and buckwheat.

If your blood sugar is not adversely affected, you may also slowly introduce up to 3 pieces of fruit per week. You can also add beans, blue cheese, mustard, mayo, and healthy fish ( salmon, cod, sardines, haddock, mackerel, flounder, etc.)

I have not tried this approach myself, although I do limit carbs in my diet. I do have a new client who swears by this approach and claims fat loss from 22% to 16% from this diet alone. Give it a try and let me know what you think.


America the Beautiful
Written by: Katherine Bates

O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!

America! America!
God shed His grace on thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!