This year the best gift I’ve received so far, was one I bought myself. It’s a book called Wheat Belly by cardiologist William Davis and it isn’t technically a diet book, it’s a dietary modification book.
I don’t diet, ever. In fact, my brother-in-law calls me “the eating machine.” I’m Italian and from New Orleans, so eating is part of my culture. I grew up (and survived) eating fried shrimp, fried oysters and fried soft shell crabs, not to mention seafood gumbo, powdered sugar-covered beignets and king cakes at Mardi Gras.
In other words, I love food and I love to eat. But here’s the great part – by simply following the recommendations of Dr. Davis, I made it through Thanksgiving and so far am surviving the holiday season, eating my fill and not gaining a single pound.
Before this starts to sound like one of those fad diets, let me say for the record that Dr. Davis only makes one recommendation (one that’s backed up with a great deal of logic and research): Cut the wheat and processed carbohydrates out of your diet. It’s easier than you think.
Here’s the best part, you never have to diet and you always feel satiated. Let me repeat that – you never have to diet. You simply have to make one simple dietary modification. When you do, you will lose weight, lower your blood pressure, reduce hyperglycemia and generally increase your health and energy. Oh, did I mention it will also reduce that troublesome abdominal fat that Dr. Davis calls your “wheat belly?” You’ll be slipping back into your size 2 jeans before you know it.
I’ve long understood that eliminating processed carbs (without dieting or counting calories) keeps my weight in check. This has been my strategy when I come home from the road to detox from all the pasta and French fries that Tom and my twin brother, Vince force me to eat. But, despite my firsthand knowledge of how effective this strategy is, I was so completely hooked into Wheat Belly that I lost precious sleep one night when I couldn’t put the book down. Wheat Belly reinforced my commitment to an easy lifestyle choice.
Make this book a Christmas gift for yourself. My only warning is that you might want to start reading it on New Year’s Day so that it doesn’t rock your holidays too much.
I’m just sayin’
P.S. Comment here and tell me whether or not you plan on trying the “wheat belly” plan, and when!
