"Dana, I Need To Know" Newsletter

Vol. 1 No. 3

Dear Dana,

Ever since I first heard of and read your book, I have been in complete agreement with everything you have said. Not only does it make total sense to me, but it is something I have been basically doing all of my life without really even knowing it. In fact, my mom used to always tell me that I eat like a bird because I would just snack all day long between my meals.

I have also enjoyed a slender figure and have had to put forth reasonably little effort to maintain it. I have heard of many, many diets or even lifestyle programs and have been VERY skeptical about them. Most of the time I blow them off as a fad or a scam. My question for you is, have you heard of the new Carbohydrate Addicts Diet and what do you think of it? Here is the URL where I read about this diet.

http//www.oprah.com/show/archives/days/1999/19991004.html.

I was wondering what your feelings are about it particularly the part about the Complementary meals where you don't eat carbohydrates. Also they seem to be telling people that fruits and vegetables are not good to eat (except once a day) because of all the sugars in them. In addition, it seems to me that if a person only eats a balanced meal once a day, they will not have energy and would get hungry. I hope you have a chance to give me your feedback. I read a lot about nutrition and health, as it is very interesting to me.

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

Jennie

Dear Jennie,

In answer to your question concerning the Carbohydrate Addicts Diet, you already came up with some good, common-sense answers to your question. Yes, when you eat only one balanced meal a day, you do not keep blood sugar levels even, and therefore your energy and metabolism will suffer.

The three macro-nutrients essential for good health and stable blood sugar levels are

1. FAT 2. CARBOHYDRATE 3. PROTEIN

Yes, people do eat too many grains, pastas and other high starch foods - usually to the exclusion of veggie and fruits (also carbs) - not generally to the exclusion of proteins. My latest research shows that 20% to 30% fat (higher fat than I used to promote), 15% to 18% protein, and 52% to 65% carbohydrate is an ideal balance for the blood stream eaten at regular 3 to 4 hours intervals throughout the day. You can simplify this equation to VGP (veggie, grain, protein) eaten every 3 to 4 hours (2 to 3 hours if you are hypoglycemic, diabetic or highly resistant to fat loss). Therefore, a bowl of chicken veggie soup with potatoes (high starch - so counts as a grain) would be a perfect VGP snack. Throw a fruit in anytime with the VGP to keep blood sugar balance. And, remember the water!

Go for it!!!

Dana Thornock

P.S. You will lose 100% fat and actually increase in bone density, muscle and hydration when you eat like this! You may also look MUCH younger!!!

Sincerely,

Dana Thornock