Low Carb Explained

Dr Mary Vernon, MD, is one of the world's foremost experts on treating obesity and diabetes with low carbohydrate nutrition. She is a practicing family physician, educates doctors on low carb and is active in and former president of the American Society of Bariatric Physicians (doctors specializing in treating obese patients).

Nobody knows more about the practicalities of low carb than dr. Mary Vernon. Here she explains it for you.

More similar interviews at http://www.DietDoctor.com.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• low carb
• LCHF
• low carb high fat
• atkins
• obesity
• diabetes
• Mary Vernon

[M3nac3r]

Yea, Matt Stone is way off the wall, all in an attempt to sell a book. LCHF is not a diet. It is not a calorie restrictive semi-starvation diet. We all know those will fail. Hunger always overcomes willpower, eventually. LCHF is a composition change. Greatly reduce carbs and greatly reduce insulin and lower your adiposity homeostasis level. We REPLACE those carbs with fats. 100% success.

[alphacause]

I love this interview because Dr. Vernon cuts to the heart of the matter. We can argue back and forth between low carb or high carb diets, or whether low fat or high fat is good for you, but ultimately it comes down to what induces the best results for the most people, without them having to suffer through hunger. Arguing about the biochemistry maybe fine for academic types like Dr. Robert Lustig or Gary Taubes, but ultimately it comes down to the fact that low carb works the best!

[Esoparagon]

Spontaneously eat less? Tell me about it. I forgot to eat today. I might go eat something but meh.

[LCHFinCanada]

@Vivalarachie "...you think there's enough pasture for the level of meat consumption promoted here..."

I think there's enough pasture land available for the level of meat-consumption the world actually NEEDS.

I don't think Mary Vernon or any other obesity specialists promotes a "meat-based" diet, and LCHF isn't truly meat-based... Personally, I usually only eat meat an average of 2x a day out of 6 daily meals/snacks I consume... Most of my fats come from other sources.

[LCHFinCanada]

@LCHFinCanada and that being said, if you have issues with gaining weight or with glycemic control, limit your grain intake as well as the starchy veggies (such as potatoes, corn, parsnips, etc.) and avoid really sugary fruits.

The best fruits for people with glycemic issues are berries and cherries - tons of antioxidants, fiber, nutrients and low-GI.

Overall I think too many people associate LCHF with big piles of meat and no veggies - and that's the WRONG idea of the diet.

[LCHFinCanada]

I think personally if NOT obese or diabetic, the "ideal" diet is based on:

1. Organic, fresh (when possible) vegetables, especially leafy greens and colorful veggies.

2. Organic (free-range/grass-fed, etc.) meats in moderation.

3. Organic fruits in moderation

4. Nuts, seeds, some whole grains (avoid modern wheat and limit grains if gluten-sensitive)

5. Fats/oils that occur in nature (no refined)

The macronutrient profile for a person depends on what makes them healthy and feel good.

[LCHFinCanada]

@Vivalarachie "...Do you agree with Dr. Vernon's recommendations?"

Overall I think obesity is well-controlled with low-carb/high-fat diets and exercise. The fat doesn't have to come from meat though. My fat intake comes from meat, salad dressings (made with un-refined oils only), coconut oil, butter, avacado, nuts etc.

If I got all my fat from meat... I'd be broke, LOL. (2 kids in university and one in high-school still... It's expensive...)

[LCHFinCanada]

@Vivalarachie "...some people truly can't afford grass-fed meat ..."

Yes, it's very expensive some places. But we don't need huge servings to get our nutrients. I'm a BIG guy - 6'3" and 224lbs and a mesomorph... even though I have a large caloric need, my ideal portion size for a piece of beef is only about 8oz for a supper meal. If I couldn't afford steak I'd eat a ground beef patty instead.

Most people should eat smaller servings anyway, with pricier meat, they will.

[LCHFinCanada]

@Vivalarachie "...Do you agree with Dr. Vernon's recommendations? ..."

For a subset of obese people, yes. I also believe in high-intensity-interval-traini­ng on a regular (minimum 5x a week) basis too though.

... do I think the world should be on it? Yes AND no. I think the world needs to eliminate (or severely restrict) refined/processed carbs/sugars, as Dr. Vernon suggests. I also believe most dieters need more non-starchy veggies in their diets though...

[LCHFinCanada]

@Vivalarachie "...enough pasture for the level of meat consumption promoted here ..."

I do NOT believe everyone should eat LCHF - I personally believe only the morbidly obese or diabetics should consider it, and AS they lose necessary visceral bodyfat to promote health, they should consider starting to add carbohydrate back into their diets to the point that the health-benefits they've encountered remain...

I don't believe ANYONE's diet should be based 'primarily' on meat, no.

[Vivalarachie]

@LCHFinCanada Yes, they do, but they also have significantly lower populations than the US. I'm a little confused because your first response seems to indicate that you think there's enough pasture for the level of meat consumption promoted here and yet your second reply mentions eating meat in "moderate amounts." Do you agree with Dr. Vernon's recommendations? Also, some people truly can't afford grass-fed meat and if this diet is supposedly healthier, where does that leave them?