Book Review: Primal Fat Burner

Healthy fats have been making a comeback. The author presents an evolutionary perspective on the benefits of a fat-based diet with modern science to back it up.

The basics boil down to a ketogenic plan: eliminate sugar and starch, consume moderate protein based on a formula, eat quality fats for satiety, eat fibrous vegetables and greens, and procure the best-quality food you can find and afford. I didn't find the meal plan or recipes that inspiring or helpful, but the rest of the book is excellent.

Check out my full review of Primal Fat Burner: Live Longer, Slow Aging, Super-Power Your Brain, and Save Your Life with a High-Fat, Low-Carb Paleo Diet, on LinkedIn.

Gedgaudas, N. (2017). Primal fat burner: live longer, slow aging, super-power your brain, and save your life with a high-fat, low-carb paleo diet. New York: Atria Books.

Carnivore Update 3: Still Not 100 Percent

Two mistakes this past week: bought ham hocks from local grocery store and ate coconut. I put the ham hocks in the slow cooker and made bone broth, plus ate all the meat off of the bones. I had a terrible reaction the next day (bloated weight gain of three pounds, cramping, nauseated, feeling meh, and eventual diarrhea). I proceeded to still drink the bone broth the following day--hello, what was I thinking?!?! This continued the miserableness. Also, over the weekend, I found frozen coconut pieces in my freezer and decided to make coconut butter from them. In the process, I ate quite a bit of it. Unfortunately, it did not cream very well, even after adding coconut oil and coconut flour--the coconut remained shredded. TMI warning: My intestines did not digest one bit of the coconut. The good news, since I was so nauseous, I cut my coffee consumption down to 16 oz.

Back on the saddle today: meat, seafood, eggs, electrolyte drink, coffee. My GI track is already thanking me.

Carnivore Update 2: 80/20 Rule Isn't Going to Work

For some reason, it has been difficult for me to stay 100% carnivore. Of course, I made the concession for coconut oil early on...but that led to allowing coconut butter/manna, which led to some sweet potatoes, onions, tomato sauce, and stevia. I should not have been surprised--but I was!!--when I felt the beginnings of a yeast infection. So, clearly I cannot just add any old starches or carbs--this is exactly why I gave them up. It is a good reminder and a incentive to commit 100% to the carnivore diet. I've been having a variety of protein; tried mussels from Whole Foods that were OK. Besides the usual sardines, smoked oysters, smoked salmon, ground beef, eggs, we had a really yummy ground sirloin, beef hot dogs, and roasted chicken from Wagshals. The hanger steak, brisket, and fully cooked shredded beef (nothing added) from Wellness Meats were all very tasty too.

No changes to report as far as weight or feeling amazing because I have NOT been consistent. Hopefully, we'll see some changes next week with my renewed efforts.

Carnivore Update - Butter is Out

Ten days of eating mostly an animal-based diet and I really miss my Whole Foods 365 French Vanilla stevia! I had become very liberal in using it in and on my egg waffles, mixed with coconut oil, and even in my coffee! The craving for it has not really decreased with time, but we'll see. As a treat and just to try it one more time, I consumed a ton of butter the first three days. Oh, how I love grass-fed, salted butter. Yet again, however, it caused quite a bit of puffiness around my eyes and cheeks. I had to take it out...and instead have been using coconut oil. I know this is not from an animal, but I need the extra fat and calories. I've also varied the protein with bone broth, sardines, smoked oysters, egg waffles, smoked salmon, ribeye, liverwurst (no fillers), turkey, beef baby back ribs, chicken wings, pork/beef meatballs, egg bake, hamburgers, etc.

I do not feel any different--no better, no worse--so I will continue for now.

Book Review: Keto

This book provides a thorough explanation of the science behind the ketogenic diet, along with the benefits and modifications for various health conditions, common myths and mistakes, and advice for maximizing exercise. There are 12 chapters covering the failures of modern nutrition, disease tree, how the body works, a well-formulated ketogenic diet, hormones, modifications for diseases, common mistakes, nutrients, fasting, exercise, meal plans, and accelerating healing.

Keto is for the reader interested in the science behind the diet. It may be too complicated for the newbie; it may be a goldmine for someone who has been enjoying this lifestyle for a while and would like to take it to the next level. Emmerich has several other keto books and this one provides new information and explanations that have not been shared before.

Check out my review of Keto: The Complete Guide to Success on the Ketogenic Diet, Including Simplified Science and No-Cook Meal Plans, on LinkedIn. 

Emmerich, M. and Emmerich, C. (2018). Keto: The complete guide to success on the ketogenic diet, including simplified science and no-cook meal plans. Las Vegas: Victory Belt Publishing, Inc.

Book Review: The Big FAT Surprise

This well-researched book will inform and educate you about why we face the crisis of obesity today, why we have dutifully followed the nutritional dogma, and how healthy fats can make it better. I recommend it to anyone and everyone who questions the benefits of fat in their diet--and also vegetable oils, cholesterol, and the Mediterranean diet. Check out my review of The Big Fat Surprise: Why Butter, Meat, and Cheese Belong in a Healthy Diet, on LinkedIn. 

Teicholz, N. (2014). The big FAT surprise: Why butter, meat, and cheese belong in a healthy diet. New York: Simon & Schuster.