Hypoglycemia is a common problem that many people are unaware of and doctors tend to overlook. It's symptoms range from anxiety to hunger to seizures. Hypo means low and glycemia means blood glucose (blood sugar). So, hypoglycemia, which was once labeled a disease is now labeled a 'condition' because it can be managed through dietary and lifestyle changes. This is good news as far as fixing the problem, but bad news as far as the doctors having an incentive to diagnose it- meaning that the doctors can't prescribe medication, therefore can't make $ off of this diagnosis. This is the point that Connie Bennett, C.H.H.C and Stephen Sinatra, M.D. make in their book "Sugar Shock". It seems like a pretty valid point to me. If you'll notice on the link above for hypoglycemia, the MayoClinic refers to treatment as lifestyle changes PLUS medications.
"...Reactive hypoglycemia is one of the most common and most misunderstood disorders in America today. For starters, many physicians assume that ailments such as mood swings, fatigue, and anxiety are manifestations of psychological problems. Moreover, hypoglycemia has been called the "Great Imitator" because its strange, startling symptoms-some experts list as many as 125 of them-can mimic a frightening array of diseases and conditions, including bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, neurosis, migraines, Parkinson's syndrome, chronic bronchial asthma, rapid heartbeat, rheumatoid arthritis, cerebral arteriosclerosis (hardening of the brain's arteries), menopause, mental retardation, alcoholism, hyperactive disorder, and senility." says Connie Bennett in "Sugar Shock".
If this raises your eyebrows, I strongly suggest reading this book and doing some more research. It has certainly caught my attention. I am becoming more and more convinced that refined sugar has no place in our diets.
About this blog
In other words, the Zone + Crossfit = Optimal Heath!
This blog focuses on nutrition, using the Zone Diet as the basis. However, I often eat Paleo foods in Zone proportions.
I love to investigate anything having to do with food- what we eat and why. And what happens within our bodies, our organs, our brain, when we do? My precious mother struggled with eating disorders. I want to avoid this delimma based on research, common sense, and the natural consequences on my body. The Zone shows me where the balance lies between eating too much and eating too little.
My husband runs a Crossfit gym. Exercise and choosing the right foods have become a mission for ourselves and our children. We don't want to be nerds about it, we just want to be healthy.
I have been asked by several friends what I feed our family, especially our kids. My husband and I follow the Crossfit prescription to nutrition (meat and vegetables, nuts and seeds, some fruit, little starch, and no sugar). If you know me, you know that the sugar part of this equation will be a life long struggle given my love for chocolate! Evan adheres to the stricter version known as the Paleo-Zone diet (and I do on my good days!) which requires the same foods in a ratio of 40% protein, 30% carb, and 30% fat. Children require 50% carbs, 30% fat, and 20% protein. If you're wondering how to figure this out, I do it on a per meal basis and I have a "block" chart from the Zone website.
It seems like a headache at first, but if you're interested, just know that it is not that bad once you practice it for a couple of weeks. All you need is a $10 scale and some determination. It really is quite simple and makes my life easier at the grocery store and when cooking dinner. Most of all, I feel great when I eat well- mentally and physically, and we all know that the physical can affect the mental and visa versa!
Evan and I are hunter/gatherer wanna-be's! This blog will track my journey of health as it should be, and the honest reality of living in a sugar fried culture. When it comes down to it, I get excited to talk about nutrition, but I am definitely not perfect at it! If you have the desire to eat well, but it is often a challenge to overcome the temptations along the way, then you are in the right company!
I hope you leave this blog feeling enlightened and encouraged as you go throughout your day!
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