THE DIET WARS, a Battle of the SEXES.. How LowCarb can this go?

CookingWithCarlo.com ^ | Oct 21 2003 | Carlo3b Dad, Chef, Author

[carlo3b]

THE DIET WARS, a Battle of the SEXES

That guy who wrote "Men are from Mars Women are from Venus", the book that no one ever read, ...( a Sleepless in Seattle... sigh), had a great concept, but he had it all wrong.

Never fear, I have straighten it all out for everyone.. :)

*** REMOVE ALL LIQUIDS FROM MOUTH ALERT ***

I, your Natures Sex Chef.. sigh , who knows exactly everything a man needs to know about women, has the answers to the age old questions separating the genders, even where food is concerned... Really!

Women, would prefer Mars, the milk chocolate bar, over a Schwarzeneggered guy most days of the week!
Men, would choose Venus DeMilo, hands down (no pun intended), a naked chic in a bed sheet 10 to 1 over anything else.

Any Questions yet, .. lets see hands.... none? Good...  I thought so..  There's more!

Men and women folk do have other less startling differences in their eating preferences.  For one thing, women have no problem eating a selection of raw fauna and grasses and topped by a bland sour concoction, and littered with potpourri, with a side order of gooey soft curdled stuff, with a teaspoon of boysenberries!

Men would poke a plate of that stuff with a stick to see if it was a nesting area for pheasants before they'd think of eating it!

Women find it acceptable and even somewhat amusing to count things and keep a journal or diary. If a man has to do anything with numbers or instructions that total 3 or more, it won't happen twice. It may not the first time as in travel directions.

For ions we have attacked excess body weight using the intake of calories as a gage. Since an average women can count better than the average guy, counting calories favored the fairer sex.. Further, women get absolutely giddy when they are offered salads, vegetables and tasteless accruements. All of which are low or lower in the dreaded caloric content. So women should have no reason why they should ever worry about eating or carrying FAT!  Right? Perhaps not.

Men are mostly meat and potatoes kind of guys. Vegetable are what meat producing critters eat, salad and vegetable stuff, so why should someone eating them, have to do it too. But Fats, not the jazz singer, the blubber stuff, is what is found in the meat products so preferred by Guys.  Ergo, Guys should have a significant disadvantage over Dolls in the battle of the bulge. Right?

MORE? Surprise, surprise, there are a great deal more differences between the genders, and some of them are even anatomical! Where the fat accumulates also differs between genders.

When it comes to losing weight, women really do face a disadvantage compared to men. More than a few scientific studies have now shown that women accumulate fat faster than men and lose it at a slower pace.

When we are born, both the sexes are about the same weight. Each gender has a body fat totaling up to 12% of body weight. Things stay about the same all during adolescence. However during puberty girls get fatter, and unbelievably, boys become leaner. Girls by  the age of 18, have 20-25% body fat and boys have 15-18%.

It gets even more ominous for girls just because they are girls. We also know that adult women have a build in genetic code that is designed carry extra weight, because of  pregnancy, she would be able to cater to the additional supplies of nutrition to her baby. A women has a lower resting metabolism than men. This means that they burn fewer calories to maintain basic life functions. The differences can be quite significant. A small framed woman may need only 1000 calories to maintain normal body functions and a large framed woman may need about 1600 calories. Conversely men may need anywhere between 1400-2000 calories to carry out normal bodily functions.

Fat also settles differently on men and women. Men usually tend to store fat around their bellies whereas women store fat on their hips and thighs. Research on obesity indicates that fat deposit on the hips and thighs is more difficult to lose. Women's hormones favor depositing fat in that region and not removing it from there except during breast feeding which burns approximately 800 calories a day.

Diet & Nutrition expert Anjali Mukherjee explains:

We all can see that men have an apple shaped body with a large waist-to-hip ratio and are known to be at an increased risk of heart disease and diabetes. Normally, women develop a pear-shaped body with less fat deposits around the abdomen and more in the lower body parts. Such bodies even if obese do not stand a high risk for heart disease. This goes to show that two people with the same amount of body fat may have different health risks. Since excess fat in women is a part of the cosmic plan, they can gain weight even with healthier eating practices. But since fat in men was never meant to be, most men gain weight due to a rich diet or lack of adequate physical activity. Hence, obesity in men is associated with a greater likelihood of health problems than obesity in women. A point to note here is that women who have male type fat distribution (apple shaped bodies) also share the same increased health risk as men.

Men lose weight faster because abdominal fat is easy to burn than fat around the hips and thighs (the place where women tend to store fat.) This also explains why women who add on considerable weight to their lower body during pregnancy have a much harder time losing it after childbirth,... breast-feeding is an excellent way of losing weight around the hips and thighs. (mark that down guys) All this obviously means that many women who are counting calories, suffering hunger pangs and regularly following work-outs are still likely to put on extra weight or even face a tough time losing weight. This often causes anxiety and confusion.

Soooo, where does all of this fantastic information finally get to a bottom line, more aptly the waistline?

I believe the different genders being so inherently different, should attack weight loss much differently. For most men, the Dr. Atkin protein diet is a natural, especially in the early or "Induction phase".  How much easier it is for the average Guy for instance, to go on a diet where torture starts with a main course of charred RED MEAT? Later it has everything a man loves including some limited pastas and breads.. hold the potatoes!

The method I would recommend for girls is a diet called, the South Beach Diet, a modification of the Atkins Diet. The South Beach Diet was written by and designed by Miami cardiologist Dr. Arthur Agatson. I can not help but think this entire concept is a knock-off of the Atkins, but it does have a few significant differences that really favor women in my opinion.  It still has most of the same restrictions in the early phase, but early and later stages allow for the more vegetables and fruits. This I believe is healthier for anyone, especially women.

This will not make die-hard Atkins Diet gurus happy, but I have watched too many folks fail after trying so hard.
I want women and men to stop counting everything, calories or carbs and everything else. I have found that the thinking and counting food and it's components, keeps the laboring thought of diet, dominating too much of their thought. Thinking about eating, and fretting about it constantly, is IMHO, why so many people fall off the wagon and eventually return to their old bad habits. Thinking about food all the time, makes you hungry, all of the time!

These two diets are not so restrictive in what they ask of the dieter to lose and maintain weight, therefore counting things is not, in my opinion, as necessary. Following the book will tell you what you what you can and cannot eat. A public school dropout knows the consequences of eating the wrong foods will reverse all the successes. The Atkins diet says you must count carbs, South Beach is not so stringent.  However, here is my disclaimer, those following the letter of the law with these diets will enjoying better results, and a faster weight loss. Use your best judgment.. Men usually don't count anything anyway, I am just removing the guilt.. :)

I believe the differences between genders will also have an effect on the continued success of maintaining a safer diet. Choosing a diet that is more compatible with your own lifestyle assures a fair chance for an on going lifelong modification to your eating habits.  The dramatic weight loss enjoyed by both Atkins, and SB in "The Induction" will slow appreciably in later stages, and so be it.. I want you to find a comfortable diet that will alter your eating habits that is sustainable, and therefore a successful healthy life.

What I can help with, and what I want to do for everyone, aside from solving all gender differences between the sexes, (ahem) is I will assist you in your planning a long term (bi-weekly) menu for success. By preplanning a menu which has been thought through, so thinking about food, and what to eat is solved, and the only thing left is shopping, warming/cooking and dinnertime.

If I can get you to set aside a couple of hours every week to prepare the foundations of your menu, I can show you how to solve the only pitfall in dieting, whichever one you choose. I give you my word. http://www.click2asia.com/lounge/index.php?y=tothepoint&id=23

[carlo3b]

Don't forget about our other recipes located on former threads.. including these great threads.. All aboard.. We're getting on track to a healthier LIFE! Get series about HEALTHY, and LOW CARB FOOD , and who could forget.. Lets get the SKINNY on the Atkins Diet
Hurry, GET ON BOARD the LOWCARB, and OTHER HEALTH LIVING TRAIN, is leaving the station..

[carlo3b]

 
Here is your chance to GET ON or GET OFF this and other Carlo3B, all important..(Bwhahhahahh).. PING LISTS.

If you wish to remain* on it, just sit back and enjoy our wonderful exchange of ideas and you will be alerted whenever we start posting recipes and other valuable info re: various food management threads.
*If you have been flagged to this thread on post #2, you are already on our temporary ping list, other pings don't count... :(

To be removed** or added to the list, simply respond to this post publicly, on this thread, or Freepmail me with your preference.
**If you are annoyed that you were pinged in the first place, please accept my apology, I have lost my ping list because of a computer crash..Grrr, and be assured that your name will be expunged immediately upon your request.. :)

ALL ABOARD....The FUN FOOD TRAIN is leaving the FAT, BEHIND...
(Fat Behind, get it?)..  Hahahahhahaha...  {{{{{crickets}}}}}  *<]8^p~
 
 

[carlo3b]

Here's to you Tiramisu

• 4 oz ground almonds
• 4 oz ground hazelnuts
• 1 cup double strength decaffeinated coffee, cooled
• 6  med. eggs, separated
• 8 T. sweetener (choose from any of the popular brands with the equivalence)
• 1 lb mascarpone
• 2 T. marsala wine
• 3 T. brandy
• 1 T. orange flower water (Substitute orange liqueur, if desired)
• 1/2 lb. bitter chocolate, grated or finely chopped.


1) Soak the nuts and 2 Tbs. sweetener in the coffee for a few hours.
2) Beat the egg yolks with the remaining sweetener until the yolks turn pale in color and the mixture gets very fluffy.
3) Add the mascarpone and liquid ingredients and stir gently.
4) Beat the egg whites until they are in stiff peaks. Fold them into the mascarpone mixture.
Take the serving dish and add a layer of half the nuts, then a layer of mascarpone mixture, finally a sprinkling of chocolate. Repeat.
Chill for at least an hour before serving.

Serves 12 
10 g Carb each

[carlo3b]

LowCarb Flourless CrepesCrepes:

• 1  large egg
• 1 Tbsp cream
• 1 tsp oil
• 1/4 tsp sugar substitute (adjust to taste)
• 1/8 tsp vanilla

 
Mix well. This will make two crepes.  Put in a well buttered no stick
frying pan and swirl to coat pan cook at medium til top looks dry and flip
for a few seconds.  Put in a plate, add your favorite filling and roll up
and enjoy.
 
Ricotta Filling:

• 1/3 cup ricotta cheese
• 1 pkg sugar substitute

Mix well. This will fill both crepes.

Total carbs: 5.5 g

 

[truthandjustice1]

Add me to your list! My wife and I want to eat healthy.

[carlo3b]

You have made a good choice, we are healthier, and so will you two.. welcome aboard! .. :)

[since1868]

add me thanks

[carlo3b]

Done, pull up a chair and grab a cup of java..hold the sugar.. LOL .:)

[boxerblues]

You just had to make this the first recipe posted, the heck with lunch lets just get dessert

[carlo3b]

For our calorie counters.. this buddy is for you.. ENJOY!

Lower Fat Pasta Carbonara

• 2 eggs
• 4 ounces Canadian Bacon, diced
• 1/8 cup pine nuts
• 2 Tbs. fresh chopped parsley
• 2 Tbs. fresh snipped chives
• 1/4 cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese
• 3 sun dried tomatoes, ground or very finely
• chopped
• to yield 1 Tbs.
• Green onions, thinly sliced for garnish

1) Beat eggs lightly with fork.  Sprinkle with the freshly ground salt and pepper.
2) Drop the spaghetti into boiling water and cook about 10 minutes or until al dente.  Drain over a large bowl, then pour the
water out of the bowl, leaving it heated.
3) While the spaghetti is cooking, heat 1 tsp. oil in a large skillet. Add Canadian bacon and pine nuts.  Sauté until lightly browned, then transfer to the heated bowl.  Add remaining oil to the heated skillet. Scrape the residue off the bottom of the pan and pour into the heated bowl.
4) Stir the beaten egg, parsley, chives, cheese and sun dried tomatoes into the bowl.
5) Add the spaghetti and toss to cover with the egg mixture, which will be cooked by the spaghetti's heat.
Season with additional salt and pepper if desired.
Serve with a tossed salad and crunchy bread.

Serves 4 at 413 calories per serving.

[carlo3b]

the heck with lunch lets just get dessert

You noticed.. sigh.. *<|:o)

[RightWingMama]

I think I fell off your ping list.:-) Please add me again.

[carlo3b]

That won't happen again.. HUG. . :)

[lysie]

Keep me on all your lists carlo...low carb...songs...everything and anything. :-)

[Hermann the Cherusker]

"Vegetable are what meat producing critters eat, salad and vegetable stuff, so why should someone eating them, have to do it too."

Gramps said, "Let the rabbits eat the lettuce. We'll eat the rabbits."

[cyborg]

thanks for the ping

I have a classic pear shape... it comes from both sides of my family. I'd like to look like J.Lo that's as realistic in weight loss as I can get. The low carb diet is my only option with the kind of food my family eats. Plus I don't do Atkins full on, I really like protein power which to me is a knock off of Atkins. I didn't bother picking up South Beach, I know it's a Atkins rip off.

[Xenalyte]

How much pasta does the Carbonara recipe take?

[WVNan]

((((CARLO)))))...you were reading my mind. Hubby has just yesterday gone on the Adkins diet per his doctor's orders. Now I'm struggling with what to fix for him to eat aside from meat, meat and more meat...yuk. I can't imagine life without bread (pastries, fruit, POTATOES!). It's his diet and I refuse to partake of it. Is this a new book you are writing?

[carlo3b]

... {{{{SMOOCH}}}}}..ok?

Almond Pecan Puffins

• 1 1/2 ounces pecans
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 2 packets sugar substitute
• 3  large eggs -- room temp, separated
• 1/4 cup full fat soy flour, unsifted
• 3/4 tsp baking powder
• dash salt
• 1/4 tsp cream of tartar
• 3 Tbs.. sour cream
• 3/4 tsp butter extract
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 20 drops bitter almond extract
• 3 Tbs.. cold water
• 1 1/2 packets sugar substitute
Preheat oven to 325 degree.
1) Chop nuts (easily done in a blender).  Combine with cinnamon and sugar substitute equal to 1 tablespoon sugar and mix thoroughly. Set aside for topping. 
2) Separate eggs.  Beat egg whites with cream of tartar until stiff but not dry.  Beat egg yolks till thick and lemon colored.
3) To egg yolks, add sour cream, extracts, sugar substitute equal to 1/8 cup sugar, and water and beat thoroughly.
4) Combine soy flour, baking powder, cream of tartar, and salt and sift into the yolk mixture.
Stir until combined, then gently fold in the egg whites.
5) Grease a muffin or cupcake tin for 8 puffins.  Spoon 1 tablespoon of batter into each greased section.
Sprinkle a little topping mixture over this batter, then spoon in remaining batter, dividing it evenly.
Top with remaining nut mixture and bake in preheated oven for 50 to 60 minutes.
Cool the puffins completely in the pan (even if takes a few hours).
Serving Size : 8

[carlo3b]

10 oz - 1 lb