By Dr. Joey Shulman

Currently we are in the throes of a diet craze where all carbohydrates are labeled as the enemy. While reducing the intake of certain carbohydrates, such as those that are refined and higher on the glycemic index is recommended and beneficial for weight loss, it would be unwise to paint all carbohydrates with the same brush. Carbohydrates are broken down into sugar—called glucose—which is the main source of fuel that runs the body. In fact, depending on your weight loss desires, the right type of carbohydrates should comprise either 40% (see phase II – continuum weight loss phase) or 30% of your diet (see phase I – metabolic booster phase).

Fatty fruits?
So why am I asking in a tongue-in-cheek manner if bananas and carrots make you fat? The reason is that many weight loss programs on the market are advocating the elimination of most or all carbohydrates from the diet to a minimum of 20g per day. Let me put into perspective just how little 20g of carbohydrates is:

• 1 serving of fruit (1/2 cup or 1 small fruit) = 10g of carbohydrate
• 1 cup of vegetables = 5g of carbohydrates
• ½ cup of beans = 20-25g of carbohydrates
• 1 whole wheat tortilla = 12g of carbohydrate
• 2 pieces of crispbread = 15g of carbohydrate
• 1 slice of bread (whole wheat) = 15g of carbohydrate

Since bananas are a starchier carbohydrate and carrots have a higher glycemic index than other vegetables, certain diets promote their total elimination. In truth, in all my years of speaking to hundreds of people on health and weight loss, I have never met an individual who was struggling with their weight due to a banana or carrot.

Pinpointing one or two food items as the obstacle that stands in the way of you reaching your goal weight is unwise. The main culprits that contribute to today’s epidemic of obesity are much larger than one or two foods and include:

• The super-sizing of food items
• Refined flours and refined sugary products—white bread, pasta, pop, candy, juice
• Lack of exercise
• Fast food dining

The Truestar weight loss plans
As you will find in our metabolic booster plan, certain fruits are eliminated for a short period of time (six weeks) to get blood sugar under control, regulate insulin levels and jump start the weight loss process. This is not to say that fruits are not loaded with precious vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals—indeed they are.

However, it is better to go a little stricter in the beginning of the program and then slowly re-introduce foods in the continuum weight loss phase (phase II). The fruits that are recommended in phase I are those that have a lower glycemic index rating, such as raspberries and blueberries. Individuals who do better on the metabolic booster program are weight loss seekers, type 2 diabetics or those that suffer from heart disease, hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), and high cholesterol or have had a stroke in the past.

Once blood sugar is under control and you are properly balancing your meals and snacks, fruits are a wonderful addition to your daily diet. I recommend eating 1-2 pieces of raw fruit daily. A terrific rule of thumb is instead of juice, drink water and eat the actual fruit. Most juices are loaded with sugars that will send blood sugar levels soaring.

Weight loss for life!
So, instead of painting one or two food items as the devil, start your weight loss program and maintenance plan with a sensible approach that includes:

1. Meals with the proper balance of protein, carbohydrates and fats. Once you have chosen if you would like the metabolic booster plan (phase I) or the continuum weight loss plan (phase II), fill out a Truestar personal profile to receive specific meals just for you.

2. Avoid all diets that eliminate a whole category of foods altogether.

3. Drink as much water as you can. It’s important to remember that fat holds onto toxic build-up in the body, such as herbicides and pesticides. Drinking water will not only help with the weight loss process, it will also improve your health.

4. Find an exercise program you enjoy. Visit the Truestar exercise section to learn more.

5. Use safe and effective supplements for nourishment and to boost metabolic function. Try TrueLEAN for its phenomenal weight loss effect. 

It’s important to remember that weight loss is a goal you want to last a lifetime. Instead of jumping from fad diet to fad diet, lean on the fast, effective yet sensible approach encompassed by the Truestar weight loss programs and start reaching your goals today!