Cyd Notter

Author and Nutrition Educator, Founder of The "Plan A" Diet™

Question: When is a cake not a cake?

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Answer: When it's disguised as a giant cheeseburger.

I couldn't resist taking a picture when I saw these cakes displayed at the checkout line. They're no different from most other cakes found in a commercial bakery, but the cheeseburger design was the kicker. One health-damaging food made to look like another. As cute and clever and colorful as a cheeseburger cake appears, a quick look at the label shows why bakery cakes should stay on the shelf, and not make their way into your cart:

The first ingredient is sugar. That means the largest amount of any ingredient in this item is sugar (of course!)

Sugar = highly inflammatory, affects brain chemistry/addictive, weight gain, raises triglycerides which thereby affects cholesterol levels

Milk = saturated fat, cholesterol, known carcinogen, estrogen, acids which affect bone health, growth hormones

Eggs = cholesterol bombs, choline = cancer risk

Oils = 100% fat, inflammatory, impairs circulation, clots blood, damages artery lining and paves the way for plaque build up

Aluminum = definite factor in dementia

At least 9 food dyes = chemicals, linked to allergies, ADHD, cancer

Refined flour = spikes blood sugar, impairs insulin function, raises triglycerides

Unfortunately, the above list of side effects is just the tip of the iceberg. Sure, this cake is funny and would be a big hit at the party, but make no mistake, it's a sugar-filled junk food that promotes ill health and disease. Ask yourself if it's really worth it - and especially ask why you'd want to give this to your children.

Instead, how about a birthday cake that promotes the gift of good health? Here are some recipe ideas. 

Here and here are a few more. And don't forget the brownie and cupcake recipes that are out there, too!

McDougall recipes

Fat Free Vegan recipes

Forks over Knives recipes

Whichever recipe you use, be sure to substitute a natural cane sugar (such as 'sucanat') in place of refined sugar when necessary, replace oil with applesauce, and replace eggs with "flax eggs" (1 egg = 1 TBS ground flax whisked or blended with 3 TBS water); swap out refined flours with whole grain flours, and of course, omit all dairy products such as milk, cream, and butter.

It's not smart to stuff yourself with sweets....(Proverbs 25:27a, MSG)

 

 

 

The Bliss Point (when foods light up our brains)

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Whatever a person gives in to soon becomes his master. (2 Peter 2:19b, VOICE)

One of the biggest barriers to making dietary change is physical food addiction. Food obessesions and uncontrollable cravings can become all-consuming patterns which dominate our thought processes and make us slaves to our impulses.

Those struggling with food addiction not only face the mental angst of defeat and helplessness, but the far-reaching health threats assocated with unhealthy foods as well.

Photo credit: bark on Visualhunt / CC BY

The Standard American Diet (SAD), filled with sugar, fats, salt, and animal products, is the ideal breeding ground to create food cravings, all while contributing to inflammation, chronic disease, and the growing rate of obesity.

A chapter in The "Plan A" Diet - titled "Hooked on Sweets, Treats, and Other Cheats" - explains the process used by food manufacturers to create and enhance food addictions in our brains; by maniuplating their products with addicting properties, they keep us hooked and maximize their sales.

Companies spend billions of dollars formulating products with just the right amount of sugar, salt, and fat in order to optimize taste and create a heightened "sensory profile." The point at which this perfected blend of addicting properties is reached is referred to as "the bliss point." It's the optimal point at which our brains light up from the release of natural opiates and dopamine stimulation in our reward centers.

Food addictions are powerful, but there ARE ways to break free and overcome their lure. The book spells out several guidelines, but if your addictions are quite serious, you may need professional help too. Future online classes may be developed on this very topic - please subscribe to my monthly newsletter to stay informed.

When you're given a box of candy, don't gulp it all down; eat too much chocolate and you'll make yourself sick. (Proverbs 25:16, MSG)

Concerns with Coronary Calcium Scans

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Considering a Coronary Calcium Scan? A Coronary Calcium Scan is a CT scan of the heart that detects the amount of calcium in the artieries, but many respected groups, researchers, and professional cardiology societies are now recommending against the test.

In her informative article today, Dr. Pam Popper explains the current concerns about the test, which partly include:

  • The test does not detect plaques, and therefore cannot inform a patient of their true risk of experiencing an event or death
  • Someone with a perfect score of zero can still have significant blockages
  • Cancer concern from the large dose of radiation (100 - 400x a traditional xray)
  • False positives which lead to unnecessary, invasive procedures and drugs

Because the potentential harms outweigh any benefits, many groups are now recommending against the test (including the USPSTF - The U.S. Preventative Services Task Force, which finds no evidence that screening for coronary heart disease is beneficial).

Just one more reason why we need to do our homework before agreeing to any type of tests or procedures, preventative or otherwise.....

.....and another great reason to protect our arteries with a whole food, plant-based, no-added-oil eating plan, as spelled out in The "Plan A" Diet. 

 

Why Dr. Lim Quit Paleo/Keto and Chose Plant Based

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I'm a big fan of Dr. Anthony Lim. I saw him speak at a 2016 McDougall weekend, and was completely impressed with his communication skills and humble manner. (Dr. Lim is also a strong Christian who graciously endorsed my book!)

Check out Dr. Lim's 11-minute interview from 2017, For many years, he was convinced that "carbs were bad." He was a huge advocate of Paleo type diets during his medical training and early residency, but changed his point of view and became a passionate advocate of whole food, plant-based (WFPB) eating - in just one day!

He also points out the mistakes that people make during their transition to WFPB eating.

Dr. Lim now serves to help people at the TrueNorth facility in Santa Rosa, and is also the medical director of the McDougall Program.

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.

(James 4:10, NLT)

Interview on Karl’s Coaching Podcast

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I had the privilege and blessing to be interviewed recently by Karl Forehand. Karl has 20 years experience as a pastor and a counselor, plus he's certified in Plant Based Nutrition through Dr. Campbell's eCornell course. He hosts two Facebook pages (WFBP Christians, and Four-Eyed Plant Eater) and offers coaching through his website.

Because we're on the same page in many areas, I contacted Karl several weeks ago to ask if I could send him a copy of The "Plan A" Diet. He agreed (and explains in the interview why he was somewhat reluctant about it initially).

However, after reading the book, he invited me as a guest on his podcast! Here's the interview. Hopefully you'll have time to give it a listen - and feel free to share it! I'm convinced that God has purposes for this book, and it's exciting to see the doors He conintues to open.

I know that you can do everything and that your plans are unstoppable.

(Job 42:2, GW)

 

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