The Plan A Diet – Cyd Notter

Is it too late to start eating healthy?

March 26, 2020 By Cyd Notter Leave a Comment

Some folks are convinced they’re health problems are a normal part of aging. Others believe that making a dietary change might be beneficial for some, but it’s too late to benefit them personally because their weight or health issues are too severe.

Both of these perspectives are false.

It is never too late to benefit from a whole food, plant-based diet, regardless of a person’s age, the severity of illness, and the length of time the person has been sick. (continue reading here)

So let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up, or quit. (Galatians 6:9, MSG)

I’m here if you need help getting started – it’s never too late to benefit!

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Pop Quiz #4: Which of these oils contain the least fat?

March 5, 2020 By Cyd Notter Leave a Comment

Last week’s pop quiz (which food has the highest saturated fat) revealed that one of America’s most addictive foods is also the highest in saturated fat.

Today’s final pop quiz (are you sad it’s the final one for now?) deals with another topic that’s crucial to good health. So put your thinking cap on, and remember that trick questions may come your way now and then (take the hint).

Question: Which of the following oils contain the least amount of fat?

a) Olive oil

b) Canola oil

c) Coconut oil

d) Corn oil

e) Sesame oil

f) Fish oil

g) Avocado oil

h) Peanut oil

(Jeopardy music plays as you ponder):

Well, let’s see now…..

I’m familiar with most of these oils….

Hmmm….which is lowest in fat.

I’m going to guess it’s _____ oil.

Answer: So sorry, it’s another trick question ( I tried to warn you). The answer is that none of these oils are lowest in fat because all oils are 100% pure liquid fat. Oils are the extracted fats from vegetables, nuts, seeds, or fish, and all oils contain 120 calories per TBS and 14 grams of fat. Oils are known to damage the endothelial lining of our arteries (thereby paving the way for plaque formation), increase inflammation, and restrict blood flow as much as butter or lard.

Here’s something that might surprise you, too: coconut oil is one of the worst. Not only is coconut oil 100% fat (as all oils are), but 92% of it is saturated fat. Coconut oils contains more than double the saturated fat as does pure lard. NOT good and definitely not healthy.

Oils are a real diet buster, too. Just adding 3 Tablespoons of oil a day (which isn’t unlikely in the American diet) will lead to a weight gain of 3 lbs/month – without adding any bulk or nutrition to the food. Get your healthy fats by eating the whole foods, and not just the extracted fats. In other words, get your olive oil by tossing a few olives on your salad or pizza.

I can show you how to bake, sauté, and make salad dressings without the use of oils!

Pop Quiz #3: Which food has the most saturated fat?

February 27, 2020 By Cyd Notter Leave a Comment

Last week’s pop quiz (which food has the most fiber) was sort of a trick question. But at least you’re really on your toes, now, right?

This week’s quiz isn’t a trick, however. The question does have one right answer. It’s an important topic since saturated fat stiffens the artery walls, makes our blood viscous (thick), leads to high blood pressure and heart disease, impairs brain function, and contributes to type 2 diabetes and many other diseases.

Question: What food is the highest source of saturated fat in the American Diet?

a) Steak

b) Potatoes

c) Cheese

d) Fish

e) Chicken

f) Beans

g) Glazed donuts

So many choices on this one…..

Let’s see, it probably isn’t the beans……

Could it be the donuts? Maybe not?

Answer: Cheese. Cheese is an extremely fatty product and is the number one source of saturated fat in the American diet. About 70% of its calories come from fat, most of which is saturated fat, or “bad” fat. Americans eat more than 34 pounds of cheese per person per year – three times more than they did in 1970.

That’s not to say the steak, fish, chicken, and glazed donuts don’t contain a great deal of saturated fat. They do. But cheese is the highest source.

Fortunately, there are MANY delicious plant-based recipes for cheese, cheese sauce, nacho cheese, parmesan cheese, holiday cheese balls, and much more. Check out www.eatplant-based.com or www.thevegan8.com for some yummy recipes.

Next week’s Pop Quiz will be the final one of the series! Unless you want to keep going 🙂

Pop Quiz #1: Which has more sodium?

February 13, 2020 By Cyd Notter Leave a Comment

The teachers in my grade school were big fans of “pop quizzes.” We never knew when we’d be asked to pull out a blank piece of paper and answer the questions being written on the board. Most of us dreaded those pop quizzes, but in retrospect, they did keep us on our toes!

In that spirit, the next few blogs will present a pop quiz question just for fun. See how many you can ace.

Question: Which product contains the most sodium?

a) A serving of broiled beef

b) a serving of baked all-natural chicken

c) a large order of McDonald’s French fries

d) a serving of pretzels?

(Think it over carefully as the Jeopardy music plays in your head)

(Are you sure you’re right? Don’t look just yet)

(Think again)

Ok, here’s the answer:

The chicken. According to Dr. Michael Greger, the poultry industry commonly injects chicken carcasses with salt water to artificially inflate their weight, yet the chicken can still be labeled “100 percent natural.” Consumer Reports found that some supermarket chickens are pumped so full of salt water that they registered 840 mg of sodium per serving.

Surprising, right?

The majority of our salt intake comes from processed food, animal products, and fast food. A whole food, plant-based diet provides all the sodium you need and even allows you to flavor your food with a little salt. A good rule of thumb is to salt your food at the table rather than at the stove top. Far less salt is used by flavoring the surface of your food rather than mixing/cooking it into the recipe.

An effective treatment for colds and flu

February 6, 2020 By Cyd Notter Leave a Comment

While there is no cure for the flu or common cold, there is a natural product which has proven to not only reduce the symptoms, but drastically shorten the duration of the ailment.

What is it? Black Elderberry syrup (extract).

In this video, Dr. Pam Popper talks about the research proving this treatment to be very effective – and with no side effects! (Fast forward to the 4:18 point to hear her speak on the topic). She mentions a product called Sambucol (black elderberry syrup) which can be purchased online if you can’t find a similar product locally.

I’m betting this would be most effective if taken at the onset of an illness, so it might be wise to have black elderberry on hand. I notice it’s available in tablet form, as well.

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PS: If you’re struggling to lose weight or worried about your health, a new online course is releasing on Feb. 19, 2020, which would definitely benefit you. If you’re ready to take control of your weight and health, this course has the answers. I would love to guide you on the 6-week journey to a leaner, healthier you. Click here for details. There’s a deadline and limited seating. Please contact me with any questions.

Dear friend, I pray that you may prosper in every way and be in good health physically

just as you are spiritually. (3 John 1:2, HCSB)

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