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Thanks!
You're right to point out that there is a difference between noting that "eating too much sugar makes me (the individual) dizzy" and "obese people are food addicts that are always going to get dizzy, sleepy or 'logy' if they eat too much sugary or flour-based foods." Your observation applies to you as an individual. The latter is a generalization for which I have not provided any evidence whatever.
I've read both of the books Danowski has in print fairly carefully, and she is allowed some wheat-based foods (like completely sugar-free cereals) in limited portions. I just don't see how the professionals that treated her could allow her to have, say, sugar-free wheat bran cereals or plain Cream of Wheat, without making the connection between the wheat product and the flour. I mean, if whole-wheat or refined white flour can cause your serotonin levels to spike, what about plain old health-food-store sugar-free wheat cereals? Or, as I say in the article, turkey? I've seen more evidence in my local paper for turkey-induced serotonin spikes than for serotonin spikes (an unusually rapid rise, then an unusually rapid fall, in serotonin levels in the blood) induced by wheat products of any kind. I also don't see how the change in the product - from freshly-harvested wheat berries to whole-wheat or refined flour - can be the cause of the addiction these authors claim exists. They just expected me to believe that "you can eat Grape Nuts - which has wheat - or plain Cream of Wheat, but not bread, pasta or wedding cake with frosting." The Grape Nuts ought to do it just as easily as the bread, pasta or cake frosting, or even the unfrosted cake.
posted by
kidnykid
on April 25, 2003 at 8:46 PM
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Give up sugar and flour? NO!
Thank you for this well-written review.
I have heard people say before that I should give up sugar and flour. And I see for myself how foods such as pasta trigger a binging effect. I will almost always overeat when I make spaghetti or macaroni and cheese. And yes, eating too much sugar makes me dizzy. Still, I'm reluctant to give up these foods completely. Am I supposed to do without birthday cake for the rest of my life? The thought is too much to bear.
I like the idea of individualized food plans. Everyone's bodies are different, and react in different ways. I simply don't see how a "one size fits all" meal plan, especially one as drastic as the one proposed by this book, could be of benefit to the entire population. Some of my friends feel they can only be healthy if the stay away from sweets. That's fine for them. As for me, I want my sweets and pasta. What I'm trying to do instead of restricting food is simply listen to my body, and only eat when I am physically hungry. So far it seems to be working well.
By the way, I read your "Secret Life of Cats" earlier and much enjoyed it. I'll be on the lookout for more of your posts.
posted by
xnera
on April 25, 2003 at 7:46 PM
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