One of the most important books in the nutritional world in recent years has become one of the most controversial: Dr. David Perlmutter’s “Grain Brain: The Surprising Truth about Wheat, Carbs, and Sugar–Your Brain’s Silent Killers.”
The book explores the damage that carbohydrates (including those supposedly “healthy” grains that we’re all advised to eat) can do to your brain and your body. Add in sugar, and you’ve got a lethal mix, and Dr. Perlmutter explains it clearly. The Grain Brain diet goes beyond gluten-free: It eliminates all forms of grains, which Dr. Perlmutter links to conditions ranging from obesity to dementia to depression to diabetes.
Why the controversy? Because he details precisely how our nation’s food pyramid and Standard American Diet (SAD) have failed, and for grain growers and sugar seducing corporations, it’s a book that can tidily put them out of business.
Dr. Perlmutter explains in his book how to use a high fat low carb ketogenic diet both for weight loss and for help with conditions such as depression, dementia and diabetes.
One of the most frequently asked questions when it comes to low carb diets: How much fat should you consume?
“I’d like to see at least 70% of calories coming from fat, including olive oil, nuts, seeds, grass fed beef, fish, and pasture raised eggs,” Dr. Perlmutter told me in a recent interview.
Note the emphasis, however, on the sources of these foods. It’s advice echoed by Dr. Cate Shanahan, author of “Deep Nutrition: Why Your Genes Need Traditional Food” and “Food Rules: A Doctor’s Guide to Healthy Eating.” She coaches the Los Angeles Lakers on their nutritional needs, and has helped them power their game with a high fat low carb Paleo-style guide that features unprocessed foods such as grass-fed beef.
But what if you can’t afford or can’t find grass-fed beef? Mark Sisson, author of “The Primal Blueprint: Reprogram your genes for effortless weight loss, vibrant health, and boundless energy (Primal Blueprint Series),” says that as long as you avoid significant amounts of linoleic acid in your diet (e.g. seed oils), ” the omega-6 content of conventional beef fat won’t throw your tissue ratios off by much (if at all).”
However, what can affect your weight and health: The “lack of omega-3 fats in grain-fed.” His hack: Eat fatty fish or take fish oil.
Low Carb Diet Diva 