the first part of this message is a quiz which you may take...if you do, the
answers
may astound you.

the second part consists of a list of foods and instructions on how to follow
this, the
BESTEST diet in the world! this diet is highly recommend by the american
diabetes
association, the american heart association, and most doctors in america!! it's
a very
easy diet to follow cuz, once a day, it allows you to indulge yourself with
sweets,
carbs, etc. and thereby is a diet which you can follow for the rest of your
life!!!

p.s. i have found the easiest way to follow this diet; it consists of 4 cans of
green beans
per day (each can is labelled as 14.5 oz., but has, really, only about 7 oz. of
vegetable
and the rest is water which, of course, you drain. i accompany these cans of
beans
with 2 to 3 slices of deli ham (the kind without the salt water injected into
it) or
turkey (unfortunately, smoked turkey is out because of the high salt content)
and i
also have 4 to 5 slices of cheese (as you'll see from the list, almost evey
cheese is
listed), my favourite is smoked provolone; and together, the meat and cheese, i
use to
make a "wrap."

during nighttime meals, i usually make a little extra meat so i can eat it the
next
day with my beans. oh! and i use a dressing on the beans to make them less
monotonous tasting. the dressing i use most often is "walden farms" italian
dressing.
it is calorie free, fat free, carb free, cholesterol free, and has only 12%
sodium.

at any rate, take a look and post your responses about what YOU think of
it...i'd
really be interested to know.

CARBOHYDRATE QUIZ

1. After eating a full breakfast, I get hungrier before it's time for lunch
than I would
have if I had nothing for breakfast at all or just a cup of coffee. YES
NO

2. I get tired and/or hungry in the mid-afternoon. YES NO

3. I get very sluggish or tired after a large meal. YES NO

4. I sometimes put off plans for evening tasks or activities because I lose
motivation
after dinner. YES NO

5. I have more difficulty stopping once I start to eat starches, snack foods,
or sweets,
than I have in not eating any at all. YES NO

6. About two hours after eating, I sometimes get tired, hungry, irritable,
shaky,
disoriented, unmotivated, or find that I have a headache. Sometimes a snack may
make me feel better.
YES NO

7. Stress makes me want to eat, either immediately or after the stress is
somewhat
diminished.
YES NO

8. Foods that include table sugar, fruit sugar (fructose), or artificial
sweeteners are
included in most of my meals. YES NO

9. As I get older, I seem to gain weight more. YES NO

10. At least one of my blood relatives in overweight. YES NO

11. I do not lead an active lifestyle. YES NO

12 I am under some stress at home or work on a pretty regular basis. YES
NO

13. I have been told that I have one or more of the following: high blood
pressure,
undesirable blood-fat levels (high total cholesterol or triglycerides, low HDL
or high
LDL levels), or adult on-set diabetes, heart disease, vascular disease, or an
imminent
stroke. YES NO

14. One or both of my parents had any of the above conditions. YES NO

15. I sometimes have a hard time going to sleep without a bedtime snack. YES
NO


SCORING

Score using the value listed for a YES answer and zero for a NO answer:

QUESTION VALUE
YOUR SCORE


1-----------------------------------6-------------------------------------------\
- ____


2----------------------------------2--------------------------------------------\
-____


3----------------------------------1--------------------------------------------\
-____


4----------------------------------4--------------------------------------------\
-____


5----------------------------------5--------------------------------------------\
-____


6----------------------------------3--------------------------------------------\
____


7----------------------------------3--------------------------------------------\
____


8----------------------------------1--------------------------------------------\
____


9----------------------------------3--------------------------------------------\
____


10----------------------------------3-------------------------------------------\
-____


11----------------------------------3-------------------------------------------\
-____


12---------------------------------3--------------------------------------------\
-____


13----------------------------------5-------------------------------------------\
--____


14----------------------------------4-------------------------------------------\
--____


15----------------------------------4-------------------------------------------\
--____

Total Possible Score 50 Your Score
_____


Doubtful-----------------------13 or less
Mild-----------------------------14 to 22
Moderate----------------------23 to 35
Strong-------------------------36 to 50

If you crave carbohydrates and have trouble losing or maintaining your weight,
you
may be a "Carbohydrate Addict." This test and score sheet measures possible
addiction/intolerance to carbohydrates. Addiction or intolerance to carbos
makes it
almost impossible to lose weight while still eating high amonts of carbo-rich
foods. A
change in the foods you eat is recommended along with hypnosis. If you feel you
are,
or may be a "Carbohydrate Addict," we will discuss how to make those changes in
your diet and recommend some reading material to help you understand the
addiction.

INSULIN & CARBOHYDRATE ADDICTION

Insulin is normally released into the blood stream when carbohydrates are
eaten.
First, a small measured amount a few minutes after a meal is begun is released
then,
about seventy-five to ninety minutes later, a second release occurs. The amount
of
insulin is determined by the amont of carbohydrates in the meal and by how well
the
first release handled the carbohydrates. The amount of the first release of
insulin is
determined by the amount of carbos eaten in PREVIOUS meals. This is true for
everyone. For those people who are "Carbohydrate Addict," there is a breakdown
of
this normal process.

"Carbohydrate Addicts" release too much insulin when stimulated by carbos,
and
that insulin has a hard time transporting blood sugar into the cells where it is
needed
for energy. The cells "cry" for energy and the body respond by releasing more
insulin
that triggers hunger and more eating of carbos. This craving of carbos happens
because the human body "knows" that carbos are supposed to provide quick energy.
I
say "supposed" because with carbohydrate addiction, they don't!

Carbohydrate rich foods raise insulin in the blood. "Carbo Addicts" respond
with too
much insulin to carbo rich foods. Body cells are "insulted" with too much
insulin and
begin to resist insulin, leaving it to be stored in the liver as fat or left in
the blood if
the liver cells also resist it. In animals, insulin injections have produced
obesity,
because insulin appears to stimulate fat synthesis, which means, in the simplest
possible terms, overweight occurs in the presence of excess insulin.

Eventually, the pancreas becomes exhausted by trying to increase insulin to
feed
the cells that are starving for energy. Insulin's job is to carry blood sugar
into the
cells to be used as energy and to store unused blood sugar as fat to be used
later. It
does this with the help of the liver. It also sends signals to the brain that
energy has
been delivered to the cells and they are satisfied. When the pancreas becomes
unable
to produce enough insulin "adult onset diabetes" may occur and insulin levels in
the
blood drop and blood sugars rise.

There is a method of eating that will help control carbohydrate addiction
and help
keep insulin working in a more normal way in the "Carbohydrate Addict." It will
also
reduce the resistance to insulin by cells so that they will use the insulin that
is
available properly for energy and call fat out of storage when needed for
additional
energy instead of crying for more food. It is done by eating high protein and
high
fiber, craving reducing foods for breakfast and lunch then having a full meal at
dinner that includes a balance of protein, craving reduction vegetables and
salads
and carbos. And, by limiting the length of your dinner meal to ONE HOUR. No
snacks unless you are trying to maintain your weight and then your snacks must
be
from protein and high fiber, craving reduction foods. You must include
carbohydrates ONCE A DAY! Your body NEEDS them. You only need to limit the
frequency, keeping them confined to one meal. You may change your carbohydrate
meal to lunch on special occasions. Beware of changing it too often...it
creates a bad
habit and you may find your craving for carbos returning.

The ONE HOUR TIME LIMIT reduces the amont of insulin needed in the "second"
release period. By avoiding carbos at breakfast and lunch, the "first" release
of
insulin is less because that release is based on the amount of carbos eaten at
previous
meals. In just a few days, your cells will notice the difference in the amount
of
insulin in your blood stream and reduce their resistance to it.

This is not a short term way of eating. If you are a "Carbohydrate Addict,"
it must
become a LIFETIME CHANGE!! Consider it a cheap and painless alternative to
insulin therapy for diabetes.

What you get in exchange is MORE energy and that much desired weight loss.
And
you do not have to give up your favourite foods, only change the time you will
eat
them. You don't have to count calories or remember "food exchanges" or avoid
fats
unless your doctor has told you to. You should "let your conscience be your
guide" in
the size of your portions. It is possible to eat MORE FOOD then you need out of
habit
and, if such is the case, you can't expect to lose much weight if that is your
goal. But
even if you don't feel a need to lose weight, you will notice a dramatic
increase in
your energy and comfort levels and lose those food cravings you can well live
without.

This change in eating habits and the craving reductions and weight loss that
goes
with it is only appropriate for those people who have tested mild to strong on
the
"Carbohydrate Addict" test. It has little effect on people who do not suffer
this
addiction, even if they also have a weight problem. People with mild addictions
will,
over time, develop a stronger addiction. So, the time to make a change is NOW
before your body is damaged by excess insulin.

A good source of additional information on the cause of "Carbohydrate
Addiction"
and the diet that helps corect it can be found in the book, "The Carbohydrate
Addict's
Diet," by Dr. Rachael F. Heller and Dr. Richard F. Heller. They have written
several
books which adapt this diet to individual circumstances. You will find abundant
reference material used in their research of this common addiction. Their books
also
include recipes to help you cook for your new lifestyle. **NOTE: Personally, I
don't
see the need for recipes as you can cook in your usual manner as long as you
remember, except for the dinner meal, to leave out rice, bread, couscous,
potatoes,
etc etc.**











THIS IS YOUR LOW CARBOHYDRATE REDUCING PLAN

The foundation of this diet is limiting the TIME you eat high carbohydrate
foods, once
a day. By doing this, you will find your energy increasing, your blood sugar
staying
stable, your craving for carbo foods decreasing, and your weight going down. It
is
important that you follow the guidelines and not cheat on the carbos. If you
are
motivated to lose weight, incrase your energy and decrease the likelihood of you
becoming diabetic at some point in your life because of obesity, you will find
this
pattern of eating easy to follow. The American Diabetic Association has stated
that if
you have a body fat ratio of more than 30%, it is not a matter if you BECOME
diabetic, but WHEN!!! Reducing your body fat is the best way to prevent
diabetes
and all of the complications that can come with it. This diet has been shown to
be
safe for diabetics wishing to lose weight and has even deceased the need for
insulin in
some cases. If you have been disagnosed as diabetic, please check with your
doctor
before going on this diet. If fats have been limited by your doctor, please
follow his
advice and adjust your meals to include low fat versions of the foods on this
diet.

The basic plan is as follows:

Choose your breakfast food from the list of approved foods (list to follow).
Try to
include one cup or more of the approve vegetables. This may seem hard, at
first, but
think of all the good things you can put in an omelet. Salads may not be
"normal"
breakfast food, but what is breakfast, after all? It is the first meal of the
day. That is
all...there are no rules as to what foods make up your first meal of the day.
Be
creative!

Choose your midday meal from the approved list. Include a salad and as many of
the
approved vegetables as you can...they can go in the salad, if you want. You
need 1 or
2 cups...this helps keep you comfortable and your body functioning properly.
Avoid
low fat or not fat salad dressings...they contain more carbohydrates and sugars
than
the real thing. Sorry...NO BREAD with breakfast or lunch. Meat rolls made of
deli
meats and cheeses with a little mustard or mayonnaise, a dill pickle, sliced
thinly,
wrapped up in a large lettuce leaf is a good substitute for a sandwich...have
two if
you want them!!!

Snacks, if you feel your weight loss program will support them can be 1/2
portions of
any of the foods on the approved list. Again....no bread products or
sweets...also, no
fruits....lots of carbohydrates there!

Now, the good part....DINNER!! For dinner, you can have carbohydrates. That
means ANYTHING you like!!! You are not counting calories on this eating plan.
Try
to make your meals up in 1/3 portions. 1/3 high protein; 1/3 salad and
vegetables;
and 1/3 other foods, including your dessert portion. If you feel a need for
seconds,
maintain the 1/3 portion schedule. Have seconds of high protein and vegetables
along with your seconds of carbohydrates. Keep your plate balanced!!

Your dinner or high carbohydrate meal MUST BE FINISHED WITHIN ONE HOUR!!
Do not cheat on this. This includes your dessert. By finishing your meal
within one
hour, you help maintain your insulin balance and that leads to greater feelings
of
satisfaction with your new eating plan. This plan will reduce cravings for
additional
carbos and result in a 1 to 3 lb. weight loss per week!! You should not lose
any faster
than that. If you find you are losing faster than that, increase your portion
size at
breakfast and midday from the approved food list. Keep all your high
carbohydrates
in one meal. If you are in doubt if a food is low in carbos, check the label.
Choose only
foods that are below 4 gr-carbohydrate per serving.

Weigh every day, if possible, and take a weekly average to keep track of your
weight
reduction. If you need to, adjust your portion size. If your craving for
carbos is still a
problem, check for hidden triggers....like diet soda. Artificially sweetened
foods can
keep some people from losing their cravings by "fooling" the brain with their
sweet
taste and causing an over production of insulin which creates a craving for
carbos.

You are now on your way to losing weight and creating a higher energy plateau
for
yourself.