The Carbohydrate Addict's Diet was created by Richard and Rachel Heller to help people addicted to carbohydrates lose weight and reduce carbohydrate cravings. The diet involves one "reward meal" daily, during which you can eat most anything, and meals and snacks based upon protein and nonstarchy vegetables. Carbohydrate addiction is controversial as a medical condition and carbohydrate-restriction may cause harmful effects, according to the American Heart Association. For best results, seek dietary guidance from qualified professionals.
Fish, Poultry, Lean Red Meat
Protein plays a major role in the Carbohydrate Addict's Diet. In the Hellers' book, "The Carbohydrate Addict's Diet: The Life-Long Solution to Yo-Yo Dieting," lean protein-rich foods are encouraged at all meals and snacks. Optimum choices include cold-water fish such as salmon, herring, mackerel and tuna, white fish such as talapia and cod, extra-lean steak, beef, pork and ham and skinless chicken and turkey breasts. Avoid breaded items at nonreward meals and limit your intake of fatty red meat, dark-meat poultry, poultry skin and processed meats, which contain saturated and trans fats. To avoid excessive fat and calories, opt for healthy cooking techniques such as baking, steaming and grilling in light amounts of olive or canola oil.
Eggs and Dairy Products
Eggs and dairy products provide additional protein-rich menu options that suit the Carbohydrate Addict's Diet. Those lowest in carbohydrates include eggs, egg whites, most cheeses and sour cream. Milk, ice cream, yogurt and frozen yogurt contain carbohydrates in the form of sugar and/or lactose---sugar that occurs naturally in milk. Reserve these items for your reward meal. Select low-fat over high-fat dairy products more often to prevent excessive saturated fat intake. Eggs can be enjoyed boiled, scrambled with or without nonstarchy vegetables and/or cheese or fried. Limiting egg yolks can help keep your cholesterol and saturated intake lower as well.
Nonstarchy Vegetables
The Carbohydrate Addict's Diet also emphasizes intake of nonstarchy vegetables. You may enjoy plentiful amounts of leafy greens, cucumbers, bell peppers, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, broccoli, onions, mushrooms and celery at all meals and snacks. Since vegetables promote strong immune system function and digestive regularity, consume a variety of non-starchy vegetables routinely. You may enjoy nonstarchy vegetables fresh, steamed, grilled or cooked within other dishes, such as omelets and broth-based soups. Frozen and canned vegetables provide valuable secondary options to fresh varieties.
Starches and Sweets
The Carbohydrate Addict's Diet does allow for limited intake of starchy foods, such as breads, pasta, rice, cereals, baked goods and starchy vegetables, such as potatoes and squash. Other carbohydrate-rich foods, such as candy, soft drinks and ice cream, are also permitted. At your reward meal, the Hellers suggest that 1/3 of your meal come from a carbohydrate-rich food, 1/3 from nonstarchy vegetables and 1/3 from a protein-rich food, such as poultry, fish or eggs. You may consume as much food as you desire at your reward meal, but must limit the time frame to one hour. To reap most nutritional benefits, choose complex carbohydrates, such as whole-grain breads, cereals and pasta, brown or wild rice, squash, pumpkin or potatoes over refined carbohydrates.
References
- American Heart Association: Carbohydrate Addiction
- "The Carbohydrate Addict's Diet"; Rachael Heller and Richard Heller; 1993
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