What to dip in guacamole?

[GlassJaw]

The fat in avocado is mostly monounsaturated fat, which is much better than the fat you'll find in other foods. (Some people even say that monounsaturated fat is good for you.) It also has a lot of potasium, fiber, and vitamins B, E, and K. While you probably won't lose weight eating it, it's likely better for you than the chips you dip in it, which are pretty much all carbs, fat, salt and nothing else. (Which is why I'm trying to eliminate the chips from the equation.)

I'm not on any diets, but I do see some truth to Adkins and South Beach. For example, I find that when I eat a very carb-heavy breakfast (like a couple of muffins) I get hungry around 11, but if I add more protein (cereal with soy milk instead of muffins) I'm fine until my normal lunchtime of 1. So I try to avoid carbs when possible just because I find they make me get hungrier faster.

Good stuff Merkuri. I've actually read studies that monosaturated fats/avocados will help with weight loss. Moderation is of course the key but if you are active, avocados are a great addition to your diet.

Re: carbs

Carbs in the themselves aren't bad, but it definitely depends on the types of carbs. Complex carbs, carbs derived from sugars, and the "white" cards should be avoided. The main offenders include junk food, soda, potatoes, white bread, pasta, and corn.

Things like fruit, beans, fiber cereals, milk, etc all have carbs but are also high in fiber and protein. If you avoid the "bad" carbs, you don't have to limit yourself any more than that. Again, if you are active, your body NEEDS some carbs.

 

[Umbran]

I'm not on any diets, but I do see some truth to Adkins and South Beach. For example, I find that when I eat a very carb-heavy breakfast (like a couple of muffins) I get hungry around 11, but if I add more protein (cereal with soy milk instead of muffins) I'm fine until my normal lunchtime of 1. So I try to avoid carbs when possible just because I find they make me get hungrier faster.

Pardon if I bore you with things you already know, but this statement leads me to think you don't understand Atkins very well.

When I called Atkins a metabolic hack, I wasn't kidding. Atkins is not just "low carb, high protein" - it is a very specific program designed to engage some very specific metabolic processes in the human body.

For energy, the human body normally turns to carbohydrates. If you severely restrict carbohydrate intake, you can kick the body into using a secondary metabolic pathway (called ketosis), where the liver starts turning fats into things that can be used for energy instead of carbohydrates. You are, in essence, tricking the body into thinking it is in a state of starvation.

You do not reach this state with simple "low carbs", or swapping out some carbs for extra protein. You have to go to, "I am eating so few carbs my body thinks I'm eating *nothing*." The power of Atkins cannot be invoked casually - it requires a major change in your habits and lifestyle.

Atkins can be good for folks who like to take a whole lot of weight off in a short amount of time (like a guy who has found out he's got really high blood pressure, and needs to lose 50 lbs ASAP). But studies have shown that Atkins is no better than normal diet and exercise over periods of greater than six months, and has a greater rate of recidivism (falling off the wagon), due to the severe restrictions it puts on your habits.

South Beach doesn't rely on the metabolic hack, but I've not seen any independent study showing that it works better than normal "moderation of portion size and get exercise" dieting.

This is not to say that what works for you doesn't work for you. I'm saying that it isn't really related to what Atkins is talking about. Control of the feeling of hunger is a different kettle of fish, is all.

 

[Merkuri]

Atkins is not just "low carb, high protein" - it is a very specific program designed to engage some very specific metabolic processes in the human body.

I know it's not just "low carb, high protein", but that's the "some truth" part I was talking about.

Never been on Atkins or South Beach or any diet for that matter. I personally believe that diets are nothing but quick fixes and that if you want to lose weight or be healthy you need to make a lot of small but permanent changes to your lifestyle (like dipping carrots instead of chips into guacamole).

 

[GlassJaw]

i personally believe that diets are nothing but quick fixes and that if you want to lose weight or be healthy you need to make a lot of small but permanent changes to your lifestyle (like dipping carrots instead of chips into guacamole).

qft

 

[Hypersmurf]

I have no idea about how healthy or unhealthy it is, but here's mine:

I'm not that fond of pita chips (too dry!), but I'm personally fond of dipping toasted pita bread in avocado dips.

There are some marvellous toaster-sized pita pockets at the supermarket; chuck them in the toaster to heat, slice them into strips, dip and eat.

-Hyp.

 

[Pbartender]

There are some marvellous toaster-sized pita pockets at the supermarket; chuck them in the toaster to heat, slice them into strips, dip and eat.

Guh. Oh, Hyp... How could you?

If you're going to get pita bread, don't get the stuff with the "pockets". And please, please don't put them in a toaster.

Get good, non-pocket pita bread, brush it with just a spoonful of olive oil, and lightly grill it on a hot skillet until it just starts turning golden brown and crispy around the edges. Cut the pita into quarters, and spread your guacamole (or more traditionally, hummus) on that.

 

[Relique Hunter]

Cauliflower. I loves me some cauliflower. Yum!

 

[CoatRackOfDoom]

guacamole is also very good on grilled fish. Ahi tuna, or swordfish, shark, mahi mahi, a little oil, dill, and lemon pepper seasoning and drop it on the grill.

I like to prepare some diced avocado with a couple splashes of light italian dressing for use as a topping for fish. Much better for you than tartar sauce!

 

[Studio69]

Cheese sticks.

 

[demonking1]

People I don't like, I did that to my worst enemy in 2nd grade, he suffocated under there.