NSNG is the acronym for no sugars, no grains. While not a formal diet, it's a guideline for eating well and feeling amazing. This way of eating has seriously changed my life and I can't wait to share it with you! Read on!
When I lived in Canada, my friends and I would take trips down to Buffalo to shop the outlet stores for cheap clothes and then head to a local grocery store for all the fat-free garbage not yet available in our own country. I wholeheartedly embraced the fat-free phenomenon. I remember my first trip to the grocery after moving to California from Toronto. I bought every conceivable low fat/low cal option of processed food they had, from cookies to beer to fat-free sour cream.
Two months and 10lbs later, I couldn’t understand why I was getting heavier. I was eating all this great low-fat stuff, and still running as much as I was in Toronto. Even after training and completing a half ironman (with over 20 hours of training a week), I still couldn't get my weight back down to what it was a year earlier.
I battled the same 10 pounds for the next 7 years. I’d go up and down based on how diligent I was with my fitness, or how careful I was with my calories, but it was always a struggle.
Enter NSNG - No Sugar, No Grains
Since starting on my journey of simply cutting out sugars and grains (NSNG) I have seen some pretty significant changes in my physique, but more importantly, in my approach to eating. I've talked about this before, but it’s worth mentioning again that I’ve drastically reduced my cravings for sugar, carbs and my need to snack between meals. I’m no longer food prepping like it’s my full-time job, and my meals have become more simple and enjoyable. I still enjoy sweet flavors, I just limit it to Xylitol or stevia as they don’t elevate blood sugar levels the same way sugar does. But I find that I even need less of these natural sweeteners as my tastes have changed as well.
So although I’m not suggesting a low carb/high-fat diet is the template diet for everyone, I do think that embracing healthy fats, reducing grains and eliminating sugars is incredibly beneficial to everything from fat loss and hormone balance to mood stabilization and controlling cravings. I love this idea because it's both simple and effective. Truly, it's been a game-changer for me.
If you’re interested in learning more about the benefits of increasing fats in your diet, I highly recommend the following reads:
- Why We Get Fat: And What to Do About It
by Gary Taubes. - Why Women Need Fat: How "Healthy" Food Makes Us Gain Excess Weight and the Surprising Solution to Losing It Forever
by Gary Taubes.
Want to explore some NSNG recipes?
Check out my Pinterest board and feel free to kick off your new food adventure with these favorites:
- The Best beanless chili recipe
- Veggie Nut Roast - a great alternative to stuffing!
- Ginger Turmeric Butternut Squash Soup
- Low Carb Eggplant & Tomato Stew
Were you ever a fat fearer like me? It took me a LONG time to loosen up those ancient Powter paradigms!
Caren is a certified yoga teacher, fitness instructor and author of The Fit Habit. Here she shares simple, low carb recipes, quick home workout ideas and practical ways to foster mind + body wellness.
Jill @ Fitness, Health and Happiness
I've been fascinated about this topic for the past month or so. No fat/low fat is so engrained in me that it's tough to change that mindset. I'll def look into both books. Thanks!
voodiegirl
It's definitely a change of mindset, but well worth the exploration.
Michelle
Isn't she the one who always yelled, "stop the insanity,"? Yes, I remember her. The low fat craze, ironically, has helped people to become more overweight.
voodiegirl
I know!! Which is ironically, insane. lol
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I'm still fascinated by this whole topic and paying close attention. I'm happy to hear your pleased with it thus far and even rubbing olive oil into your skin. If it erases fine lines and wrinkles, I'll give it a whirl. I got some creeping up on me. Eek.
So back to the dietary change: the no sugar thing....does honey or maple syrup count?
voodiegirl
Oh, they're creeping on my face too at a rate I can't really keep up with! LOL.. The olive oil is interesting. It keeps my face well moisturized, but I'd be lying if I didn't say my head smells like a salad sometimes....
Kerry
I remember her and he leotards yelling at everyone. I saw a special on her sort of a where is she now and she is living more off veggies and fruit she grows herself. I went the low cal way for awhile but the thing is they just replace the fat with carbs which means more sugar we need to burn off. I think going the route of removing as much processed food is the best way to go.
Alexandra
I am all about the healthy fats and no grains. I started reducing my grain/sugar intake about 7 years ago and I automatically dropped weight, plus my digestion felt a whole lot better. The whole low fat thing drives me crazy, every one still believes it, including my husband who constantly buys things because they are "healthy", i.e. low fat but with tons of sugar. I don't even bother paying attention to my fat intake because I know as long as its the healthy kind and I stay within my daily calorie limit my body will just metabolize it as energy. I personally love using coconut oil as a moisturizer (its great for removing eye make up too).
voodiegirl
Ugh....the low fat thing is so difficult to get past, and it's interesting how attached men are to it!! My husband is the same way!
Results speak louder than facts, so just keep doing what you're doing.
Tamara
I'm with you 100% on the benefits of limiting sugar and grains for balancing hormones and losing weight.
I find it interesting (in retrospect), how the how 'low fat' movement precipitated adding sugar to just about everything. Fat is what makes things taste good! If you take the fat out, unless you replace it with sugar, nobody would buy it.
voodiegirl
I know!!! It's crazy stuff. I can't believe how long I was brainwashed, too!
Captain Comptition
This sounds lots like the Paleo diet, which really isn't a diet at all. I agree low fat processed foods are not as good for you as people make them out to be.
voodiegirl
omg, my husband is a michigan grad, so when I read your post to him, he cringed. I love it.
Go blue!! (actually, I don't give a shit, I'm canadian and we don't like football all that much).
End those Muscle Aches with Berries
Throw in some veggies in their too!
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