Making a positive change, such as reducing your grain
intake, eliminating sugar, and reaching for nonstarchy
vegetables (like kale) over starchy, insulin-stimulating ones
(like potatoes) may often seem like a simple act of
willpower. However, dietary change is among the hardest
things to accomplish for most people. We bring to every
meal the accumulation of years of habit, societal pressure,
and cultural norms, influencing both what we and our
bodies seem to want.
Prior to the obesity epidemic driven by these kinds of
foods, people maintained a healthy weight without counting
calories or expensive gym memberships. With the following
guiding principles, which have worked for both Dr. Paul
and me, it will become possible to avoid dense sources of
sugar and carbohydrates, and even potentially to achieve
weight loss, without counting calories or creating an
obsessive relationship with food. (The only time food
intake, and thus calories, will be temporarily restricted is
during periods of fasting, called intermittent fasting, which I
will describe in chapter 6.)
Get Your Sleep, and Meditate When
Stressed
Stress and sleep loss will sabotage the willpower of an
overeater, so it’s important to take these into account when
considering your diet. We cover both in greater depth in
chapter 9, but for now, remember: a good night’s sleep
allows you the fortitude to make lasting dietary changes by
making sure that your hormones aren’t working against you.
When it comes to stress, consuming refined grains and