Getting Back on Track Using the Rice Diet

Sometimes my train just jumps the track.  It may be my household train, my finance train, or in this case my healthy eating train.  My train derailed in late July and I haven't got it completely on the track since.  In previous posts, I wrote about high school sports and the challenges that brought.  I've tried to get back on track after that but have not been completely successful....yet.

When I first began a WFPB diet with no meat, eggs, or dairy, I began on April 1, 2017 after a little over a year being vegetarian again.  My catalyst was a high blood pressure reading at my annual physical.  I researched and chose the Rice Diet, as practice by Dr. Kempner, due to the success it had shown with reducing blood pressure.  It was very successful with that and my blood pressure was normalized within two weeks.

I did not follow it to 100% perfection but I had great success with it for BP and for weight loss. I was pretty strict with it for two weeks and then transitioned to The Starch Solution.  I was able to lose about 12 pounds from April 1- May 30th.  Another 3 came off during the month of June.  Then vacations stalled the weight loss part as my diet varied even more.  Evening travel and time away from cooking, including junk food, brought back a few pounds, eight to be exact during eight weeks of  high school tennis season.  Water accounts for a chunk of that as I have not watched my salt intake as closely either. So now it's time for a big kick in the butt.

I love The Starch Solution, by Dr. McDougall, and that is sort of how I've been eating since mid-April.  Certainly rice was a part of that but it wasn't as restrictive as the Rice Diet.  Of course after July I added way too many processed foods/snacks which did not help me get back on track.  I realize that this is real life and this scenario is likely to happen again.  There will probably be times in the future where I dip too often into processed foods and veer away from a WFPB diet.

Therefore, November 6, 2017, tomorrow, I will go back to the strict Rice Diet again.  Simple starch and some fruit, no salt, and lots of water.  I was satisfied eating that way and I feel it really cleansed my palate and jump started my body to detox and helped me focused on making healthy food choices.  That is what I want again and why I am choosing something that had only positive outcomes for me. 

 I made a no-fat, vegan supper with lentil loaf, mashed potatoes, and peas.  Lots of fiber, lots of starch, and plenty of vitamins.  It was very good and the lentil loaf was a recipe from High-Carb Hannah.  Leftovers for the family are pictured below.  None for me, tomorrow, of course. Thought I would try out a recipe for Thanksgiving dinner.  I have a couple more to try before my final decision.

If anyone else is following, or would like to follow The Rice Diet, comment below.  Maybe we can buddy-up on this journey and help each other along.  I am thinking about doing a combination with Intermittent Fasting (IF), as I think there are big advantages to that also. 

Control is a Big Deal In Life and In Blood Pressure

I've been noticing lately how much the word control, and more often, the implied need for control comes up in conversations.  The frequency gives a hint that it is a big issue for a lot of people, me included.  So many things I (we) feel the need to control.  I came to the understanding a long time ago that if it has anything to do with other people, give it up.  We cannot control others.

On the other hand, there are many things I (we) can control about ourselves.  Our behavior, reactions, and what we put in our mouth come to mind.  Right now I have to work on all three.  A doctor visit last week revealed that my blood pressure was high.  Seven months ago, my visit to an ophthalmologist, it was not.  Hmmm.  Time to work on some control issues.

Thinking about what has been different or changed in that time was a necessity.  Stress level up and down as usual.  Activity level has been increasing, especially since December when I received my Fitbit Blaze.  Food intake has decreased as I have lost a few pounds since November.  However, I did realize that I have been eating a lot more salt than usual.

I have never been one for salty snacks.  I did not add salt to my food and only added it when I baked but not when I cooked.  I left it up to each person to salt to taste.  Sweets were more my craving, or so I thought.  In honesty, I have been eating much more salt than normal and it has been going on longer than I thought.  I blame the Himalayas.

About a year ago, I bought some pink Himalayan salt, in a grinder no less.  It is good salt.  I don't know why, but it just tastes better than the one proffered by the girl with the umbrella.  It even tastes better than the sea salt I purchase from the Amish.  It is wonderful on fresh tomatoes, boiled eggs, and tomato soup.  I feel that eating it has upped my salt tolerance and the 3-4 chips I normally would stop at, due to being too salty, became 10-12 chips.

Pretzels became a go to afternoon snack.  Since going mostly vegetarian about a year ago, eggs became a protein mainstay.  Himalayan pink salt on eggs, mmm.  Well no more.

Sunday I began the Rice Diet Solution.  It was created for lowering blood pressure.  I believe it will work and I feel it is already.  I am only speaking from day 3, however.  Of course the proof is in the measurements.  Having a blood pressure monitor at home has made it easy to track.

Sunday a.m.: 166/109  Monday a.m.: 142/93 Tuesday a.m. 124/91.  I must say that I am pleased and will keep on doing the Rice Diet Solution not only to lower blood pressure but I find it is a great basic plan for a plant-based diet.

I am thankful that blood pressure was the only thing off kilter.  All other blood work came back great and even my B12 levels were in normal range.  A little low on vitamin D but will supplement and retest in 12 weeks.  Not bad for someone in their 50's.

Final weigh in for the weight loss challenge will be Friday.  I'll let you know how I do.  Just in it to keep the numbers headed in the right direction and I am definitely doing that.  So bye-bye pink Himalayan salt.  I can handle it because you're almost out anyway.