Last year, my New Year’s Resolution was to strictly follow the Wheat Belly Diet (as in ‘no cheating’), and that I did….and within two months, I lost a total of 23-25 pounds. In that time, I probably exercised a total of 3 times (bad, I know). This time around, I am hoping to follow the diet past the 2-month mark, which is my birthday…you just don’t know how hard that is for me…
Anyways, here are the top reasons why I love this diet…
1. You are Not Starving Yourself. Basically, the Wheat Belly Diet asks you to cut out the ingredients and foods that affect your blood glucose levels the most. While saying ‘bye-bye’ to processed foods, junk food, and items containing things you cannot pronounce, you are replacing these choices with healthier foods…as long as it doesn’t contain wheat or sugar.
2. Rediscover the Art of Cooking. Since it seems that nearly every product lining the shelves at a grocery store contains some form of wheat or sugar (or another ‘forbidden’ ingredient for the Wheat Belly Diet), your new approach to eating means that you will have to rediscover the art of cooking. If you can’t buy it, you can certainly make it.
3. You Will Re-Awaken Your Taste Buds. Everything starts to taste better. Within the first couple weeks of following the diet, I noticed that the act of eating a meal was far more pleasant than before. Food tastes better, and some of the most taken-for-granted ingredients can literally transform what seems like the typical recipe into dessert-quality.
4. More Energy. When I follow the Wheat Belly Diet, I feel energized and more productive.
5. Decreased Appetite. Sometimes, I literally have to remind or force myself to eat throughout the day. Over time, it was very hard for me to rack up the calories that the body needs to sustain itself. I simply wasn’t hungry, which is extremely uncommon for a foodie like me. For instance, it’s 4 p.m., and I have not eaten anything (and not on purpose). I simply forgot. I don’t feel groggy, irritated or have a headache like I usually do when I don’t eat.
The experience is really a crazy feeling when you think about it.
And, while at times, a small part of me would like to indulge in the Twizzlers and cheesy slices of pizza I smell across the room, I don’t actually have a craving for it. I think it’s really my previous habit of eating whatever appeals to my sense of smell occasionally creeping back.
6. Waist Slimming. Yes, you will see a difference in the waist area…and the diet does help get rid of a “Wheat Belly.”
7. It Works. This diet plan is the only thing that has given me the most success.
8. Associated with Other Health Benefits. Some people have followed the Wheat Belly to address health issues, including diabetes, arthritis, and inflammation. I’d just like to prevent those things.