Here is a small piece from my book: SECRETS TO A HEALTHY METABOLISM.
"The most important piece of our thermic effect of food metabolism is the amount of quality protein in our diets; which influences weight loss. Protein helps us sustain muscle during weight loss, improve muscle strength and endurance, improve immunity, enhance antioxidant function, build HDL cholesterol, and helps insulin and leptin functions; all of which will help maximize our metabolism.
A higher-protein diet also has a natural diuretic effect. People with extra weight are often sluggish and holding extra water; which can cause blood pressure go up and causes our heart to push harder to move the stagnation. The extra water in connective tissues directly gets in the way of fat burning. When you eat a higher protein diet, an important blood protein called albumin increases; which, draws water back out of your connective tissues and helps you get rid of fluid retention. If you have too much inflammation, your kidneys may leak albumin into your urine, provoking fluid retention, weight problems, and considerable cardiovascular risk.
When we eat too many carbohydrates and not enough protein, the opposite happens; we retain more fluids. It also stimulates too much leptin; provoking leptin resistance and an intense desire for more carbohydrates. Too many carbohydrates cause your willpower to be in a constant battle with out-of-balance leptin. It is pretty obvious from the amount of yo-yo dieting in our culture that misguided leptin usually wins. The best way to win the battle is to not have it in the first place, meaning don’t eat too many carbohydrates and more importantly, not by themselves.
I see a lot of clients come to me after trying a well-known popular diet, (which I won’t name, but they count points) which worked for a while, but they are stuck at a weight they are still uncomfortable at. Counting points isn’t helpful for our biochemistry…they concentrate on calories. Saving up all your points for a Blizzard isn’t going to enhance your physique; even if you only eat 800 calories a day…it is 800 calories of trans-fat filled sugar!
Culver's has a Pumpkin Cheesecake Concrete Mixer with a medium size carrying just a smidge under 1,000 calories and over 100g of carbs! Yikes, I will make mine at home!
1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
1/2 cup canned pumpkin
2 oz cream cheese or coconut cream
2 TBS Swerve or 1 tsp stevia glycerite (or more to taste)
1 scoop Jay Robb vanilla whey or egg white protein
1 cup crushed ice
Place all ingredients in a blender, blend until very smooth and enjoy!
NUTRITIONAL COMPARISON (per serving)
Culver's Pumpkin Cheesecake Concrete Mixer = 993 calories, 113g carbs, 2g fiber, 93g sugars, 53g fat, 16g protein
"Healthified" Pumpkin Cheesecake Mixer = 365 calories, 8.5 carbs, 2g fiber, 18g fat, 29g protein
Wow, that looks really good!
ReplyDeleteThank you thank you thank you!! I'm currently unable to eat fruit and I've been missing having smoothies. This is a great substitute... though I think I might skip the ice, add an egg and have it as a warm beverage instead...
ReplyDeleteLove your recipe. I posted it on my community foodie blog...hope you can come check it out www.facebook.com/thefrenchiefoodie
ReplyDeleteC
Thanks for the shout out Charolette! I love your site!
ReplyDeleteThis tastes just like the pumpkin ice cream at Baskin-Robbins! Thanks for the great recipe!
ReplyDeleteThank you for all your support and kind words;)))
ReplyDeleteThis looks amazing! I think that it's really important to develop less calorie recipes for some of these things that we enjoy but really shouldn't ever consume. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome! I hope you like it!
ReplyDeleteThis will be my lunch today!
ReplyDeleteCan't wait!! All of your recipes are awesome and have made our transition so so easy! I'd make it right now, but just had leftover moussaka for breakfast so I am not hungry!
Oh! I love my Moussaka recipe! I need to make that again soon;)
ReplyDeleteHappy eating!
Hey Maria, was going to make this..wondering what brand cream cheese to look for...would this be a good choice:http://www.kraftbrands.com/philly/products/Pages/philadelphia-brick-cream-cheese.aspx
ReplyDeleteThanks!!
Hi Maria, was planning on making this recipe..but was unsure what type/brand of cream-cheese would be best. Would this work:http://www.kraftbrands.com/philly/products/Pages/philadelphia-brick-cream-cheese.aspx
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Yep! That brand would work great!
ReplyDeleteHappy eating;)
Awe, thanks Maria
ReplyDelete..you're the best!
BTW: Would this recipe work if I wanted to make a rich chocolate shake? Maybe sub out vanilla for chocolate protein powder..and get rid of the pumpkin..and add 2tbsp unsweetened coco powder?? Or do you have a better rich chocolate smoothie idea?
Yes! Trixie, this is my chocolate shake recipe:
ReplyDelete1 cup vanilla almond milk
1/4 cup cocoa powder
2 ounces cream cheese OR coconut cream
2 TBS Just Like Sugar or 1 tsp stevia glycerite (or more to taste)
1 scoop Jay Robb chocolate whey or egg white protein
1 cup crushed ice
ENJOY!
Thanks so much, this looks great!
ReplyDeleteThis is OUTRAGEOUSLY delicious! I skipped the ice (to reduce the amount) and used fresh pumpkin. Crazy good!
ReplyDeleteThanks Dasha! You totally made my night;)))
ReplyDeleteMaria one more question, is it 2oz cream cheese or 2 tbsp? I ask becuase I thought you mentioned the cream cheese adding 100 cals to the recipe.
ReplyDeleteNope, 2 ounces is closer to 4 TBS.
ReplyDeleteHappy eating!
Okay, thanks!
ReplyDeleteI cannot even begin to tell you how happy I am that I found your site, via Pinterest,and I just want to say thank you...I really am looking forward to reading your entire blog!
ReplyDeleteThanks Adele! You totally made my day!
DeleteOh gosh, just saw someone mention the name of this recipe on your facebook page and I just had to look it up! Must buy pumpkins -- can't find canned ones here, I usually make my own, usually by roasting them in the oven. I hope that's "Maria-Legal"! :D
ReplyDeleteThat is a great option. :)
DeleteI just happened to find this recipe and holy smokes!! I am a huge fan of culver's pumpkin mixer and can't believe how close this resembles it!! Would never know the difference!! You rock Maria!!
ReplyDeleteThank you! Glad you liked it. :)
DeleteWe just bought a couple of your recipe books and wanted to try this one from The Art Of Eating Healthy Sweets, but wanted to clarify - is it unsweetened or regular almond milk? I don't think I've ever seen one of your recipes with regular almond milk, so we just wanted to make sure.
ReplyDeleteYes, always unsweetened. Thanks for your support! :)
DeleteMaria… I just tried this and almost cried… It is one of the tastiest things I’ve ever put in my mouth, and the though that it’s also guilt free makes it even better! I can’t even thank you enough for the inspiration, help, advice and input into our health and eventually life. Since I’ve discovered low carb lifestyle, your website became my number 1 source, I check it everyday and will totally buy your books. It’s a whole new world, seriously! :) Can’t wait to explore it more. Thank you thank you thank you!!! :)
ReplyDeleteYou are so cute! Thank you! :)
DeleteCould you use this as a meal?
ReplyDeleteYes, this could be a breakfast in a pinch. :)
DeleteWhat are your thoughts on the ingredients in Shakeology? I'd rather eat my calories as well, but a friend is selling this... So here I am! =) http://www.shakenutrition.com/chocolate-shakeology-ingredients.pdf
ReplyDeleteSorry I am not a fan. Too much sugar and ingredients I stay away from (like Methylsulfonyl-methane, Coconut Nectar Raw). I look for protein powder with no added sugar and natural sweeteners (like stevia). :)
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