Happy Holidays – Tip #1

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It’s the most wonderful time of the year…….or so they say.

If you are new to a low carb lifestyle the holiday season can be very scary to navigate. Even for experienced low carbers, this can be a very challenging time. Therefore, my gift to you for this holiday season will be my tips to survive, have fun and keep you on track.

With all the work parties, family get-togethers and endless cocktails, restaurant meals and desserts – I’m sure you are thinking “How is this possible?”
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The Best Banting Blender Mayo

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Since store-bought mayo is full of inflammatory oils that are unhealthy for your body, one shouldn’t be having any. Perhaps the thought of making your own is daunting. Don’t be scared off. This recipe is super easy and the mayo absolutely delectable.

Ingredients:

  • 1 whole egg
  • 2 eggs yolks
  • 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 heaped teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 cup (250 ml) extra light olive oil or try a combination of light olive oil, avocado oil and macadamia nut oil. (Note: Regular extra virgin olive oil doesn’t work well and makes the mayo taste slightly bitter)
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder

Method:

  • Put the whole egg and egg yolks into the blender, together with the vinegar and mustard.
  • Blend on low-speed until combined.
  • Very slowly drizzle the olive oil into the blender while on low-speed. The slower the better to allow for emulsification of the oil into the egg mixture.
  • Add the garlic powder and salt to your mayo and pulse until mixed.
  • Scrape your mayo out of the blender into a glass jar and keep refrigerated and use within a week.

Recipe courtesy of the Primal Perks website of Nicky Perks

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The link between depression and food

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Ask someone about the cause of depression and chances are their reply will include the words ‘chemical imbalance’, or ‘serotonin deficiency’. Because of this widely held belief, the taking of antidepressant medications to fix the problem appears to be the most obvious solution. Yes, medication may offer some relief, but it will not cure you and it definitely won’t get to the bottom of why you are depressed in the first place.

New York based psychiatrist Dr Kelly Brogan put down her prescription pad years ago after coming to the realisation that nutrition and lifestyle interventions were a far more powerful treatment for depression than medication. She is the author of “A mind of your own”, in which she shares with her readers the truth about depression and debunks the serotonin theory. Her book details natural protocols for helping women to heal their bodies and reclaim their lives. Read more

Become a Coach with Banting Buddies

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Are you passionate about the Banting/LCHF lifestyle? Would you like to help others achieve their weight loss goals, and get healthy? This is your chance to be a part of a growing, vibrant community of coaches. We will equip you with the required knowledge, tools and coaching resources, and provide you with on-going support.

Banting-Buddies-FinalObesity is impacting the quality of life of so many people all around the world, and they are desperate for something that will actually work. They need help. They want someone to walk the journey with them. It will be your role as a Banting Buddies coach to provide them with education, personalised support, and encouragement to lose their weight and improve their health. Here’s your chance to join the fight against obesity. Banting Buddies aims to build a network of coaches around the globe, to whom people can go for caring and responsible advice on weight loss. Read more

How to survive the festive season

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Article written by Banting Buddies coach Cornia Vosloo.

This time of the year, everybody seems to be indulging. Soaking up the summer sun, lazing around the pool, sipping on summer cocktails and snacking on pastries. If you follow a low carb lifestyle, this idyllic picture will scare you. How can you also enjoy a great festive season with family and friends, but not be “that person” that says no to everything.

Our first low carb festive season was filled with fear, guilt and plenty of long faces. I don’t think anybody enjoyed the experience and we decided to change our approach. You can’t get away from the festive season with all the food, drinks and endless snacking – so I would like to share my top 5 tips with you on how we survive the festive season. Read more

Diet and acne – is there a connection?

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Acne is not a life threatening disease but the discomfort and embarrassment it causes should not be under-estimated. Both teenage and adult sufferers often develop poor self-esteem, depression and social anxiety due to the unsightly and often painful skin lesions. Should those with acne just accept their ‘bad luck’ or is there more that can be done? Standard treatment usually involves topical creams, face washes, antibiotics, birth control pills for women and, sometimes, even stronger medication with the potential for adverse side effects. While these offer symptomatic relief, are they dealing with the root cause?

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Calories AND hormones matter

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By Nicky Perks

Two things are required for weight loss – a calorie deficit and hormonal balance. One without the other just does not work. You can cut calories and you might lose some weight, but if your hormones are all over the place you will probably struggle to reach your ideal weight and keep what you have lost from returning with interest.   On the flip side, your hormones could be the picture of perfection – but stuffing your face with too much food (even the healthy variety) will prevent you from losing the flab.

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A review of the Low Carb Creed

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By Nicky Perks

Over the December holidays I was able to finish reading the newly released book The Low Carb Creed by Sally-Ann Creed, Merle Westcott and Janita Bold. What a fantastic read. The content is comprehensive and easy to understand. Everything you need to know about eating the low-carb, healthy fat way is contained within the fresh-looking white and green foil cover. Read more

Tips for surviving the festive season

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fb_img_1449001717680Sadly we can’t help with the bank balance, but we can give you some tips for sticking to the lifestyle.  First of all, always remember that Banting is not a fad diet, but a lifestyle you have chosen because of the health benefits. Diving into the Christmas pudding or drinking a whole bottle of wine is not going to make you feel good.

Leading up to Christmas, eating out or even staying in hotels can sabotage your best efforts to stay on track if you are not prepared. You can still stick to Banting it’s all about what you choose to eat and drink. Read more

Age, hormones and weight loss struggles

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Article written by Louise Hughes (Banting Buddies coach –  KZN, South Coast)

Why do we battle more with our weight as we age? Jade Teta, personal trainer and author of The Metabolic Effect Diet has some answers.

During menopause, a woman’s estrogen and progesterone levels decline. These are both anti-stress hormones. Estrogen is also an insulin-sensitizing hormone, and as levels fall, insulin, a fat storage hormone, doesn’t operate as well. With less estrogen and progesterone circulating, a woman’s cortisol level can rise, leading to weight gain around the middle.

For men, a similar effect takes place as they age and experience andropause, which is a collection of symptoms including fatigue and a decrease in libido due to a gradual decline in testosterone. As their testosterone dips, it allows cortisol and insulin to rise, with the result that men’s bodies are not hormonally as well equipped to deal with stress as they were before, and weight creeps up. Read more

DISCLAIMER


Our coaching programmes, consultations and support groups are for educational and informational purposes only, and merely seek to help the client understand the Banting approach to eating and weight loss. Banting Buddies coaches do not dispense medical advice, make diagnoses or treat medical conditions. People are to use the information provided by Banting Buddies at their own discretion. Neither the coach nor Banting Buddies can be held liable for any outcome resulting directly or indirectly from the coaching process. If you suffer from a medical condition, it is suggested that you speak to your doctor before starting one of our programmes. The coaching relationship is about you, the client, taking full responsibility for your actions, and your health. Banting Buddies do not guarantee any results.