Under the Engine 2 diet, low fat protein foods like fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds and whole grains are the main ingredients for food. Such a kind of a diet is not followed by so many of us and so it is not very easy to switch immediately to this kind of a diet plan. During the transition period that is when you switch on to this plan one can include fish and chicken in the diet. Even soy yoghurt, tofu and vegetable burgers are allowed to be consumed. So are whole grain pastas and whole grain crackers, which are allowed so that the Engine 2 diet plan does not get too boring. You will be surprised to note that in this plan with every 1000 calories you consume you will be consuming just 2.5 grams fat contents. Usage of oil while cooking these foods is a strict no and sugar should be used just as a natural sweetener only.
The quantity of salt consumed in the Engine 2 diet foods is very less. Much of the proteins required are taken from the plants in the Engine 2 diet. Actually most people are of the understanding that proteins are obtained only in foods such as eggs, meat and various other dairy products. But the Engine 2 diet plan proves that the proteins obtained from the plants are equally beneficial to the body and are easy to digest. Proteins contain around twenty amino acids out of which only eight of these amino acids can be absorbed by our body system. So not only the non vegetarian foods but even plants can give us the required amino acids. The Engine 2 diet has proved it effectively in its diet plan. Our body can absorb on a daily basis at least 70 percent calories from the carbohydrates, which provide enough fuel to our bodies.
There are plant varieties that may have a higher content of one or the other amino acid, but a well planned diet will include vegetables that complement each other, thus giving the body all the amino acids it needs. This protein is safer than the protein obtained by eating flesh foods. The rate of your heart beat, your digestion, exercising, breathing, etc are all given the energy they need from the carbohydrate in your diet. There are two kinds of carbohydrates - complex and simple. Both are sugars and when digested are changed into glucose.
Glucose obtained from carbohydrates remains in our blood in the form of glucose. Carbohydrates are stored in the form of glycogen in the liver and muscles. But since the body knows how to regulate itself, any excess carbohydrates in the body are converted into fats. Health friendly complex carbohydrates are found mainly in vegetables like sweet potatoes and beans and also in fruits and different other grain cereal breads. Complex carbohydrates release sugar in a very controlled manner in our system so that we have enough energy in our body to carry out our daily activities throughout the day. One can now know and understand from the Engine 2 diet, that even plants can supply our body with the necessary fat content.
Our body can obtain high and instant energy from simple carbohydrates. But these simple carbohydrates get converted into fat and get stored in our body and make us look fat. Such fats are very dangerous to our health and well being. A number of fruits and vegetables do contain good fats like poly saturated or mono saturated fats. Soybeans contain a great 41% fat content, whereas, vegetables such as spinach contains 11%, bell peppers contain 6%, broccoli 8%, and fruits such as strawberries contain 5% fat content. Good fats are available in fruits and vegetables and these are very good sources of fat for the body.
Esselstyn has given examples of Tony Gonzalez, who beat breast cancer to win more than a thousand triathlons, Salim Stoudamire, NBA player, Dave Scott, who won the famous Ironman triathlon, held in Hawaii, and Martina Navratilova, tennis champion as hugely competitive athletes whose diet was plant based. It is plants that provide the most nutrients and what's more, the best nutrients. Plants generate essential calories as well. Vitamin B12 is an essential supplement, which are accessible via fortified soymilk, yeast, or even a pill. Good nutrients are always released slowly into the body's system.
To enjoy good health, it is better if one can substitute fish oil with soybeans, flaxseed and walnuts and other leafy vegetables. Rich omega 3 supplements can be obtained from these and also from plankton. Plants contain high fiber content and are packed with nutrients. You may enjoy tasty food containing margarine, sour cream and butter which are all sources of high fat content, but then you will not be able to enjoy good health.
When we start eating only plant based foods we find it a bit difficult to get used to the tastes as, right from childhood we already have developed tastes. And when we try out something different we may find it a bit difficult to adjust. But once you get to know the benefits of eating plant based diets, you may want to stick on to the plant diet for a long time. These diets can actually make you feel fitter and energetic and then you no longer have to cling on to the non vegetarian diet at all, once you realize the wisdom and happiness in eating a plant based diet.
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