Being a Somersizer amidst a sea of hard core no-carbers and extremely low-carbers, I was pleased to see this article!

http://news.foot.com/news/211.html

Excerpt: "Let's look at the facts. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Guide Pyramid, the average person should eat 6 to 11 servings of grain on a daily basis. However, according to the Nurses' Health Study, women who ate the most whole grain foods reduced heart disease risk by about one third. The catch is this: they only ate about 2.5 servings a day compared to the Pyramid's suggested 6 to 11! "

So while no carbs is great for jump starting weight loss, this information seems to support the idea that more moderate ways of eating are good in the long run. I find that a "serving," as described by the ever popular food triangle, is usually a rediculously small amount and I suspect that the Somersizing plan probably does average about 2-3 servings of carbs daily even when we eat only one small carbo meal daily, or a larger one three times a week.

I found this while looking for links to add to my reply in this thread:
Syndrome X - High Protein Diet ok

I think the key is moderation. Carbs are not totally bad, just in large amounts. And seems like America in general does know what a normal serving size is. Extra value meals...super size this...super size that.
When you have a sandwich with two pieces of bread...that is TWO servings of grains, breads, pasta...those servings really add up quick.

I would bet the average person who eat by the "pyramid" eats 3-4 serves just in a "normal" bowl of cereal.

Moderation is the key...make those portions smaller.

I completely agree with you. I believe we need a balance and no carbs is not okay. It is important though to eliminate the "white goods" white flour, sugar and rice.
I have been somersizing and find it much easier to practice in real life. You don't feel deprived. I can still have toast in the morning and even have a sandwich. I feel better for the whole grain products also.

I don't think anyone would disagree with that either. As Kelly and ahughes say, moderation. I just finished reading Atkins' for Life which really focuses on maintenance and pre-maintenance. It's all about chosing the appropriate high carb foods.

I've always wanted to follow Protein Power or Schwarzbein b/c they are more in line with my thinking. But I was never able to. The good carbs still cause cravings. But hopefully soon, as my blood sugars stabilize I'll be able to do that.

Wanda