Sue's Morning Stretch: Twins right about one thing, ditching processed foods

There’s a lot of buzz on the Internet about these twin doctors in Britain — Chris and Alexander “Xand” van Tulleken — and their weight-loss challenge and it was picked up by “Good Morning America.” The two decided to go on what many are describing as opposite diets to see who lost the most weight in a month. One cut out fat (Chris), the other (Xand) sugar (AKA carbohydrates, including fruit). Otherwise they could eat as much as they wanted. They followed the same fitness regime each day.

Xand lost the most weight, but both said they felt miserable. Xand said his breath stank and he couldn’t keep up with Chris in exercise. Chris said his food tasted horrible without fat. Both decided that the combo of fat (usually not the good fat you should be eating) and sugar in processed food is what they should be avoiding.

ABC’s chief health and medical editor, Dr. Richard Besser, weighed in, recommending people go for real food (translation, things that are grown or born), keep a food diary to see where food weaknesses/excesses may be, and exercise. When “GMA” anchor Robin Roberts asked Besser, how much, he said “any,” explaining his answer by saying too many people don’t do anything. “Do something,” he implored, and don’t start out with something grandiose, like going to the gym every day for two hours. He said people often start out too big and fail. “Get up and walk around the block,” Besser said.

While the twin docs’ experiment is interesting, it’s lacking real science. And they did this for one month. Their bodies were just getting used to things when they stopped. Personally, I follow an extremely low-carb diet because I am a Type 2 diabetic. And I know it takes a while to get used to it. Here’s one thing people often miss on this diet; you are to eat until you are full and then stop. No non-stop eating. After stuffing our faces with abandon for years, sometimes it takes time for us to recognize the difference between being full and wanting to eat on because it tastes so good.

And neither twin talked about vegetables. Following a low-carb plan, I eat lots of fresh vegetables. I still make pasta sauce, but now I serve it over sauteed spaghetti. I eat a huge salad at lunch with homemade, full-fat dressing, some protein and another vegetable. I am full and satisfied. And I have no trouble keeping up with exercise.

Like I said, there is actual science that shows the wisdom in a low-carb diet. Watch Dr. Robert H. Lustig talk about what he’s learned about sugar. Hear Dr. Peter Attia discuss why he believes the answer to the obesity epidemic is not our lack of discipline. Once you do maybe you’ll be like me and will change what you eat.

The twin docs from Britain are right about one thing: we need to avoid processed foods as much as possible. Eat food as close to its natural state as possible.

Also on the morning TV talk shows:

“CBS This Morning” reporting that the government says Aleve may be safer for your heart than other OTC pain relievers. The difference seems to be the ingredient naproxen. The study is ongoing and any action, such as changing labels and such, won’t happen until 2015.

Comic Pat McGann was talking about his debut last week on the “Late Show with David Letterman” with Aly Bockler of “You & Me This Morning.” The South Sider (no, not Beverly, Morgan Park) said Letterman’s show was the national venue he wanted and he had pursued it, sending in links to performances, emails, etc.. Being on the show is a “huge opportunity for a comedian” he said. He got his intro cue cards as a souvenir. He’s at Zanies in Rosemont starting tonight and continuing through Saturday and if you use the password “Letterman” the ticket is only $10. Good deal.

— Sue Ontiveros