A Question for Current WW Members

[BethR]

I have all of the Points materials as current as January 2002. And I am thinking that I will follow that program to a degree because I know that it works.

But I was wondering if WW has addressed the literature about Atkins and the benefits a lower Carb diet? Usually they do try to keep very current and I was wondering if there were any new recommendations that WW made that I might try to incorporate into my program.

I know that I cannot do anything as severe as Atkins, but am willing to try to lower my carbs to SOME degree.

Thanks!

 

[allshookup]

In last weeks WW meeting we had a discussion about eating complex carbs and high fiber foods. It was strongly stressed that we keep away from such things as white bread because it has no real nutrional value and does not keep you as full as a high fiber bread. However, WW is still against a high protein and very low carb diet, because they want you incorporating high fiber and fruits into your diet and both contain a lot of carbohydrates.

I also have to add that I asked my primary care physician about carbs and she told me that she had no problem with a very low carb diet, because women in general tend to eat way too much. She told me that if I chose to do Atkins (which I did try by the way, but I couldn't stick with it) that it was fine as long as I tried to stick with lower fat proteins such as chicken and fish.

 

[FergieTCat]

I agree with allshookup. I tried to combine WW and low carb, and managed to come up with this philosophy.

If you keep away from "white" carbs (white flour, white potatoes and white rice), you should be able to keep your carb intake under reasonable control. As far as I can tell, most white and processed carbs do not fill you up, and convert quickly into sugar into They are also high in points. Also, try not to eat too much fruit that's high in sugar (like bananas). All in all, you might want to familiarize yourself with the glycemic index. It tells you which foods are high in sugar, and convert into fat quicker.

I eat about 4-6 ounces of protein at both lunch and dinner. If you eat chicken, turkey and most fish, that would be about 4-6 points. Then you'd eat salad, vegetables and whatever dressing or sauces you'd want (within reason). Same goes for dinner. If you eat red meat or pork, it would be more points, so you'd either have to eat less or eat it less frequently. You could also have a high grain roll with it.

For breakfast, you are supposed to eat a protein, like eggs, cottage or yogurt. I eat cereal and fruit, which is not too great but not too bad.

If anyone thinks I'm off base, let me know ...

 

[BethR]

Thank you both for this information. I have to admit that avoiding the "white stuff" is quite hard for me. I love pastas (LOVE pastas!), baked potatoes, rice dishes.
But I think that I will just try to cut the carbs and add some protien. (I had string cheese and grapefruit for breakfast and a grilled chicken salad for lunch. I will probably have some kind of carbs and protein for dinner.)

Just knowing that keeping within the points range works - doing the other stuff can only be a bonus.

 

[ahutton]

BethR - have you tried making your same favorite side dishes but using whole wheat pasta or brown rice? That may help you make the transition a little easier. I've actually found I like brown rice better than white - it has a better "taste" and my DH likes it too.