Atkins

[cinmell]

I've noticed that many DIS Wishers are doing the Atkins diet. What exactly is this diet? The search function is down, otherwise I would have tried to look it up first. Thanks!

 

[dizneegirl]

It's a low-carb diet... very restrictive at first, and then less so as you continue on.

You can check out the Atkins website, www.atkinscenter.com, for a lot of great information.

Here's a good article on the Atkins Nutritional Approach

 

[christi]

I am a dietitian and my advice is not to consider it! Weight loss is usually temporary and there are risks to your long term health ! Sorry to be such a kill joy!

 

[nativetxn]

Sorry to disagree, Christi.

Cinmell, my husband has controlled his blood sugar eating this way, reducing his glycolated hemoglobin from 9.2 to 6.1 in 3 months, also decreasing his cholesterol, decreasing the LDL cholesterol, increasing the HDL cholesterol and dropping his cholesterol ratio from 5.1 to 3.1. He started Atkins on 1/9/03 so it didn't take long.

His triglycerides before Atkins was 258 they are now 83.

Both his cardiologist <b>and</b> his internist and his nutritionist have told him to continue eating the Atkins way because it is saving his life. They are very pleased with his results. They told him to never stop eating this way.

When you follow any weight loss eating plan and then go back to bad habits you will gain the weight again, whether it is WW or Atkins, doesn't matter.

Cinmell, the important thing is that you find a way of eating that <b>you</b> are happy and comfortable with and can live with forever.

Good luck with whatever you choose, my friend.

Katholyn

 

[kdibattista]

The best information I have found is at:

www.lowcarbfriends.com

Good luck!!

 

[Rhonda]

Christi - I'm sorry, I too have to disagree.

I'm following Dr. Atkins' diet religiously by eating meat, lots of veggies, eggs, cheese, nuts, fruits, and whole-grains. I'm cutting out the processed flours and sugars - and junk food!!

I don't see why this would be bad for me long-term! I'm eating healthy, and cutting out all the foods that are bad for me!

My weight has gone down, along with my "bad" cholesterol and blood pressure. My "good" cholesterol has gone up. I feel good, sleep better, have tons of energy, and I don't get the "highs" and "lows" during the day that come from insulin spikes.

Nativetxn is right - no matter what "diet" you choose to follow, the key is to keep eating healthy forever. Whenever you go back to your old bad eating habits, you will gain the weight back.

 

[christi]

Sorry to disagree with everyone here but I have some experience of this and hope my opinions might be of some use( in the debate if nothing else!). Obviously if people chose to follow this that is their perogative but my practice I see a lot of people who have tried this diet and all ,and I mean all of them have regained any weight lost and usually more!. Iagree this is probably because they have problems in sticking to such a restrictive diet
Reduction in cholesterol levels is normally as a result of the weight loss and is temporary and evidence has shown that long term this diet may damage your kidneys! I have also some worries about the lack of dietary fibre from following such a a restricted carb diet. Some evidence shows that low fibre diets may have been linked to cancer of the bowel! Also is a diet which excludes an entire food group, requires vitamin supplements and sometimes large doses of laxatives a good idea ? I'm not so sure.
All the major professional organisations e.g British Dietetic Association, Anerican Dietetic Association, British Heart Foundation do not recommend this diet.
I agree that any solution to weight control needs to be changes which are sustained but a diet like this in the long term ( in my opinion!) is probably not good news. Solution to weight control is (unfortunately and boringly) moderation in everything except exercise!
Sorry I'll get off my soap box now!

 

[Rhonda]

I'll tell you my typical diet:

Breakfast: veggie omelette with a couple slices of bacon OR a slice of whole-grain toast and some blueberries

Lunch: Big salad - lots of greens, cucumbers, peppers, broccoli, cauliflower, onions, etc. I usually top it with some tuna or sliced turkey. OR A turkey sandwich, made with whole-grain bread topped with veggies and cheese.

Dinner: Chicken breast, cooked vegetable (such as cauliflower, green beans, or broccoli)

Snacks: almonds, berries, cheese slice, sugar-free yogurt, 1/2 apple, etc.

I also take a multi-vitamin every day, along with extra calcium, Vit. C and B-complex. And, I drink at least 8 glasses of water/day.

Now, you tell me where I'm going wrong. This sounds like a very healthy way to eat - and it's exactly what Dr. Atkins promotes!

Also, there are no studies that have ever shown that this type of eating causes damage to the kidneys! If so, then there would be thousands of kidney-damaged people out there, since people have been following this WOE since the 70s.

 

[Lynn CC]

Christi - I'll agree with you that most people gain the weight back if they go off the diet. It happened to me the last time. I went from a size 10-4 the last time I was on Atkins and then started eating carbs and sugar thinking I could never gain the weight back, but I did and I was a size 12 when I went back on Atkins.

The book will answer questions as to why the diet isn't bad for you kindneys or your heart and many, many other misconceptions.

I'm back on Atkins....I don't eat any red meat, Chicken or Turkey. Just Fish, Seafood, Dairy, Egg whites, a little cheese and lots of veges.
I've been on the diet for less than 2 weeks and I'm already down to a size 10 again.
As for the fiber I take Metamucil capsules(3 grams of carbs each) with a lot of water, plus I eat a lot of Spinich to keep my iron up. Along with a plum(10 carbs). I also drink 4 32 oz. bottles of Innerlight Supergreens every day which has all the fiber, vitamins and minerals a person could ask for.
So basically Christi, what I'm saying is you can modify the diet as a way of eating for life. My way is certainly healthier than most. I just watch my carbs, and I don't eat any sugar.
I don't eat bacon, and steaks etc...
I think you'll find, if you read the book, that Atkins has helped a lot of people and his way of eating is becoming much more accepted as time goes by. My own specialist is on the "Vegetarian" Atkins Way of Eating.
I hope you'll take another look!

 

[nativetxn]

Fortunately we don't have to agree with each other. Good luck with whatever you decide Cinmell.

 

[Kelsie]

Each person is entitled to select the diet they are most comfortable with.

The original poster asked "What is the Atkins diet'?

I think one could debate most diets however, this is not the Debate Board. You are more than welcome to take it there ( again )

I appreciate it!

 

[glo]

I am living proof that Atkins works. I weighed 205 pounds (size 22) and was 5 feet tall. My cholestorol was through the roof, I was put on high blood preassure, I was gestational diabetic, and with the weight, at great risk for getting it. Last time I was checked before I started the diet, I was borderline and was going to be sent to a dietician. I have arthritis and have been on Vioxx for many years. This was me in July of 2001. Since then I have lost 65 pounds. I have been on the Atkins pretty much the entire time in some aspect or another. My cholestorol is normal, I am not borderline diabetic, in the three hour glucose tolerance test, or the 1 hour in about 18 months. I only take the Vioxx when the weather change is just to much to bear.
I know wear a size 8 in clothes. I can play with my kids, and actually use the stairs to get places. Atkins is about a healthy diet and promotes exercise. More and more professionals agree that there is nothing wrong with eating this way, and there has never been proof otherwise. I m enjoying life, and any and all test for two years have been wonderful.

I would recommend this to anyone. Now, everyone is entitled to their opinions, but fact is I am healthier, My Dr. approves of the diet, and I am leading a much better life. Good luck choosing a diet, but if you need help on this one...just yell and I will point you in the right direction.

 

[dizneegirl]

Originally posted by christi
Also is a diet which excludes an entire food group, requires vitamin supplements and sometimes large doses of laxatives a good idea ? I'm not so sure.

I didn't realize sugar was a food group... though that's not entirely excluded, either. Just pretty much avoided, as it's got NO nutrional value whatsoever.

I do pretty much exclude the "white" stuff... white bread, potatoes, white rice, sugar... none of which are necessary for a balanced diet.

I do get plenty of protein, fiber, veggies and fruits... what am I missing?

It's possible that the people you've run into that have had problems have been doing "Atkins" the way you think it's done... all meats, fats and cheese. Sorry. That's just not it. If you DO follow a diet like that, you WILL have problems.

If, however, you eat whole foods, whole grains, nutrionally sound vegetables and fruits, lean meats... you're going to be healthy, you're going to burn those fat stores, and you're probably not going to go back to eating nutrionally lacking crap like Twinkies.

Blood sugar spikes are NOT good for anyone. The more even you can keep your insulin release, the better off your body is going to be.

 

[cinmell]

Hi everyone,
Thank you for responding to my question! I have heard of Atkins but never knew what it was and I'm sorry for causing a debate over it, I didn't mean to! After reading up on it, I don't think it's for me and I'll stick with weight watchers and starting my walking dvds. I'll let you know how it goes and thank you again for all of your answers because they've helped me alot. Have a good night!

 

[nativetxn]

That's great Cinmell. I'm really glad you have chosen a program you can live with, that is half the battle. Good luck, you're going to do great, I just know it.

Katholyn

 

[WebmasterAlex]

I have my own theory about this. Dieticians have been trained for years to teach people about a low fat, high fibre diet. They have been preaching the mantra of excersize more, take in less calories forever. It's REALLY hard for anyone to look at something they have been saying all their life and go ....oh wait! It's not black, it's white.
My own doctor was like freaking when I told him I was on Atkins. He told me that "It would KILL me to do it so you could eat whoppers without the bun but I am sure you cholesterol is through the roof. I will put on some meds for that when the labs come back. You do need to lose the weight". (I was somewhere over 335 at the time).
A few days later he called me. He said "I don't get it. Your cholesterol is WAY down, 80 points, all your labs are picture perfect. I am going to buy the book on the way home because I don't understand it."
I personally have lost over a 100 pounds and kept if off for several years.... so I will stick with Dr. Atkins

 

[nativetxn]

Alex, I never knew you were that large. WOW! You really took hold didn't you?

 

[wovenwonder]

I went to the local health food store the other weekend to pick up some Atkins chocolate bars for treats. The dietican there told me that if I am eating low carb that I can't have those because they are actually very high in carbs. I told her that if she is going to sell the product she better become more educated in the way of eating. I'll buy my bars elsewhere now.


Atkins is a very healthy way to eat low carb. I eat the same foods as I did before but instead of the sugar, white bread, pasta and white rice and potatoes I add extra healthy veggies. I don't see how that can be harming me.

I had horrible IBS for 12 years prior to eating this way. Imagine my surprise when it mysteriously disappeared within a week of this way of eating. I no longer have to worry about being more than 5 minutes away from a bathroom.

It is not for everyone. But please become educated in this way of eating if you are considering it. It is NOT healthy to live on fatty steak and bacon and eggs. But that is not what Atkins is about.

 

[bsnyder]

I also am a firm believer in Atkins. Almost three years ago, I lost 35 pounds and have not gained it back. I have totally changed the way I eat. And it's pretty much the way others here have stated it....lots of lean meats, fish and salads, with snacks of nuts, cheese, and some of the sugar free products. I don't think of Atkins as a license to eat steak, cream and high fat foods all day long.

One of the reasons I think Atkins has worked so well for me is that it really helps control my cravings for carbs. The less carbs I eat, the less I crave them and the easier it is to do without them.

Now, if only I could find an exercise regime that I could stick to like I've stuck to the Atkins diet....

 

[geetey]

When I read about Atkins from the posters here, it seems that, while I am doing WW, I am also closer to following Atkins plan than I thought. I guess my biggest 'fear' of doing Atkins is the lack of fruit. I really enjoy fruit. Fruits of all kinds. Do you ever get to the point of being able to have fruit? My bread has always been wheat, high fiber. Would that always be a no-no?

For dinner tonight, I had a salad of dark greens with a grilled chicken breast, a very small amount of shredded parm. cheese, and caesar dressing (9 points on WW). Would this be an acceptable Atkins meal?

Just trying to expand my knowledge and find my best fit.