Which low-carb diet???

[Miss Park Avenue]

Hi! I'm new to W.I.S.H. and really think that I should try a low-carb plan.

My guess is that I am a real-life carb addict. These low-carb plans seem to cut out everything that I eat all the time. I used to say that I would NEVER do a low-carb diet...I'd rather be fat. But, I've seen so many people have so much success that now I want to try it.

But which one??? Atkins sounds like the most strict. How is South Beach?? If I could get people's opinions on different diets, I could make a decision on which book to try. I know every person is different, and one plan works better for one may not be better for another so I wasn't really interested in a debate. I just want to find the plan that I could make work for me.

Right now, I am just keeping a food diary and limiting myself to 1500 per day. I usually hit 1600 to 1800 which is still lower than the 2019 it says my body weight requires. I just hate being so hungry and apparently, the hunger comes from eating too much carbs and sugar.

I guess that it has something to do with sugar content and carbs. It's really confusing to me. What about BBQ sauces and dressings and such? I could probably learn to live without pasta's and breads, but I love BBQ and salads with Italian dressing. I know these things have sugar. Are they forbidden too?

Sorry to ramble on so. Any info or recommendations will be welcomed.

 

[DoeWDW]

First of all, welcome to WISH!!

I've studied most of the low-carb plans (Atkins, Protein Power, Carb Addicts, South Beach). I just try to keep my carbs at 60 grams or less every day, and I should be getting most of those carbs from veggies (gotta do better with this - I don't like many veggies....LOL!). I can lose weight slowly at this level of carbs but some people have to go lower to lose.

I try to get 70% of my calories from fat, 20% from protein and 10% from carbs. I enter my food into www.fitday.com and it figures out the percentages for me.

If I were you, I'd start by doing 3 things. First, you should learn to drink at least 80 oz of water a day. Every low-carb plan agrees that you need to drink lots of water. Second, you should try to lower the amount of carbs in your diet. An easy way is to cut out anything that is white - white flour, sugar, rice, potatoes, pasta. Just doing those things will start you on your way while you read the books and figure out what plan you want to do. They all seem to work if you stick with them.

Best of luck! I'm sure others will respond with their ideas too. Feel free to post your questions and we'll all help you!

 

[mommyflower]

Hi! Welcome to WISH!
I do my own version of low carb plans. I started because I have low blood sugar. Basically my stomach empties out really fast causing me to eat more often and my blood sugar to roller coaster. Before I switched to low carb I gained a lot of weight, was hungry all the time, and had numerous other problems that I had no idea were linked to what I ate. Once I found out that it was the carbs that cause this I switched to low carb and have been feeling lots better and have lost twenty pounds since mid July 2003. Now I'm a slow loser because I don't limit my carbs as low as some others who follow atkins. But I am happy with the way things are going for me.
I believe the difference between south beach and atkins is sb gives you lists of foods you can eat in each stage that are low fat and low carb, you don't count carbs, I think you count calories. Atkins you do induction for two weeks, which is 20 carbs or less. Then you increase your carbs slowly. My suggestion would be to try Atkins, get his book and read it. If you find you are too limited maybe try your own version of atkins. Just be sure to do the two weeks of induction first because that really jump starts everything. I do between 75 to 100 carbs a day and that works for me. I'm not sure about BBQ, but I use Italian dressing all the time. Check the labels for carbs per serving.
It takes a bit of getting use to reading labels and adding up carbs for the day, but you eventually get use to it and know what you should and shouldn't eat. And you don't have to give up bread and pasta you just have to limit them and eat whole grain instead of white flour.
I hope this helps. I know how confusing it all is, especially when you are just getting started.

 

[dizneegirl]

For basic information on how it all works, and comparisons of the different diets, I recommend one of these books:

<A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1592330401/dizneegirl-20">How I Gave Up My Low-Fat Diet and Lost 40 Pounds (Revised and Expanded Edition)</A>

<A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1575668955/dizneegirl-20">The Secret to Low Carb Success!: How to Get the Most Out of Your Low Carbohydrate Diet</A>

<A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0316557684/dizneegirl-20">Living Low-Carb: The Complete Guide to Long-Term Low Carb Dieting</A>

Which do I recommend? I'm following Atkin's plan... he was pretty much the pioneer in the low-carb field, and worked on, lived and refined his plan for 30-some years... I trust he knew what he was doing (and he was living proof!). It's also structured to where I have no problem following the ideas, and no desire to stray or overdo things. You can see more information at www.atkins.com, or get the book - <A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/006001203X/dizneegirl-20">Dr. Atkins' New Diet Revolution</A>

It's important to learn why and how low-carb works, and make the commitment that this IS NOT a diet... it's a new way of eating for life.

 

[wovenwonder]

Click HERE for a list of my favorite low carb websites.

 

[Rhonda]

I'm doing Atkins, and while the first two weeks are very strict, I think it's the easiest plan to follow and lose weight with.

Check out wovenwonder's links above to get lots of good information on low-carb diets!

Personally, I try to stick around 30 carbs per day, and most of them are from veggies. Italian dressing is great on a low-carb diet! As far as BBQ goes, I've started doing dry rubs for my grilling, instead of the thick sugary BBQ sauces. If you really want BBQ sauce, there are some good low-carb ones on the market.

Good luck!

 

[Miss Park Avenue]

Wow...thanks for all the replies! I'm going through all the links. I already signed up for fitday...That is really great how it adds up all the fat and carbs. DoeWDW, 70% of your calories are fat??!! Wow, this is so different from what has been drilled into my head. Yet what I'm doing is not working because I go through my days hungry and craving more.

Induction sounds hard. I'm expecting my "friend" any day now and I get a four day migraine with it. (working with my DR on it, going to try a hormone patch this time when it's here) I cannot handle anything, much less induction agonies while I'm going through that, so I may go buy the book and read up on Atkins and then go for it afterward. Maybe I will try to cut down on carbs now and then try the induction. Hopefully, I will be over the induction fog by the time I head to WDW in Dec..

 

[Otto's Doll]

Welcome to WISH! If Atkins works for you, there is a good possibility that it will aleviate the migraines you get around your TOM. I also found that I have so much more energy, and I never nap anymore unless I am truly sleep deprived. (I used to nap almost everyday.) Walden Farms has excellent low carb sauces and dressings for salads and things. There are lots and lots of new lo carb items coming out, and Ruby Tuesday's has introduced a lo carb menu as well. We ate there on Saturday, and it was delicious!
GOOD LUCK, and keep coming back here, we are here to help.

 

[septbride2002]

I am following a low carb plan called protein power. They have a book out and it is available on Amazon.com in paperback. The plan is really simple to follow and I have been doing it a week with great success. Me sticking to any plan for longer then 3 days is a great success. No matter what you choose be sure to come to the boards and let us know how you are doing. I've been journaling as well and that really helps.

~Amanda

 

[nancyj_pa]

I've been doing Protein Power as well since early August. It is somewhere between Atkins and South Beach. I try to limit carbs to between 20 and 25 per day and most of them are veggies. You must keep a good food journal (there's one to use at the top of the WISH boards), drink LOTS of water, and increase exercise a little if you can't do a lot. I'm a slow loser (have thyroid disease) and this is the only thing that works for me. I'm making it a life long commitment.

After a couple of weeks, you won't even miss the sugar and flour carbs. You'll feel full most of the time as long as you're following the plan.

Good luck in whatever you choose, and be sure to join WISH for support.

NancyJ

 

[septbride2002]

Nancy you are so right! You do feel full on the protein Power diet. I know that today was really the first time I felt hungry - where my stomach growled for the first time in a week. And only because I let a lot of time go between breakfast and dinner. It is amazing being hungry less.

~Amanda

 

[Miss Park Avenue]

Originally posted by Otto's Doll
Welcome to WISH! If Atkins works for you, there is a good possibility that it will aleviate the migraines you get around your TOM.

Oh my...now you've really got my attention. Now that I think about it, Suzanne Somers had some sort of plan that involved low-carb high protein. I vaguely remember listening to her talk about it on some show. And she tied it to hormones too. I wasn't really paying full attention...but I can remember she said to never mix carbs with fat (like french fries, or pasta with cream sauce) She related the eating plan to hormones. And that's what my migraines are linked too...the hormone drop during that TOM.

Anyway...now I really want to try this plan or Suzanne Somers' plan if anyone knows what that was.

 

[K and K's Mommy]

I started South Beach and have lost 21 pounds since Aug. 25. It does not have you count anything. You basically stay away from white flour and sugar. The first two weeks are very much like the first two weeks of Atkins and then you slowly add good carbohydrates back. It does limit fat intake. I highly recommend just reading the book. The first half is about why he suggests switching to a low carb diet. It is very interesting and easy reading. The bad thing is it is still only in hard back so you might check it out of your library.

Whichever plan you decide, I agree with a previous poster about trying to limit your carbs for a couple of days before you go into the first phase. A lot of people feel really bad the first 3-4 days from carb withdrawal. I didn't have it, and I think it is because I stayed away from sugar for a couple of days before I started.

Whichever plan you choose, good luck. It works for me because I could never do the "just have two bites of a brownie." I always wanted the whole pan!

 

[Castillo Mom]

Atkins is an excellent plan to follow. Induction (first two weeks) can be challenging, but after the first few days, you'll start to feel more energy, won't have sugar cravings like before and feel a decrease in appetite. Some think that on Atkins, you can't have veggies, bread, or fruit. Not so. The idea is to introduce healthy carbs a little at a time until you reach a point where, after you lose the weight you want, you get to a level where you know how many carbs you can have without gaining. I've been on Atkins since August and I eat bread (high fiber/low carb wheat), an assortment of veggies, protein, fruit, cheeses, ice cream (low carb Atkins) and the occasional chocolate bar (also Atkins). You'd be surprised how good the ice cream and Atkins Endulge candy bars are, trust me! When it comes down to it, it's all about moderation. Try it. If you can get past induction, you'll feel much better and will be on the road to eating healthier. Feel free to visit my journal under Lisa's Atkins Journal. Best wishes!

 

[nativetxn]

Looks like you've gotten some terrific advice, I don't think I could add a thing.

Just wanted to welcome you to WISH. I hope you can visit often. I think you will be amazed at how helpful participating on WISH can be, it has sure helped <i>me</i> <b>a lot!</b>

Katholyn

 

[Miss Park Avenue]

Thanks so much for all the welcomes. I read the book and realized that I got the cookbook instead of the whole diet. So I got a brief synopsis of Atkins. So I will need to make another stop to the bookstore for the whole diet. Yesterday was my first day under 20g of carbs and today...so far so good.

I plan to post often to keep me motivated and hopefully motivate others too. I want to start a journal too.

Thanks again and you will be hearing from me soon!