Medical Support for the Atkins Diet

BE CAREFUL!!!

When I first found out that I was diabetic - I had to go to a diabetic counsellor. My wife and one of my daughters went with me.

When I told the counsellor how and what I ate - with my wife's confirmation of my poor eating habits - the poor lady probably wondered how I could possibly still be alive.

My warning comes from this - My daughter asked the counsellor about the high protein/low carb diet (my daughter was at the time on it).

The counsellor warned that diabetics should not be on that diet - it has something to do with keytones (as I remember) building up in the blood and being hard on the kidneys.

From my own experience - the more protein I eat - the lower my blood sugar - but I try to eat a balanced menu.

Weight loss (and I need to lose lots!!!) should be done carefully - and if you are diabetic, or have some other medical problem - should be done under the care of a Doctor or nutritional expert.

 

I can vouch for this Cindy. I lost 35# in less than six months and kept it off for over two years. And that includes cheating every Sunday after the first month! I went on HRT and slowly started gaining the weight back, but it was my own fault. I am going on it again in a week or so. It is a very easy diet to stick to because you can eat so many things that are low-carb or no-carb. I gain weight on a low-fat diet!


Sue

 

Read a news article about the latest research yesterday on yahoo. Seems over time there isn't much diffeence then just eating a low fat diet when it comes to the actual weight loss, over time, I think the article said 1 year. And over time it does raise the cholestrol level, and heart disease is more prevelant in thos who have lived on the atkins diet then thos eona low fat diet. They now suggest if your doing it for weight loss, you make it perment, but use it short term like you would any diet.

 

I can vouch for this Cindy. I lost 35# in less than six months and kept it off for over two years. And that includes cheating every Sunday after the first month! I went on HRT and slowly started gaining the weight back, but it was my own fault. I am going on it again in a week or so. It is a very easy diet to stick to because you can eat so many things that are low-carb or no-carb. I gain weight on a low-fat diet!


Sue </font>[/QUOTE]They are now saying it evens out to a pretty close call on weight loss over a years time.

 

I'm on kind of a modified Atkins diet right now. The only thing I'm really strict about is no bread, pasta, rice or beer. Other than that, I cheat a little. I've lost about six pounds so far, after about a week and a half.

It's hard and it's about to get a whole lot harder with the summer coming up. No burgers, no cheesteak, no po'boys, no beer.

I've always been in good shape but when I lost my job last year, I goofed around and got fat. I quit playing hockey, too, which didn't help. You wanna play, you gotta pay, I guess. I'm back playing softball, so I'm hoping that will help.

 

I've been on the Atkins diet since March. I'm quite pleased with it. I have lost 32+ pounds. I go back to the doctor on June 2nd so I'll know how much more then. I have to go to the doctor every 3 months because of my stomach.

For me I needed to change my eating habits, I was so addicted to carbs and sugars and I was putting on so much weight that it was not good for me. And even more so since I quit smoking 4 years ago.

Most if not all of the carbs that I intake come from vegetables. I eat healthier now than I did before I went on this diet. For me it has been very easy to lose weight. About 14 years ago I had put on a lot of weight after my oldest was born. I was on the slim-fast diet and I exercised like crazy. I was practically starving myself and was sick all the time. I'm the type of person who if they don't get enough to eat or enough rest, I get sick.....and I mean really sick. On this diet I never feel starved or deprived. And I eat less now than I ever have. The protein fills you up. I do not eat a lot of the red meat, I mostly eat fish and chicken. I eat lots of vegetables like asparagus, broccoli, cauliflower, Romaine or green leaf lettuce, brussel sprouts, and so on. I am also increasing my carb intake to around 50 or so plus carbs a day and I am very comfortable at this level. I do not plan on going back to my regular eating habits, I plan on staying on this form of diet for the rest of my life. I feel better now and have more energy than I did when I was 20. And I know that I am much better off and healthier now than I was a few months ago, especially when all I wanted to do was eat and sleep......that's not healthy!!

So for me Atkins is the way to go. I think for each individual it differs. And yes, it most definitely will depend on what health problems that you do have. I have the book and it says in the first chapter who can do this diet and who can not. I also asked and talked to my Doctor who is a heart specialist and he said that it was a safe and good diet to be on, as long as you get your carb intake from healthy food. Which is what I am doing. Whats good for some may not be good for others!

That's just my two cents worth, and I am speaking for myself only!

FYG

 

So do I. My doctor said it's because most low-fat foods that are marketted as low fat make up for it in sugar or in other ways that aren't especially diet conscious. I think it's because without fat there is no taste, so I overindulge to make up for my lack of feeling satisfied.

I think it goes without saying, but I'm going to say it anyway. Before considering any weight reduction diet or program, it is always prudent to seek the advise of a doctor first.

God Bless You,
Charlotte

 

I'm a newbie here and a Low Carber. Only way to go for me!

 

I frequent a low carb board and many members, long and short term Low Carbers, post blood statistics, and their cholestrol levels have either dropped or stayed the same. Some lipid experts are also disputing the theory that cholesterol is related to heart disease(see "The Cholesterol Myth" by Uffe Ravnskov, MD, PhD).

I don't do Atkins, but I have limited my carb intake of grains and sugars, but I do eat brown rice occasionally. I follow more closely to "Life without Bread" by Wolfgang Lutz who allows up to 72g of carbs a day with no ketosis. I've lost a little over ten pounds, but more importantly I feel better.

The major misconception about diets like Atkins is that they are all steak, bacon, and eggs. In reality, they promote a LOT of vegetables and a limited amount of fruit, as well as the protein and fat.

Paul

 

Paul, what LC board do you go to ? I am an avid poster on Low Carb Friends. I start a "Christian Gang" thread every day there.

 

Hi Leah,

The board I goto is www.talkinglowcarb.com/forums. I have to admit I am mostly a lurker there, but they have a lot of interesting people with several success stories. The parent site www.lowcarbluxury.com is run by a women who has lost over 200 lbs and has been on the diet for 4+ years. She keeps a semi-regular journal and publishes an online magazine as well.

I will definately check out low carb friends.

Paul

 

Cindy, I have heard alot of conflicting stories about this diet on the news shows (48 hrs, 60 min, dateline). Recently in the last month, I have heard bad long term effects to your muscle and heart, this was on the regular news.
In fact this morning on one of the morning shows, it was saying that the atkins diet showed faster results in the first 2-6 months, than other diets. However, it said that over a year period of time, the results were the same. Meaning, you might lose 30 lbs in 3 months on the atkins and 15 or 20 on the other, but in a years time both dieters have lost the same amount.
I would recommend reading books, they don't have unbiased and up to date info. I would seek advise from a couple of DR.s or research it from both sides on the internet or even mrdical journals.
There is medical sites that have weekly issues, for free.
Christine

 

How many carbs are allowed on the Atkins Diet? It's a primarily vegetable and protein diet right?

 

The first two weeks are "Induction" and you're to keep your daily carb intake to 20 carbs. After that you can slowly start adding carbs to see what you can safely handle. I'm so glad you mentioned that it is VEGETABLE and protein. Most people don't realize that its very strong on vegetables, but preferable low carb vegetables. Rule of thumb, if its white, don't eat it. i.e., potatoes, rice, sugar, flour, etc.

You can check it all out at http://atkinscenter.com/

 

from what i have learned by visiting the websites is, you are only to stay on it for like 3 to 4 mos. at a time.

I'am talking to a lady that has went threw the plan to have the surgery done & she said the doctor had her to do the diet & she said she could only be on the diet for 3 mos. & she had to come off for a time, & i'am not sure how long she had to be off before she could go back on yet.

I'am thinking about trying the diet myself, so i will learn alot about it first. But from what i have seen & learn so far i believe it will help.

 

Thank you Leah. I really need to go out and buy the book. I've been to the sites, and it's hard to wade through all the other stuff to get to the part I wanted to know.

Is there a limit to how many proteins you can have in a meal? Like if I were to have turkey for example could I also have cheese on my broccoli? Or should the proteins be limited to one per meal?

As I understand it, the more color a veggie has, the more vitamins.

Charlotte

 

Charlotte, there is no limit to the number of proteins you can have at a meal on the Atkins plan. I think its the Zone or Sugar Busters that does that. You can certainly have your turkey plus your broccoli AND cheese sauce! Yes, the darker green the vegetable, the fewer carbs it has. Corn is bad, its very high in carbs/sugars. You became very good at reading your labels when you're watching your carbohydrate intake.

Here is a site that will give you the "skinny" on the different low carb plans. Low Carb Plans

I post on a LC bulletin board and have made some great internet friends who have been on Atkins for years & years. 3 or 4 months is not the rule. After you lose your weight, you go on a maintenance plan or an ongoing Way Of Eating (WOE).

If you're interested, I would highly recommend buyin the book, but not the newest one. Its for maintenance & ongoing. Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution (DANDR) as we LC'ers call it.

I have a heart condition (atrial fibrillation) and my doctor knows & has absolutely no problem with me being a Low Carber. He smiles when he sees my bloodwork numbers.

 

Atkins can cause irreversible kidney damage, so be careful everybody!

 

I am about 25 carbs a day person. I am very healthy. I think the key here is exercise should also be done.


Sherrie