Any negatives to Adkins Diet?

[shawv]

Can any Freepers give me info as to the good/bad aspects of the Adkins Diet?

[flyervet]

You've lost seventy-five pounds in four months? That's nearly five pounds a week. Just how many calories did you cut out?!?

[XBob]

179 - "Actually, the Senator was George McGovern, not Eugene McCarthy."

Sorry, you are correct. The point is still correct though, the govt food pyrmaid is a "sell wheat" pyramid, not an 'eat well' pyramid.

Not for you, however, strangely enough, high fructose corn syrup is much better for you than regular corn syrup, and starches. Check it out, fructose digests much more slowly, and has a much lower glycemic index. In fact it is one of the better things to eat.

[sinkspur]

Interesting about corn syrup. I'll have to check that out. I've been avoiding all fructose, assuming it's just the same as sugar.

[XBob]

actually, popcorn is not too bad - 1 cup is 4.7 grams. I think the avoiding any carbs with fats, however, is a key. As it seems to me personally, (my observation only) that the fats really do count when you eat them with carbs, as my body seems to store all the carbs as fat and water.

For example, macaroni and cheese seem to really raise my blood sugar and put on the pounds for me, while spaghetti and lean meat tomato sauce don't seem to have near the same effect, even though the calories and carbs are similar.

[blackbart1]

I lost 60 pounds on the Atkins diet. Never was hungry but did seem to feel some fatigue. After I lost the weight I put back about 30 pounds and just couldn't face eating high protein again.

Now I am sort of eating the Zone diet, a more balanced way of eating and loosing weight. I'm eating a little more fat than the diet itself calls for but I love salads and veggies and get the amount of protien that I need and actually feel better on this diet than I did with Atkins. imho

Atkins does work just be sure to take a cholesterol test to start with to keep track of it. Most times if you are sticking to the diet properly you don't need to worry about the cholesterol count.

[XBob]

I think the key to living with the Adkins diet is to very gradually add carbs - like 5 more grams at a time for week. Going quickly back to carbs seems to put the weight back on immediately.

A number of years ago, I was on this diet and went out and had a Mexican meal, nothing elaborate or extensive, just a normal meal, and the next day I was out of ketosis and had gained 8 lbs, over night, on one meal.

But overall, it really worked for me, and I lost 35 lbs in 6 weeks, and kept it off for years, until a personal crisis came along and I started gaining again. At that time though, I had to eat just about only meat and cheese, and NO carbs. It was basically meat only.

It's a good idea to take extra potassium and a GOOD multi-vitamin. Most are not too good.

I now take Daily Diabetic, by Spring Valley, sold at Walmart. Not with the other supplaments, but located with the Diabetic supplies. It is reasonable price ($10.00 per month), and has lots of good stuff in it.

[KQQL]

Carb = sugar, so keep carb low and u will lose weight.......

it's o.k to eat carb , but eat like the French ....eat protein and veggies first then eat your carb.....

[bazbo]

There's been a lot said and I will keep my comments brief. 2 years ago I started the Atkins diet after reaching 172 pounds at 5'9". I lost 72 pounds in 6 months. Was never hungry and never felt better. I had a full physical before and after the 6 months of wieght loss. Triglicerides fell dramatically, Blood pressure reamained the same, (but was not a concern before the "diet"). Cholesterol was at 151 and dropped to 150. I have since regained 60 pounds due to my own self indulgences and my addiction to sugar. While losing the weight I never felt healthier. I did not exercise, I did NOT drink the prescribed water amounts (which I also believe you should). I cut out caffein as well and I did take vitamin supplements religiously. In summation, this diet worked for me and only "failed" because I did not chose to make better eating, (meaning less sugar and fewer carbohydrates) a lifestyle instead of a "diet". The only side effect I had, as did a friend of mine, was on the 3rd and 4th day we felt as though we were in La La land. I attribute this to withdrawing from the caffein and sugar. Unlike a few others who also tried the diet and quit at this point, I and my friend continued past this experience. Since reading this thread I am once again motivated to do the Atkins "life eating plan". Thanx for asking this question and may God continue to bless

[bazbo]

Correction...My highest weight should have been 272 pounds at 5'9" not 172 pounds , (which is where I should be)

[Jim Noble]

1) It's expensive

2) Unless you're a really (I mean really) good cook, it's monotonous

3) It makes some people feel weird.

That having been said, I think the refined CHO-insulin spikes story is real, and explains the "paradoxical" increase in obesity with a low fat diet.

[Old Professer]

High fat, high cholesterol. HEart attack waiting to happen.

There are some low carb diets out there that are much better for you than Atkins.

The evidence is not in your favor.

[Old Professer]

and a nurse I know did lose weight but her eyelashes fell out.

That must have been devastating; has she recovered yet?

[Old Professer]

i have a mom and aunt that are researchers, microbioligy, phd types. ADKINS DIET dangerous, change your eating habits, do exercise. go for high water content food, vegatables and fruits. TRUST ME, if you go on adkins diet you will end up getting sick. the other poster is right heart disease and heart attack waiting to happen.

And the Genetic Genie just "passed you by."

[bazbo]

Being a little rough on these posters professer! Keep it up!:+)

[Old Professer]

Many people have died on this diet, as you might be aware already.

"On it" is not the same as "because of it."

People die every day.

[Marie Antoinette]

Hmmm, I thought I read on the Atkins site that consuming fat with carbs slowed down the conversion to sugars.... Something about buttering your veggies :-)

I will have to go back and check to see, I could have read wrong.

[Old Professer]

Correction...My highest weight should have been 272 pounds at 5'9" not 172 pounds , (which is where I should be)

Yeah, if you are a Haggis.

[bazbo]

What's a Haggis?

[bazbo]

never mind: Haggis - A Scottish dish consisting of a mixture of the minced heart, lungs, and liver of a sheep or calf mixed with suet, onions, oatmeal, and seasonings and boiled in the stomach of the slaughtered animal.

[StopGlobalWhining]

From the New York Times Sunday magazine 2 weeks ago: What if it's All Been a Big Fat Lie?

In summary, there is no scientific basis for the "conventional wisdom" of a high grain, low fat diet. There is no evidence that steak and eggs, dairy products and bacon cheeseburgers are bad for you. Your arteries will be no more clogged eating these foods than if you are on a low fat diet eating Special K for breakfast etc.