Dr. Robert Atkins Dead

[E.G.C.]

Fox News just now reporting.

[Rate_Determining_Step]

6' 1/2" male. High weight: 215 (fat)

Weight now: 170-175. Just what my driver's license says!

Like most Americans, I bought the line that beans and rice were wholesome and good for you and red meat was evil.

Wife went on Atkins in 1999 and since she's the primary cook, I ate what she did. Both of our weight went to where it should be.

In my experience, once you're there for over a year, you can eat what you want. High protein food makes me feel more satiated so I don't eat as much. Back before Atkins, I figured rolls, rice (especially rice), etc. were "free food" that did nothing but help. You couldn't eat enough of this stuff and I usually did.

Steak, chicken & fish are staples. Along with green vegatables.

Burgers are in during lunch. Don't need (or want) the fried anymore.

Moderation takes over at this point. We occasionaly go to Krispy Kremes (mmmmmm). No big deal. In fact, it's all in a picture from the 40's in their lobby of a Krispy Kreme opening. There is a line out the block. Couple of hundred people. Black and white photo. Everybody but maybe one person is thin. Now, go back and look at the cookbooks they used. We have a casual collection of 50's stuff along with magazines from the era. The food looks wonderful and there isn't a low fat nothing to be found.

I just look at food differently now. Nothing scares me like it did when I bought the Food Pyramid line (hey, it's great for cattle!).

[meyer]

It's a very, very, very light beer, somewhat akin to water.

OK, I see what you mean. Its "almost" not beer! Well, when I head out to have a couple, I tend to stick with the lighter beers anyway, so this probably isn't that much different than Bud Light as far as alcohol content is concerned.

I enjoy a good thick, dark beer, but not when I'm going to be driving any time soon. A couple of Guiness Stouts goes a long way!

[slane]

However, he lead millions astray by recommending that we ingest carcinogens (meats).

Meats are NOT carcinogens! The human body is designed to function on protein and simple carbs like nuts, berries and veg. There were no bagel shops in the late Pleistocene. All those cavemen were not eating loaves of bread. The Masai of Kenya, the Eskimos and other tribal peoples eat(or did eat, in the Eskimo's case) a diet very high in protein and animal fat but are very healthy compared to modern Westerners. You can argue that the chemicals used in modern meat processing are carcinogens, but it is possible to find organically grown meat produced without hormones, ect.

I will join the others on this thread stating that the diet works as advertised. Not only does the weight fly off with no deprivation(after the sugar cravings cease) but energy levels skyrocket. Several weeks ago a very overweight friend started Atkins after hearing me talk about it. She lost 15 pounds in the first week! She had withdrawal symptoms when she quit drinking 4 Cokes a day, but now she feels great and is never hungry, unlike other diets she had tried. That "smooth feel of fats on our tongues" is what makes the body feel satisfied, and for a good reason: we were designed to eat it! I found that 3-4 hours after eating carbs with no protein on a low-fat diet I was starving, whereas now I can eat an egg for breakfast at 6 a.m. and last til noon with no hunger pangs or cravings.

[SamAdams76]

The average bookstore in America has an entire section dedicated to books on diets and losing weight. Many of them are fad diets (not that I'm saying the Atkins Diet is a fad diet). However, most all of them will work if they are adhered to. So that is not the issue. The grapefruit diet will work if followed to the letter and people swear by it even though I do not think that is a very healthy way to eat.

So the question that must be asked is not whether or not the diet works but whether the diet is good for your overall health. It is quite possible to lose weight and yet develop medical problems on account of the way you eat (i.e. malnutrition, heart disease, etc.).

The Atkins diet works for many and good for them if they feel good and are indeed healthy. Personally, I think the diet is too heavy on red meats and other fatty foods and that the diet restricts foods that I believe are good for you (i.e. rice, pasta, corn). The Atkins Diet is also "hostile" towards beer and wine. I say hostile because while the diet in its maintenance phase allows for one glass a day of either, it's author (Atkins) is a teetolaer and recommends that alcoholic beverages not be consumed at all.

I prefer more of a Meditteranean Diet, which is heavy in fish, nuts, pasta, rice, olive oil and yes, beer and wine. My cholesterol is currently at 185 which shocks my doctor because high cholesterol and heart disease runs in my family and I am technically about 50 pounds overweight (if you are to go by those charts). I think it is the fish and olive oil because my father's cholesterol is over 300 and he won't eat fish of any kind or put olive oil in his food. Otherwise, our diets are very similar.

[lilylangtree]

What I found interesting about the good doctor is that at 72 he leaves behind his wife and MOTHER as survivors. Jiminy Cricket! Guessing his mama is in her 90's.

[metesky]

I can work beer into anything, or wasn't that obvious.

[Once-Ler]

But such plans are accompanied by a number of potential health issues such as ...and increased consumption of highly processed foods.

How does one process steak and eggs?

[kevao]

A good rule of thumb is: 1 Guiness Stout = 1 twelve-pack Michelob Ultra.

[wireman]

"If you already like "light" beers, you'll be fine with the lower carb options there. But if you don't care for them, thinking they are too "watered down", you might want to look at something like a Guinness Stout. As odd as it seems, draught stouts’ carbohydrate amounts don’t measure up to their mouthfeel. Guinness draught stout contains about 4% alcohol by volume, contains about 120 calories per 12-ounce serving and has roughly 5.2 grams of carbohydrate" (data taken from Stout by Michael J. Lewis; Brewers Publications, 1995).

[Praxeologue]

I found that 3-4 hours after eating carbs with no protein on a low-fat diet I was starving, whereas now I can eat an egg for breakfast at 6 a.m. and last til noon with no hunger pangs or cravings

I'm happy it's working for you.

However, to that former diet I'd add back the protein as whole wheat pasta, brown rice and beans. Try black beans and rice. To any of the above add finely cut vegetables like tomatoes. Add some small chunks of salmon, for example, spices, freshly-ground pepper and no-salt. There won't be any appetite left, you'll feel better and live longer. I've been doing it for twenty years and it works: vast cardio (VO2 takeup), strength training, half ironman triathlons, perfect health, injury-free ... am I allowed to be insufferably pedantic? ... It works. Without any bragging, I'm 54 and look 34. You'll just have to believe me.

[ironman]

Steak and eggs certainly don't fall into that category. Dr. Maffetone certainly recommends eating them, in moderation. I do not follow his guidelines rather eat healthy stuff with an emphasis on carbs. Lots of carbs, pasta, bagels, yogurt, energy bars and energy drinks. Occasionally in very heavy training I get a craving for hamburgers so I eat em. I don't eat a lot of meat and fish but on occasion do. Works for me but I'm burning huge numbers of calories. My HDL/LDL ratios are off the charts.

[Maven]

My husband, (also a medical doctor) was acquainted with Dr. Atkins and we're both saddened and a bit distressed over his unfortunate death. My husband fully endorses the Atkins diet to his patients.

God bless your husband! More and more doctors are coming around, so it's easier to find ones that don't have a problem with my way of eating (in fact, a doctor put me on it in the first place), but a lot of them still stick to the low-fat, high-carb line, which is so unhealthy for people who are already battling with weight problems.

Personally, I abide by Atkins and eat essentially the same daily menu as you described in an earlier post Maven. My weight is perfect and my health and vitals are excellent!

I haven't felt this good in years. I just wish I had discovered it 20 years ago.

Maven

[Maven]

Wow! That is tremendously helpful information. A lot of people don't know what you just said and I appreciate your input here.

Thank you! I've been doing this for almost 5 1/2 years. I haven't been perfect, and I've had setbacks along the way (low carb weight loss is not necessarily linear!). But I've never had huge regains and I've never felt better. Haven't had a food binge in years, and low carbing has helped with other things, too.

Maven

[Sid Rich]

Why would this thread be any different than any other thread on freerepublic? ;)

[Maven]

Weight now: 170-175. Just what my driver's license says!

Woohoo! Yay for you!

In my experience, once you're there for over a year, you can eat what you want.

If you don't have any other underlying health problems, you're absolutely right. I don't eat carby foods, period, but I'm a Type II, and my body just can't handle them. Besides, I feel better without them (don't get that brain fog anymore, for one thing).

Maven

[Grit]

Yeah, I know about Michelob Ultra... but I like my Guinness, Harp, Sam Adams and many microbrews.

I can't vouch for the others...but Guinness is lower in carbs than you would think. I read an article somewhere that said approx 7 carbs. Not bad at all.

[Grit]

I didn't read the label, but they claimed very low carb. I can't vouch for its effectiveness as an alcoholic beverage.

The label says 2.6. Not much less than Miller Lite. But tastes a helluva lot better. IMHO. As for effectiveness as an alcoholic beverage...its verrrry smooth thus its pretty easy to lose track of the number you've had. If you are inclined to do so. So quite effective :)

[new cruelty]

low carb bttt

[Maven]

The average bookstore in America has an entire section dedicated to books on diets and losing weight. Many of them are fad diets (not that I'm saying the Atkins Diet is a fad diet). However, most all of them will work if they are adhered to. So that is not the issue.

You are absolutely 100% correct about this. Almost all diets will work in the short term. The only answer for the long term is to find a way of eating that you can live with. If you can't do it forever, then it's not right for you. It's a YMMV thing.

Personally, I think the diet is too heavy on red meats and other fatty foods and that the diet restricts foods that I believe are good for you (i.e. rice, pasta, corn).

There are a lot of low carbers who don't eat red meat (although I do - yum). As for fatty foods - low carb is, by its very nature, a high fat diet (not high protein - that's a myth), so fatty foods are not the problem. Except for transfats, fat is either beneficial or body neutral. Fat in conjunction with carbs is, however, not good for you.

However, for the record, I do want to state that there is no such thing as an essential carb. What does this mean? Well, you need to consume protein to get amino acids, which are essential for life. You need to consume fats for essential fatty acids (which, as their name suggests are also essential for life). However, there is nothing in a carb that is essential. It is possible to survive on a diet that is 100% protein and fat with no carbs at all. I'm not saying it's preferable, but it's possible. It's not possible to exist on a diet that completely lacks either protein or fat.

The Atkins Diet is also "hostile" towards beer and wine. I say hostile because while the diet in its maintenance phase allows for one glass a day of either, it's author (Atkins) is a teetolaer and recommends that alcoholic beverages not be consumed at all.

You're right about that. I've never had a problem with that because I hardly ever drank before I low carbed - just never developed a taste for alcohol. However, low carbing allows for drinking alcohol, as long as it's not a sugary liqueur or sweet wine.

I prefer more of a Meditteranean Diet, which is heavy in fish, nuts, pasta, rice, olive oil and yes, beer and wine.

The only things you eat that I don't are the pasta, rice and liquors. I try to get in at least half my daily fats in monosaturated ones - like olive and nut oils and avocados.

I think the Mediterranean Diet is an excellent one for many people - especially those who don't have underlying blood sugar problems. If, like me, you're a Type II, or someone who is hypoglycemic, insulin resistant, a PCOS sufferer, etc., then cutting back on carbs is a healthier way to eat.

I think it is the fish and olive oil because my father's cholesterol is over 300 and he won't eat fish of any kind or put olive oil in his food.

Could be the carbs he eats, too, although I'm not arguing with you about the fish and monosaturated fats. It's sort of a paradox, but low carbing tends to lower cholesterol in about 99% of people who try it. It takes about 3-6 months for the effects to show up, and in the beginning, you do get an elevation in cholesterol, so it's not wise to test right after starting.

My last cholesterol test was 142, with triglycerides of 46. My LDL was normal, but my HDL was low. The easiest way of increasing HDL is to add more monosaturated fats - so I've started decreasing the butter and adding more olive oil. I don't really like the flavor of very strong olive oil, so I get the lightest I can and mix it with the butter. I'll know in a few months if this has paid off.

Otherwise, our diets are very similar.

Absolutely, and if I weren't a Type II, I'd probably eat more like you do. Or not - low carbing has also cured my binge eating. Apparently, I'm very sensitive to carbs, so I need to stay away from them.

Maven

[BuckeyeForever]

I understand what you are saying. I did the Atkins diet and died, just like thousands of others. Probably my own fault though. I went to ZERO carbs, dropping my cholesterol to a mere 5. I didn't realize at the time that cholesterol is an essential ingredient in cell walls. Suddenly one day, I collapsed into a pool of protoplasm on the kitchen floor, and the dog licked me up for dinner.