Posted on 10/28/2001 3:49:33 PM PST by shawv
Can any Freepers give me info as to the good/bad aspects of the Adkins Diet?
BTW, someone said Miller Lite had 3 grams of carbs. It's 3.5 :-)
Tried the cabbage diet a few weeks back. Couldn't get beyond the "fruit day". I was SO light-headed by the end of the day I could hardly walk!
Did I mention I don't like SUGAR?
The rest of the diet sounded ok, but all that sugar from the fruit nearly did me in!
Although nobody wants to count calories, it is elementary that calories do count. Take in fewer calories than you burn, and your weight goes down; it's as simple as that. And there is no doubt that the Adkins diet, when adhered to, and as long as adhered to, will take the weight off. Rapidly at first, too, which does make it attractive to many. But people have trouble staying on it (and in fact many authorities caution against staying on it for extended periods), and the weight tends to return rapidly.
I was recently told by my doctor that my blood pressure (always slightly on the high side) had begun to move into dangerous territory. Cholesterol, while not alarmingly high, was higher than it should be. And, said my doc, it would be a good idea to lose 15 pounds (this, of course, I already knew; in fact, she was too kind; a 25 pound loss would be better). Cut salt, alcohol, and caffeine in half, she advised.
Now, I suspect my "condition" is extremely commonplace. Especially among those of us who have achieved middle age, extra poundage seems to go hand-in-hand with high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels. So how much sense does it make, really, to continue, or even increase, one's fat and cholesterol consumption, even if the plan is (at least temporarily) effective in reducing weight?
With my doctor's approval and encouragement, I devised a diet which I intend as a long-range plan. It is high in complex carbohydrates (as opposed to simple ones such as sugar and refined flour), high in fiber, low in cholesterol, low in salt, and low in fat. Note that it was designed to address my specific symptoms (high blood pressure, moderately high cholesterol, moderate obesity), and may not be appropriate for you. But it's sure worked for me in the two months I've been on it. I feel better, and I don't feel deprived. Nor do I feel hungry. I'm not saying I'll never have lapses from this plan, but thus far, I haven't been tempted, and the results are showing in my lab results, and on the scale.
Note that specific quantities are not mentioned below. Common sense is assumed. This may be the ultimate obnoxious vanity and/or waste of bandwidth, but maybe it will help someone. We should all have as a motivating goal the desire to outlive the liberals.
For your review, the southernnorthcarolina plan:
Reduce salt consumption by 50%. No salt (or bouillon, soy sauce, etc.) to be added while cooking or at table. Reduced-sodium prepared foods preferred, but “regular” OK.Good luck to all, no matter how you choose to address your problem (if you have one).Reduce fat consumption by 50%. Fat that is consumed should be unsaturated or mono-saturated, insofar as possible; olive oil preferred. No butter. No margarine. No cream, whole milk, cheese, or ice cream. No solid shortening. Prepared foods containing these ingredients should be avoided.
Reduce alcohol consumption by 50%. Alcohol that is consumed limited to dry wine (red preferred) and beer. No liquor, gin, or vodka.
Reduce caffeine consumption by 50%. Use half “regular” and half decaf when brewing coffee.
Increase water consumption by 100%. Always with meals, and alternating with other beverages at other times.
No red meat (including beef, pork, lamb). No shellfish. No egg yolks. No fried or sautéed food. No peanut butter, nuts, or avocados. No cakes, pies, pastries, puddings, candy, or desserts containing substantial fat and/or sugar.
Permitted in small quantities: poultry (skin removed) and fish (deepwater ocean fish preferred), cooked fat-free or brushed with (not sautéed in) olive oil; skim milk, low fat yogurt, dried fruit, olives.
Permitted in moderate quantities: bread (excluding high fat varieties; whole grain preferred), unsweetened whole grain cereals, grits, pasta (whole wheat preferred), potatoes, rice (brown preferred), beans, corn, other starchy vegetables, fruit and vegetable juices.
Permitted in large quantities: fruits and non-starchy vegetables (in order of preference: fresh/raw, fresh/cooked without fat, frozen, canned [without sauces, syrup, or sugar]); seasonings including lemon juice, vinegar, hot sauce, garlic, onions, herbs and spices.
You don't have to quit eating out, but, for example, go for the following in Mexican: no chips, but munch on corn tortillas. Order enchiladas with either the red or green sause (no creame sauces and no cheese), and frijole beans instead of refrieds. Next time you eat out go to a place like Good Eats and get a grilled chicken, pinto beans and brocilli, but don't eat the rolls.
Eash? It's as easy as the adkins diet and a lot better for you. Eat every three hours and you won't get hungry. In fact, you have to make yourself eat, but it will speed up your motabolism.
And don't forget to exercise at least 3x a week at 45 minutes to an hour each. Get in the weight room (gradually) and use small dumbells to build muscle. The more muscle you have the more calories you burn just by sitting or sleeping. You WILL weigh more, but forget about that, since your clothes will start falling off of you.
Did you mean 2,000?
After I got off the diet and began to gain weight again, that old pain came back with a vengence. I was ready to confess to anything as if I was being tortured, but I wasn't being tortured. It just felt like I was.
A couple of months ago, I decided to go back on the diet. I am not real strict with it, but I have managed to lose 20 lbs and the feet are MUCH better. I have one night a week I call "cheat" night. Usually I eat pasta! that night. I also sneak a bit of dark chocolate during the week. Mostly I eat meat and vegetables. What in the world could be wrong with that? I do stay away from potatoes and other high carb veggies. I also stay away from fruit, since there is really nothing in them except water and sugars.
If I eat a bunch of carbs (pasta, milk, cereal and all the other "low fat" food we are supposed to eat) all the time, my heart pounds in my head and I feel like crap. I also have terrible heartburn that keeps me awake at night and in pain all day.
But anyway, the Adkins diet is the diet for me. I feel good, my feet don't hurt as much, not too much heartburn, and losing weight very steadily. I also walk briskly with my dog nearly every night(he insists!).
Oh, Dr. Atkins helped me for sure. Lots of people already eat meat(protein) with nearly every meal...all I do is delete the breads, potatoes, grits, gravy, starches, sugars etc. that are widely consumed with the meats at any given table.
Sure instead of a single Wendy's with cheese for lunch, I have a double...throw the bread out back for the critters, and take a pass on the fries.
I challenge anyone to tell me aspargus, brussel sprouts, brocolli, and green beans are harmful to me since that is what I have instead of fries or baked potatoe with my charbroiled ribeye.
Actually, this is a little misleading, as it seems to overemphasize the necessity of carbs. The body needs proteins and FATS for survival. It can live without carbs. The body can use fats and proteins for energy, but it cannot use carbs for tissue repair or to assist in the assimilation of specific nutrients (like fat can). Some people go years on a very low carb diet. A restriction of fat or protein to the same extent however would produce certain death.
Given this, does a low fat or a low carb diet make more sense? People really need to understand the politics and economics behind the "carbs are health" myth. The simple fact is that grains aren't really a "food" that a significant portion of the population can assimilate well.
One thing to note for people who respond well to low-carb diets: To some testing to see if you are responding to the absence of wheat, rather than the absence of "carbs." I can eat potatos without the same consequences that wheat or fruit have.
Dan? Is that you, Dan? I was wondering what ever happened to you...
There is NO quick, painless fix. You have to use more calories than you take in. This means, it's fine to eat Hagen Daz, just remember you'll need to work it off later.
The best, most effective way is also the most grueling: Eat less, and get plenty of aerobic activity.
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