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Any negatives to Adkins Diet?

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?


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To: shawv
Get the book, read it, decide for yourself. There is a usnet group that might be helpful- alt.support.diet.low-carb. Many people that criticize the diet have very little knowledge of it, and have been propagandized by the AHA. Adkins exlplains the physilogy associated with the intake of fats, proteins, and carbohydraytes. The diet is supported by several studies, and has recently been under study in the U.S. as more Dr.'s are finding improved health of their patients who are on it. Contrary to what's been taught to nutritionist and Dr.'s for years, a high protein diet is not hard on one's kidneys. The are several good low carb diets- Suzanne Sommer's "Somercise," Protein Power, Sugar Buster's, etc. Educate yourself. Don't take the word of people who know nothing about the diet, or how and why it works and is good for you. It's actually very close to a diabetic diet, yet the majority of nutritionist aren't aware it is because they haven't taken the time to learn about.
81 posted on 10/28/2001 5:14:07 PM PST by pops88
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To: shawv
Yes. It doesn't work. The only way to lose weight is to consume less food, no matter what the scam artists claim.
82 posted on 10/28/2001 5:14:32 PM PST by E. Pluribus Unum
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To: Dakotabound
You are right. It is "A Way of Life". That's the way I describe it to people that ask why I don't eat white stuff :-) At 103 lbs. I'm a few lbs. heavier than I was at 20. But I don't have to buy a new wardrobe every 6 months.

BTW, someone said Miller Lite had 3 grams of carbs. It's 3.5 :-)

83 posted on 10/28/2001 5:23:11 PM PST by katykelly
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To: Dakotabound
Oh, and I'm a Protien Power gal. Can I have your receipe?
84 posted on 10/28/2001 5:27:14 PM PST by katykelly
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To: tubebender
lose weight with the cabbage soup diet

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!

85 posted on 10/28/2001 5:29:12 PM PST by mombonn
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To: shawv
Take a look at the "Cabrohydrate Addict's Diet". Basically, you eat two low/no carb meals, and one "reward meal" per
day. The reward meal lasts one hour...no more. During that hour, you can eat whatever you want, as much as you
want. I have modified the diet by eliminating everything but the reward meal. That's right, I eat one meal per day.
I lost 25 lbs in about 2 months, and have been level ever since. I lost a lot of weight on Adkins a few years back,
but this diet has that beat all over.
86 posted on 10/28/2001 5:34:17 PM PST by poindexter
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To: shawv
Well, this thread is going to generate some controversy. I might as well hop in with my $.02; I come down firmly on the anti-Adkins side of the argument. I believe that those who describe the Adkins diet as "dangerous" are absolutely correct.

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.

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.

Good luck to all, no matter how you choose to address your problem (if you have one).
87 posted on 10/28/2001 5:38:40 PM PST by southernnorthcarolina
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To: shawv
It works..period.You notice changes in your digestion, such as how tolerant you are of big carbs, and you may find a nasty reaction to some veggies.Make sure to get tons of exercise, drink lots of water.Everything will taste salty,chocolate will taste awful at first, and you'll get sick of cheese and meat after a while, but eat more salads.Cheat infrequently, but this works, and you feel great.
88 posted on 10/28/2001 5:40:18 PM PST by habs4ever
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To: shawv
Forget adkins. Get Larry North's books and follow his program. Simple: 6 meals a day; prepare the things you like a little differently; one protien, one carb and one fibrous veggie at each meal. Build in certain cheat meals, say, 2 or 3 times a week. You can use a meal replacement shake or bar for one meal if you like, but eat a complete meal. Drink water like a fish and lay off soda, high sugar fruit juices and the like. Bread isn't fat, but it is calorically dense, so be careful.

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.

89 posted on 10/28/2001 5:40:50 PM PST by 1L
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To: foto
Welcome to FreeRepublic! Here is the NEWCOMERS: Welcome Center and Information Desk thread to help you get started.
90 posted on 10/28/2001 5:42:45 PM PST by petuniasevan
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To: MHGinTN
then devise a 200 calorie per day diet

Did you mean 2,000?

91 posted on 10/28/2001 5:46:50 PM PST by xm177e2
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Comment #92 Removed by Moderator

To: shawv
The problem with most diets that focus on one type of food or style is that once you stop dieting, the weight comes back on. You need to develop a style of eating you can continue for the rest of your life. One needs carbs and can't sustain a low carb rate for very long without side effects. I would suggest altering your current diet to suit your needs. Make over your favorites with less fat and less salt. Eat several small meals per day. (Of course the diet that's worked best for me lately is "my husband doesn't have a steady job we can't afford to eat much diet" LOL!
93 posted on 10/28/2001 5:49:04 PM PST by goodieD
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To: PianoMan
I too, am a huge Adkins diet fan. Last year I lost nearly 40 lbs, but returned my to old ways and slowly gained most of it back. I have another very serious problem with my feet known as plantar facitis. My feet hurt all the time. Last year, when I went on the Adkins diet I noticed a tremendous improvement, but chalked it up to a coincidence.

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!).

94 posted on 10/28/2001 5:51:08 PM PST by BRK
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To: shawv
Let me add one more thought: There is no "one size fits all" diet. Everyone's body works differently, and what one person may have success on, may never work for another. You know your own eating style, your own schedule. Find something that fits you and only you.
95 posted on 10/28/2001 5:52:18 PM PST by goodieD
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To: xm177e2
Yes, I meant 2000 ... 200 would be sub-starvation!
96 posted on 10/28/2001 5:54:36 PM PST by MHGinTN
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To: PianoMan
This is one of the reasons low-carb diets are sweeping NYC. I hope this helps you.

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.

97 posted on 10/28/2001 5:57:41 PM PST by takenoprisoner
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To: goodieD
One needs carbs and can't sustain a low carb rate for very long without side effects.

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.

98 posted on 10/28/2001 6:04:48 PM PST by bluefish
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To: takenoprisoner
"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."

Dan? Is that you, Dan? I was wondering what ever happened to you...

99 posted on 10/28/2001 6:07:24 PM PST by southernnorthcarolina
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To: shawv
You really want to lose weight?

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.

100 posted on 10/28/2001 6:09:51 PM PST by Bella_Bru
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