[mewzilla]

Was he getting most of his protein from vegetable sources? Of course, all of the people I knew who were on it never stuck to proper portion sizes of anything, which was part of the problem in the first place. I also heard that the diet can put a real strain on the kidneys which are trying to excrete all that excess protein (someone please correct me if I got that wrong).

[Jean Chauvin]

The diet he/we did, was to eat no carbs until dinner -which was called the 'reward meal' where anything went -within reason. The reward meal was where we had our breads and pasta's and such.

other meals would be meats (cheesburgers with out toppings or buns...) or other no carb foods.

It's an expensive diet with all the meat you must buy.

I actually enjoyed it, as I said, I felt fabulous. (I personally didn't have a check up so I cannot answer about my own levels)

I will also admit that I lost more pounds 10 years ago by jogging. I didn't change anything in my eating habbits. I have an NFL lineman size and to get up to 3 miles x 3 times per week is quite a feat. I dropped in the neighborhood of 30 pounds. I felt fabulous during this time as well (that joggers 'high' is fabulous). But again, it was a lifestyle change that I didn't want to keep up with. Lord willing, I will start Jogging seriously again next week as it finally seems to have warmed up for good.

Jean

[LurkedLongEnough]

the diet can put a real strain on the kidneys

True, a high-protein diet does indeed strain the kidneys. Pancreatic enzymes taken after eating, however, break the protein down into smaller components that are easier on the kidney.

With pancreatic enzymes, renal patients can benefit from eating enough protein for good nutrition, yet preserve their remaining kidney function.

I know a person with chronic kidney failure who's taking the enzymes, eating adequate protein; the only person in the program whose blood tests are not showing sustained decline in kidney function. (And no, I don't work in the enzyme distribution chain.)

[Corin Stormhands]

I also heard that the diet can put a real strain on the kidneys which are trying to excrete all that excess protein (someone please correct me if I got that wrong).

Constipation is also a major factor. I did it for two weeks last year, lost about 15 lbs. (which I've gained back, plus). But at the end, I told my wife all I wanted was a bran muffin and a glass of cranberry juice.

I can cut the flours and the refined sugars. But I had a hard time cutting the fruits and juices.

[Tauzero]

"I also heard that the diet can put a real strain on the kidneys which are trying to excrete all that excess protein (someone please correct me if I got that wrong)."

Atkin's original formulation certainly did.