Ground Beef???

[AtoZgirl]

Meat question:

Just a quick over-view about me before I ask the question: I plan to start induction in a few weeks… mainly because I keep thinking I want to wait till after Christmas, so I can truly enjoy Thanksgiving and Christmas. I know food isn’t everything, but my main problem is I am a pretty heavy alcoholic drinker (which will cease when I start the Atkins diet).

Anyway, I did the Atkins diet for a few weeks back in 2005 and lost a good 20 pounds. But my boyfriend and I moved out of out apartment and into our house a few weeks after starting the diet and I got off track… well it actually slipped my mind and didn’t come back until now. So, I’m back to a heavier weight and I’m fustrated and pretty depressed about how I look. I’m not huge and I do like myself in general (haha) but I am over-weight and cannot keep hiding from that. I’m still so young and I figured why wait? I’m sick of waiting. I’ve been on a low calorie diet for a while now but it just doesn’t really work very well. I get hungry easily plus it’s super hard to do a low calories diet when I eat out Farley often. It might just be me but it seems easier to eat out when you’re on Atkins because you can easily modify what is ordered/served. Ok, enough about me… back to my original question.

What kind of ground meat (beef in particular) do you buy on the Atkins diet? I have been buying 94/6 since I was watching my calories, but it doesn’t taste right all the time. I’m just wondering if I go down to 90/10 will I really be messing up my body or the Atkins diet in general? All input is welcomed. Thanks J

[widget246k]

Re: Ground Beef???

I usually buy 85/15 or 90/10 from my butcher. Both taste great in any ground beef dishes.

[Delirium-Zer0]

Re: Ground Beef???

I buy 85/15 usually, and I'm losing weight pretty fast still. I think as long as you drain the grease when it's cooked, you should be fine.

[Elizellen]

Re: Ground Beef???

I get 80/20 meat/fat ground beef (beef mince in UK) and for some recipes leave the fat in to add to the flavour and keep my fat ratio high!

[Skeptika23]

Re: Ground Beef???

We buy 80/20 or 85/15 usually.

You don't have to put it off until after the holidays, y'know - there are lots of ways to enjoy and indulge without going off plan!

I hear you on the restricted calories thing - I did it, was starving all the time, and gained 10 pounds to boot! Atkins was a complete turnaround for me and it's a great way of eating!

[AtoZgirl]

Re: Ground Beef???

Thanks for all the great replies. I just have it in my mind that I should stick to the 96/4 beef, but I guess that isn't the case

We buy 80/20 or 85/15 usually.

You don't have to put it off until after the holidays, y'know - there are lots of ways to enjoy and indulge without going off plan!

I hear you on the restricted calories thing - I did it, was starving all the time, and gained 10 pounds to boot! Atkins was a complete turnaround for me and it's a great way of eating!

It's so great to hear someone that went through the same thing as I'm going through. I lost when I first started the low calories diet, but nothing like I did when I first tried Atkins! Now I feel like I'm stuck and sometimes even gaining. HORRIBLE

So - thank you for your wonderful words! And you're right about putting off until the holidays. My body is all for it but now I just have to get my mind to follow. I'll definitely be on this board as much as possibly.

This time I'm READY!!!! I'm going to do things right. I'm going to actually get an exact start weight, get measurements of everything I can put a measuring tape around haha. I'm going to keep track of what I eat and what I'm losing. I'm going to throw all carby products out of my house and out of my life. I'm going to follow the induction 100%... (and probably stay on it for longer than the 2 weeks... I need to lose around 30 pounds).

I'm pumped!!! Now... start date... when will you be? I'll be back to let you all know

[Skeptika23]

Re: Ground Beef???

Thanks for all the great replies. I just have it in my mind that I should stick to the 96/4 beef, but I guess that isn't the case

I find the lowest fat beef to be flavorless and dry, anyway. While it's less cost effective, it's still better to buy the higher fat beef and drain it if you must - tastes better, in my opinion.

It's so great to hear someone that went through the same thing as I'm going through. I lost when I first started the low calories diet, but nothing like I did when I first tried Atkins! Now I feel like I'm stuck and sometimes even gaining. HORRIBLE

The traditional diet plan made me miserable - and no way could I have maintained on that nonsense. Atkins is just the complete opposite - not starving all the time and actually making progress!

So - thank you for your wonderful words! And you're right about putting off until the holidays. My body is all for it but now I just have to get my mind to follow. I'll definitely be on this board as much as possibly.

This time I'm READY!!!! I'm going to do things right. I'm going to actually get an exact start weight, get measurements of everything I can put a measuring tape around haha. I'm going to keep track of what I eat and what I'm losing. I'm going to throw all carby products out of my house and out of my life. I'm going to follow the induction 100%... (and probably stay on it for longer than the 2 weeks... I need to lose around 30 pounds).

No problem - been there, done that, and I'm here to tell you that it gets better and better.

Y'know, if you're not mentally ready to do Atkins - you can start low carbing a bit until you are ready. Just start reducing the carbs overall, today - choosing lower carb pasta (Dreamfields is good) rather than regular pasta, cutting down eating pizza and chips and such, replacing higher carb items with lower carb items - just simpler things like that. That's what my hubby did - he eased into it (I was the strict one - now we're both doing it together).

It's not Atkins, but it is learning to make better choices, right? It's still better than not doing anything at all, and it'll get your brain moving in the right direction.

I'm pumped!!! Now... start date... when will you be? I'll be back to let you all know

Looking forward to it!

[mommymel78]

Re: Ground Beef???

Great question...I typically only use ground turkey but if more fat will help lose the pounds I am all for it!

Good luck to you!

[julirama723]

Re: Ground Beef???

I guess I'm the wierdo who loves super-lean ground beef!

I can't stand animal fat (it just grosses me out, I also will only eat the lean parts of steak and would die happy if I could only eat skinless/boneless chicken for the rest of my days) so consequently, on Atkins, I must add fat back in somewhere. Not hard, since I'd usually have veggies in butter or olive oil, or have a high-fat dressing with my salad.

I think it's all a matter of preference. You'll be fine with 90/10 ground beef! What matters is that your ratios balance (and that you have fat at each meal), not WHERE your fat comes from (I mean, what does it matter if it came from the beef or from olive oil?) Just be sure that you're eating ENOUGH FAT, sometimes people don't eat enough and their weight loss can slow down. Remember, on Atkins you are burning fat for fuel. Fat is our friend!

[AtoZgirl]

Re: Ground Beef???

Y'know, if you're not mentally ready to do Atkins - you can start low carbing a bit until you are ready. Just start reducing the carbs overall, today - choosing lower carb pasta (Dreamfields is good) rather than regular pasta, cutting down eating pizza and chips and such, replacing higher carb items with lower carb items - just simpler things like that. That's what my hubby did - he eased into it (I was the strict one - now we're both doing it together).

It's not Atkins, but it is learning to make better choices, right? It's still better than not doing anything at all, and it'll get your brain moving in the right direction.

You're completely right. I'm going to unofficially start...but I will consistently start watching my carb intake and get some induction recipes ready.

Anyway, it will take me a few days to clean out my refrigerator, go grocery shopping, take pictures, measure and weight myself and set up a gym/workout routine. I'm pretty good with going to the gym - but ever since daylight savings ended, when I leave work at 5pm its dark outside and I just end up going home and relaxing till bed. Not a good habit to get into. My problem is saying I HAVE to make the aerobics class at the gym by 5:30p.m. It gets me anxious all day if I think I might work a little later or if the dogs need to be let out before I head over. Thankfully, the gym I go to is only 5 minutes from my house and my work but still... the running around I hate. I think I need to be more open and stop forcing myself to make it to the aerobics class at 5:30p.m. most nights and just go to the gym around once I've come home and settled down for a while and do it on my own schedule. I also have weights, a stability ball, workout DVD's and a bike at home, for those days I'm to lazy to get back out or if the gym is closed, etc. No more excuses...

OK, I think I said enough, hah. I will be on these boards religiously and will let everyone know when I officially start and my progress. It's nice to write my thoughts and feelings out... it almost like therapy

[Skeptika23]

Re: Ground Beef???

Good decision - lower carb is better than high carb, even if it isn't Atkins.

I hear you on the rushing around - I get home at 5:45 (leaving work strictly at 5pm), scarf, then scoot by 6:20 to get to martial arts class by 6:45 (need additional stretching time before class). I think *that* is hectic, but yours is far worse!

I hope you'll start a journal in Journal Chats so we can follow your progress!