Importance of Vegetables

[partytrouble]

Hi all,

Can someone direct me to any threads that deal with WHY eating the 3 cups of veggies is so important? I remember reading it once here, but cannot search and find the exact thread I am thinking of....I find I do not want to add the veggies because I am adding carbs, but I do remember reading that weight loss is seriously stalled if you don't eat them....help!

[cypressgirl]

Re: Importance of Vegetables

I don't know the exact thread it either but I do recall it. I can tell you a little though. Fiber and varied nutrients are important reasons for veggies - supplements alone don't cut it 100%. Also, cutting your carbs more drastically than induction levels doesn't mean you will lose weight more quickly. Last but not least, you want to eat in a way that will allow you to eat this way for life so you don't just put the weight back on.

Something 2big wrote:

"A little Atkins plan back ground before 2002 the plan said in rule 5 you could use a carb counter and eat any 20 carbs you wanted . BUT in dealing with his patients and the folk calling and writing it became appearent that was not workoinng as folk made horrible food choices and got into trouble not only nutritionaly but with portion contriol from cravings so he did away with allowing anything and said from these lists pick 3 cups. He could have said pickj all 20 carbs and folk would have screamed about all the veggies they HAD to eat on Atkins. Instead he said eat 3 cups of these and make the majority of your carbs be from these lists but you can have 20 and eat other things with carbs like eggs cheese herbs and spices and salad dressing. Nice guy wasn't he."

Or Like Fawn said:

"Vegetables are your intenstinal wash cloth! ...In order to have a healthy colon, one must eat 25-35 gr. of fiber a day. Tell it to him like this (It usually gets ones attention)

"the average person today can have up to 15lbs. of waste in their colons"

ooohhhh nasty visual!"

Each has a very valid point!

[Heidi3]

Re: Importance of Vegetables

vitamins!
minerals !
fiber!
texture!
health!
satisfaction!
flavor!
variety!
color!
your skin!
your hair!


...and yes you do need those kind of carbs!!!

If you want to loose weight and keep it off you have to have wide variety of fresh veggies...that is a long list to pick from so keep working on it and good luck

Hi all,

Can someone direct me to any threads that deal with WHY eating the 3 cups of veggies is so important? I remember reading it once here, but cannot search and find the exact thread I am thinking of....I find I do not want to add the veggies because I am adding carbs, but I do remember reading that weight loss is seriously stalled if you don't eat them....help!

[sunflowergrl]

Re: Importance of Vegetables

I totally agree with Heidi and Cypress. Veggies are so healthy!! Are we really willing to do ANYTHING to lose weight, no matter how unhealthy and short lived it may be?? I know I am not. I want to be thin, but I want to be healthy and live a long full life even more. I am sad to see that some people just want fast results and don't care about their health or long term weight loss. Remember when Oprah went on that liquid diet and lost all that weight?? She put that weight back on quicker than it took her to lose it, and she admitted it wasn't a good plan for long term weight loss. Do we want to be thin for a few months, only to gain it back or do we want long term weight loss and a plan for eating for life? When people questions veggies and OWL, it makes me sad. I really hope you opt for being healthy and keeping the weight off for life and make the correct food choices and trust in Dr. Atkins.

[ValidRouge]

Re: Importance of Vegetables

If you are not eating vegetables, you are NOT doing Atkins!

I suggest you get out your book and read what the good Dr. himself tells you about vegetables.

[Moochiecat]

Re: Importance of Vegetables

There are good carbs and there are bad carbs. A LOT of the veggie carbs are good carbs, and nobody ever got fat eating salad, so there's no need to deny your body the nutrients and fiber that they offer you as long as you are sticking to the Acceptable Foods list and the Rules.
Some veggie carbs (like potato for example) are not so great because of their effect on a person's blood sugar and that's why we are not allowed to have them until we are in Pre-Maintenance and Maintenance.

I echo the sentiment that you should give the book another read...maybe snack on some veggies and dip while you read..

[dotsamantha]

Re: Importance of Vegetables

I couldn't poo for nearly the first five days because I wasn't getting enough bulk. I thought I was. I switched to the greens with the most fiber, and lo and behold, I feel better now 10 days into it.

[Austlyn]

Re: Importance of Vegetables

Veggies Veggies Veggies, this would be boring without them they are my saving grace, I make all kind of interesting meals I make up in my head with them! They are so important if your constipated you will not be showing weight loss. It is so much healthier to get natural fiber, things like metamucil which you would surley become dependent on without veggies deplete calcium from your bones and cause the onset of arthritis sooner.
SO there are your veggies for thought!

[LookingForward]

Re: Importance of Vegetables

things like metamucil which you would surley become dependent on without veggies deplete calcium from your bones and cause the onset of arthritis sooner.

WHOA! Can anyone tell me more about this? I supplement my fiber with metamucil psyllium husk caplets, because I get nowhere near enough fiber each day from my veggies. I still don't feel like I get enough fiber, at only an average of 13 grams pre day since I started taking my supplements. Can you link me to information about this, I'm certainly alarmed by this information. Thanks!

[Austlyn]

Re: Importance of Vegetables

A second contributor to chronic constipation is insufficient bulk in the intestines as the result of low intake of fiber and water. The pressure of this bulk of material against the intestinal walls is a stimulus to natural peristalsis. Health authorities repeatedly emphasize the value of fruits and vegetables, many of which are high in fiber and water, and they recommend consumption of large amounts of additional fluids, mostly in the form of water. A standard recommendation is to consume two quarts of water (equivalent to 8 servings of one cup each) per day. Fiber is also obtained via ingestion of whole grains and fiber supplements; however, this dry fiber is not a satisfactory solution in the absence of adequate water ingestion. Even with a diet that emphasizes fibrous foods, inadequate total intake of food can contribute to constipation. In particular, those who are sedentary may consume less than the 2,000-calorie daily intake that is normally expected, and the amount of food material may be low enough, despite its fiber content, that the intestines are not stimulated to move it through in a normal manner.

Practitioners involved with natural health-care therapies often recommend various dietary supplements, including herbs, which will have a laxative effect. While these supplements can be quite helpful, it is important to put them into proper context and to be aware of potential problems from extended use of stimulant purgatives. Relying on laxatives to permanently replace exercise, fibrous foods, and water is inappropriate except in extreme cases where there are no other options (such as elderly patients with limited capabilities). While use of the laxatives as part of a changing lifestyle may be a valuable component of therapy leading towards alleviation of chronic constipation, it is inconsistent with the tenets of natural healing to recommend use of supplements only, particularly without a reasonable limit of duration.

Oh and physllium husks is a natural laxative, and they put chemicals in it that many of the workers in the factory get ill from just working around I e-mailed a friend to send me more links on the subject of calcium depletion.
But none of this stuff is meant to be used in the long run, I never even saw Dr. Atkins recommend it as an everyday fix.
If you must use it make it an occasional thing and try everything else first, such as eat spinach all week, up your water more for the week, go an extra day to the health club, try some flax seed, and then if all else fails use the supplement just once.
There are four major things used in making metamucil 2 of which are toxic substances.

Plus this kind of abuse of soluble fiber should only be done under the care of your physcian, Your body may become so addicted you may not be able to regulate your own body. Yes you can actually become dependent on the stuff.
For some people it is neccasary despite the risks I understand that but you should not use what you do not have to.

I do not mean to sound so harsh but I have seen the first hand effects from this kind of abuse! It is always better to get your fiber naturally, induction may limit it but there is more in owl, and in maintenance and pre-maintenace it is plenty enough for life.

Okay I will get back with the links as soon as my friend sends them, she knows more about this subject alot more, she has been low-carbing before it was popular here.
Sorry for the hi-jacking of the thread!

[partytrouble]

Re: Importance of Vegetables

Thanks for all of your replies. I think I did not make my question very clear, sorry. I have read the book numerous times, and am old hat at this WOE. I do understand the importance of veggies for nutrients, fiber, variety, etc, and agree they are SO important! The thing I am trying to get at is that I read somewhere that if you NEEDED the veggies in order to help process or carry away the fat in some way? It wasn't about needing veggies for general health, but something more specific about actually not being able to lose unless you were eating the veggies? Does anyone remember ever reading this thread?

[jsj0305]

Re: Importance of Vegetables

But none of this stuff is meant to be used in the long run, I never even saw Dr. Atkins recommend it as an everyday fix.

Okay now I am confused. Page 76 and 136 in Dandr, Dr. Atkins recommends one tablespoon of psyllium husks daily.

I am lost now. I am not trying to say you are wrong, but if I am misunderstanding...I am in big trouble! LOL

[jsj0305]

Re: Importance of Vegetables

Party, I don't remember that one, but I am very interested...I am going to linger if that's okay

[sunflowergrl]

Re: Importance of Vegetables

I take natural psyllium husks every day, and that is because Dr. A said to. I feel it is safe, as it is natural. I think maybe you are getting this confused with Exlax type products.

[Austlyn]

Re: Importance of Vegetables

I will have to look at the book myself ! No I am sure this for all supplements of this nature. MAybe he did recommend it ??????????? But it is still not healthy as a forever thing, I want to re-read that and get back to you!