Atkins Shakes

[aparmour]

Has anyone tried to do the diet and only use the shakes and bars? I have a friend who did Slimfast to lose weight, and she only had their shakes and bars. I figured the low carb approach to that idea could only work out for the best. I was wondering if anyone has tried this or any type of liquid only diet. It seems easy, and I am tired of cooking so much...I miss the convenience of fast food.

[Chasin2Kids]

Re: Atkins Shakes

I'm absolutely positive that's not a good idea. Have you read the book?

[Brook]

Re: Atkins Shakes

I have several problems and reservations with using bars and shakes - and any other gimmick- to loose weight.

1. While convenient, they are expensive.
2. They're filled with ingredients that require a degree in chemical engineering to pronounce - you can't convince me that it's healthy to live off that garbage.
3. It doesn't teach you to eat properly at all. There are steps to any nutritional approach worth it's salt - and they're there for a reason - for long term success.

Lots of people lose weight doing things like this - I'll give you that. Lots of those people wind up on forums like this after regaining what they've lost because when they start eating real food again they find that they haven't learned or retrained themselves with food and they regain everything they lost. Statisically, the pounds regained typically bring along a few friends with them.

There are a lot of ways you can dig in and get around cooking all the time. I work an average of 90 hours a week right now and am raising three children on my own. Time is a hot commodity and I don't have time to stand in the kitchen and cook all evening, let alone the desire.

If you'd like suggestions, we can pelt you with them.

I wish you success.
~Brook

[julirama723]

Re: Atkins Shakes

I'll bring up another point that a lot of newbies aren't aware of--the bars and shakes, while they seem convenient, can stall, slow, or stop your weight loss. True, the package SAYS it's only 3 net carbs, but many people are affected by ALL of the carbs (usually around 20) that they put in each bar, even though they're sugar alcohols, and other fillers...so while you think you're only consuming 3 carbs, you need to count all 20. Sugar alcohols, like malitol, also have a laxative effect in many people.

That being said, I also want to point out that everyone is different. Bars and shakes completely stop some people, while others breeze through weight loss with them. But I go back to Brook's points about learning healthy eating patterns, cost, and chemically engineered ingredients. Hardboiled eggs, beef jerky, veggies, pepperoni, and cheese sticks are just as convenient, taste way better, and are much cheaper than the bars and shakes.

[winter]

Re: Atkins Shakes

I tried them once a couple years ago. It ended up that they were just my beverage because I turned around and ate anyway.

Please don't waste your money on them. With a little planning you can have options for meals that are quick and much healthier.