No sugar EVER???

[Kirajo]

Hi All,

I just finished my two weeks of induction and I'm happy with the results so far. I only had about 17 pounds to lose and the main reason I went on this diet though is to be able to eat healthier and cut out the empty calories so can eat enough to feel full. My previous approach to food was to eat whatever I wanted but never eat enough to be full. I was living on 1500 calories a day while spending 2 hours a day in the gym just to maintain my weight - and I was constantly hungry. (BTW I'm 5ft 4in 131 lbs right now - goal 120

I feel much better now on atkins, but (looking into the future) I'm worried that I'll never be able to eat anything with sugar ever again even when I'm at my goal. If I have a small piece of cake on my birthday, will I immediately gain ten pounds of water weight? Can I have an occasional piece of real chocolate? In general I agree that sugar is really bad for you and I plan to make a habit to avoid it. But I'm not sure i can be happy with this WOL if I can't have a small treat occasionally (say, once a month). Is this possible on atkins for life???

Kira

[janiac]

Can't find the page right now, but Dr. A. does say that the occasional piece of birthday cake, etc. will be permissable later on. As you progress through the program, you will be able to determine if that will be the case for you. Your body may be accepting of such a treat, mine may not. Only time and experimentation, as we travel through all the phases of the program, will reveal what will work for us. Sorry I can't give you a more definitive answer.

[book]

and I would explore the many recipes available for desserts without sugar. On the Atkins site and many others, many wonderful recipes using splenda, almond flours, etc... you may find great substitutes to use once you reach goal.

and if you are diligent about exercising, and gain the wonderful miraculous metabolism muscle, it will help prevent small "cheats" from having a huge impact. I figure if I exercise enough, which will be even more fun when I am at goal, I will be able to allow more items I miss like yogurt and orange juice... etc.

book

[MotherOfGizmo]

I agree with Book on this! I have had cheesecake and pumpkin pie that my sister made with Splenda and almond crusts and IMO it was better than the sugar laden ones--I don't know how I could ever miss sugar when there are so many wonderful recipes using legal ingredients!

[book]

and the difference in how you feel....


eat sugar, and want to take a nap in an hour....

eat Splenda sweetened item... feel fine

I am in OWL and have been eating strawberries and cream. Today I was out of cream, so I softened a little cream cheese, added a touch of Splenda, and cut up my strawberries and mixed them in. I am telling you, it was fantastic. One day I will try a sugarless pie crust with the almond flours, (actually I am picturing ground up pecans... splenda... flaxmeal as the base of the crust...) etc, and I can already tell you that this cream cheese/strawberry mixture will be fantastic for a sort of refrigerator pie. And will be very easy to make and impressive enough for guests!

I am very sensitive to sugar fluctuations. That is the best part of this WOE for me, having stable blood sugar. Even when I reach goal I want to maintain that.. especially with the diabetes that runs in my family.

And also, the Atkins website sells a lot of really great looking dessert items. The lower carb items coming available in stores will all be an option as well in maintenance!

book

[Esdios]

Once you get to an acceptible weight (you are already in a pretty good weight range) it is not so important what you eat as much as how many calories you eat and how much exercise you do on a regular basis. While some biochemical things still happen because of the food you eat when you get to maintenance, the true key to maintaining your weight is balancing calories in vs calories out. Too few calories in over time and your body will make the efficient choice of storing fat rather than burning it, too many in and you store it because you can't burn it fast enough. This isn't to say maintenance is about counting calories, it isn't but it still comes down to calories.

[leslie0021]

IMHO, it's more about the source of the calories. This whole WOE is about the chemical processes that occur depending on what you put in your mouth, regardless of the calories. I can eat a ton of calories and lose weight as long as those calories come from healthy fat.

My sweet tooth never did go away, but I have so many sugar free choices, I'm ok with that. And, I find now that if I try to eat something sugary or full of refined carbs...I can't choke it down.

[Perry]

I'm with Leslie on this.

Processed sugar has to be the most destructive thing to eat for maintaining weight.

[Esdios]

I can eat a ton of calories and lose weight as long as those calories come from healthy fat.

healthy fat is as much a misnomer as healthy water. We need both of them but too much or when they are overly contaminated with things we don't need and we will pay the price. And those that think they can eat all the calories they want no matter if they are from fat or any other source is going to have serious problem losing this weight and keeping it off.

[Esdios]

Processed sugar has to be the most destructive thing to eat for maintaining weight.

It is all about balance and moderation. To totally give up processed sugar which I would agree is the biggest obstacle for weight loss is unrealistic for most people. The best you can hope for is to watch it and compensate for it.

[Perry]

Since we're into breaking down each others comments for discussion....

It is very realistic to expect people to eliminate processed sugar from their diet - if they are doing Atkins. Either you eliminate it or the diet fails. Simple concept.

Now, can you eliminate it in its entirety? Sure, if you're diligent. But, since trace sugars can be found in most things we eat these days it is not realistic to think we can totally eliminate them.

Quite a difference between eating cured bacon and sugar cured ham.

[MotherOfGizmo]

I agree with you Perry, I believe it is quite realistic as well. I have not consumed sugar except in trace amounts in over a year--As far as I've been able to tell I have my feet firmly place in reality! :yes

[Esdios]

The holier than thou attitude of of those who do give up something is one of the very reason most people won't even considder doing it. It doesn't matter if it is processed sugar, meat, cigarette or anything else. This attitude makes people look pretensious, snobbish an self righteous, and moderate people following a similar path tend to rebel against it. This isn't to say you shouldn't feel proud about giving it up, you should, it is a hard thing to do, albeit I doubt necessary. The other reason it is unrealist for most people to give it up is they are not willing to sacrifice the things they love forever more. It doesn't matter how many alternatives you provide, you simply aren't going to change human nature, and even if you could you will certainly have to fight a war against industry and marketing you won't win in this lifetime.

[MotherOfGizmo]

The holier than thou attitude of of those who do give up something is one of the very reason most people won't even considder doing it. It doesn't matter if it is processed sugar, meat, cigarette or anything else. This attitude makes people look pretensious, snobbish an self righteous, and moderate people following a similar path tend to rebel against it. This isn't to say you shouldn't feel proud about giving it up, you should, it is a hard thing to do, albeit I doubt necessary. The other reason it is unrealist for most people to give it up is they are not willing to sacrifice the things they love forever more. It doesn't matter how many alternatives you provide, you simply aren't going to change human nature, and even if you could you will certainly have to fight a war against industry and marketing you won't win in this lifetime.

Never said I was holier than anybody! And I think you are out of line calling me "pretensious, snobbish an self righteous" I just said that it can be done and I am proof of that---so who is acting holier than who here---you are not all knowing and just because you aren't capable of doing something doesn't make that true for the rest of humanity! If it is unrealistic because you are not willing then just say that--that to you it is unrealistic...but it definatley can be done your reality is just obvioulsy differnt than mine! Personally I have no desire to even attempt to "change human nature" as you put it , quite frankly I could care less what you choose to eat or not eat, but don't tell me it can't be done because I have already proven you wrong!

[Perry]

Why does our attitude upset you to the point of coming across just as snobbish as us? I'm not out to win any war - not even the one you're attempting to start. What gives?