Pasta?

[Erin80]

Just wondering if it's ever possible to eat pasta again while on Atkins? I LOVE pasta, and I know I'll miss it if I can never eat it again. I like whole wheat pasta, so I have no problem eating that. Does anyone eat pasta successfully without gaining weight?

[ValidRouge]

Re: Pasta?

On the grains rung you can have whole wheat pasta or the dreamfields pasta.

[kisstuck]

Re: Pasta?

You may have to ask Julirama, but I think she eats Shiritake noodles. They are legal once you reach OWL.

[sadie147]

Re: Pasta?

as long as you don't have an issue with wheat, or with the number of carbs, yes you will be able to have whole wheat pasta again. If you have a high ACE, you can probably have it without issue. I can have usually up to 100 g's a day but have never tried the ww pasta, was never a big pasta person.

[attek]

Re: Pasta?

Erin,
Depends on your CCLL and what your body can tolerate. I have a very high CCLL - over 100 - and can still lose weight eating WW pasta. For my lasagna, 1/12 of my 9x12 pan has 26g carbs, 2g fiber, and 308 calories. It's a 3 inch by 4 inch piece, which is a decent portion for me. Pre-Atkins, I would probably have eaten about this same size but with a couple of pieces of garlic bread and some dessert. Atkins version - same size lasagna but a side of asparagus and canteloupe, or brussels sprouts and yogurt with blueberries, etc. For spaghetti, I eat regular WW, but a small portion. I used to fill my plate with spaghetti Pre-Atkins, but now I fill the rest of my plate with some Induction veggies and then a piece of fruit.

On OWL, I used to substitute julienned sauteed zucchini for a similar texture as spaghetti noodles. Others use the spaghetti squash.

I think most non-Atkins people and probably even Induction-ers would be very surprised by my Maintenance meal plans - "you mean you can eat THAT (WW pasta and bread, potatoes, corn, pineapple, banana - not all in the same meal, LOL) on Atkins?" I think the biggest change of habits is that Pre-Atkins I ate very little fruits and veggies, and that led to eating more carbs and meats for the same feeling of fullness. I probably eat more fruits and veggies in 2 days now than I used to all week.

[Erin80]

Re: Pasta?

Thanks Attek.....it's good to know I'll be able to eat pasta and bread again! I have yet to find my CCLL, as I'm still on only rung 1 of OWL....but need to move on (haven't yet because I'm scared of gaining weight back, I like the number I see on the scale right now!)....

[Lamby-pie]

Re: Pasta?

I'm in pre-maintenance. I'm only a few pounds from goal and I'm just now starting to experiment with higher rung foods. I had some popcorn a few weeks ago, a potato this week.
Next week I might try some bread.
I've found that I don't like some of my old favorites, some I think I will enjoy on a limited basis. I've accepted the fact that I cannot have them every day. I'm thinking maybe once or twice a week in limited portions once I hit goal.

[sallyseachange]

Re: Pasta?

Once you know your CCLL/CCLM you'll be able to figure out how much or how little pasta (whole wheat) you can have on a regular basis...
You'll most likely need to juggle your higher carb foods, but on the other hand you might just be surprised that they are not as wonderful as you remember them to be.

I'd never have believed in life without pasta (where I live!) at the beginning...but in fact, I now only have it maybe once a month... usually dreamfields, and a small portion at that. Amazing how tastes change.
I'll bet yours will too.

[ttdriver]

Re: Pasta?

I eat Dreamfields at least once a week with no problems.


Betty

[ShannonK]

Re: Pasta?

This is such an interesting thread. I came to the Maintenance Forum to ask just such a question.

I am on day two of re-induction, so I know that I have a way to go before I can eat whole wheat pasta, which I love.

My question is this: I live in The Netherlands and we are taking a vacation to Italy in December. I doubt that I will be at goal by then, so what can I eat??

Sally, what do you recommend, since you live there? We will be mostly eating out and I was looking forward to eggplant parm and pizza, etc. Italian food is my favorite!

Thanks!

[sallyseachange]

Re: Pasta?

Shannon... In the winter (2007) Newsletter, I wrote a short piece about doing Atkins in Italy. It might give you some ideas. If you do a search on "adbb newsletter" you'll find threads that take you to the 2007 winter newsletter.

Eggplant parm is Atkins friendly (at least I seem to remember eggplant was on the induction acceptable list...but maybe check to be sure) as long as it's made the real italian way and not the american way i.e. without the eggplant being breaded before it's fried!

Bet you have a great time in Italy. Whereabouts are you headed?

[Atkid]

Re: Pasta?

Eggplant parm is Atkins friendly (at least I seem to remember eggplant was on the induction acceptable list...but maybe check to be sure) as long as it's made the real italian way and not the american way i.e. without the eggplant being breaded before it's fried!

Talking eggplant, hmmm, my favorite food! Sally, do you coat your eggplant with anything at all before frying?

[ShannonK]

Re: Pasta?

Thank you!! I love eggplant parm. If I order it in the US, yes, breaded and fried!! So, very good to know and thanks for telling me.

We are going to Rome for three days and Venive for three days.

My husband is assigned to a job in The Netherlands for three years. This trip to Italy is one of our first planned. We are so excited! Where else should we go?? Would it be too personal to ask where you live? Or where do you think we should visit?!

What else should I order in restaurants?

[ShannonK]

Re: Pasta?

Thanks again ! I just finished reading the newsletter from cover to cover. I get more inspired every day.

Truly, thank you.

[sallyseachange]

Re: Pasta?

Atkid... nope, I just slice and fry the eggplant, then layer it with tomato sauce (home made), shredded mozzarella, parmesan, salt and a drizzle of olive oil... all alternated. Then bake.
Deeeelish! And, I reckon that one secret to enjoying "melanzane alla parmigiana" (eggplant parmesan) is to eat it luke warm. To die for!

Shannon... glad you enjoyed the newsletter!
Rome and Venice sound perfect for city trips. Naples is interesting too...in a crazy sort of way. You have to be very careful there as there are pickpockets galore. Firenze, I don't know, but is supposedly wonderful.

I live in the countryside between Orvieto and Todi, in Umbria (central Italy, near Tuscany). It's lovely too. All those small medieval hilltop towns are worth visiting: Orvieto, Todi, Assisi, Gubbio, San Gimignano, Urbino... to name just a few.

Sicily is also well worth visiting...but it's a place of extremes... extreme beauty and ugliness (overbuilt in many places), poverty and riches, criminality and honour. Of Sicily I know the Aeolian Islands well... they're a set of seven volcanic islands and are spectacularly beautiful. Well worth a visit, but a little hard to get to.

Have fun!