Veggie Question

[Gatorgal]

I read everywhere that is important to include a lot of veggies (especially the leafy variety) in your daily diet? Why are veggies so important, as opposed to the other foods?

In the two weeks I have been doing this, I have only averaged one salad a day (usually with lunch) plus a side of broccoli, asparagus, spinach or green beans with my dinner. I have continued to produce ketones the entire time and have stayed under to 20 grams of carbs. How would adding more veggies change anything?

[kate58]

Re: Veggie Question

The Atkins way of life isn't just about losing weight, it's about staying healthy and feeling good.

Veggies are very nutrient dense, full of things that we need for good health - vitamins, minerals, anti-oxidents. And of course fibre. Eating right up to the maximum of the veg allowed at each phase of the plan can only do you good. Eating extra veg won't make you put on weight or stop losing it, but it will give you are lot of good nutrition and make you healthier and more energetic. They just all round make you feel better.

I think there is a very good reason why Dr A made extra veg the first rung of OWL. It was to create the habit of eating plenty of them, allowing people to vary their diet and eat more healthy food while not affecting the rate at which weight is lost at all.

It's a huge misconception that the Atkins diet leaves people short of veg - an accusation mainly thrown at it by those who have only read about induction, if they read anything at all. In reality vegetables are at the centre of the this WOE. Spend a bit of time reading here about the typical diet of those who have been most successful - one of the most striking things they have in common is that they eat A LOT of vegatables, more so as they reach pre-maintenance and maintenance.

[Bluebelt2007]

Re: Veggie Question

The Atkins way of life isn't just about losing weight, it's about staying healthy and feeling good.

Veggies are very nutrient dense, full of things that we need for good health - vitamins, minerals, anti-oxidents. And of course fibre. Eating right up to the maximum of the veg allowed at each phase of the plan can only do you good. Eating extra veg won't make you put on weight or stop losing it, but it will give you are lot of good nutrition and make you healthier and more energetic. They just all round make you feel better.

I think there is a very good reason why Dr A made extra veg the first rung of OWL. It was to create the habit of eating plenty of them, allowing people to vary their diet and eat more healthy food while not affecting the rate at which weight is lost at all.

It's a huge misconception that the Atkins diet leaves people short of veg - an accusation mainly thrown at it by those who have only read about induction, if they read anything at all. In reality vegetables are at the centre of the this WOE. Spend a bit of time reading here about the typical diet of those who have been most successful - one of the most striking things they have in common is that they eat A LOT of vegatables, more so as they reach pre-maintenance and maintenance.

Great Post-Well Stated.

[IrishIrish]

Re: Veggie Question

Great post Kate!

I also think about Induction as an education to eating well. We obviously made bad choices if we find that we weren't happy with our weight or our bodies or our health or our level of activity. Induction struck me as a simple way to approach weight loss. It was spelled out and gave me a chance to eat some simple tasty foods and lose weight. I have learned to love my veggies and often will incorporate them in new recipes I try. Some people do Atkins to lose weight. Some do Atkins as a way of life. I'm in the latter so the educational component of Atkins is key for me.