Advice please

[eluxon]

I am after some advice please on the best way to "train" your body back to eating carbs... and before you reply saying WHAT????!! please hear me out.

I managed the atkins diet for about five or six weeks, four of which were induction and I lost a stone in that period. But I have decided that this diet is not for me, for a number of reasons. Firstly I was getting chronic leg cramps even though I increased my electrolyte intake, and secondly really loose stools throughout the day which became really annoying.

So I took the decision about 2 weeks ago to revert back to a normal carbs / low fat diet which I (stupidly but through ignorance) did overnight.

Since then I have been suffering from stomach pains and a kind of trapped wind feeling during the day which is annoying to the point that I am off work at the moment because of this.

So, what is the best way to fast track me back onto a regime of low fat and say 70 grams of carbs per day? In the last 2 weeks I have been eating white bread / cereals / fruit and having trained my body to not need these I think it is finding it hard to revert back..

Would fruit juice be a good idea for example? Can anybody else relate to this?

Thanks in advance for your help.

[Fayeza]

Re: Advice please

Regarding your condition, let me ask you this.. have you read the book? it is very important to read it because it will give you a thorough explanation of what you are supposed to experience when you start this WOL and how to gradually introduce good carbs into your diet. I wonder why you were having diarrhoea ( most people get constipation initially due to a relatively lower fiber intake but Dr. Atkins mentioned ways to go around it). Were you using sugar substitutes like saccharin, diet sodas,or other processed foods with artificial sweetners by any chance?
I would advise you to see your doctor regarding your symptoms just to rule out other causes of your tummy upset.

[eluxon]

Re: Advice please

Thanks for the reply. I have read the book, and followed it strictly through the induction phase and then into the OWL phase.

The book doesn't give you however (as you would expect) much help in abandoning the programme, or at least if it does I must have missed it.

I did not suffer from constipation at all, as I made sure I was drinking lots of water each day (more than the 8 glasses), but this had the unfortunate effect on me of completely flushing out the likes of potassium and other electrolytes. As much as I tried I couldn't find the right balance for my body...

I was very strict with regards to no processed foods, sugar substitutes, or anything like that. Anyway I am going to the doctor tomorrow as it happens, as I am beginning to think there is another reason for the stomach upset.

Thanks anyway for the advice.

[theredhead]

Re: Advice please

I'm sorry you're having some problems. Perhaps you could try slowly going to a maintenance plan. Be sure the foods you're reintroducing aren't "junk", but good, wholesome nutritious food. More fruits and higher carb veggies would make the most sense. I hope you get to feeling better soon!

[ThinSoon]

Re: Advice please

I'm not sure what you eat now but even following the book you could introduce more of the maintenance to your daily foods now. Add 1/2-1 cup of natural good carbs to one meal per day and add from there as you feel fit?

You can safetly and slowly introduce good carbs back into your diet. You may have to rule out some that may interact with your body. For instance, I know that oatmeal does not agree with me - even though I love it!

Good Luck with the doctor, please come back and let us know how you are doing!

Tracey