Atkins Products???

[Tom]

Re: Atkins Products???

When looking at "Atkins Products" I always remember that there is a difference between Dr Atkins and The Atkins Corporation

remember it was The Atkins Corporation that started counting carbs differently.

I have heard too many stories about people eating the bars and then stalling or gaining.

I stay away from the bars and products and just try to do the diet the old fashion way

[not2late]

Re: Atkins Products???

Nowhere in the book does it state that Atkins products are illegal during Induction, either. You state that it is due to nuts? The only reason Dr. Atkins suggested no nuts was due to the fact that many people can't control their intake of them. Otherwise, if you can control yourself, they are fine. It says this in DANDR 2002. Sugar alcohols? Yes, I actually agree with you... but many people will also claim that the sugar alcohols have no impact on them whatsoever.

During the first 2 weeks of Induction, which the OP is currently in, nuts are NOT allowed.

DANDR 2002, Induction Rule #4

4. Eat absolutely no fruit, bread, pasta, grains, starchy vegetables or dairy products other than cheese, cream or butter. Do not eat nuts or seeds in the first two weeks. Foods that combine protein and carbohydrates, such as chickpeas, kidney beans and other legumes, are not permitted at this time.

The bottomline is you need to read the ingredient list on any food, especially the "low carb" ones. Once upon a time, there was a line of "low carb" baked goods from Entennman. In big letters on the top and sides of the boxes were printed "2 net carbs per serving" or something to that effect. It also had the Atkins trademark on it. We had a number of people on Induction eat those products because they were endorsed by Atkins Nutritionals Inc. and because they were only 2 or 5 net carbs per serving. Unfortunately, if one read the bottom of the box, the ingredients clearly contradicted Induction Rule #4.

Again, if one chooses to eat the low carb products that are supposedly "legal" for Induction, eventhough they contain nuts, soy, and other ingredients not found on the Induction Acceptable Foods List, then just be aware that they have been known to stop or slow weight loss in some folks. That's the bottomline.

[ValidRouge]

Re: Atkins Products???

Just to add my two cents...

Everyone keeps talking about adding the bars in Maintenance. All I want to say is - BE CAREFUL! I have been in Maintenance since 11/11/07 am on Day 5 of a strict Induction from the trouble I've had with these very kinds of things... all of it Atkins legal!

Proceed at your own risk.

Mitzi, you know I'm in the exact same boat as you. I, too, have been in Maintenance for over a year. If I were to eat any of these products (and I have, but NOT during induction and only RARELY RARELY in OWL on the appropriate rung) I will gain weight (about 2-4 lbs) and it will take me WEEKS to get that weight back off. Now, I can almost GORGE on meat and non-starchy veggies and not have that happen too badly. (I do acknowledge that I should not be gorging on ANY food, legal or not).

Nuts cause cravings like there is no tomorrow causing ME to overeat other foods (potentially eating other foods that WILL cause me to gain). Any kind of grain (or product containing grains) will cause me to gain. Any dairy product will cause me to gain. Those are LEGAL FOODS on OWL that cause me these issues. I wouldn't DARE touch one of those bars or shakes at this point in the game, as I am fiercely protective of my weight loss.

Now, I'm not saying that everyone's body is as sensitive as mine, but the ONLY thing that allowed me to discover these truths about MY BODY was to keep my diet "clean" and simple and follow the book. The point of OWL is to FIND OUT what of these foods , if any, we can eat and not have issues. The only way YOU are going to find out the same things are to follow the program as stated by Dr. Atkins and not Atkins Nutritionals.

With that said, if in Maintenance, several goalies cannot eat these types of foods, doesn't it beg for questioning how they may be affecting a body who hasn't had years of adaptation to a low carb lifestyle? I frequently ask myself had I not eaten those foods, or been more careful of them, during my weight loss, I might have had better losses.

I also know some goalies who do eat them, hopefully, they may drop by and provide their experience.

My best advice is to look to the people who have made goal, and MAINTAINED goal to see what has worked and not worked. Most times, their stories are very similar.

[Nick9973]

Re: Atkins Products???

And the other side of that bottom line is that in many other people it works... and not only does it work, but it helps them maintain their new weight for life when they otherwise wouldn't have joined the program--or any program for that matter--at all.

Science is an amazing thing and no one can really know the implications of this emerging way of eating. We need to look at how people react, and while some react unfavorably, many others accomplish their goals just the same. I know I'm playing devil's advocate here. I just want to be fair and give both sides their due credit.

MY bottom line is that each person needs to follow the path that's right for them. If it means they need to consume a product every now and then to remain on board, then it's better than nothing. Is it a bad thing if it becomes an addiction? Yes, obviously. But if it is a casual treat or used as an emergency the way they were intended, I believe there is no harm done. Personally, I would never have one. My willpower isn't that strong. But all people are different and I respect that.

Respect is a virtue.

[chinadoll]

Re: Atkins Products???

Joy, It was really interesting to read what you said about the nuts triggering you. I have had the exact same experience, especially with peanuts, pistachios and cashews (I am OK with almonds and macadamias but I still try to avoid them). I thought it was just me! lol

[not2late]

Re: Atkins Products???

Science is an amazing thing and no one can really know the implications of this emerging way of eating. We need to look at how people react, and while some react unfavorably, many others accomplish their goals just the same. I know I'm playing devil's advocate here. I just want to be fair and give both sides their due credit.

The purpose of On-Going Weight Loss Phase is to learn how one reacts to the foods while losing weight. Induction's purpose is to get you int ketosis and possibly rid you of things like carb cravings and perhaps fix metabolic imbalances. The OP is in Induction Phase. So she shouldn't be experimenting with how her body will react to shakes and bars at this point in time.

By the way, low carb diets, or ketogenic diets, have been around for at least 2 centuries. An Englishman named Banting wrote a treatise on it in the late 1700s or early 1800s. Ketogenic diets were the diet of choice for diabetics before insulin was discovered in the 1920s. So this method of eating isn't really "emerging"---it's been around for a long time.

MY bottom line is that each person needs to follow the path that's right for them. If it means they need to consume a product every now and then to remain on board, then it's better than nothing. Is it a bad thing if it becomes an addiction? Yes, obviously. But if it is a casual treat or used as an emergency the way they were intended, I believe there is no harm done. Personally, I would never have one. My willpower isn't that strong. But all people are different and I respect that.

Respect is a virtue.

I respect people too. That's why I tell them that these products have been known to stop or slow weight loss in some folks and if they choose to use them, they should be aware of this. The bottomline is to know the risks and benefits so that you make an informed decision.

[Nick9973]

Re: Atkins Products???

I really like the last part of your comment. That's what I've been trying to say all this time! And when I mentioned it is emerging, I suppose I meant that we are barely starting to understand the full implications. There's still a lot we don't know. There's a lot we only assume about human physiology and nutrition, though we are making great strides and that makes me happy.

And perhaps you are right about it being a food in OWL. But if someone can't get on the program in the first place, there will be no OWL to consider! Some people simply don't have that type of will power. And although I believe anybody can do anything they set their minds to, not all would agree. The Atkins products would be the least of their vices in such circumstances. Like I said before... better than a Snicker's bar, right? Well... so long as that Atkin's product doesn't lead TO the Snicker's bar. But every person is different. Some people can control such cravings... how lucky they are! Sadly, I can't. That's why I stay away from them. But, ultimately, each person must decide on their own.

[not2late]

Re: Atkins Products???

Induction is a minimum of 14 days. If someone can't commit to a diet for 14 days without cheating or sneaking, then that person really has to sit down with him/herself and think about their priorities and goals. If you need a "crutch" like an artifical highly processed "food" to get through those 14 days, it would be more beneficial to you to fix that broken leg rather than rely on a crutch in the long run.

They've known about the benefits of low carb and how the body responds to it. It's just that the information has been largely ignored.

[Nick9973]

Re: Atkins Products???

<They've known about the benefits of low carb and how the body responds to it. It's just that the information has been largely ignored.>

Multiple studies need to be done, providing similar conclusions in order for a theory to become sound. While some have been done on Atkins, only recently (e.g. within the last decade) have they made big leaps. They still need to analyze long-term effects of the program (certainly longer than 2 years). I am confident they will come to positive conclusions, but until they do more research, Atkins will sadly be ignored by majority I'm afraid.

[Nick9973]

Re: Atkins Products???

<Induction is a minimum of 14 days. If someone can't commit to a diet for 14 days without cheating or sneaking, then that person really has to sit down with him/herself and think about their priorities and goals. If you need a "crutch" like an artifical highly processed "food" to get through those 14 days, it would be more beneficial to you to fix that broken leg rather than rely on a crutch in the long run.>

And I agree. However, I've also known many people who have relied on this crutch and have successfully gotten to and maintained their goals. They are as healthy as any successful person in this forum, and while their menu might cost more due to the products, they are still reaping the same benefits.

[SunnySmile501]

Re: Atkins Products???

<They've known about the benefits of low carb and how the body responds to it. It's just that the information has been largely ignored.>

Multiple studies need to be done, providing similar conclusions in order for a theory to become sound. While some have been done on Atkins, only recently (e.g. within the last decade) have they made big leaps. They still need to analyze long-term effects of the program (certainly longer than 2 years). I am confident they will come to positive conclusions, but until they do more research, Atkins will sadly be ignored by majority I'm afraid.

It has been known for a long time that the reason America started becoming obese and has continued for decades to become fatter and fatter, is because of heavy reliance on processed foods with little to no nutritional value. We got lazy. Dr. Atkins was all about a whole food diet. The bars and shakes are still highly processed junk food with little nutritional value, no matter if Dr. A's name is on the package.

[Nick9973]

Re: Atkins Products???

<The bars and shakes are still highly processed junk food with little nutritional value, no matter if Dr. A's name is on the package.>

And that's your opinion that you're entitled to.

[Chicklady]

Re: Atkins Products???

What part of that was "opinion"?

[Nick9973]

Re: Atkins Products???

The part that stated it conclusively instead of realizing that the products actually do contain quite a bit of nutrition. Reading the nutritional info., it is packed with vitamins and minerals. Just because someone doesn't agree with the product doesn't mean it is nutritionless junk... that is just an opinion.

[Sherri]

Re: Atkins Products???

Hello I'm new to the program. I just bought a whole bunch of atkins products(bars, shakes, etc) they say they are good for all phases. Reading through some of the threads I saw that some people say this is not correct for the first 14 days. Please advise. I just started yesterday and feel like I screwed up already. Thank you!

Hello Julie,
With all that's been said, How do you feel Julie? This is your thread after all.
Whatever your decision is. I wish you the best of health and lite. As you can see, there are many of us here that are very passionate about the Atkins WOL and hold to our experiences and opinions strongly.
My best advice to you is to read the book and go by what it says. I personally don't use the shakes or bars. I'd rather eat food in more of it's natural form the way Dr. Atkins intended us to do. Remember one thing though, "processed food, is processed food" no matter how you look at it.
Take care Julie, we'll suport you on whatever decision you make. You're going to get healthy, healthy, healthy on Atkins. Work the plan 100% and you'll get 100% results.
Sincerely, Sherri