I hope I'm asking this in the right place..

[Dreamadelic_Soul]

A friend of mine went on the Atkins diet and lost a considerable amount of weight. I'd say she's half her former size although I'm not sure what herexact size and/or weight was at the beginning.

Anyway, while she was on the diet for a while (I'd say 6 mos to a year) she started taking starch blockers (I think that's what they are). They were pills that burned off any of the carbs you were consuming.

I was just curious if anyone knew what these pills did to you or for you. I just don't see how pills of any sort would help you but maybe it's an untapped resource that I don't know about.

Any advice or comments would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

-Angela

[Greeneggs&ham]

Re: I hope I'm asking this in the right place..

Starch blocker pills have ingredients that latch to certain carbohydrates in your intestines and keep them from being absorbed into your bloodstream until they have passed out through urine or feces. I believe I once read that they only work with certain types of carbohydrates such as potatoes, rice, and grains as opposed to simple sugars like chocolate and juices. There is no scientific proof as to how effective these pills are and you run the risk of some of the carbs still affecting your system. Ultimately, if you are taking them, you are doing so so that you can cheat on this WOE which is the wrong attitude.. Sure, it may work for some like your friend, but odds are that it will encourage a certain attitude that will eventually result in failure. Stay away from them if you're serious about Atkins!

[SugarFreeSheila]

Re: I hope I'm asking this in the right place..

Aside from the argument on whether they're genuinely effective, starch blockers are completely and utterly unnecessary on Atkins. Save your hope and money!