Fat -vs- Lean

[TheMasterMind776]

Can anybody tell me why we have to have fat in this diet? Why couldn't we just east chicken and water every day and lose weight?

[hu11aba1oo2]

Re: Fat -vs- Lean

I'm fairly new to Atkins, but from my understanding for several reasons.
1. You need to eat fat to lose fat, google that exact phrase and you will find several articles on why and the studies they have done to prove it.
2. Fat is naturally satiating, meaning it keeps you fuller longer, thereby naturally curbing an over active appetite, that's what I like, I don't feel hungry or deprived like I did on a low fat diet.
3. Eat too much protein and it is turned into glucose, thereby discrediting all of the low carbing you have done.
4. Eating fat and cutting out carbs is what uses up our glucose stores and changes us from burning glucose for fuel into a fat burning ketosis machine, burning not only the fat that we eat but also existing fat on our bodies.

Some of the more experienced Atkins people who have done more research will have better info for you, but this is just from my understanding.

[Lyssie]

Re: Fat -vs- Lean

Hmm. Okay, I'm sorry this is going to sound harsh, but have you read the book?

I think you could probably eat chicken and water and lose weight, I also think it's really unhealthy and you wouldn't be able to sustain it for a long period of time.

Atkins was developed as a way of eating for the rest of your life, not a month long fad diet meant to drop a quick 15lbs. Honestly, if that's what you're looking for, spend a month just eating veggies. Seriously. It works and it's much healthier than just eating chicken. However, if you are looking for something that is maintainable, that is just not going to work.

The reason that we eat high fat is that your body, when given mostly fat to burn, is forced to learn how to do this in a much more efficient manner. For example, if you ate just butter, your body would learn how to process just the fat really quickly. It doesn't care whether the fat is being ingested, or whether it is fat that is already stored on your body. I am sure you can see the point I am making here. While keeping this high fat burning efficiency, adding the veggies and the proteins makes it a more sustainable way of living. I know that I could not live the rest of my life just eating butter or lard or oil, could you??

[SugarFreeSheila]

Re: Fat -vs- Lean

You are going to love the book! It explicates in exhaustive detail just why fat is so paramount to low-carb eating.

[sallyseachange]

Re: Fat -vs- Lean

I'll join the chorus of "read the book". It's great and will explain everything.
Please don't eat just chicken and water... nothing healthy about that, with no veggies and no fat.
On Atkins we burn fat for fuel rather than carbs, so you really do need it... and it makes everything taste wonderful!

[NewToAtkins]

Re: Fat -vs- Lean

Besides, if you eat only chicken and water you're likely to lay an egg.

[TheMasterMind776]

Re: Fat -vs- Lean

Yes I read the book years ago. I know how the atkin diet works. I lost 60 pounds on it. I have taught others how to do it including my brother. I have seen every video that guy Bowulf or whatever his name is... I recently met a body builder who is a professional and he bulks up in the winter and shreds up in the spring. I saw him in December and then say him last week and I asked him how he lost so much weight so fast and he simply said all I eat is chicken and water. That's the reason for the question. What I don't understand is if you eat chicken that has no fat sugar or carbs in it at all... Then it makes common sense to me that your body would have to use stored fat for fuel.

[Elizellen]

Re: Fat -vs- Lean

I have seen every video that guy Bowulf or whatever his name is...

That is our very own Kent - one of our Admins here

His videos are great, aren't they!

[SunnySmile501]

Re: Fat -vs- Lean

Yes I read the book years ago. I know how the atkin diet works. I lost 60 pounds on it. I have taught others how to do it including my brother. I have seen every video that guy Bowulf or whatever his name is... I recently met a body builder who is a professional and he bulks up in the winter and shreds up in the spring. I saw him in December and then say him last week and I asked him how he lost so much weight so fast and he simply said all I eat is chicken and water. That's the reason for the question. What I don't understand is if you eat chicken that has no fat sugar or carbs in it at all... Then it makes common sense to me that your body would have to use stored fat for fuel.

You could lose weight by eating three candy bars a day (210 (calories in a Hershey Milk Chocolate bar) x 3= 630 calories) and drinking water. There are a zillion ways to lose weight, most of them very unhealthy, but you'll still lose weight.

[TheMasterMind776]

Re: Fat -vs- Lean

Yes, his videos are awesome. He is the man.