Can someone explain why shakes are allowed on Atkins?

[snorkelman]

The way that I understand it, Atkins is focused on carbs and sugars. I am confused about the sugars. I think that the way Atkins presents the issue is that sugars are simple carbohydrates ans simple carbohydrates spike blood sugar and raise insulin.

So if Atkins is about avoiding carbs and avoiding sugars then why can we have the shakes (which have maltodextrin listed as an ingrediant).

My understanding is that maltodextrin is a complex carbohydrate - yet it
is easily broken down by enzymes in your mouth and stomach and
raises blood sugar faster than table sugar.

Maybe someone can explain this to me.

[cleochatra]

It's allowed because of corporate greed.

Processed foods are the evil which hath no name. Well, it hath a name, but saying it hath none sounds more maniacal, doesn't it?

When I look at the older versions of Atkins, there were no shakes. The only thing that has changed is that people will look for the quick fix and Atkins began looking for the quick buck.

As well, shakes are not allowed on induction. The whole point, as you mentioned, is to get away from those foods.

So shame on Atkins "Nutritionals" for peddling their craptacular products when Dr Atkins knew better!

[ttdriver]

It's allowed because of corporate greed.

AMEN TO THAT!

If you want to pad the pockets of ANA, then the shakes are allowed. If you want to lose weight and stay healthy, avoid them.

Personally, the avoidance of ALL frankenfoods got me to goal and keeps me there ......

Its about whole foods, exactly what the Dr. himself preached.

Betty

[not2late]

The patients who stayed, however, were extremely loyal to both Atkins and his low-carb diet. But they had one major complaint: In a fast-paced world where everything was low in fat or high in carbohydrates or both, it was difficult to find something that they could eat on the run while still remaining on the low-carb program. They had no time to prepare their own snacks. Perhaps something like the low-fat energy bars sold in convenience stores would be great, only low-carb instead.

Atkins hesistated, and for a good reason. One of the things he constantly stressed with his patients was that they should eat foods that were as close to their natural state as possible, and for him, any kind of energy bar was as good as poison since it was clearly a processed food...

But his patients continued to beg him for something---"you sell the vitamins and other supplements, why not energy bars?" they reasoned--and so, with great reluctance, he gave in and developed not only an energy bar but also a low-carb shake that would make it easier for patients to keep to their Atkins programs.

"As long as you only use it for emergencies," he reminded them...

*****

The energy bars and shakes were a necessary evil, there only because he thought his patients were too lazy to prepare the real kind of unprocessed foods that were the mainstay of his diet.

---Excerpted from:
Dr. Robert Atkins: The True Story of The Man Behind the War on Carbohydrates Lisa Rogak. Chamberlian Bros. 2005. Ch. 6

[ttdriver]

Thanks, Megs for that post!

It says it all!!

Betty

[AllieCat0817]

Re: Can someone explain why shakes are allowed on Atkins?

So if Atkins is about avoiding carbs and avoiding sugars then why can we have the shakes (which have maltodextrin listed as an ingrediant).
.

GREAT THREAD! Why you ask? Because the Atkins Nutritionals Company is NOT Dr. Robert C. Atkins. If you read any of the literature published by the Atkins Nutritional Company, they are FULL of crapola. A freakin induction menu in Atkins Essentials (I think thats the book) lists Atkins PANCAKES AS AN INDUCTION BREAKFAST-- no way.

It is a shame.

I always say
It is the companies' job to make MONEY any way they legally can
It is OUR job to lose weight and maintain the loss
The two do NOT go hand in hand

[2big4mysize]

According to the ANA corperate spokes person in the NY TIMES DEC 5 2004 interview ANA has shifted from the whole foods approach of Dr Atkins to meet the demands of the people doing the plan in this day and age who do not have time to cook whole foods meals any more. Seems they debated the topic in company discussions and the fastr food Atkins program folk beat the whole foods folk.

Seems they don't think we who want to lose weight and eat healthy will nor can change our eating habits to do it the way tDr Atkins created it. SO the Essential folk are doomed to be like the slimfast bar and shake folk who lose it but can't maintain it which is fine with the company since they make their money slimming the folks down not maintaining thewm on whole natureal foods.

There was a vdery interesting line in that article too about how the company made its money on books lectures and practice when Dr Akins was a live but now makes it on foods!

[ttdriver]

Add ANA to the list of companies whose mission is to make money off vulnerable and gullible people and their ignorance! Right up there with the food industry who puts addictive substances in their processed foods to keep fat people HUNGRY, thus making them buy more food to satisfy their cravings, which in turn create more cravings. Then factor in the drug companies who make millions claiming they can CURE diseases caused by the very poisons being added to processed foods!

grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. :anger :anger :raving :raving

I am sure Dr. Atkins is turning over in his grave!!!

Betty

[will7128301]

Re: Can someone explain why shakes are allowed on Atkins?

My understanding is that maltodextrin is a complex carbohydrate - yet it
is easily broken down by enzymes in your mouth and stomach and
raises blood sugar faster than table sugar.

Maybe someone can explain this to me.

To branch off that I posted this in the vita/supp thread but since most newer people read this thread first and question the shakes and stuff think the maltodextrin isn't that bad I searched a bit for it and found this:

A question I had and thought I would share my findings for future reference, for people looking at supplements. Hopefully I can eventually compile a list of good and bad supplements for people new to atkins if there isn't one already.
My question:
Maltose is a bad sugar and the sugar alcohol Maltinol is acceptable, but I came across what looks to be a variant of them so I questioned if Maltodextrin was good or bad

...In the DANDR it says Maltose is bad, however it sates in chapter 11 sugar alcohol Maltinol does not affect blood sugar thus is acceptable... upon search the net I found out about maltodexrin as follows:

First of all I knew it was bad once I discovered a site and the name of the site grainprocessing.com below I will post a link to the findings so others may read and learn.

My findings:

"MALTRIN® maltodextrins are easily digestible carbohydrates made from natural corn starch. The starch is cooked, and then acid and/or enzymes are used to break the starch into smaller polymers (a process similar to that used by the body to digest carbohydrate).
MALTRIN® maltodextrins are generally sold as dried powders.
MALTRIN® maltodextrins are polymers of dextrose (sometimes labeled "glucose polymers").
MALTRIN® maltodextrins do not contain significant quantities of protein, fat or fiber.
MALTRIN® maltodextrins are not produced from and do not contain malt products.
Corn-based maltodextrins are safe for patients with celiac disease since they do not contain proteins from wheat, barley, oats or rye.
MALTRIN® maltodextrins are not known to contain MSG.
Diabetics should follow the advice of their physicians. MALTRIN® maltodextrin’s glycemic index should be considered metabolically equivalent to glucose (dextrose). "

So in this it is obvious to be the opposite of atkins since "maltodextrins do not contain significant quantities of protein, fat or fiber." despite I found it in a low carb product.

then if you look at "maltodextrins are polymers of dextrose" the last ending in -ose thus should steer away from it.


"MALTRIN® maltodextrins are defined by the FDA as products having a DE less than 20. They are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) food ingredients. Maltodextrins are excellent solids builders for standard and low-fat products. They are effective spray-drying aids for flavors, fruit juices, and other hard-to-dry products. They also are easily digestible carbohydrates for nutritional beverages."

The site where this information was found: http://www.grainprocessing.com/food/malinfo.html

[Erin K]

2Big, you are so right! What it really comes down to is that just like laziness brought about this obesity epidemic, so will it become the reason people fail at the WOL.

Just my 2cents

[TheCapn]

I don't see why it's hated so much. I mean sure, it's a processed item. But it's only 1g net carbs, and it's packed with vitamins. Processed doesn't necessarily = bad in my opinion.

[AllieCat0817]

What it really comes down to is that just like laziness brought about this obesity epidemic, so will it become the reason people fail at the WOL.

Just my 2cents

ditto. Everybody is lookin for convenience.
In my opinion it isn't a WOE of convenience and it ain't for the lazy.

Now, since I'm on Maintenance I DO eat my share of 'products' now, but during my weight loss phases I steered clear of most of them. And I still cook up a whole batch of food one day out of the week, to last me a week or longer.

But yeah, everyone wants convenience and that's the whole problem.

[zoewmu]

If you can lose weight and drink the shakes, more power to ya. For me, to much of the low carb foods will make me fall off the wagon and then head to the bathroom. But, this is about finding out what works for you. I know that more than one serving of nuts a day and I'll start gaining weight. Others may have a different experience.

My philosophy is that junk food got me in the shape I'm in. So, the closer I stay to whole food, the better off I am.

[Elizellen]

I don't see why it's hated so much. I mean sure, it's a processed item. But it's only 1g net carbs, and it's packed with vitamins. Processed doesn't necessarily = bad in my opinion.

But you do have to check the ingredients to make sure they are right for the stage of Atkins you are on though.
Just because it is labelled 'low carb' or 'Atkins' doesnt make it right if you are on induction and it contains soy flour!!

[ttdriver]

Sure, a low carb shake is better than a dairy queen blizzard, no argument there! But bacon and eggs is better than the low carb shake!

In other words, the effort is worth it!

Betty