fast food fishing

[atkinsgal08]

Re: fast food fishing

>>I'm really surprised to get a mean-spirited comment like that in this type of forum.>>

My comment, BJP999, was most certainly NOT mean-spirited. I was wondering if you were at maintenance. Not everyone changes their Atkins phase I've learned ... and you were posting about maintenance.

>>many people, especially those with a lot of weight to lose, are not interested in drawing attention at McDonalds.>>

Who exactly is paying attention? I wonder if you're not projecting here.

>>I'm now feeling that some in this community have a rather closed view and are not interested in others opinions or experiences.>>

I'll assume that I'm one of the "some" you mean.

>>the grape tomatos. Those little suckers are full of carbs.>>

According to Fitday, one grape tomato has .31 total carbs and 0.095 fiber. Odd that you would throw out a perfectly good vegetable with no additives in favor of the salad dressing or the chicken. Which is more "Atkins friendly"?

>>As Georiana says, its about the net carbs.>>

Not entirely.

It's also about the ingredients. If it were just about the net carbs, I would have figured out 20 net carbs worth of chocolate and called it a day.

[bjp999]

Re: fast food fishing

bjp99
Thanks for taking your time to share your story like that. ...

Thanks Liv! I agree. When you begin Atkins you need to really take it seriously and follow it strictly. His rules represent a nearly foodproof way to start yourself down a path of weightloss. But after a while Atkins becomes more of a guide than a rulebook, and we learn to adapt it our own unique physiologies, tastes, and tolerances. Stray too far off the path and you're on the path to gaining, though!

I see that you are involved in a fitness challenge. That is awesome! I encourage anyone wanting to lose weight to add exercise - not just the aerobic stuff like treadmills and biking - but also the weight lifting kind. The muscle raises your metabolism and is so helpful to maintaining a healthy weight once you get there. Exercise is also a powerful appetite suppressant helping when will-power weakens.

The successes at the gym also give you something positive to focus on when the scale gets stuck which it inevitably does from time to time. Most of those that I have seen that have the best long term success with Atkins and other diets seem to always have found a way to incorporate some form of consistent exercise into their lives.

Georgiana - beef at fast food restaurents tastes aweful to me. This grilled chicken seems much closer to a grilled chicken breast I might make for myself. It is not pressed or anything - it is a real chicken breast. Very moist and flavorful. Sorry you'll never have a chance to try it.

In assessing my diet, I think you're probably right that I don't always get enough veggie carbs in my diet. Thanks for the suggestion!

And thanks for the lively debate!

Atkinsgal08 - sorry but your post struck a sour note for me. I do think you should be a little more open minded, and keep winning the war (avoiding high carb foods) in mind over willing every battle (a few milligrams of trans fats and a couple extra carbs). This is just my opinion though - doesn't mean I'm right.

Thanks for the input on the grape tomatos. They are pretty sweet and thought they'd be higher. Still - 1 carb to every 3 grape tomatos could add up fast.

I am so glad you have found a diet and lifestyle that works for you. Keep it up and best of luck to you in now and in the long term.

[ADreamComeTrue]

Re: fast food fishing

I also used to "dip" my salad in the dressing (the lid, tilted slightly, works well), eating only about 1/2 of the dressing. This also reduced carbs.

Hi, not trying to butt in or anything like that & not saying that I eat out either because I prepare all of my salads, meats, veggies, meals at home. I am not trying to encourage any one to eat out either, but just wanted to share a tip that my Grandmother taught me growing up when eating a salad IF your eating out.
Dip the end of your fork into the salad dressing and then fork up some salad with it and you will eat less salad dressing also, if that would be easier. Just my tip about that.

-Christie

[atkinsgal08]

Re: fast food fishing

>>I also used to "dip" my salad in the dressing (the lid, tilted slightly, works well), eating only about 1/2 of the dressing. This also reduced carbs.>>

Having less of "junk" doesn't take away that the dressing is still "junk".

[ADreamComeTrue]

Re: fast food fishing

Having less of "junk" doesn't take away that the dressing is still "junk".

I agree, I have never ate out while being on Atkins but if I were to I would bring my own salad dressing for sure. I wouldn't eat out though, not unless it was a family get together or a special occasion (like me and my husbands anni)...other than that, I find it a lot cheaper to prepare meals at home.
bjp999- not being rude to you at all, but 7.00 is a lot of money for me for only one meal, but that is just my opinion. Wish you the best of luck with all of your goals!

[liv]

Re: fast food fishing

I am of the opinion that it is important and fun to eat out. It is a learning process for sure but it is not at all impossible. Most places will accommodate you just fine and give you some vegetables in stead of the starches they usually serve. Personally I would not be without going out to eat once in a while. I like places that has menus on line but smaller local places are also very friendly and you can find things that work for you. For most of us it is part of life to drop into some places for lunch or supper. I don't think this WOE is opposed to it at all. Isolation is not going to make us make this part of a life long practice.

[bjp999]

Re: fast food fishing

bjp999- not being rude to you at all, but 7.00 is a lot of money for me for only one meal, but that is just my opinion. Wish you the best of luck with all of your goals!

The salad with grilled chicken is actually $4.80. If you add a second piece of chichen the price goes up by ~$1. My $7 was on the high side. Although I like the 2nd chicken breast, one is more than enough for my wife. This is a large meal IMO. YMMV Best of luck to you on Atkins.

Based on the overwhelming negative reaction I had to suggestions that the McDonalds Chicken Caesar was a good Atkins choice, I went to the ultimate authority on everything - the Internet - and did some searching. Here are some interesting links. The first one is from this site!!

http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/forums/atkins-diet-14-day-induction/59824-grilled-chicken-caesar-salad.html

REVIEW: Low Carb Fast Food – McDonalds Grilled Chicken Ceasar Salad | AtkinsAlly
The Best Low Carb Salads At Fast Food Restaurants | LIVESTRONG.COM
Low-Carb at McDonald's - How To Eat Low Carb at McDonald's
Best Fast Food Choices for the South Beach Diet
South Beach Diet Phase 1 at McDonalds
Forget Super Size - Salad-ize!
FYI: The South Beach Diet Really Works - Fencing.Net Discussion

[Georgiana]

Re: fast food fishing

The salad with grilled chicken is actually $4.80. If you add a second piece of chichen the price goes up by ~$1.

I agree with Christie that cooking is cheaper. For what it's worth, since I'm in Europe, four chicken breasts are $5. A big bag (3-4 McDonald's-size salads) of lettuces with shredded carrots is about $2. The cherry tomatoes, cheese and dressing (home made) would be about $1-2 for 4 servings. That's about $9 for 4 salads... so $2.25, compared to $4.80.

Here are some interesting links. The first one is from this site!!

http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.c...sar-salad.html

Should we see something in that thread? Because I don't see anything interesting or related to this thread... other than the fact that the title is "grilled chicken caesar salad".

REVIEW: Low Carb Fast Food – McDonalds Grilled Chicken Ceasar Salad | AtkinsAlly

There are forums where carrots are allowed during Induction, forums where Crystal Light counts as water and forums where cheat days are encouraged.

Just because X wrote on a website that has "Atkins" in the name that the McDonald's grilled chicken salad is a good choice, it does not make it so. There are many knuckleheads posting online. You need to go back to the book for accurate information.

Same about the other links.

[fetch]

Re: fast food fishing

Based on the overwhelming negative reaction I had to suggestions that the McDonalds Chicken Caesar was a good Atkins choice, I went to the ultimate authority on everything - the Internet - and did some searching. Here are some interesting links. The first one is from this site!!

I sincerely hope that comment was made in jest. I would think if there's one thing everyone can agree on, it's that with a little time and motivation, you can find support for any opinion you want to have on the "Internet". I won't post them, but I certainly found articles supporting that McDonald's is not Atkins friendly with minimal effort.

What everyone seems to be ignoring is what the Good Doctor wrote himself about eating out:

15. When eating out be careful that you're not consuming "hidden" carbohydrates in sauces or breaded products. Tell you waiter that you would like your food prepared free of sugar, flour, and cornstarch.

Two observations as a result:

1. If you read the pertinent sections of the book, it is pretty evident Dr. Atkins had finer dining options in mind than McDonald's when he wrote guidelines for how to make dining outside the home work. Granted, he included a short blurb about fast food restaurants but it is clear that (a) the information is woefully out of date and (b) he likely didn't eat out at McDonald's on a regular basis. For example, his recommendation for "burger chains" is to stick to sandwiches and specifically cites a bacon cheeseburger. No mention of chicken menu options and salads at all which are very common now...not so much in the late 90's/early aught's when the book was revised.

2. It's a shame Dr. Atkins isn't around today to clarify and expand this section of the book to clear up the rampant confusion as the topic is visited over and over no matter what forum you visit.

The fact of the matter remains, regardless of how you want to cut that cake, that McDonald's is injecting a solution containing sugar into the chicken. This flies in the face of the guidance quoted above. It is a "hidden carbohydrate" source whether less than one gram or 28.

Now, you (generic you) can argue until the cows come home whether that chicken is the "least Evil" or the "best choice" or "smartest option" - whatever you want to call it. If you object to ordering a round of hamburger without bread for whatever reason, then yes, that "plain" chicken likely is your next best bet. Doesn't make it straighten up and fly right to fall in line with "Atkins by the book".

The thing is, this thread is not just for any one person's benefit alone. It is for the benefit of every single person who reads it in the next however many days to months to years until it drops off the search engines. And whether you (again, generic) personally agree with it or not, the information that's been provided here is correct. Based on McDonald's obligation due to the law to divulge how they adulterate their food to guarantee a uniformity of product and taste that encourages repeat visits and profit. Based on what precious little information and guidance we do have from Dr. Atkins via his book.

Atkins isn't just about eating low carb. It's also about educating yourself (still generic) so you can continue to make the correct decisions for the rest of your life. And educating people to be smart, informed, consumers and learn that there is indeed "hidden carb" in something as innocuous as a "plain grilled chicken breast" from McDonald's is just one example. Part of the problem (in my opinion now) is people see that chicken breast and think it's a piece of chicken like they'd buy from the grocer's and prepare at home. It's not. Period.

[Georgiana]

Re: fast food fishing

Sorry you'll never have a chance to try it.

I'll pass. No regrets!


I need to put my moderator hat on for a moment here.

If you object to the content of a post -- meaning that you believe it violates the Terms of Service: http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.c...statement.html... not that you just disagree with what was said -- please use the "Report post" feature instead of arguing in the forums. The icon () is located on top of each post.

If you object to the "tone" of a post, please keep in mind that it is impossible to accurately convey it in a typed message. Therefore, let's show some grace and give other posters the benefit of doubt. If you find it necessary, feel free to use the "Ignore" feature to hide other members' posts: http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.c...nore-list.html

And this being said, the discussion about trans fats and added sugars in that McDonald's salad has run its course. Those who wish to follow Dr. Atkins advice can find a few quotes above... and there's more information in DANDR 2002 (there's a small subsection about trans fats in Chapter 27... and the quote posted by fetch is from Chapter 18 ).

To those who do not wish to follow Dr. Atkins' advice... I honestly hope that your decision will never backfire.

Now please let's all move on, okay?

[Suzanne_H]

Re: fast food fishing

Wow what an interesting thread to say the least! Thank you EVERYONE for contributing! I learned a LOT and will definitely put this information to good use.

It's interesting that even at the local grocer I want to be careful. I just bought a turkey and spiral cut ham for Christmas dinner. I read the label to find that sure enough the turkey has been "basted" with a not exactly natural collection of ingredients. The ham is a cured smoked ham, again with some ingredients not in my kitchen. Funny I used to think it was weird how folks would spend so much extra to shop at the natural foods stores... now I'm not so sure it's weird.

I may talk my husband into moving to the country to run our own farm. LOL

[atkinsgal08]

Re: fast food fishing

Fresh turkey is generally less of a concoction than frozen.

[not2late]

Re: fast food fishing

Just a note about "0 trans fats".....the FDA allows 0.0 to 0.5 grams of trans fats to be labeled as "0".

I think the take-home message of this thread is "Do not ignore the ingredients" additionally, we should take note of the serving size as well, because if something has 5 net carbs per serving and there are 3 servings in the package, if you eat the entire amount, you have eaten 15 net carbs, not 5.

Whoever suggested the mom-and-pop restaurants gave a good suggestion. Oftentimes these places will take requests to make your meal more Atkins friendly than a chain restaurant. There used to be a mom-and-pop hamburger place near my home. They used only beef in their burgers and they grilled them. I ate there often enough that they knew my burger order was 2 patties, sauteed mushrooms, sauteed onions, sliced tomatoes and lettuce and no bun. Unfortunately, they went out of business.