My thoughts on Atkins Diet

**Skeptika23** · January 27, 2010, 10:38 AM

Re: My thoughts on Atkins Diet

Well, if you read the entire book, by the time you get to Atkins Maintenance, you're sorta already there, aren't you?

Eating Atkins isn't a "diet" in the sense of a "short term thing you do to lose weight", it's a plan to learn how to eat that works for you, forever.

If you follow the entire process, you'll learn what your "regular" diet is, for you, personally.

You won't be able to eat like you did when you gained all that weight - you must accept that. It's not just calories - it's the kind of calories that matter, too.

**Desertthorn** · January 27, 2010, 10:39 AM

Re: My thoughts on Atkins Diet

Read the book on maintenance and you will probably concur that doing Atkins Maintenance is a lot better than calorie restriction diet. We add just about everything to our diets and the carb restriction at that point is really empty carbs/sugar.

**ShannonM** · January 27, 2010, 10:51 AM

Re: My thoughts on Atkins Diet

If you understand this:

I am also reading the Atkins book. What I have noticed is that Atkins success is largely based on eating until you are satisfied. Proteins and fats keeps us full longer and so leave us feeling satisfied. I also understand the insulin component to the diet.

...why would you switch to another way of eating after you lose weight? Do you think these rules will magically cease to operate at that point?

**former_sport** · January 27, 2010, 10:59 AM

Re: My thoughts on Atkins Diet

I guess my comments were more or less based on the fact that Atkins is a challenge for a family.

I mean ideally, after I lose the weight I want. I'd like to continue a low carb lifestyle. I probably would eat very low carb for breakfast and lunch. For instance, I'd probably still have my eggs for breakfast and chicken breast for lunch.

However, being that my wife is very lucky and doesn't need to diet - and I don't think Atkins would be health for little children...I'd prefer to eat a healthy dinner with my family.

For me, this still means, meat/protein, veggies, and probably some healthy carbs. Truthfully, I can live without sugars and deserts if it means I will be healthier.

The other thing is holidays. I come from a very traditional family. For instance, on Easter, Atkins would be impossible. The only things on the table really are pirogies and fried fish, potatoes etc..

What I really mean with my post is that. Normally I'd maintain the low carb way of eating... especially at breakfast and lunch, which I usually eat by myself. But I will probably have a dinner eating whatever my family is eating minus deserts. And I will probably have that cheat day a few times a year for holidays etc.

I guess my real question is, how do you all handle this? Sort of like I would ideally? Meaning low carb when possible...moderate when neccessary...and a small cheat on special occasions?

Thanks for the input so far.

**jcapulet** · January 27, 2010, 11:13 AM

Re: My thoughts on Atkins Diet

There's no such thing as low carb "when possible" IMO. Either your lifestyle is low carb...or it's not.

Eating low-carb some or most of the time then eating high carb foods at special occaisions or certain family dinners completely defeats the purpose of eating low-carb in the first place.

Are you concerned family will give you a hard time or not be supportive of your lifestyle if you do low-carb 100%? I've made it clear to all my family and friends that I eat low carb, and politely say no thanks if I'm offered something I don't eat.

There are lots of low carb (and delicious) versions of some of the higher carb foods you used to (or still) like. Perhaps check out:

Linda's Low Carb Menus & Recipes - Recipes

Atkins is not a crash diet...it's a way of life. If you want to lose weight and keep it off, you'll want to permanently change your eating habits. If you haven't yet, take a look at the "Maintenence" phase in the book. Lots of choices there.

**guekjian** · January 27, 2010, 11:22 AM

Re: My thoughts on Atkins Diet

I guess another way to look at it is....If you were Jewish, would you eat non kosher foods? And if you refused non kosher foods, would your non jewish friends get on your case? Or if you're allergic to seafood, can anyone tell you to eat it anyways because the rest of the family is? I hope this does not come out sounding negative, but it is about YOU making choices. I think that once you are at maintenance, you will be eating everything the rest of your family can except for the junk (empty calorie sugar filled stuff) and it would be good for your family to avoid that as well anyways! Good luck!

**brandywine1241** · January 27, 2010, 01:10 PM

Re: My thoughts on Atkins Diet

I don't think Atkins would be health for little children

If you study the foods you add on the OWL and Pre-Maintenance rungs, tell me what is unhealthy about ANYone eating this way? What is unhealthy about never indulging in sugar-filled cereals, sodas, canned fruits and veggies laced with HFCS, etc.? And you will notice that potatoes and wheat flour are allowed eventually - in amounts you discover are appropriate for you.

Another way to look at it is that the rest of your family can be eating on maintenance now and you are just catching up as you lose the extra weight.

**atkinsgal08** · January 27, 2010, 01:22 PM

Re: My thoughts on Atkins Diet

>>n Easter, Atkins would be impossible.>>

It's quite possible, actually.

>>The only things on the table really are pirogies and fried fish, potatoes etc.. >>

Then you have to make sure there's something Atkins friendly there.

>>low carb when possible...moderate when neccessary...and a small cheat on special occasions?
>>

Make sure you read the chapter in your Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution on "Eating in the Real World".

**Desertthorn** · January 27, 2010, 01:33 PM

Re: My thoughts on Atkins Diet

The only things on the table really are pirogies and fried fish, potatoes etc..

LOL, I'm coming to your house for Easter.

I think your on the right track and completely understand what your saying, but look at the foods you can eat while on Maintenance, white bread, white flour, sugar are eliminated but everything else is fine. Could you make the pirogies with whole wheat flour? COuld you maybe eat more salad and less potato. As for the children, Mom can add carbs to their diet and you can eat around them. It works, and the decision is yours.

**shelbyjo** · January 27, 2010, 01:47 PM

Re: My thoughts on Atkins Diet

Personally, I know someone that has done Atkins to get off all the weight he needed and yes he did return to a regular diet to maintain. He did watch his scales each day and when he was no more than 2-3 lbs over, he went strictly to induction to lose and then when he lost it, he went right back to a regular diet. Now, I have seen this guy eat big pastries and donuts for breakfast just about every day but he ate a lower carb lunch and dinner. He loved to have an apple fritter for breakfast every day. He has managed to keep his weight off for the last 7 years so I guess it can be done if you are VERY careful. I am not sure most people can do this though. It's easy to go overboard once you start.

**atkinsgal08** · January 27, 2010, 01:49 PM

Re: My thoughts on Atkins Diet

>>es he did return to a regular diet to maintain. He did watch his scales each day and when he was no more than 2-3 lbs over, he went strictly to induction to lose and then when he lost it, he went right back to a regular diet.>>

That will likely come back to haunt him someday, healthwise!

And ... it's using Atkins as a "quick fix".

**2big4mysize** · January 27, 2010, 02:00 PM

Re: My thoughts on Atkins Diet

I think you need to read the whole book because Atkins maintnenance is about eating proteins fats and healthy carbs as many as your individual tolerance will handle I know weight loifters who can eat over 100 net grams and could easily have your Easter meal as part of their Atkins maintnenace. there are some folk who can only handle 45-50 net carbs at goal and while they too could do your Easter meal they would need to scrimp the rest of the day.

I think if you just read chapter 14 Ongoing weight loss known as OWL around here you will see Atkins is about eating veggies, freash dairy nuts/seeds, berries,legumes, fruits, root veggies and even whole grains. What part of that isn't healthy for children?

**not2late** · January 27, 2010, 02:01 PM

Re: My thoughts on Atkins Diet

Atkins Maintenance is a very healthy, wholesome way to eat. You eat whole foods, rather than sugary, processed stuff.

the problem with Atkins is the misconception that Induction Phase is the entire Atkins Diet. That is incorrect. I'm pretty much on Atkins Maintenance and I eat "regular" foods like oatmeal, rye crackers, legumes (hummus, white beans, etc.), a variety of fruits and veggies.

But if your idea of "regular" food is cookies, snack chips, boxed mac and cheese dinners, etc., then Atkins Maintenance Phase won't be eating "normally" for you.

**mission to lose** · January 27, 2010, 02:14 PM

Re: My thoughts on Atkins Diet

Originally posted by former_sport View Post

I guess my comments were more or less based on the fact that Atkins is a challenge for a family.

I mean ideally, after I lose the weight I want. I'd like to continue a low carb lifestyle. I probably would eat very low carb for breakfast and lunch. For instance, I'd probably still have my eggs for breakfast and chicken breast for lunch.

However, being that my wife is very lucky and doesn't need to diet - and I don't think Atkins would be health for little children...I'd prefer to eat a healthy dinner with my family.

For me, this still means, meat/protein, veggies, and probably some healthy carbs. Truthfully, I can live without sugars and deserts if it means I will be healthier.

The other thing is holidays. I come from a very traditional family. For instance, on Easter, Atkins would be impossible. The only things on the table really are pirogies and fried fish, potatoes etc..

What I really mean with my post is that. Normally I'd maintain the low carb way of eating... especially at breakfast and lunch, which I usually eat by myself. But I will probably have a dinner eating whatever my family is eating minus deserts. And I will probably have that cheat day a few times a year for holidays etc.

I guess my real question is, how do you all handle this? Sort of like I would ideally? Meaning low carb when possible...moderate when neccessary...and a small cheat on special occasions?

Thanks for the input so far.

...and do you think WE don't come from traditional families, and don't you think that WE all have holidays, too?

First of all, do a search and look back at all the Holiday eating threads and see what everyone had to say, good and bad, about how they deal with holidays. Many many stayed 100% on plan.

Bottom line ---- if you want to do it, you do it right!
No excuses...

...I celebrated Thanksgiving and Christmas and New Years with my family since I started, also a day spent in the hospital 70 miles from home with my family as my Dad passed away, a wake and a funeral and funeral luncheon for him, and a funeral and funeral luncheon last Friday for another relative. Guess what...didn't go off plan. It really isn't that hard. You plan. And you don't make excuses.

Excuses are just that---EXCUSES!

At Holidays, can't you bring a few things that you and everyone else can eat. Is your family going to disown you because you skip the pierogis?
Hey, I LOVE pierogis, but I skipped them, and I am still here to talk about it.

LOL! What if potatoes and pierogi were going to make you sick, would your family still insist on force feeding it to you???

And----what's not healthy about the dinners you can eat on Atkins???? Meat, Chicken, fish, veggies....what is missing that contributes to healthy eating for your children at dinner time? SUGAR?

You can still serve them the same thing you are eating and add in whatever you feel they are missing...grains, fruit, etc

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My thoughts on Atkins Diet

My thoughts on Atkins Diet

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