My thoughts on Atkins Diet

[liv]

Re: My thoughts on Atkins Diet

I think the question is what is regular for you? I am at maintenance now and i certainly does not eat as I used to before I went on the diet because it would very quickly lead to gain.
I also think for me diving into starches and sugars would very quickly mean a loss of control. Avoiding all those very glycemic carbs makes it easier for me to maintain a control of cravings and appetite -if I lose that I am not sure that weight would not quickly come back with a vengance.
But on the other hand as have been pointed out - maintenance is not like induction or the losing phases of the diet. Maintenace is about finding out what works for you. So that means if it works and you are maintaining well then that is that. Maybe you can discipline yourself to have more carbs but less food.

Alos perhaps you could look into the carbohydrate addicts diet and see what you think about it. There are people who can do that.

Just keep an eye on that scale. It tells the truth!!

[Skeptika23]

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.

We do it as a family. My ODD eats more carbs than DH and I do (mainly in additional lower-carb pasta - but she's not trying to lose weight, so technically, she's on "maintenance"). What's so difficult about whole foods and veggies?

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.

Ok. Where's your veggies (since veggies are KEY to Atkins)?

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.

Atkins Maintenance is just that - you're not losing weight. Read about it some more, then please, come back and tell us how unhealthy it is. The whole plan is not Induction!

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.

But your kids - it's ok for them to eat sugars out the wazoo?

I don't deny my ODD treats of candy and such on occasion, but the majority of her foods are whole, healthy foods like meats and veggies. Our desserts, when we have them, are Atkins-friendly (no-bake cheesecake, yay!).

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..

Our Thanksgiving table varies by EXACTLY two dishes every year, and no more than that (one side, one dessert). We're THAT traditional in our menu - it's been that way since I was a little kid, and now my sister and I are the ones who host dinner.

However, we decided that one side will always be lower carb veggie (we've been playing with different recipes/prep methods for green beans, broccoli, and cauliflower), for those of us who don't want to pig out on homemade macaroni & cheese (made with Dreamfields pasta - allowed on Maintenance), sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, or dressing. Everyone is happy with that and everyone still gets their favorites. It's especially helpful for the diabetics in the family as well as the low carbers.

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.

If you work the program and get to Maintenance - you don't have to "cheat", really...

I think you're mentally stuck at Atkins being Induction, which is just isn't.

[meow]

Re: My thoughts on Atkins Diet

A small cheat on special occasions...how small, and how many special occasions?
Twice a year? That you can probably do, just make sure you read how to manage it in the book. Twice a month? no way.

[jcapulet]

Re: My thoughts on Atkins Diet

A small cheat on special occasions...how small, and how many special occasions?
Twice a year? That you can probably do, just make sure you read how to manage it in the book. Twice a month? no way.

Speaking of that, the last time (few years ago) I decided to cheat on Christmas, it turned to 6-8 months off-plan. I gained back all the weight plus more. So for me, it ain't worth it.

[Suzanne_H]

Re: My thoughts on Atkins Diet

My own experience has been that the Atkins way of eating is best for my metabolism. I find that when I eat high glycemic index foods I wind up having symptoms I don't experience with low GL foods. I fight cravings and overwhelming urges to binge and overeat and suffer from acid reflux. As a result of my inability to control my cravings I always regain the weight I had lost and put on more pounds on top of what I had lost.

If controlling calories will work for you, however, why do Atkins at all? I mean I just think it'd be easier to establish a way of eating and exercising that would work to lose the excess weight... and just keep doing that. If it works, don't "fix" it, right? Controlling calories does work for many, many people. Ask anyone who has found success at Weight Watchers. WW and other calorie controlled diets didn't work for me because I suffered so badly from cravings and hunger pangs... symptoms I don't have on Atkins.

I hope you find a way of eating that can make for a life-long positive change in lifestyle. To thine own self be true... find what works for YOU.