I don't understand about the shakes?

[dragonlady1978]

I'd like to get some opinions on the matter.....When I did this woe before, I didn't ever use any of the Atkins brand snacks, etc, so this is new territory for me.

I've been drinking a shake for breakfast every day since I started, and I know this sounds terrible-but I'm SO not a morning person, and I normally don't eat breakfast at all. The shake is my feeble attempt at not letting myself go so long without some kind of intake, I feel like such a sloth even saying that I'm too lazy and brain-dead in the am to accomplish much more.

I've lost 8 pounds in 9 days, which is WONDERFUL for me, as without low carbing, I can't drop a single pound.

I'm guessing I am one of the lucky ones that doesn't get stalled by shakes. However, reading what the consensus seems to be, I get nervous about the ball dropping later on.

I totally get why the bars stall lots of people, as the math on the nutrition facts just doesn't add up, and there are tons of hidden carbs in them.

But on the shakes, there isn't anything mysterious in the nutrition facts-or am I missing something?

It's straight up carbs minus fiber equals net, not even those tricky little sugar alcohols to deduct.

So what is it about them that is so bad? I thought the sugar alcohols and other things they don't even list were the culprits?

And does anyone have any experience with NOT having stalls from shakes? I'd like to hope that if they don't trouble me now, they're safe for me....

[Suzanne_H]

Re: I don't understand about the shakes?

I think it's pretty much a case of knowing your own tolerance. Speaking for myself only it depends on the "shake". The Atkins brand shakes send me flying into cravings and just leave me hungry for FOOD. The EAS shakes are a little better for some odd reason. In either case if I go buy a four-pack I know that by 10:00 am I'm craving another one and won't have the will-power to say resist drinking all four by the end of the day.

On the other hand I make smoothies using whey protein powder shake mix, almond or soy milk, plain yogurt and berries... so satisfying, really fills me up and energizes me. I would have to say the difference is that this is a shake that has FOOD and extra boosters (50% RDA of most vitamins and minerals per serving of shake mix I use). The added bonus is I get to taste a little something sweet without fear of cravings.

The Atkins shakes don't have any real food to them and only have a fraction of the vitamins and minerals. Anyhow I would say if it works, don't "fix" it. If it's not working, then try something new. Please keep in mind that those smoothies are for OWL, not induction. But, you could think of it as something to look forward to.

[atkinsgal08]

Re: I don't understand about the shakes?

>>I'm SO not a morning person, and I normally don't eat breakfast at all.>>

I'm not a morning person either.

Before my husband retired, I had to make sure that breakfast was available to me ... since I would put off actually making it.

So, I made a lot of egg casseroles, or had leftovers.

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day ... and a shake isn't a meal.

Why not try having some real food available ... and in time you can give up the shakes as a regular thing.

[liv]

Re: I don't understand about the shakes?

I tried shakes when I did induction the first time and I think for me they slowed me down. I am guessing it is mostly the amount of sweetener in them for - I have to be careful with sweeteners.
You can make your own shakes of egg or whey isolate if you like.

[Elizellen]

Re: I don't understand about the shakes?

There is an induction-legal shake thread in the 'extended induction' forum that might give you some ideas.

http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/forums/atkins-diet-extended-induction/70337-eggnog-shake-breakfast.html

[dragonlady1978]

Re: I don't understand about the shakes?

I've been reading through the egg shakes thread, I almost dismissed it right off the bat as totally disgusting until I read how many people felt the same way and then loved it....

I will try it. If I can handle it, it would certainly be better than anything processed.

[PolarBearKing]

Re: I don't understand about the shakes?

If it's working for you, then lucky you. But once you get past Induction your weight loss will slow down and the shakes may hinder things further.

This WOE has to cause a lifestyle change. If you're not gonna be able to make yourself breakfast in the mornings, then maybe you should start thinking about having something besides shakes available in the mornings, such as cassaroles or left overs that have already been mentioned.

For me it's been veggies. I can't believe how many more vegggies I am buying and eating these days. Who would've thought? But it's the change I needed to make to get to where I want to be. For you, it sounds like it might be breakfast.

Good luck to ya!

[Desertthorn]

Re: I don't understand about the shakes?

You know, I'm also thinking if they work for you, go for it. My problem with them is the ingredient list, cause I don't know what most of it is and can't pronounce the rest, and hate to put chemicals in my body. BUT then, hypocrite that I am, I use Splenda which is about the same.
Just because..if you could find an alternative that was fresh foods, induction friendly and cheaper..go for that also. I like the egg nog and have it quite often.

I completely understand what you mean about having breakfast, but that will get better also, and congrats for making that effort. That says a lot about your determination.