Carbohydrate Conspiracy!

[Psymac]

Hello, I'm new to this forum and new to Atkins, and wanted to share some of my observations after being on this 'diet' for the past three weeks.

I knew I had to do something about my weight and health, so I happend to look up Atkins on the web and got interested. I had done Fit For Life about three years ago with OK results, but I now know it allows for too many carbs and in my mind over stresses weight training.

So I started Atkins about three weeks ago and have these thoughts so far:

1) The induction flu finally wore off after six days, whew! I was soooo addicted to carbs, eating it all day long and into the evening.

2) I actually like drinking water now more than diet soda, which I was also addicted to.

3) I have SOOOOO much more energy, it is quite amazing, never thought that less carbs would have this affect.

4) Very encouraged by the success so far, 13lbs in about three weeks!

5) I know that excercise is real important to this lifestyle approach,had a bit of a stall when I stopped for a couple of days!

6) I don't eat for comfort or as a way to distract myself from my stressors, I can deal with these now more directly.

7) And finally, I am now so acutely aware of what I call the Carbohydrate Conspiracy- it is very clear to me now that so many companies, stores, and fast food chains want you and need you to buy and consume in mass quanities these empty and useless processed and refined foods. It is now just disgusting when I see so much wasted isle space in the grocery dedicated to this addiction! I really can never look at high carb foods the same way again, thank goodness.

Great support you have all been offering here, and hope to share some more of my impressions as I move forward with this wonderful lifestyle change.

Steve

[Effie]

Re: Carbohydrate Conspiracy!

7) And finally, I am now so acutely aware of what I call the Carbohydrate Conspiracy- it is very clear to me now that so many companies, stores, and fast food chains want you and need you to buy and consume in mass quanities these empty and useless processed and refined foods. It is now just disgusting when I see so much wasted isle space in the grocery dedicated to this addiction! I really can never look at high carb foods the same way again, thank goodness.

I agree! Instead of feeling tempted by this because I can't have it, I'm now shocked at how much CRAP we eat (or used to!). It seems as though more than half of the food in grocery stores is produced in factories. I'm 27 years old, and I'm embarrassed that I never saw anything wrong with this until now. I almost view our country's eating habits as some creepy science fiction movie. (Soilent Green is People!) Pretty soon we're going to forget that healthy food actually comes directly from the earth itself. What a concept.

[is thin possible?]

Glad you have hopped on the Atkins wagon! :wave Welcome and great observations about the American food industry!

[mannamay]

I never thought of it that way, but you are right. There is a lot of junk. I'll tell you what though, since my new woe, so are my children. I allow them more carbs than me, but they are not allowed to have sugar, flour, battered, etc. anymore! I live in Texas, and believe me, you see a lot of obese children here. And when I say obese, I really mean that. They are like 50 lbs over weight and/or more.

I will not allow my children to go thru what I have and I will make sure they grow up knowing what to eat and what not to eat!

I have always been told to stick to the outer isles of the grocery store, thats where you find the food that you really need!

Amanda

[Psymac]

Yes mannamay, all those TV commericals on kids programs, what are they selling other than toys? Yep, sugar (very cheaply bought) in the form of cereals, soda, and fruit drinks. No wonder kids grow up addicted to carbs, and are becoming overweight. Good for you to model for them a nutriitional lifestyle that will serve them well for so many years.

[Kelani]

ensive I was thinking...we as Americans do eat like human garbage cans. The FDA recommends everything in excess. (Of course, you can never get enough veggies or fruits when you hit that owl rung). Now this may be a far out thought but health care professionals and the big wigs in the government who pass the FDA guidelines know (and can see) how sugar & processed foods effect people's health....why have they not passed some sort of guidelines for the manufacturers producing this stuff? I don't think food labels are enough. They ought to put WARNING: eating this product may create an addiction, make you fat, give you diabetes over time, blah blah blah. I'm being comical but one has to wonder if its all a plan. ensive Mass production of carbohydrates= superfat Americans (and animals in some cases)= severe obesity or other severe heath related complications=more visits to the doctor=more money in physician pockets=more insurance claims=richer insurance companies and so on....hmmm

[divaindubai]

Hey Steve,

you are soooo right about the Carbohydrate conspiracy....I swear I have been thinking the same thing. Companies know how addictive carbs are and I've actually discovered that carbohydrates help to release that 'good feeling" hormone seratonin into the bloodstream, which is why those of us who were ex-carb aholics used to shove carbs in our mouths to feel good, or emotionally eat....

anyone else heard of this too?

[MotherOfGizmo]

ensive I was thinking...we as Americans do eat like human garbage cans. The FDA recommends everything in excess. (Of course, you can never get enough veggies or fruits when you hit that owl rung). Now this may be a far out thought but health care professionals and the big wigs in the government who pass the FDA guidelines know (and can see) how sugar & processed foods effect people's health....why have they not passed some sort of guidelines for the manufacturers producing this stuff? I don't think food labels are enough. They ought to put WARNING: eating this product may create an addiction, make you fat, give you diabetes over time, blah blah blah. I'm being comical but one has to wonder if its all a plan. ensive Mass production of carbohydrates= superfat Americans (and animals in some cases)= severe obesity or other severe heath related complications=more visits to the doctor=more money in physician pockets=more insurance claims=richer insurance companies and so on....hmmm

Hmm, lets see. Big Corporations support Big Goverment. Yup.

[ttdriver]

Yes, in fact, it IS a conspiracy.

The sugar industry is being protected and subsidized by you, me, and every other taxpayer out there. Then they come out and actually expect us to believe that sugar is not unhealthy. Ummmm....depends on who's pockets are being padded by peddling it!!

Americans are into convenience and junk foods are convenient. We want it FAST and we want it NOW. We are so short-sighted to believe there won't come a PAYDAY for eating crap foods. Yes, that payday comes for all ... in the form of obesity, diabetes, acid reflux, knee replacements, hip replacements, and massive amounts of pharmaceuticals which are now being pushed on us to combat the very symptoms caused by eating crap foods.

The food companies discovered a very long time ago that they can put addictive ingredients in the convenience junk foods to keep us hooked and craving (and buying) more and more. Which of course, keeps the obesity epidemic going, the doctors offices filled and the pharmaceutical companies WEALTHY.

We eat garbage foods that cost $$$, then we get sick and have to pay $$$ to the doctors and then pay $$$ for the drugs which of course have side effects requiring more drugs to offset the side effects which is even more $$$.

What I want to see is that American taxpayers subsidize those who grow fruits and vegetables!! Oh yeah, silly me, there'd be no $$$ in that for big business!!

GRRRRRRRRRRRRR. Get even. Eat only unprocessed foods and stay healthy!!

Betty