Dandr ~ Our Summer Reading Program 2006

[not2late]

Re: Dandr ~ Our Summer Reading Program

In Dr. Atkins' biography, it said that he opposed the bars and shakes because he looked at them as "fake" food. But he agreed to allow his company to market them because his patients wore him down---they kept begging him to formulate them for convenience sake.

I'll have to look for that excerpt but it's been posted on ADBB before.

[2big4mysize]

Re: Dandr ~ Our Summer Reading Program

Tell me, what is the opinion if I am faced with either having a decaf coffee with cream (which could be slowing me down) or an icetea which I know is being made with caffeine, which would be the lesser of the evils. Before I started back with Atkins did have a major addiction to caffeine where I needed it to keep me alert all day, I know longer have that addiction but have a couple of glasses when eating out. I have read where caffeine is known to stall also. At home I am decaf all the way.

you got several options you might be unaware of. first ask if they have decafe tea some have decafe tea bags and you can get a glass of ice with your hot tea and make decafe iced tea.
if they don't start carrying your own in your pocket backoack purse wallet whatever and make your own. Ask foir a pot of hot water and a glass of ice. then again make your own.

Planning will solve every situation you can encounter with Atkins correct for your phase choices.

[2big4mysize]

Re: Dandr ~ Our Summer Reading Program

Still not too clear on Dr A's take on convenience foods (Atkins bars etc.). In several places in the induction section of the book he seems to say "use them (with discretion) if you haven't anything else available". Seems rather strange for induction...

Not2late has reviewed his biography and she says their is a discussion in it where he says they were a deal with the devil to appease patients wishes. If you look in the chapter 11 section on them he says clearly in an emergency you can use them but he also says we still have to follow the rules and the rules say if it isn't on the lists you can't have it so if the ingredients on your bar/shake aren't in the acceptable foods lists then you can't have them. And I really have to ask what kind of emergency is it that you can go to the store and buy a bar but you can't buy real food? I know AtkinsNutritionals donated bars to Katrina victims so that might be about the only emergency where they would be okay

[wienerin]

Re: Dandr ~ Our Summer Reading Program

Frankenfoods - I can see where Dr. A seems to be trying to please those in favor of using them, but he does so reluctantly. I agree with 2big, they're probably best if used in true emergencies (though there's always alternatives, I've found) but not on a regular basis, certainly not regularly during induction.

Personally, I avoid them all (and I'm way out of Induction). To me it's not so much an issue of stalling or not, but now that my tastebuds have adapted to natural foods, I wouldn't want to assault them with supersweet artificiality and in the process re-addict myself to that. I never, ever crave sweet things these days, and I think that's because I don't use sweeteners of any kind. The sweetest foods I eat are cream and fruit, and I love the subtleties of flavor that I never noticed before.

[not2late]

Re: Dandr ~ Our Summer Reading Program

The patients who stayed, however, were extremely loyal to both Atkins and his low-carb diet. But they had one major complaint: In a fast-paced world where everything was low in fat or high in carbohydrates or both, it was difficult to find something that they could eat on the run while still remaining on the low-carb program. They had no time to prepare their own snacks. Perhaps something like the low-fat energy bars sold in convenience stores would be great, only low-carb instead.

Atkins hesistated, and for a good reason. One of the things he constantly stressed with his patients was that they should eat foods that were as close to their natural state as possible, and for him, any kind of energy bar was as good as poison since it was clearly a processed food...

But his patients continued to beg him for something---"you sell the vitamins and other supplements, why not energy bars?" they reasoned--and so, with great reluctance, he gave in and developed not only an energy bar but also a low-carb shake that would make it easier for patients to keep to their Atkins programs.

"As long as you only use it for emergencies," he reminded them.

****

The energy bars and shakes were a necessary evil, there only because he thought his patients were too lazy to prepare the real kind of unprocessed foods that were the mainstay of his diet.

---Excerpted from:
Dr. Robert Atkins: The True Story of The Man Behind the War on Carbohydrates Lisa Rogak. Chamberlian Bros. 2005. Ch. 6

So, according to his biographer, Atkins thought his patients were too lazy to eat properly.

[kjspea]

Re: Dandr ~ Our Summer Reading Program

Great research. INteresting regarding the origin of the bars & shakes, but it makes perfect sense, and I'd do the same in Dr. A's position -- try to create products that are convenient & conform with the eating plan. And they are the only products keeping the Aktins brand alive today, post bankruptcy.

I think it's important to note that the carb-laden, sugar alcohol versions seemed to emerge after his death. He originally produced bars & shakes that used the standard formula: carbs - fiber. They only had a fraction of the carbs that the new bars & shakes have today -- somewhat reasonable levels.

Ahh, the irony, it's funny that this quote is in the book:

"Be food aware -- remember fresh [foods] ... are the foods nature intended you to eat. That packaged refined carbohydrate stuff in the supermarket puts money in somebody's pocket. ANd it puts garbage into your stomach. This is the only body you've got..."

Not to say that the fresh foods/produce don't put money in somebody's pocket, but still....

[Yurmomonastick]

Re: Dandr ~ Our Summer Reading Program

Are we talking about Frankenfood? I don't like those bars either but used them the first time I did Atkins. I had just come off of Slim Fast and thought I was supposed to do Atkins the same way. After I read the book, I learned that fresh food is best. I love part 2.

About tea, I carry my own with me too along with some Splenda. I haven't had a problem in a restaurant yet.

[Heidi3]

Re: Dandr ~ Our Summer Reading Program

Whooo hooo finally on the food ..hey it is not that I do not like or understand the metabolic stuff but I am a nurse and the last thing I want to do in my off hours is talk about metabolic functions ...I want to talk about food happy things...

I think bars and shakes are an abomination ..I took a bite of an Atkins bar one time and it came flying out of my mouth so fast ..my husband actually jumped thinking I had eaten a bug or something ...

I will never understand how they can be justified ..not on any level ...they are expensive and crap

food is what this is all about ..feeding your body wonderful food that gives you the satisfaction and it does not take much time or money ...

I think my advantage with this program was the fact I love and know how to cook..I am not afraid of tasting new foods and I love a variety and can not stand to eat the same thing every day.....

for someone who hates cooking hates trying new foods hates eating veggies this could be a very hard way to live....

I did have to detox in the beginning however because I did eat lots of sugar white flour potato, pasta and rice ...but it did not take long because there were so many wonderful options on the list ..the variety is endless ...I can not imagine running out of ideas for cooking ..

this place has been an endless source of culinary inspiration that is for sure ....I totally fell in love with Atkins by the way he talked about food..he really had an appreciation for the fine things in life....that is for sure ...

my grocery bills btw are a third of what they used to be
because the one thing I did was quit snacking all together ..as I have said before if I want to eat ..I sit and have a meal ...no snacks ...and I stop while eating to find my content spot ..therefore eat much less!!!

I never did give up caffeine ..sorry somethings are not allowed it is my ritalin ..seriously ..it actually calms me down and if I quit there would be huge complaints from the people who would have to pull me of the ceiling

[qbu]

Re: Dandr ~ Our Summer Reading Program

Actually that is what I have at home, but I think restaurants would frown upon me bringing my own tea bags in and asking for hot water to make my own tea or iced tea.

I have a supply of tea bags in my purse at all times. I've ordered just hot water in many restaurants. So far, none of them has had a problem with it...and none have charged me for hot water either. I think as long as you've ordered a meal, they're not going to care too much about a cup of hot water.

[Heidi3]

Re: Dandr ~ Our Summer Reading Program

I bring Kimchee to the pho joint I go to and they don't care since I buy the soup..and I always have hot sauce and chile in my back pack ....so I am thinking a tea bag is nothing!!!!

really wish I liked tea but the only kind I like honestly is Red leaf Indian tea and it is very stimulating

green tea takes the skin off the inside of my mouth

herb teas are great iced ...but hot I am just not there ...

I love coffee ......or since I am going to Providence tomorrow CAWFEE!!!!

I kind of have rationalized since I am self medicating with cawfee instead of ritalin then I can use it prudently ..I drink about 2-3 cups a day depending on how crazy I feel

[jimmie 48]

Re: Dandr ~ Our Summer Reading Program

i am part way through chapter 11. as i was reading the induction list...what is allowed and what is not, i found my self thinking of how many times past and present, i have seen "diet coke" or "diet pepsi" in someones menu or questions being asked if these products were allowed. sometimes i have seen this upwards to 3 times a day in a menu plan.
on page 124, point number 10..........

Avoid coffee, tea and soft drinks that contain caffeine. Excessive caffeine has been shown to cause low blood sugar, which can make you crave sugar.

and then we read on page 128, at the very top of the page (in reference to Beverages on page 127:

diet soda made with sucralose (Splenda)

i am wondering now, the members that are drinking these soft drinks, are they really chosing no caffeine, no sugar, no nothing zip, nada, empty calories. remember, we are talking induction here. i often wonder are they getting in the water they need or are they filling up on the carbonation of a soda when they could be filling up on good food? i am not saying don't drink the sodas.... well, yes i guess i am! my point is this: if you are as committed as you say you are (whoever this might be referring to, past, present, and future) why would you choose a carbonated drink many times a day, when it is clear the water is best. and keep in mind, water is water. no matter what else you are drinking, you still need the 64 oz + of water.

another question i have seen over the course of time concerns the amount of water. page 124, point 11, tells us

Drink at least eight, 8 oz. glasses of water each day to hydrate your body, avoid constipation and flush out the by products of burning fat.

i have told members and i know others have too, to drink 64 oz. plus another 8 oz. for every 25 pounds you want to lose. how did that number of oz. come about in comparison to the above quote?


recently i have seen posts of members who are trying to drink a gallon of water a day when they have very little to lose. all i can is that these members are trying to fill up on water when what they need to do is just eat according to plan.

disclaimer: i am not talking about any one poster or incident. the things discribed here were here long before i arrived and will be here long after i leave. this is for comments, questions, answers and feedback.

[2big4mysize]

Re: Dandr ~ Our Summer Reading Program

See JImmie that was what I was talking about he told you no caffeine on page 124 and expects us to remember and carry that forward to the sweetner statement too and know it means caffeine free diet soda sweetened with splenda.

there are no diet colas made with Splenda caffeine free other then DIET RITE. all the SPLENDA DIET COKES have caffeine in them.

I know after DANDR was written the soda/aspartame staller study was proven to be flawed since citric acid was not isolated during the testing so I really wonder if given that info Dr Atkins would have recinded his soda/aspartame ban.

[jimmie 48]

Re: Dandr ~ Our Summer Reading Program

there are no diet colas made with Splenda caffeine free other then DIET RITE. all the SPLENDA DIET COKES have caffeine in them.

is that really true? no kidding? see, i don't drink sodas. never really have.
are you saying that there is no diet caffeine free sweetend with splenda coke or pepsi?

[dotsamantha]

Re: Dandr ~ Our Summer Reading Program

Another thing with the diet sodas is I don't even understand how a person can drink them and be satisfied. I find any carbonated beverage makes me even thirstier.

[jimmie 48]

Re: Dandr ~ Our Summer Reading Program

is there sodium in sodas?