Did A Perfect Atkins Day Today.

[CMCM]

I decided to try Atkins for awhile because I remember feeling really really good while on it a few years ago. So today, I just ate eggs & bacon, small salad for lunch with deli chicken, an In-Out protein style burger later, and half a Kielbasa sausage link this evening. I feel SOOOOOOO good I can't believe it. My carb level was pathetically low, something like 13, but I feel just perfect. I can see my system thrives without any grains whatsoever, with no sugar, lots of protein. This is the most settled I've felt in months and months. I also managed to drink 72 oz. of water today, so I'm sure that helped.

We'll see how tomorrow goes! I had to try something desperate because while I was carefully eating gluten and casein free, all that other stuff was really messing up my system. So far so good, anyhow. Only problem with Atkins is I can never get many calories....today I did just 715 or so, and I feel quite full and satisfied, and never got hungry, but I know that's not enough calories. I don't know where to boost the calories since I have so many restrictions.

Oh well....let the pounds fly off, please!!

[gointribal]

Great job, keep it up! I have been wanting to lose a few pounds maybe I should give it a try, I don't have the book or anything, what does the two week diet look like? That all I really know, low carbs, start off with two weeks of meats (anything else?) Thanks and again way to go!

[Nancym]

Great job, keep it up! I have been wanting to lose a few pounds maybe I should give it a try, I don't have the book or anything, what does the two week diet look like? That all I really know, low carbs, start off with two weeks of meats (anything else?) Thanks and again way to go!

Basically it is a couple of cups of non-starchy veggies per day (I eat more than that though because salad greens have virtually no carbs). And then foods like meats, eggs, low-carb diary (if you can handle it), fruits can be berries (no sugar). That's for the first two weeks, keeping carbs at 20g per day. After that you can slowly add more.

Right now I eat pretty low carb. I have to follow a no-starch diet for my autoimmune disease and I don't eat sugar because I'm fat. So that means meat, veggies, a little fruit. It works well for me! I fall apart with too much sugar or starches.

I am getting a wonderful repetoire of cooking meats. And I just built myself a smoker out of flower pots.

[CMCM]

After doing the induction phase for awhile (supposed to be 2 weeks), I think the only thing I'll add in will be the fruit...probably berries. I'm curious at this point about exactly what causes my digestive distress. I know for a fact it's virtually ALL grains including rice, all starches, probably sugar too that mess me up. I'm down a pound more today, so I'm stoked! Honestly, I haven't been able to lose anything in so long, this is exciting. It's not like I had a horrible diet prior to starting this....I was already gluten and dairy free and very very careful and not really eating huge amounts, so the only big difference going on here with Atkins is more protein and no sugar at all, and quite limited carbs in the form of veggies only. Plus I managed to do about 8 glasses of water yesterday, and will do 10 today...I know water is suppposed to help. But this change obviously has shaken up things, and that's GOOD. Plus how great I feel...actually normal for a change!

[CMCM]

I just reviewed by Atkins book for the basics of induction (the purpose of this is to convert your body from a carbohydrate based metabolism and jump start it to a fat mobilizing one).

Meats allowed are:

fish, chicken, turkey, shellfish, beef, port, lamp, bacon, veal, ham, eggs, 3 to 4 oz. of full fat cheeese such as cheddar, Gouda, Mozzarella, swiss, cream cheese. Two to 3 cups daily of salad veggies including alfalfa sprouts, celery, cucumbeer, lettuce, peppers, mushrooms, plus a bunch of other salad type things. A cup or so of other veggies including asparagus, breoccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, collards, eggplant, leeks, okra, onion, spaghetti squash, spinach, string beans, summer squash, tomato, zucchini plus some others. No starchy veggies like peas or corn. No potatoes. No rice.

Spices OK, olive oil OK, flax seed OK.

NO FRUIT in the induction phase, but that's only 2 weeks (some people go longer, though to speed weight loss).

All I can say is I'M NOT HUNGRY. NO CRAVINGS. STOMACH IS CALM.

Atkins is mistakenly described as a high saturated fat diet, but it's not. The only "bad" thing I indulge in is bacon. The rest of what I eat is usually chicken or turkey, fish, occasional lean burger, occasional steak. I mix my egg with whites to get more protein and it tastes just as good. The absence of hunger and cravings is really amazing with this diet. I'd forgotten about that. And I have plenty of energy because I'm getting 20 g of carbs from the veggies. I wouldn't want to eliminate the fruit forever, but this is OK for the time being and I'm dropping weight so I'm happy as a clam!

[mylady4]

I did Atkins for 18 months and lost 75 pounds, then started to eat wheat carbs again then blam, it stopped and I got celiac disease. I could not give up my fruit while on Atkins. Strawberries, blueberries, honey dew melon, all the wonderful summer fruits I was not going to give up. I never overdid it though. If you are concerned about getting in more calories (which you should be eating at least 1200 a day) try some nuts. Walnuts, peanuts cashews or make your own trail mix. There is not a whole lot of volume in it but it packs enough calories and they are portable. I am trying to get back to the Atkins but I still will not give up my fruit and with my active lifestyle I am having higher carbs then I did originally. We will see how it goes.

Good Luck

Nicole

[dlp252]

I love Atkins...that's what I was doing until my allergist suggested an anti-yeast/candida and rotation diet...and those were basically lower carb. The two times I followed them (without eating low carb junk food and while following the rotation diet) were the times I felt the best...as soon as I added in the whole wheat low carb tortillas (they're healthy so I thought) I got sick.

I'm doing SCD right now just to give my intestines time to heal, but will most likely go back to a lower carb diet because I generally feel much better on it.

[jerseyangel]

Several years ago, a friend and I did Atkins together. We both lost weight, and felt good. She has lupus and graves disease. At the time, I didn't know that I had Celiac. I try to eat much the same way now--the only thing I can't give up are potatoes--they are my go-to food, comfort food and healing when I get glutened food all in one! I feel so much better off all grains!

[ianm]

I am a firm believer in the Atkins diet. It completely turned my life around and lead to the discovery of celiac for me.

[gointribal]

can you eat yoghurt?

[CMCM]

can you eat yoghurt?

Definitely NOT in the induction 2 weeks. After that....I don't know! Probably in moderation, though.

It's funny....I was reading stuff on a low carb forum and all these people were describing symptoms which sound like.....CELIAC! It's amazing, and they have no idea about it! I just know some of them must have it, or at the very least, gluten sensitivity!

[Nancym]

Definitely NOT in the induction 2 weeks. After that....I don't know! Probably in moderation, though.

It's funny....I was reading stuff on a low carb forum and all these people were describing symptoms which sound like.....CELIAC! It's amazing, and they have no idea about it! I just know some of them must have it, or at the very least, gluten sensitivity!

I used to eat Greek yogurt on Atkins, it is very low carb. But you'd want to wait until after the first 2 weeks.

I know what you mean, CMCM, I'm active on a low carb forum and there are all these people saying, "My IBS and arthritis cleared up because of low carb". Heh! Mine did too until I found the low carb wheat products out there...

[CMCM]

I just finished Day 6 on Atkins induction....I'm down 8 pounds!!! I can hardly believe it....I've tried to lose weight for so long and I couldn't lose one friggin' pound no matter what I did. I was totally frustrated. Now with no grains of any kind, no sugar, and limited carbs overall, the weight is just dropping off. It's amazing. It's almost effortless. The only thing I miss is fruit....although the only fruit I usually ate was apples, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, grapefruit, oranges. And not all that much on a daily basis. So I'll be happy when I've finished induction and can add berries back in.

The other amazing thing is that for the first time in I don't know how long, my stomach/intestines are calm, calm, calm. I feel "normal" again. No gas, no nausea, no upset anywhere. This is so amazing. I'm starting to wonder if I'm also a "carb sensitive" person. Some people are, apparently. When I first went gluten free I was testing all these baked products and was feeling terrible as a result. I just can't eat that stuff, or at least, not much of it. The gluten free baked items are quite high in sugar and other weird stuff.

[PreOptMegs]

Honestly, it makes sense why the Atkins diet works for people.... it is sort of a similar diet to the Specific Carbohydrate diet, which is amazing. From a biochemical point of view, people on Atkins diets need to make sure they are getting Biotin in their diet. It is a necessary cofactor of the enzymes that catalyze the reactions to make glucose from non-carbohydrate intermediates.

[Guest Katrina Gypsy]

It is a necessary cofactor of the enzymes that catalyze the reactions to make glucose from non-carbohydrate intermediates.

Wow you just lost me there. But Im new to this board so...

I am allergic to wheat/gluten/dairy/soy/fiber/veggies and fruit.

The atkins thing is the only way I can lose weight but for me boy does it get boring fast.

When Im not doing carb free I enjoy rice and wf/gluten-free corn flakes and rice bread and rice milk.

But when I eat those things my metabolism locks up and I cant lose weight.

So I think I have possibly the most boring diet around. Im on my third day. lost 5 pounds. Have no physical cravings but mentally Im already bored to tears.

[PreOptMegs]

LOL! I just thought I would throw some biochemistry in the mix because your brain cells NEED glucose, so it is important that your body be efficient in converting the foods you are putting into your body into sufficient energy, but anyway---

So what is the list of foods that you are eating over and over? I also see that you are hypothyroid. I am too... it sucks.

[Heather22]

Wow Katrina! I don't think that I have ever heard of someone being allergic to so many essential food groups. How did you determine your allergies (medical test or self diagnosis)? I don't know your history, but I would be inclined to thinking that you are probably not allergic to all those foods, but rather have an imbalance or functional problem that causes you to have symptoms when those foods are eaten.

I feel bad for you because you are missing a lot of essential nutrients by avoiding those foods. Before you give everything up, I would go seek other help.

As for the Atkins diet, I hope people realize the host of negative effects that come with it. Severely limiting carbs is very unhealthy. Your body needs carbs to survive. Do some research before diving into something like this. All of the nutrition researchers at the university laugh at this diet...its just a fad diet gimmick, not a way of eating for life.

Good luck!

Heather : )

[CMCM]

Wow Katrina! I don't think that I have ever heard of someone being allergic to so many essential food groups. How did you determine your allergies (medical test or self diagnosis)? I don't know your history, but I would be inclined to thinking that you are probably not allergic to all those foods, but rather have an imbalance or functional problem that causes you to have symptoms when those foods are eaten.

I feel bad for you because you are missing a lot of essential nutrients by avoiding those foods. Before you give everything up, I would go seek other help.

As for the Atkins diet, I hope people realize the host of negative effects that come with it. Severely limiting carbs is very unhealthy. Your body needs carbs to survive. Do some research before diving into something like this. All of the nutrition researchers at the university laugh at this diet...its just a fad diet gimmick, not a way of eating for life.

Good luck!

Heather : )

Like anything, Atkins dieters can and have gone way overboard on the fat thing....and that's not good. For myself, I don't eat anything more high fat than I did before, and that's not much. The 2-week induction phase is the most limited...only 20 g of carbs, which gets used up by the 3 cups of vegetables you eat. After that phase you add in more veggies and some fruits. I can't see anything bad about the structure of a diet like that. For myself at least, I don't believe I gain anything good from starchy, grain or sugar carbs. They make me feel bad, mess up my digestion, and can put on weight.

I'm on day 11 of induction and I feel great....I didn't actually have any negative reactions to induction like some people might because I was already off dairy and gluten, and was severly limiting other grains and starches as well. So for me, it was a seamless transition. I'm pretty much sticking to 20g carbs (although I have gone over a couple of times) and I have plenty of energy....I'm doing daily exercise sessions (weights and cardio), and have done a lot of skiing and have done absolutely fine. Without blood sugar crashes it's amazing the energy you have.

If I were eating tons of fatty meat and cheese etc., things might be different. But for me, like I said, going from an already limited gluten/dairy free diet to this was actually pretty darn easy. If it weren't for celiac, I might be craving things more, I don't know.

[Nancym]

Funny thing is, not only do I feel better on a low-carb diet, but my cholesterol numbers are much, much better. It brought my triglycerides very low, increased my HDL (which is the most important, higher is better). My hypoglycemia is gone, my blood pressure got lower and... my IBS improved (due to not eating wheat!). My doctor is also a fan of low carb diets, he's seen an awful lot of his patients improve on them.

I think there's a lot of ignorance and brain-washing about carbohydrates due to the low-fat, high carb fad diets that were popular there for awhile, which was great for breeding a lot of new diabetics, but as a healthy diet it was a failure in multiple ways. Its so good to finally see the research out there that vindicates low-carb diets as healthy.

[PreOptMegs]

No diet that includes lean meats, fruits, and vegetables is going to be unhealthy. It is just a matter of keeping a good balance and it should work out very well. It is the gluten-free packaged "goodies" that one needs to look out for. I couldn't believe what I was putitng into my body...

[Nancym]

No diet that includes lean meats, fruits, and vegetables is going to be unhealthy. It is just a matter of keeping a good balance and it should work out very well. It is the gluten-free packaged "goodies" that one needs to look out for. I couldn't believe what I was putitng into my body...

Definitely! In fact, those products were absolutely full of gluten because it is the protein part of wheat. I was using a wonderful wheat based low-carb baking mix that made me really sick, only I didn't realize it. *sigh* And then there were all the resistant starches and foods that had been tinkered with that were probably feeding the bad bacteria in my gut. *ugh*

Although I will say, I don't think animal fat is bad-guy that it has been made out to be when the low-fat fad got popular. It's done a great job at increasing my good cholesterol.

[fastcatkerry]

I'm one of those low carbers from a couple of years ago that didn't realize I had DH (dermatitis herpatiformis). When I was on a low carb diet a coule of years ago, I didn't have as many breakouts, because I was not eating the breads, wheat products & pasta's that contain the gluten that made the rash appear, but had never heard of the condition before. Just last week, I went to my doctor again to see if there was anything they could do with my rash and she told me I have DH. mind you the testing and biopsy was done over 2 years ago, which made me really mad that she never told me before now. Her excuse was "I'm sorry, I thought I had discussed this with you." I would have remembered. But oh well, now I'm trying to eat gluten free but I'm concerned that I may gaine weight. If I just eat low carb and cut out the extra items that may contain gluten, do you think that I'll be okay and not gain weight. I wouldn't mind losing 10 pounds or so, but I definately don't want to gain.