The New Diet Revolution Indeed!
Written: Sep 29 '00
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Pros: Restored health and vigor, boost in self-esteem, rejuvenated libido, boundless energy and oh yeah, weight loss!
Cons: The butcher knows you by name and your favorite cut of meat...
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| SaturnSiren's Full Review: Atkins Diet |
I have been following the Atkins Diet for a year now and have had nothing but positive results. And contrary to popular belief, I have not once had to be in an iron lung or needed an emergency blood transfusion.
Unfortunately, there is a lot of misinformation about the Atkins Diet. The media, government and the established low fat diet industry all want to convince you of the evils of this diet. However, if they actually researched the diet and stopped regurgitating the same old arguments, they would probably not be against this way of eating.
The first thing to realize is that this diet is not for those with 5 or 10 pounds to lose. This diet is for people with at least 25 pounds to lose and have already tried all the conventional diets with no lasting results. This is not something that once you reach your goal you can start diving back into your potato's au gratin and foot long subs again.
The first myth is that you are not allowed *any* carbs. Even on the strictest part of the diet (Induction period, which lasts a cruel and harrowing 14 days!) you are allowed up to 20 grams a day. If you follow the book, those carbs should come mostly from vegetables. The first few days are the hardest because you are breaking your addiction to sugar/caffeine. Your body is converting from a sugar-burning machine to a fat-burning machine. When you are restricting the sugar/carbs you eat your body starts to burn it's own fat for fuel! Efficient, huh? After the Induction period you start On-going Weight Loss (OWL). During this time you add more carbs into your meals slowly. However, don't start tossing the dinner rolls back on the table though. The added carbs need to come from more veggies, nuts, and low carb fruits like berries. You should add carbs in slowly, 5 carbs more every few days to a week so that you can really gauge your rate of loss. Once you stop losing then you drop back a few and you have found the level of carbs you can eat and still lose weight. Many people chose to remain in the Induction part of the diet until the reach goal so they will lose at a more rapid pace, but it is up to you. I have fluctuated between both and have averaged about 6 - 8 pounds a month.
Another myth is that this diet causes constipation. Well, if you eat plenty of the recommended low carb vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, green beans, zucchini, etc. and drink the recommended amount of water (at least half your weight in ounces per day) you will not experience constipation.
Myth number three is that eating high protein/high fat will cause irreversible kidney damage and that your cholesterol will skyrocket. Well nothing is further from the truth folks. If you already have kidney problems, then eating high fat and high protein may be a problem. However, if you have normal healthy kidneys, this is all a bunch of hooey. As for cholesterol levels, almost everyone I know that has tried the atkins diet has seen a dramatic improvement in his or her blood work.
Myth 4 is that you eat the same foods all the time. You can if you want to, but there are several great sites to get delicious low carb recipes. I am never bored. I eat wonderful meals of ribs, steaks, chicken, turkey, pork, lamb and seafood prepared in countless ways. There are so many great low carb recipes out there that in the year I have been on the diet I have not had time to try them all! For those with a sweet tooth there are some really fabulous low carb treats as well. I also have taken a great liking to salads and vegetables that I never had before.
Myth #5, the biggest myth of all... you must eat bread, rice, pasta *insert sugary/starchy food here* to have a balanced diet. I don't know where this ridiculous idea came from, but some people are determined to hold on to this one. Please explain to me why rice and pasta are such important foods? What is so nutritious about potatoes? Why must I drink milk? Well the only thing milk is good for (IMO) is for making baby cows fat. You want calcium? Eat broccoli! Not only does it contain calcium, it also has folic acid, vitamin C and it helps keeps you regular.
I know that the way I eat now is so much healthier and better for me. My old diet usually consisted of 2 bagels with cream cheese, 2 bowls of cereal and/or a few donuts at work for breakfast. A whole medium pizza or a foot long sub and a Coke with a slice of apple pie for lunch and 3 packages of ramen noodles for dinner. Snacks were usually chips, chocolate bars or other sugary/starchy foods. I rarely drank plain water. I never exercised.
Now I usually eat 3 eggs and 4-5 strips of bacon for breakfast. For lunch, grilled/baked chicken and a large salad with egg slices, bacon bits, sunflower seeds, and grated cheese with ranch dressing and a large decaf iced tea with artificial sweetener (Splenda). Dinner is often a big juicy steak, steamed broccoli and cauliflower with butter and sugar free Jell-O with homemade whipped cream for desert (made with artificial sweetener of course ;0)). Snacks include nuts, sugar free Jell-O, beef jerky/spicy meat sticks, pork rinds dipped in cream cheese. I now drink at least a gallon of water a day and walk for 45 minutes 3 - 4 times a week.
Not only am I eating healthier, but also I am eating so much less! It is amazing how protein and fat satisfy hunger! When I was eating pure sugar/carbs I had to eat 3 times as much to feel full. Then after eating I would feel as though I was about to slip into a coma! The classic "Carb Fog".
So friends, before you believe the latest news from “dietitians” and other “credible” sources, do some research and try it for yourselves. Don't let misinformed people scare you out of something that could change your life.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
SaturnSiren
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Member: Michelle C
Location: Miami, FL
Reviews written: 1
Trusted by: 1 member
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