Low Carb Frequently Asked Questions - Someone out there know about Atkins?

I need to hear some of your stories about the Atkins diet. I've read some pretty bad things (mostly about blood sugar problems that develope.) and would like to hear from you, if you know anything at all.
Thanks a bunch,
Coachs_wife:?: :shrug:

Check out the Low-Carb forum - I think there are a lot of Atkins followers there...

In fact - I'm going to move this thread to the Low-Carb forum - likely you'll get a lot more responses there! Take care.

Hope this helps:

Actually, Atkins or other plans that closely control the intake of simple sugars and carbs will generally help resolve blood sugar problems. Many of us with pre-diabetic conditions such as hypoglycemia and insulin resistance do much better when carbs/sugars are introduced only slowly and in small amounts.

so, many of the low carb plans will provide the structure to include healthy, low glycemic carbs, such as salad, veggies, berries, small portions of fruit, whole grains such as oatmeal.

But Atkins gets his notoriety for his famous "Induction" period, which is an extremely limited period of 20g. carb for a two week period-usually a large salad and another veggie every day. And as dietary fat has little effect on blood sugar, one can eat butter and mayo and olive oil. Or meat and cheese.

After that, you add in carbs in 5 mg amounts, as you like. I like 1/2 potato, even a sweet potato, or some corn, or some strawberries.

If you have more detailed questions, we can go on and on, we Atkids are a devoted bunch!:D

To answer your question about blood sugar problems, my doctor has recently recommended that I switch from Weight Watchers (which I'd been on for a year) to a low carb plan (which I'd been on before switching to WW). During my year on WW, my blood glucose had SOARED into the stratosphere. He has put me on medication (which I'd never needed while on low carb) and that combined with the Atkins program is helping to get my blood glucose back into the "safe" zone.
There is nothing, ABSOLUTELY NOTHING, better for controlling hypoglycemia attacks than the Atkins Diet. For years I was plagued by low blood sugar problems just half an hour or more after eating a high carb (so called "healthy") breakfast of cereal, fruit, and milk or toast and yogurt. Can you imagine feeling stuffed but suffering from the clammy shakes, weakness, dizziness, confusion, etc etc. At that point the only thing that makes you feel "normal" again is more carbs, so it's a vicious cycle. On Atkins, you fill up very quickly on high fat and protein, and that feeling of satisfaction stays with you for HOURS. I literally do not even THINK about food from breakfast to mid-afternoon or even longer sometimes.
Let's face it, we're a nation of carb junkies. We all know people (or we even just have to look in the mirror) who can't stop eating Cheerios once they start. My grandson can sit and polish off the whole box in one sitting and an hour later he's hungry again. What does he eat? A box of Kraft Dinner! MORE carbs!! Or cookies, or donuts, or gallons of apple juice. I worry about him but he's not much different than a lot of people who think that because most of these things are low in FAT, they are healthy. NOT SO. I truly believe that the epidemic of obesity that has swept across North America and has produced fatter CHILDREN (kids who should be lean and lively are now flabby and sluggish) has been caused by the fear of FAT, when the real culprit is SUGAR including STARCH.
When I was a kid, we rarely saw fat children. Oh, there were a few of us who were on the chubby side but that truly was puppy fat. In my family, as in most families of our day, sweets were a rare, luxurious treat, saved for holiday time and birthdays. Now, most households survive on either fast food, take-out or packaged mixes, most of them high in carbohydrates and low in protein and fat. Even cookies now claim to be low fat but they have to get flavor from somewhere to keep you buying them so they load them up with sugar.
If you're interested in becoming an Atkid, you just have to read all the success stories on the Atkins website or right here in 3 Fat Chicks Low Carb Forum. These people have never felt livelier, healthier, slimmer and more free of cravings in their lives.
Sorry to blabber on so long. I'm a true believer and I just hate all the negative publicity from so-called experts who don't really know what they're talking about.
LindaBC

Linda I could not have put it better myself

I will say that i have since starting low carb ahe rid my self o fthe conatant headaches that i used to have the up all night with indigestion, the burping of puke (sorry for the graphics) the constant farting, the fall asleep in the afternoon, the shakiness after a sting of no eating, the need to eat 6 bowls of cheerios (and that is with out sugar ) the cooking of tons of potatoes as they are sooooo goooood

I have also rid my self of almost 65 lbs, i did gain almost 40 lms of lean tight muscle :D, I have rid my self of high cholesterol in favor of numbers that my doc just drops her jaw with!!! she loves it!! I have lost about 15 years to my face. I was taken to look 50 years old not am guessed to be in my 30's I can not express how much better i feel with thi slow carb.

the reason i started it was the fact that i used to work nights and doing provate care i was up all night with a single patient and could not sleep. i would take about 2 caffiene tablets which would give me heart palpitations, and drink coffee and a bottle of pepsi and a box of doughnuts trying to get the sugar rush to stay awake. nothing worked i was just to up and down to stay awake. then i started this low carb and went cold turkey. i never had another time of falling asloop again. this was with eating just 2 hard boiled eggs, and a can of tunafish during the night. that was the effect of not having the highs and lows of the insulin.

Did i answer your question??

MrsJim, dottiejon, LindaBC, and nasus,
thank you SO much for your input. The reason for asking about Atkins is because a couple of months ago, I ordered the Atkins tapes from TV. Honestly, I had forgotten all about them, and they arrived in the mail today. I haven't opened them yet, mainly because of the negative information that I found on a couple of sites on the web. Like I said, most of it was about blood sugar, and not being able to keep the weight off once it goes. Also, with the tapes, I recieved a package of ketone test strips! That made me also wonder if this was dangerous? Why do I need to check my ketones? (I know...I need to watch the tapes.)
But I appreciate the info that you've provided. You guys definitely seem to know what you are talking about. Hope it's okay if I touch base with you guys once in awhile for questions? I'm just about the most miserable person on Earth right now because of my weight. (Just ask my husband and kids...(((groan)))
Thanks again,
Coachs_wife

there seem to be a big concern over that. and i think if i can find giggles post it is wonderfully explained there but if you can PM me i can send you an article that was in the MY times regarding this. it does explain much of it regarding ketones. but in a nut shell (I have to run to work soon) Ketosis and ketoacidosis is two different things . when we metabolize fat we burn ketones. in fact the ketones is what fuels the brain cells so the body does naturally have ketones in the system. ketoacidosis is a different state. that is when the diabetics can not use the sugar in the body and starts to burn any thing for fuel. it is measure both with ketones and may people will get the two confusedd.

I have much more info regarding the difference between the two so when you get emai from me expect to be given a lot of information OK> hopefully this will help to relive the fears.

but honestly i actually would not turn the stick purple. i weat just above the carb level that many do and do not have any problem (although I am stuck right now) but if it helps i know may people that have been doing this type f eating for years and are very healthy!!! the only problem hat peole occur is if they become anal about the carbs (not putting any in their diet) and if they do nt eat a variety of vegies (you do neeed your veggies, and a tad of fruit to eat a balanced diet)

so PM me with your email so i can send the info off to you (tonight) then i will after i find ti again post it here so it can be in the FAQ.

CW I certainly know how being over weight. most of us here really know how hard it is. check out a thread in the 100's club regarding the need for external validation. that will hit you right in the heart strings regarding beng over weight. aso girl take a deep breath you come in and sit for a while drink some coffee and relas this will be a long road and it will have it's ups and downs. but we will be there for you. post often so you can benifit from thwe support here. i could not have done it with out you guys.

Gosh you guys are inspiring!

I just get the biggest kick reading Sue's posts. You almost have to learn a different language to navigate thru all the typos but it's fun.
Don't ever change, Sue. We love you just the way you are. LOL

This site is DA BOMB!
:)
you are all so smart

Thanks again, Nasus,
Sorry it took so long to get back to you. Hard to get on the computer right now with kids off from school..husband on vacation...etc. Let me know more, okay?
Coachs_wife

Hi everybody, I am new here and I wanted to just tell you all that your stories are so encouraging. Tahnk you for taking the time to share them.
I was shceduled to have the Gastrick bypass surgery, actually it was supposed to be in two weeks on the the 26th of August. However, God has other plans for my life. So I was directed here. I recently started the Atkins. I started at 237 lbs a week ago, and I will give you updates as time progresses. I am very encouraged and I know I will have great success. Please respond I would like to get more familiar with you. Thanks alot and God Bless you in all your healthy efforts!!!!

so glad to see you here! and these ladies are SO SMART!!!!! i learn something new everytime they post!

and hiswill.. i had the gastric bypass in january. and it was the right decision for me, but it's certainly not the right choice for everyone. can you share your story? and why you've made a different choice?

and most of our gabbing and information sharing is on the first low carb board, listed just on top of this one. so please come on over and hang out with us!!!

we just LOVE having new people !!!!!!

Hi I am back just checking in from a week gone. Coaches wife do not hesitate to PM me so i can give you the skinny more. OK??? if there is any specific info you want just let me know.

On various low-carb plans, what has been your experience with carb cravings? How long does it take for the cravings to diminish?

Hi Ladies! I have not been following the atkins diet 100% because truthfully I dont like the fact that I have to cut all the carb out of my diet. I think there are certain foods such as sweet potatos that are complex carbohydrates that are actually good for you. BUT for the past 2 weeks I have cut ALL refined flours, the majority of breads I have cut out all high sugar content fruits such as watermelon, and all those disgusting snacks that are so called labeled low fat but are so full of preservatives, pasta and rice. My meals are : 1 lean breakfast pocket (bacon egg and chesse) because it is the only thing that will keep me full until past noon with a cup of tea with equal. Lunch: Chicken salad made with lean white meat grilled chicken all kinds of lettuce, cherri tomatos and lite rasberry vinagrette, Snack one sugar free low carb cup of DeLite ice cream
Dinner is whatever protein I am making for my husband (steak chicken etc) with a side order of my favorite salad (spring mix and rasperry vinagrettte) an plate of steamed veggies, and a half a cup of black bean soup or any kind of 98% fat free soup (excluding the stuff that comes with pasta)
OK the results are here (drum roll please) in two weeks I have dropped 7 pounds, OMG my skin looks GREAT its like a rosy colored which I have never had, my energy is up 100% I actually feel like getting home from work and excercising right away, and I am NOT bloated constantly. The only thing that I have noticed is that I am a little constipated. But a little of my miracle tea can solve that...
I totally agree with the low carb plan it works!

Woohoooo Claudia! That's awesome!! I've too notice my complexion has greatly improved. I"m not totally carb free, but trying to omit the white stuff. If i go totally carb free, my gall bladder gets very upset---trying to keep from having to have surgery!! Anyway--i'm feeling really good, except for a dang headcold, but it's going around here in ole tennessee. I tried on a skort that i bought at the beginning of summer and refused to take it back cause it was too small. Today if fit!! YIPPEEEE---Thanks to all of you for the support and inspiration!--debyj:cb:

Hey Deb!
I must tell you that I really enjoy all these encouraging boards. I hope you feel better there is nothing worst then a head cold.
I dont know about you but I actually dont look forward to having carbs because I feel so drugged out afterwards...has this happened to you?

Have a great day!

I hope someone can help me. I'm trying to decide if LC is the way to go. I have PCOS and I have heard that LC is good and so is SB.
With the Atkins diet you seem to consume a lot of fat. How can that be healthy?

Maybe it's the brain washing that's been happening for years about eating low-fat, I don't know but, I don't see how eating a lot of fat is good for you.

Also, I live in Canada and it's hard for me to find LC stuff up here. Maybe I'm not looking in the right places, but I need to watch my sheckles.

I look forward to any replies and thanks for listening.

P.S. I have been doing the low-fat thing for about 3 months and have had good results, but now I have noticed my hair is falling out and I wonder if its from the low-fat WOE. One more thing, what kind of vitamins should a person take on the Atkins plan?
I can't find what he's talking about.

Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks again.

Hi there Hizgirl. Welcome to the best weightloss support site on the Net!

I'm Canadian too. I do not buy any special low carb products at all! They are incredibly expensive here and hard to find. Also some of the products DO have carbs that can screw things up. There is always a real food substitute for any of the commercial products.

Hair loss is one of the side effects of the low fat diet. Our bodies need at least 20 grams of fat to utilize fat soluble vitamins we ingest.

We have been brain-washed about eating low fat. I have been low carbing for a few years now, off and on. Unfortunately, every so often the "old" teaching snaps in and I start to eat low fat again. Believe me, I feel better on low carb. I have not lost a lot of weight but am steadily going down - being 63 makes loss very slow. My blood sugar and cholesterol results are excellent when I low Carb.

Check out the PCOS forum on this site if you've not already done so. And please do join us on the Low Carb! daily where we whine, giggle and generally just chat about life - and sometimes our diets!