What do you think of the Atkins diet?
 

I'm debating on going on the Atkins diet. I want to know if it is easy to stay on. Is easy when you have a family to cook for? I would like any information possible on this. To me it doesn't look like it would be the healthiest diet because of all the fat intake. Is it healthy???

Thanks to all,

Amy

I feel wonderful on it. I have more energy, am less hungry, no heartburn anymore and am losing weight without feeling deprived. And yes I do have a family to cook for. They get mashed cauliflower instead of potatoes, I will cook potatoes and rice ( I will make wild rice for myself) for them on occasion, but they are also getting a wider assortment of veggies now thanks to Atkins. And no contrary to popular belief we do not eat sticks of butter! HA There are many wonderful recipes online for low carb cooking that your family will enjoy. I must say that it was easier to cook processed foods for fast dinners, but not healthier. I feel we all eat ALOT healthier now than before Atkins. Just my 2 cents :-)

Re: What do you think of the Atkins diet?
 

Amy, I am only 2 days into atkins but I can tell you that it is healthy! It was recommended to me by my Dr to lower my cholesterol, control the insulin in my body and to help with symptoms of PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome)

Have you read the book? I agree with you at first look coming from a low fat mentality, that it doesnt look healthy. but if you read the book and read the case studies and papers and other information he refers you to, you will see that it is quite healthy. My family ( I have a hubby, 7 YO DS and 5 YO DD) is eating a ton more veggies now (and lots of the leafy greens that are so hard to get in sometimes with kids) and they love what I have fixed so far for dinner. If you go to Atkins.com and take a look at the induction menu and recipes, you will see that healthy is the number one priority. And read some of the sucess stories. They will tell you how it affected their health!

hope that helps

I agree with what the others have said here: when I am cooking low carb everyone is eating healthier! I will throw in some rolls or rice for everyone else here and there but they don't really seem to miss it when I don't!

Kel

Thanks for the info. I think I will try it for a few days and try to stay under 20 carbs. If I can tell I'm feeling better, and I'm not so droggy I will buy and read the book. Thanks for your help! Any more info will be great. What about caffiene? Can I drink coffee and tea?

I would go to a site (such as http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/) and really read the posts and FAQs. There are some things that you really want to stay away from, and you want to try to hit the 65/30/5 ratio for fat/protein/carbs. A good site to log food in is fitday.com. I feel wonderful since I started Atkins, this is definitely something I could do for the rest of my life. :)

Edit to add: caffeine is usually bad when you are trying to lose weight.

MY OPINION...
 

Hi Amy,

I have been on Atkins for about 9 weeks now and have never felt better - no more bloated gassy feeling and even my mental outlook is more positive than before! I feel I now have control over foods I was never able to avoid before.

I STRONGLY RECOMMEND you get the book...even at the library if you can, make sure it is the latest edition (Dr Atkins New Diet Revolution, 2002).

If you can't then you should visit www.atkins.com and look up the acceptable food list for Induction (first two weeks) and the rules of induction...this will explain what you can and cannot eat ( and caffeine is not recommended altho many people have no problem with it).

As for feeling better, please be forewarned that at first you will feel VERY, VERY CRAPPY!....especially if you are giving up caffeine and carbs at the same time. Your body will be going thru withdrawal and you may have headaches and nausea. BUT HANG IN THERE;) after the first few days you will begin to feel better and all those carbs will stop calling your name. The goal in this 2 week period is to avoid sweets and other "bad" carbs and get those cravings under control.

Good luck and let us know how you're doing!

Froufy:D

Thank you Froufy and everyone else! I have gone to the Atkins site and looked at the induction part. I will be looking for a book also. I really like my carbs so I think this might be hard for me but there are so many people losing weight and doing well on it. This will have to be a lifetime change for me. I will start with what I know today and be looking for a book. Thanks for the input!

Amy