Low carb cardiac diet

  • Hi! I'm new here. I just started this diet my friend got from her doctor. It is very similiar to the Atkins diet, however, you are not limited on your vegetables. With every meal I have to eat a half a grapefruit, or have a glass of grapefruit juice. For breakfast I have to eat 2 eggs and 2 slices of bacon. Or more.....instructions are eat until you are full at each meal. then for lunch and dinner I can have any meat and as much salad or green or red vegetables as I want. The only snack allowed is a glass of tomato juice or skim milk. You stay on the diet for 12 days then go off for 2 days. Is anyone else on this diet plan? The instructions said that the first 4 days I would not lose any weight but on the 5th day I would lose 5 pounds then a pound and half every 2 days. This is day 5 for me, and I have lost 6.5 pounds. Is anyone else on this diet plan? If so, how is it working for you? After the 2 days off, did you gain any weight? I really like this plan so far. I like knowing that in 12 days I can eat a little bit of what is now off limits. It helps knowing that, rather than thinking that I CANNOT have anything sweet, or have chips and hot sauce. Always before when I was trying to the Atkins I did real well, until I finally could not stand it any more and I would get off for a weekend and gain nearly what I had lost back. That is why I am a little worried, but I think this time knowing I will be off in 7 more days I can plan what I will eat on my two days off, where I will not pig out on all the NO NO's while on the plan. Please let me know if anyone has had success on this plan.
    thanks!
    Teri
  • Hi Teri

    The diet plan you are describing doesn't sound right, and really sounds like a fad type diet. You may be losing weight, but much of it is probably water during the first week. The instances of grapefruit/juice is from an old fad that was proven ages ago not to work. The diet sounds too restrictive and it's unlikely someone could stick to it long. Any healthy diet plan is good, whether it's based on low carb, good carbs, low fat, etc, and doesn't rely on unproven or questionable techniques. The real trick is finding a diet you can stick to, and that is what ensures success. Feeling deprived for 2 weeks and then being allowed to eat what you want really just sets you up for a binge. If you have doubts about this diet, then it's not for you. My advice is to find a diet plan that includes foods you like and will not be too restrictive. If you do have an "off program" selection, make it one meal, and not one weekend.
  • Hi Teri & Welcome !!
    You've found a terrific site!! The chickies around here are full of encouragement and knowledge!

    The "diet" you've described sounds alot to me like the "Mayo Clinic" diet (which is not endorsed by the Mayo Clinic itself, btw). I have used this form of eating as a jump start to my regular way of eating but not for the long term. I agree with Suzanne that initially I lost water which is not unusual for the first week or two of any woe. I managed to do it for about one month but found that the two days off became a carb festival! I have since used it for the initial twelve days but then moved on to my CAD woe.

    As long as it's a healthy and workable woe for you I wish you the best of luck and success!

    Looking forward to getting to know you!

    Janice
  • Thank you for the information! I guess I will stick with it for the remaining 7 days then see how I do on the two days off. Right now, it is working very well for me. It is just like when I was doing the Atkins except I do not have to measure my salad, which I really like. I have found some really great recipes and I am definately eating healthier than I had been. I have cut out all white vegetables, pasta, bread,etc. As well as all caffiene and sugar which the diet requires. And if the grapefruit juice is not doing anything for me in the weightloss area, atleast I like grapefruit juice and actually enjoy it and look forward to it. The hardest part for me has been not snacking in between meals. I am allowed tomato juice or skim milk, but I have not used that option yet. But since I am getting full at each meal it is not so much that I am hungry, but rather am craving something sweet. I guess I am a sweets addict. I guess as long as I am not feeling too deprived, and eating a healthy variety, minus the carbs of course, and it appears to be working, I will continue and see how it goes. I am hoping with some planning and willpower I will not destroy my efforts on my two days off.
    My husband recently became a truck driver. He is out for about 3 to 6 weeks. I keep telling myself how nice it will be if each time he comes in I will have lost 6 to 10 pounds! My ultimate goal is to lose 100 pounds.

    Again, Thank you Suzanne and Janice for the information and the nice welcome!
    Teri
  • Welcome Teri !!!