Atkins? Anyone?? Am I the only one doing this?I feel alone.

bcattoes

The USDA and FDA have not recommended a low fat diet since the 1980's. And the was based on research available at the time.

Excuse me - low SATURATED fat diet / high carb. And yes, 50-60% carb is too high. Anyone who has done the proper research would agree.

Prevailing medical evidence shows that for most people a diet low in saturated fat is healthiest.

No it doesn't. I've spent a year doing my own research, filtering through study after study. You can't trust journalists. Most of them don't even read the whole article they are citing.

I learned how to meticulously pick through journal articles in college - to find out how they conduced the experiment, see if their study is repeatable, and to see if their "conclusion" matched their actual results.

I told you I used to be one of you. I had the same argument with my future father-in-law about butter and how I thought it was horrible. Now, I have to stick my foot in my mouth because I was flat out wrong. That sucks. I'm not a huge fan of the guy.

I'm not trying to be mean or rude. I am simply just trying to help anyone I can to see that what we have been taught our whole life is wrong. I still feel sick when I think about it.

I challenge you to do the research on your own. I promise you will be shocked.

Oh and side note: fat tastes AWESOME!

I've worked in public healthcare for a govt. contractor for almost 30 years. I know the study results. I have to study the recommendations and guidelines of CMS, JC, NQF, HEDIS, DoD, VHA and just about every other govt. health organization you can think of. I know how the recommendations are set and know why they are set. Now, that said, there is absolutely no reason you should believe any of what I've just typed since I'm just some shmo on a public web site who should be studying that latest update to the JC manual right now instead of playing online. But, this whole govt. consiracy nonsense is just that. Nonsense. There are a lot of people in this country (USA) and the recommendations have to be set for "the general public", which means people need to read the entire recommendations and see where they fit, not just look at a picture or read a healine and say "oh, I got it."

Drunkadelic

Fine, believe what you want. I was just trying to help.

For everyone else's reference: All those government agencies she listed out all got their "scientific proof" from the same pool of "scientist" (Keys and all of his protegees). Ancel Key's. Look him up people - he just spewed bad science and he is the basis behind the way we all still eat today. He should have been blackballed in the scientific/medical community. He threw out data just because it didn't line up with his theory.

I do agree that everyone is different. Each population of people had to evolve differently to survive the climate/area they lived. That's probably the biggest problem with the American diet since we are so diverse. But 50% of our calories from carbohydrates? Now that's just not "good" for anyone. Sure, tons of people can eat them and live just fine. Most people probably. But is it's what's best for you? No.

bcattoes

Fine, believe what you want. I was just trying to help.

For everyone else's reference: All those government agencies she listed out all got their "scientific proof" from the same pool of "scientist" (Keys and all of his protegees). Ancel Key's. Look him up people - he just spewed bad science and he is the basis behind the way we all still eat today. He should have been blackballed in the scientific/medical community. He threw out data just because it didn't line up with his theory.

I do agree that everyone is different. Each population of people had to evolve differently to survive the climate/area they lived. That's probably the biggest problem with the American diet since we are so diverse. But 50% of our calories from carbohydrates? Now that's just not "good" for anyone. Sure, tons of people can eat them and live just fine. Most people probably. But is it's what's best for you? No.

Please, you sould ridiculous. Every bit of medical evidence in the world came from Ancel Keys?? Of course. One man did it all. And there have been no new studies since he died. Of course!! Anyone that's ever met a researcher knows how much they hate to be the one to find new results. They just hide them away like an ugly stepchild.

Today's recommendations are based on things like the nurse's health studies and tens of thousands of other studies and years and years of research.

One man? Seriously?

dittiepe

Yes I have read the book. I am a nurse, and work with Diabetics all the time. My 2 best friends..one is a PHysio therapist..the other is our hospital nutritionist. When you mention Atkins..they GROAN. Just because a diet keeps you thin doesn't mean it's healthy. Also..nobody said you have to get your carbs from white sugar and rice. But Atkins is too high in saturated fat to be healthy. Any diet that forces your body to eat it's own muscle for fuel is NOT healthy.

i'm sorry, but of course hospital nutritionalists groan. Most of the time they're so far behind the times on dieting that it makes my head hurt to think about it. Some hospital nutritionalists don't even know how to handle a bariatric diet. They will needlessly stick to the food pyramid because that was pounded into their head. Times, they are a'changin.
If you want to compare brain pans, I've been a nurse for 22 years, I've worked with cardioligsts, rheumatologists, endocrinologists and dieticians. While in the beginning everyone was for the food pyramid, many are moving away from that and onto a low carb diet for their patients. It levels out insulin in the blood, helps lower triglicerides and cholesterol levels
It does not cause you to eat your own muscle for fuel. Fat, yes. And isn't that what we want? Get rid of the fat!

You may have read the book, but maybe you should read all of the research and studies done on the subject.

dietfree2012

Yes I have read the book. I am a nurse, and work with Diabetics all the time. My 2 best friends..one is a PHysio therapist..the other is our hospital nutritionist. When you mention Atkins..they GROAN. Just because a diet keeps you thin doesn't mean it's healthy. Also..nobody said you have to get your carbs from white sugar and rice. But Atkins is too high in saturated fat to be healthy. Any diet that forces your body to eat it's own muscle for fuel is NOT healthy.

i'm sorry, but of course hospital nutritionalists groan. Most of the time they're so far behind the times on dieting that it makes my head hurt to think about it. Some hospital nutritionalists don't even know how to handle a bariatric diet. They will needlessly stick to the food pyramid because that was pounded into their head. Times, they are a'changin.
If you want to compare brain pans, I've been a nurse for 22 years, I've worked with cardioligsts, rheumatologists, endocrinologists and dieticians. While in the beginning everyone was for the food pyramid, many are moving away from that and onto a low carb diet for their patients. It levels out insulin in the blood, helps lower triglicerides and cholesterol levels
It does not cause you to eat your own muscle for fuel. Fat, yes. And isn't that what we want? Get rid of the fat!

You may have read the book, but maybe you should read all of the research and studies done on the subject.

rough day to start atkins!! geez, i had no clue it was blackballed on mfp!! oh well....i will definitely stick to the support group!

bcattoes

rough day to start atkins!! geez, i had no clue it was blackballed on mfp!! oh well....i will definitely stick to the support group!

It's not blackballed, but the support group probably is a good idea. It's surprising how many people insist there is only one way to lose weight and be healthy.

Good luck to you!

FairyMiss

rough day to start atkins!! geez, i had no clue it was blackballed on mfp!! oh well....i will definitely stick to the support group!

It's not blackballed, but the support group probably is a good idea. It's surprising how many people insist there is only one way to lose weight and be healthy.

Good luck to you!

is that not what you are doing by constanly hounding that it is unhealthy, and bad, and you must eat carbs??????????

Vegan_Chick

Thats because ATkins isnt a healthy diet to follow. Works for weight loss yes....for long term health. no.

I wonder why I am so healthy now. I wonder why I don't take 7 meds (3 blood pressure, 1 fluid, and 3 anxiety/ depression) meds. I wonder why it's been over 5 yrs and I haven't gained it back..hmmm.

I wonder if anyone can tell me that they have actually read the book? and then say it's not healthy. NO I don't think so.

Just because someone loses weight does not mean they are healthy nutrition wise. And remember that Dr. Atkins died of a heart attack.

bcattoes

rough day to start atkins!! geez, i had no clue it was blackballed on mfp!! oh well....i will definitely stick to the support group!

It's not blackballed, but the support group probably is a good idea. It's surprising how many people insist there is only one way to lose weight and be healthy.

Good luck to you!

is that not what you are doing by constanly hounding that it is unhealthy, and bad, and you must eat carbs??????????

I never said that. I choose to eat carbs, but the Adkin's diet is healthy if followed. I posted that earlier.

erinsueburns

The one problem I've always had with Adkin's is the elimination of carrots. I LOVE carrots. I know the reason for it, carrots have a high glycemic index and GI was the thing to measure food by at the time the diet was originated. But carrots actually have very little sugar and have a low glycemic load making them a really healthy addition to a low-carb diet. I saw mentioned on here that there was a new book. Does anyone know if the changes have to do with GI vs. GL?

Just curious.

I don't do Atkins, but despite the sugar in carrots I consider them acceptable in my own version of low carb. I mean there is fiber and vitamin A and good stuff. Plus carrots, while I don't like them, they are one of the few vegetables I am not allergic to.

Grokette

The one problem I've always had with Adkin's is the elimination of carrots. I LOVE carrots. I know the reason for it, carrots have a high glycemic index and GI was the thing to measure food by at the time the diet was originated. But carrots actually have very little sugar and have a low glycemic load making them a really healthy addition to a low-carb diet. I saw mentioned on here that there was a new book. Does anyone know if the changes have to do with GI vs. GL?

Just curious.

I ate carrots when I was on Atkins. You actually add them in when you transition from Induction (Phase 1) over to OWL (phase 2).

There are NO fruits or vegetables that are totally eliminated from Atkins. Everything is added back in, in a proper order according to the glycemic index.

Have you actually read the book or just going off random things you have read on the internet here and there????

Grokette

The USDA and FDA have not recommended a low fat diet since the 1980's. And the was based on research available at the time.

Excuse me - low SATURATED fat diet / high carb. And yes, 50-60% carb is too high. Anyone who has done the proper research would agree.

Prevailing medical evidence shows that for most people a diet low in saturated fat is healthiest.

No, it doesn't. Saturated fats are proven to protect the heart against CHD and raise HDL cholesterol.

Grokette

Thats because ATkins isnt a healthy diet to follow. Works for weight loss yes....for long term health. no.

I wonder why I am so healthy now. I wonder why I don't take 7 meds (3 blood pressure, 1 fluid, and 3 anxiety/ depression) meds. I wonder why it's been over 5 yrs and I haven't gained it back..hmmm.

I wonder if anyone can tell me that they have actually read the book? and then say it's not healthy. NO I don't think so.

Just because someone loses weight does not mean they are healthy nutrition wise. And remember that Dr. Atkins died of a heart attack.

STOP this right now. Dr Atkins did not die of a heart attack. he slipped on the ice and succombed from the fall.

If you are going to contribute to a thread that you obviously don't agree with, get your facts straight. Don't come in here spewing your inuindo and hate.

Dr. Robert Atkins, creator of the high-protein, low-carbohydrate Atkins Diet, died Thursday after an accidental fall on April 8 left him comatose.

Atkins, 72, was rushed to New York Weill Cornell Medical Center by his colleague, Dr. Keith Berkowitz, where surgeons removed a blood clot to relieve pressure in his brain on April 9.

Atkins slipped on an icy sidewalk outside his New York office.

"We are hoping for a miracle," Richard Rothstein, a spokesman for Atkins told CNN April 11, "but the chances for a meaningful recovery are slim.

bcattoes

The one problem I've always had with Adkin's is the elimination of carrots. I LOVE carrots. I know the reason for it, carrots have a high glycemic index and GI was the thing to measure food by at the time the diet was originated. But carrots actually have very little sugar and have a low glycemic load making them a really healthy addition to a low-carb diet. I saw mentioned on here that there was a new book. Does anyone know if the changes have to do with GI vs. GL?

Just curious.

I ate carrots when I was on Atkins. You actually add them in when you transition from Induction (Phase 1) over to OWL (phase 2).

There are NO fruits or vegetables that are totally eliminated from Atkins. Everything is added back in, in a proper order according to the glycemic index.

Have you actually read the book or just going off random things you have read on the internet here and there????

I haven't read the book because I love carbs. As I posted earlier the carrot thing was based on info from a friend who was doing Adkins years ago when it was new. She had the book and said she read it (or was reading it). She didn't stick with it long and gained the weight back. I do not believe that had anything to do with Adkins, She's done the same with other diets.

bcattoes

The USDA and FDA have not recommended a low fat diet since the 1980's. And the was based on research available at the time.

Excuse me - low SATURATED fat diet / high carb. And yes, 50-60% carb is too high. Anyone who has done the proper research would agree.

Prevailing medical evidence shows that for most people a diet low in saturated fat is healthiest.

No, it doesn't. Saturated fats are proven to protect the heart against CHD and raise HDL cholesterol.

Blanket statements like that are silly. Not all saturated fats are alike. Some are good, some are bad.

kapeluza

Hell no! I did Atkins for 6-9mos a few years ago and it resulted in me getting gallstones! That is what my doctor attributed them to!

cheesesandwich

Thats because ATkins isnt a healthy diet to follow. Works for weight loss yes....for long term health. no.

I wonder why I am so healthy now. I wonder why I don't take 7 meds (3 blood pressure, 1 fluid, and 3 anxiety/ depression) meds. I wonder why it's been over 5 yrs and I haven't gained it back..hmmm.

I wonder if anyone can tell me that they have actually read the book? and then say it's not healthy. NO I don't think so.

Just because someone loses weight does not mean they are healthy nutrition wise. And remember that Dr. Atkins died of a heart attack.

Oh jeez. Remember that he didn't actually die of a heart attack, kids.

brucedelaney

Thats because ATkins isnt a healthy diet to follow. Works for weight loss yes....for long term health. no.

I wonder why I am so healthy now. I wonder why I don't take 7 meds (3 blood pressure, 1 fluid, and 3 anxiety/ depression) meds. I wonder why it's been over 5 yrs and I haven't gained it back..hmmm.

I wonder if anyone can tell me that they have actually read the book? and then say it's not healthy. NO I don't think so.

Just because someone loses weight does not mean they are healthy nutrition wise. And remember that Dr. Atkins died of a heart attack.

Oh jeez. Remember that he didn't actually die of a heart attack, kids.

Didn't Atkins die because he slipped and hit his head from a patch of Ice?

PS - I'm not an Atkins dieter, I have read the book and have been on the diet. The diet isn't 20 net carbs a day for life (which seems to be the most common misconception.) After the Induction phase, carbs are gradually re-introduced into your diet until you find a "Reasonable" level at which to lose weight and then later maintain it. The biggest issue most people have is they see the big drop at the beginning and then try to maintain that big loss by limiting their carbs to the 20 net carbs a day. While I know several that can maintain this lifestyle, most can not and typically relapse or give up and go back to their old ways.

I'm not on Atkins because It's not effective for me, although I do try to limit my carbs to 100-150 per day. However, I'm all for anyone who actually follows it properly... it really isn't nearly as unbalanced as people seem to think once you get into the 2nd and 3rd phases.

linsben

also. i'd just like to throw this out there.. people aren't "MEAN!!!!" or "RUDE!!!" or "JUDGMENTAL!!" for stating facts.

atkins sucks. that's all there is to it.

it's an unhealthy unbalanced F A D diet . trust me, i know. sure it's great to lose 15 lbs of water weight in two weeks. yay!! but what'll happen once you can't handle it anymore? once you feel like eating some potatoes or black beans or a slice of whole wheat bread? you'll gain everything back.

depriving yourself of stuff you need to function, and especially exercise.. is a bit ridiculous. it's a sure way to fail and gain everything back. no ones being rude, no ones being "mean". ... stop getting so ****ing defensive over something so ridiculous.

This is ignorance. This is discussion based on people's genuine belief in what good nutrition is and is not. There are people giving you their life stories as proof.

FairyMiss

also. i'd just like to throw this out there.. people aren't "MEAN!!!!" or "RUDE!!!" or "JUDGMENTAL!!" for stating facts.

atkins sucks. that's all there is to it.

it's an unhealthy unbalanced F A D diet . trust me, i know. sure it's great to lose 15 lbs of water weight in two weeks. yay!! but what'll happen once you can't handle it anymore? once you feel like eating some potatoes or black beans or a slice of whole wheat bread? you'll gain everything back.

depriving yourself of stuff you need to function, and especially exercise.. is a bit ridiculous. it's a sure way to fail and gain everything back. no ones being rude, no ones being "mean". ... stop getting so ****ing defensive over something so ridiculous.

this has to be about the least factual post in this thread. one arrogant persons opinion

LaJauna

Once again for the ones who want to be intelligent contributors to this discussion... PLEASE go and watch this video from a vegan professor at Stanford Medical School. It is a one year study comparing Atkins diet to Low fat diets such as The Ornish Diet.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eREuZEdMAVo&feature=player_embedded#!

idwoof

So I should watch a video that shows one unbalanced diet against another unbalanced diet? I'm tired of seeing that as the reason low carb is healthy "it's healthier than low fat". No one is saying that and if they are it is a completely different argument. A balanced diet is the way to go.

martinah4

So I should watch a video that shows one unbalanced diet against another unbalanced diet? I'm tired of seeing that as the reason low carb is healthy "it's healthier than low fat". No one is saying that and if they are it is a completely different argument. A balanced diet is the way to go.

Actually, it compares 4 diets. If by balanced, you mean the Standard American Diet pyramid, with the grains at the bottom, then yes, it compares that one with Atkins, Ornish, South Beach (I think that's the 4 diets).

ash12783

i agree low carb eating is not exactly balanced, but people who oppose the diet usually tend to think low carbers are stuffing themselves with bacon, cheese, mayo, etc.... that is unhealthy. For me, when i'm eating low carb I'm eating much healthier food than if i was eating normally. Now my diet includes salad all the time, with grilled chicken and yes SOME cheese. I eat a lot of vegetables and seafood, and a lot of chicken and turkey...there's no more fast food at all, no sugar, no breads (atleast white ones)...no more cravings and hunger pangs as my blood sugar stays level, and i'm drinking soooo much more water than i normally do. yes there are those who may think it's a licence to eat all the bacon, cheese, and cream you want but that's not me and not healthy. atkins the healthy way is awesome!

momcindy

For diabetics and pre-diabetics (like me), the ADA (American Diabetes Association) recommends no more than 130 grams of carbs per day. At the calorie level recommended for me here by MFP, that works out to a little over 25% for carbs, not the 60% recommended by MFP and the FDA. If I stuck to the "balanced" default of 60% from carbs, I'd be in more trouble than I already am.

Blanket statements can't be made without considering individual circumstances.

SouLThinking

So I should watch a video that shows one unbalanced diet against another unbalanced diet? I'm tired of seeing that as the reason low carb is healthy "it's healthier than low fat". No one is saying that and if they are it is a completely different argument. A balanced diet is the way to go.

Ok, you've said this numerous time.
Define your 'idea' of a balanced diet...

give a menu. lets see.
can you?

idwoof

Around 50-60% carbs, 25-30% Proteins, 10-15% Fats. Heavier on the protein if you are working out hard, but if you are working out hard, you should also be adding carbs to your diet, so it evens out a little bit.

SouLThinking

Ok, so 50-60% carbs on a 1400 cal diet. What would a person eat??

idwoof

What? What does the amount of calories you are eating have to do with what you would eat??? You just have smaller portions, or larger portions. You eat clean food. Oatmeal, Whole wheat bread, Tuna sandwiches, turkey sandwiches, cottage cheese, eggs. anything you want.
You act like it is crazy to think that a person eats 60% carbs, let me remind you that you are the minority here, most people would not find eating 30% carbohydrates enjoyable.

idwoof

Please explain to me what is unhealthy about eating the way I do?