Atkins Anyone?

LeanLioness

Is anyone here doing Atkins, South Beach, CAD, Protein Power, The Zone, Sugar Busters, or other low carb or organic, natural eating plan?

I am in day 7 of Induction on Atkins and I a down 17 pounds, feeling great, full of energy!! And most importantly, my fasting blood sugar was only 103 this morning, that was before eating, meds or anything!!!

I need to find out what other veggies people are eating besides salads, broccoli, cauliflower, green pepper, cabbage, tomato, cucumber, radishes, green beans, brussel sprouts, collard greens.........

I want to try an avocado, but I am scared!!! I have never had one, never ate guacamole and I am scared to try it.

So, what other veggies are you eating????

LeanLioness

Is anyone here doing Atkins, South Beach, CAD, Protein Power, The Zone, Sugar Busters, or other low carb or organic, natural eating plan?

I am in day 7 of Induction on Atkins and I a down 17 pounds, feeling great, full of energy!! And most importantly, my fasting blood sugar was only 103 this morning, that was before eating, meds or anything!!!

I need to find out what other veggies people are eating besides salads, broccoli, cauliflower, green pepper, cabbage, tomato, cucumber, radishes, green beans, brussel sprouts, collard greens.........

I want to try an avocado, but I am scared!!! I have never had one, never ate guacamole and I am scared to try it.

So, what other veggies are you eating????

LeanLioness

I should add that my calories have been too low for the past few days and I am starting to work out under the supervision of my chiropractor!! I have been only eating an average of 800-900 calories per day, but they have been filled with raw, fiber filled veggies.

He is starting me out slowly, 10 minutes on the treadmill and 5 minutes on the wind jammer working my arms and shoulders, but I am rehabbing after a bad car accident.

kerrilucko

800-900 calories? yikes, that's extremely low. In fact, that's just over 1/2 of what an average 3 year old child should be eating. I've never tried Atkins myself but a few family members have been quiote successful with it... until they went back to regular eating (you know, the 4 food groups and all that). That's the thing with those diets you listed, they may work quickly, but it's next to impossible to stick with them forever. SOmetimes diets like that can work well as a jump start, but then you should try to ease into a more balanced, nutrionally sound way of eating. Oh, and please up your calories! Milk, cheese, nuts, seeds, PB, etc etc etc will get your numbers higher. Otherwise you will burn out, seriously. good luck! :flowerforyou:

nicolet04

avacados are great!!!

LeanLioness

I know, I have energy, but I know my body will go into starvation mode if I don't up my caloric intake.

I have been eating tuna salads, chicken salads, cucumbers, celery, green pepper, radishes.........all lower calorie foods and I am measuring everything out and putting it in my food diary. I am drinking a lot of water too, which I know the raw veggies and water is keeping me filled up and not wanting to eat.

I made myself eat 2 hard boiled eggs this rmorning and thought I was going to throw up because my stomach felt so full.

Being a diabetic, I am on Atkins for Life this time. It is going to be a complete lifestyle change for me and I will be eating very balanced as I go through the 4 phases, but right now, it is protein and veggies.

The foods you listed, I can't add back in until another couple of weeks as I move into Phase 2 of Atkins, which is on going weight loss...............

There is a large list of acceptable veggies, but A LOT of them I have never eaten and are scared to try them. So, I have been sticking to what I know I do like a lot.

LeanLioness

avacados are great!!!

I keep hearing that!!!


I think the look of guacamole is what has me so :sick: and scared to try an avocado.

kerrilucko

Being a diabetic, I am on Atkins for Life this time. It is going to be a complete lifestyle change for me and I will be eating very balanced as I go through the 4 phases, but right now, it is protein and veggies.

In that case I would just say make sure you keep your doctor up to date on what you're doing! Good luck :flowerforyou:

LeanLioness

In that case I would just say make sure you keep your doctor up to date on what you're doing! Good luck :flowerforyou:

My Dr is the one that has told me to pick a low carb plan and make the necessary lifestyle changes. I am going to a diabetes clinic every week to monitor my meds so I can get off of them. So, I am being monitored closely.

I called the clinic and spoke to a nutritionist and she said to up my protein to add calories, but I am not hungry, that is the major problem I am having, not hungry and don't want to force myself to eat........

He recommended Atkins or South Beach, I chose Atkins because it is a little more structured and think that by adding in foods back into my diet one by one, I can see if there are foods that I may have allergy to.

kerrilucko

hmmmmmm and you said in this stage all you can have is meats and veggies? what if instead of having chicken or tuna salads you did up stirfrys instead? You could use meats with higher caloric values like pork or steak. Also if you are having chicken, leave the skin on and eat it too. Can you have dressings on salads? If so go with the regular, full fat ones instead of the fat free, they have way higher cals and might help you. I guess what i'm saying is if you can't eat more in quantity than you are now (because you're too full) then try eating foods that are simply higher in calories.

LeanLioness

Thanks for brain-storming with me....................


Yes, I use full-fat mayo and full-fat ranch dressing. I only measured out 1 tablespoon of ranch dressing for 4 cups of veggies though..............

I have been eating a lot of tuna and chicken because I just went back to work after being out of work recovering from a car accident I had back in July, so $$$ has been tight for me and my hubby, So, I am making the best of trying to eat naturally (little or no processed foods).

I re-read the food list, I am going to add in some full fat cheddar cheese, I can have up to 4 oz a day of a hard cheese, such as swiss or cheddar. I am not a big dairy fan, so :sick: ......

I think that is part of my problem. Nutritionist suggested steaming veggies and adding olive oil or butter to up my fat intake, which will up calories, but I don't like cooked veggies............I like them raw, hence why I am eating so much salad.

Not a big fan of olive oil or butter either.

I think my pickiness is getting in my way!! :embarassed:

LeanLioness

Here is a list of foods that I CAN have right now.......................Problem is, most of the things on that list, I don't like............................




Acceptable Foods
These are the foods you may eat liberally during Induction:

Fish
Fowl
Shellfish
Meat
Eggs

**Processed meats, such as ham, bacon, pepperoni, salami, hot dogs and other luncheon meats—and some fish—may be cured with added sugar and will contribute carbs. Try to avoid meat and fish products cured with nitrates, which are known carcinogens. Also beware of products that are not exclusively meat, fish or fowl, such as imitation fish, meatloaf and breaded foods. Finally, do not consume more than four ounces of organ meats a day.

OTHER FOODS THAT ARE ACCEPTABLE DURING INDUCTION
Cheese
You can consume three to four ounces daily of the following full-fat, firm, soft and semisoft aged cheeses*, including:
* cheddar
* cow, sheep and goat cheese
* cream cheese
* Gouda
* mozzarella
* Roquefort and other blue cheeses
* Swiss
*All cheeses have some carbohydrate content. The quantity you eat should be governed by that knowledge. The rule of thumb is to count 1 ounce of cheese as equivalent to 1 gram of carbohydrate. Note that cottage cheese, farmer’s cheese and other fresh cheeses are not permitted during Induction. No "diet" cheese, cheese spreads or whey cheeses are permitted. Individuals with known yeast symptoms, dairy allergy or cheese intolerance must avoid cheese. Imitation cheese products are not allowed, except for soy or rice cheese—but check the carbohydrate content.

Vegetables
You can have two to three cups per day of:
* alfalfa sprouts
* daikon
* mushrooms
* arugula
* endive
* parsley
* bok choy
* escarole
* peppers
* celery
* fennel
* radicchio
* chicory
* jicama
* radishes
* chives
* lettuce
* romaine lettuce
* cucumber
* mâche
* sorrel
These salad vegetables are high in phytonutrients and provide a good source of fiber.

Other Vegetables
You can have one cup per day of these veggies if salad does not exceed two cups. The following vegetables are slightly higher in carbohydrate content than the salad vegetables:
* artichoke
* celery root
* pumpkin
* artichoke hearts
* rhubarb
* asparagus
* chard
* sauerkraut
* bamboo shoots
* collard greens
* scallions
* dandelion
* snow peas
* bean sprouts
* dandelion greens
* spaghetti squash
* beet greens
* eggplant
* spinach
* broccoli
* hearts of palm
* string or wax beans
* broccoli rabe
* kale
* summer squash
* brussels
* kohlrabi
* tomato
* bean sprouts
* leeks
* turnips
* cabbage
* okra
* water chestnuts
* cauliflower
* onion
* zucchini

If a vegetable, such as spinach or tomato, cooks down significantly, it must be measured raw so as not to underestimate its carb count.
Salad Garnishes
* crumbled crisp bacon
* grated cheese
* minced hard-boiled egg
* sautéed mushrooms
* sour cream

Artificial Sweeteners

Spices
All spices to taste, but make sure none contain added sugar.

Herbs
* basil
* garlic
* rosemary
* cayenne pepper
* ginger
* sage
* cilantro
* oregano
* tarragon
* dill
* pepper
* thyme

For salad dressing, use oil and vinegar (but not balsamic vinegar, which contains sugar) or lemon juice and herbs and spices. Prepared salad dressings without added sugar and no more than two carbs per tablespoon serving are also fine.

Acceptable Fats and Oils
Many fats, especially certain oils, are essential to good nutrition. Olive oil is particularly valuable. All other vegetable oils are allowed, the best being canola, walnut, soybean, grapeseed, sesame, sunflower and safflower oils, especially if they are labeled "cold-pressed" or "expeller-pressed." Do not cook polyunsaturated oils, such as corn, soybean and sunflower oil, at high temperatures or allow to brown or smoke.
Butter is allowed. Margarine should be avoided, not because of its carbohydrate content, but because it is usually made of trans fats (hydrogenated oils), which are a serious health hazard. (Some nonhydrogenated margarines are available in health-food stores.)
You don't have to remove the skin and fat from meat or fowl. Salmon and other cold-water fish are an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids.

AugustBaby1973

I've been on Atkins before! The key is, make sure you don't extend the induction period. The original plan was intended to help heart patients, but if you stick to the plan and follow Phases II-IV, then you'll be just fine!

As for the avocados! Eat up, girl! They are filled with the GOOD FATS your body and brain needs to function. Avocados have a smooth, creamy texture and can be applied to a few of the meats you listed to make a filling, fabulous meal! Try thin slices over your meats, or dice some over your vegetables. It can be whipped to make a smooth salad dressing, too! If you add a little olive oil, it makes it smoother and creamy and you increase the monounsaturated fats that are good for your belly and brain! :drinker:

Good luck to you!

LeanLioness

I've been on Atkins before! The key is, make sure you don't extend the induction period. The original plan was intended to help heart patients, but if you stick to the plan and follow Phases II-IV, then you'll be just fine!

As for the avocados! Eat up, girl! They are filled with the GOOD FATS your body and brain needs to function. Avocados have a smooth, creamy texture and can be applied to a few of the meats you listed to make a filling, fabulous meal! Try thin slices over your meats, or dice some over your vegetables. It can be whipped to make a smooth salad dressing, too! If you add a little olive oil, it makes it smoother and creamy and you increase the monounsaturated fats that are good for your belly and brain! :drinker:

Good luck to you!

I went and bought an avocado and I am going to try it with my dinner tonight!! Wish me luck because I am scared of them.............

Maybe I am just too picky!!

megan0313

I also love Atkins, in fact I've just started induction again to jump start my diet as I've hit a plateau. I know it gets a bad rap alot because of the high fat content, but as you've stated, there are plenty of fresh veggies you can have right from the beginning, and I'm really careful to incorporate healthier fats like olive oil (I don't load up on bacon ). I've also found that I've never had any problem keeping the weight off as I began to introduce healthy carbs back into my diet. I stick to whole grains and brown rice and keep white starches and sugar to an absolute minimum and I feel great...I don't crave sweets and I have so much more energy!

Keep up the great work! :drinker: :flowerforyou:

megan0313

BTW, I LOVE LOVE LOVE avacados! Hope you have a good experience with them

mommachag

onion,mushrooms,grated carrots,and 2 or three eggs(you can add meat too Ham might be good?). garlic salt pepper and basil. saute them together and serve on raw spinach. that was my dinner tonight. super yummy. you could add tons of stuff to the eggs as well like peppers, tomatoes ect.

steamed artichokes are soooo yummy and fun to eat so very satisfying. I serve them with some garlic butter on the side.just dont eat the thistle in the middle on top of the heart.

mommachag

...sorry double post

LeanLioness

Thanks for the replies so far everyone!!

I bought an avocado, it is in my refrigerator.

I am scared to eat it. :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

On another low carb board I belong to, one person said the Florida ones tasted better and another person said the California ones were better. The one I got says it is from Mexico. So, OMG, I don't know if I am going to like it or not.


As far as artichokes, I don't know if I like them or not either..................

I guess I need to open up my options!!!

mommachag

i dont store my avacado in the fridge since it can turn it brown and bitter. when it's ripe it should be soft but not mushy.I love the ones from mexico. they have a mild buttery taste

LeanLioness

Just store it at room temperature?

I hope it doesn't go bad by the time I get home. I am going to try it tonight with my salad.