Confused about Atkins

Baybbee123

I'm glad that I found this thread as I have some questions on this one too. Some of the information MFP's have provided has been helpful, but I'm definitely going to ask my doctor about low carbs next time I see him (which probably won't be for a while...knock on wood!).

I am not completely cutting out carbs, but I have significantly lowered them. I didn't completely plan it that way, I'm just trying to figure out what works for my body. But this seems to be doing the trick and has helped my weight loss take off pretty steadily. But unlike atkins, I eat PLENTY of fresh fruits and veggies now - and in checking my daily percentages, I am finding I am eating a better equal balance between all three areas as opposed to a majority of my percentage being in carbs.

I think the best way to go about it is to discuss it with your doctor and find what works best for your body. It's a hard, long journey - and I feel like I have only just begun. And I am in day 105 already. It's a big overwhelming! :ohwell:

Nutrition1st

Fatty Acids, Amino Acids and Glucose (carbs) are essential nutrients that your body "needs". When you deprive your body of a nutrient, it doesn't just substitute fat in it's place. Your body breaks down it's muscles and converts those amino acids to the glucose your muscles need. I train several people who tried Atkins, then gained it back. What more important that "Atkins" or any name brand diet is understanding your body's calorie needs and portion control. If you eat complex carbs instead of simple carbs in moderation, you will experience the same results and not have to be in fear that once you introduce carbs again, you will gain it all right back. With any diet or nutrition program, don't become a slave to the scale. Check your body fat percentage. That's a better gauge if you are getting healthy or not. You can drop 20 pounds of water or bone/muscle and not lose a pound of fat if you aren't on the right program.

MinnieInMaine

If you're going to do Atkins, make sure you actually read all the information for the program before you start. The mistake most people make is dong it half-a$$ed thinking they can just live off eggs, cheese and meat and risk health issues because they're not doing it right. These are also the people who tend to put the weight right back on as soon as they stop eating that way.

If you just want to cut your carbs a little, there are plenty of options out there. I recently cut mine down a bit by switching from using sandwich thins to using flatout wraps for my sandwiches. I still get plenty of carbs, I just didn't want them all coming from my bread choices. As far as pasta goes, there are some low carb options still available in stores (Dreamfields) but even the whole grain pastas are better than regular white because they have less "net carbs" (fiber content offsets total carbs). Or go another way and try using spaghetti squash or thinly sliced zucchini instead!