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Questions about ATKINS low carb plan?
thcguy123
Posts: 55
So I have received a lot of info and little starter packs from Atkins over the years. I am the kind of person who really likes having an outlined detailed plan for my eating, etc. I am not the type of person (yet) who can just develop their own low carb plan. I also like the idea that there are options like frozen meals, snack bars, shakes, etc so I don't get overwhelmed with cooking every single meal each week.
By biggest question however is how expensive are their weekly shopping lists going to be. I have tried a plan called FRESH20 which was delicious and amazing but it was $80-$100 per week easy in produce, protein, and everything else fresh (no processed foods). Too much for us to afford. We can afford more like $50-$60 a week for groceries.
So from those of you who have used their weekly shopping lists - we're they very expensive? Easy to follow? How did you like the plan and did you have success?
By biggest question however is how expensive are their weekly shopping lists going to be. I have tried a plan called FRESH20 which was delicious and amazing but it was $80-$100 per week easy in produce, protein, and everything else fresh (no processed foods). Too much for us to afford. We can afford more like $50-$60 a week for groceries.
So from those of you who have used their weekly shopping lists - we're they very expensive? Easy to follow? How did you like the plan and did you have success?
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Replies
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I haven't done their weekly plan, but I am addicted to their snack bars which are about $8 a box depending on what you get. They are awesome so I highly recommend them! Wal-Mart is the cheapest place I've found to get them.0
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I did Fatkins. Lost a lot of weight over 7 months, gained it all back very quickly once I stopped low-carbing.
No need for gimmicky diets. Eat right macro mix, focus on natural foods not crap in cans and boxes, watch calorie intake, exercise. BOOM.0 -
Torontonius wrote: »I did Fatkins. Lost a lot of weight over 7 months, gained it all back very quickly once I stopped low-carbing.
No need for gimmicky diets. Eat right macro mix, focus on natural foods not crap in cans and boxes, watch calorie intake, exercise. BOOM.
Low carb is NOT a gimmicky diet. It has been around for years and has a proven track record of helping people who were previously unable to lose weight on portion restriction alone to finally acheive sustainable weightloss. Not to mention the miriad of health benefits involved including but not limited to avoiding diabetes or in fact controlling existing diabetes to the point where medication is no longer required.
And you are correct, making a change to eating low carb is a lifestyle decision and one you will only benefit from if you are committed to maintaining your weightloss and health. If you go back to your old high carb ways of course you will gain the weight back. Not rocket science really.-3 -
Torontonius wrote: »I did Fatkins. Lost a lot of weight over 7 months, gained it all back very quickly once I stopped low-carbing.
No need for gimmicky diets. Eat right macro mix, focus on natural foods not crap in cans and boxes, watch calorie intake, exercise. BOOM.
Atkins is a gimmick diet. But low-carb is most certainly not.
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Torontonius wrote: »I did Fatkins. Lost a lot of weight over 7 months, gained it all back very quickly once I stopped low-carbing.
No need for gimmicky diets. Eat right macro mix, focus on natural foods not crap in cans and boxes, watch calorie intake, exercise. BOOM.
And if you go back to the way you used to eat, BOOM.0 -
I never said low-carb was gimmicky. I said Atkins was.
Low carb makes sense for a lot of the population especially if insulin sensitivity is low.0 -
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I am thinking of just doing a clean eating plan - that in itself is a low carb diet I believe.0
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I am thinking of just doing a clean eating plan - that in itself is a low carb diet I believe.
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x2. Also a plethora of users that post they gained it all back after following MFP.Sabine_Stroehm wrote: »Torontonius wrote: »I did Fatkins. Lost a lot of weight over 7 months, gained it all back very quickly once I stopped low-carbing.
No need for gimmicky diets. Eat right macro mix, focus on natural foods not crap in cans and boxes, watch calorie intake, exercise. BOOM.
And if you go back to the way you used to eat, BOOM.
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I eat low carb, currently more keto really, so not really Atkins. I have purchased the bars and shakes when I was in a bind.
If having a list and a more set "yes" or "no" foods works for you, go for it. It's a difficult concept for many people here that its easier to have that than having a total calorie goal with macro guidelines. Different strokes for different folks.
I found that I spent more money at the grocery store, but much less at restaurants. Overall, I saved money preparing my own foods at home. Over time it became routine to make my own breakfast, and prepare my lunches. Shop the sales...you get familiar with when its a good deal and when its not. Using the bars and shakes are fine if it works for you, but as you get used to this way of eating you may want to start focusing less on them.
Whatever you choose, make sure you're thinking long term. Can you eat this way for a month, for 6 months? You don't necessarily have to eat the same way you lost weight, you just can't eat like you did when you were gaining weight. It all comes down to a calorie deficit...Atkins is just one way to do it. It's a low carb diet, which for those that eat that way like how they feel full for longer. That gets you to a calorie deficit which gets you to weight loss.0 -
If you have only $50 to $60 dollars a week so spend on groceries for your family, then I think you have a bigger problem then starting a low-carb diet.
That aside...you can always look at what those pre-made menu items are and come up with ideas for making your own similar ones. The pre-made stuff is easy because it's already portion-controlled. So just use a scale and measuring cups, etc. Plus - making it yourself will mean fresher, more healthy ingredients.-1 -
tracyannk28 - I think $50 to $60 for groceries a week is a good amount. It's just the two of us living here. We aren't rich and can't afford much more than that. We both have great jobs we love and feel like that should be more than enough to afford meals for a week. My parents spent $100 per week for a family of five for years when we all lived there and we were fed well. Not sure what you mean?
MelRRC17 - we definitely prefer having our meals, recipes, etc planned out for us. That is why we started EMEALS today. We used to do FRESH20. We like the fact they send us a week of delicious meals and all we have to do is shop and cook. I have tried using recipe sites (All Recipes, etc) but there is just too many options to sort through. This is easy and free's up time for more important stuff.
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I am thinking of just doing a clean eating plan - that in itself is a low carb diet I believe.
As we know, the term clean eating makes folks go apoplectic. And no, clean eating isn't necessarily low carb...My husband makes a hell of a home made, very wholesome bread I'd consider "clean", and it sure ain't low carb.0 -
Lord this "joke" gets old.misskittyninja wrote: »
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