All these Atkins dieters are making me puke!

[GregW]

Look ... I've got nothing against dieting ... but please choose a diet that DOESN'T involve you polluting the atmosphere with rank, ketone-laden breath. I just talked to someone for five minutes and she had me dry-gagging after two.

There are now two people I know in full ketosis and it is disgusting.

:puke:

[toddzilla]

1. LOL

sugarless gum does wonders for atkins people.

[demnan]

2. Not to mention the constipation

I'll never try that one again.

[omshanti]

3. if you had to choose between garlic breath and ketosis breath

which would you prefer?

[GregW]

6. Garlic breath, any day

ketones = :puke:

[Loonman]

4. I'm paying up the ass for eggs, now because of that

Now the food companies are price gouging all the Atkins food, and because they don't eat bread, I have to search for a fresh loaf, because bread just piles up at the supermarket.


I hate diet fads.

[amandae]

7. I noticed that about the eggs too ...

but didn't pay attention to the bread ... although now that I think of it, that's true here too ...

[amandae]

5. What I don't like about the atkins diet ...

and how many people are practicing it ... it's driving up the prices of many of the food products i buy. i was also told it had to do with the sudden surge in the price of milk ... is that true? that's something i have to buy for the kiddos and it's up more than 50 cents where i live.

:hi:

[theivoryqueen]

8. yup - article last week said that's the reason for meat $$ hike

it's all okay for me, I'm a happy vegetarian. Viva la Broccoli!!

[EmmaP]

22. Ditto on the broccoli

:hi:
And asparagus, too!!!

[elfin]

12. Shouldn't affect milk

Atkins doesn't use it - but does use cream and half and half.

[TopesJunkie]

9. Oh great! Now the ANTI-ATKINITES are at it, too!

Actually, I am an anti-Atkinite. What am I saying?

[theivoryqueen]

10. What does that smell like?? I never smelt it.

is it like death breath (morning breath)?

[GregW]

19. The Atkins website says it smells 'sweet'

To me, it is an unnatural, rank chemical smell.

Atkins thinks this is good news

:eyes:

[ironflange]

23. Here's what you do

1. Go to Home Depot or whatever, paint dept.

2. Find the acetone, buy some

3. Take it home, open tin, stick nose in, take a big whiff

4. There you go! Now put some of it in a jar and soak those old paint brushes, it'll soften them nicely

[theivoryqueen]

30. wow... graphic. But I get it.

[elfin]

11. Don't puke - Bullemia is no answer

Atkins is.

[liberalhistorian]

13. Well, EXCUUUUUUUUUUUUSSSSEE ME!

Okay, okay, I've been picked on enough today, people, as an "Atkins" dieter here, y'all need to undergo some of that there sensitivity training! Never mind the fact that you make some good points, my poor little feelings have been hurt now, sniffle, sniffle, pout, sniffle.

[theivoryqueen]

15. I am sure you smell fine.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

17. I'm on an Atkins-like diet

prescribed for me by my MD. I don't eat a lot of carbs, but I do eat a lot of veggies and stuff (and buttermilk). Don't know why it would make anyone constipated-I'd suggest drinking more water. Hope the diet is making you feel better, liberalhistorian-mine is!

[info being]

42. I've never been constipated on it either.

Not sure I understand that one. Have water and coffee.

[jpgray]

14. Atkins is only for crazy people

Carbs aren't bad. Protein isn't bad. Fat isn't bad. You need all of these things.

Just take in LESS calories than you burn, and you will lose weight. Do this until your weight is where you want it. Hooray, you're thin! now you can have sex, ride a bike, or do whatever commercial-like thing you wanted to do that you couldn't before! It will also solve your crippling emotional problems!

Atkins works because people lose 500 or so calories when they eliminate carbs. So just eat 500 less calories, and presto! you're on Atkins and eating whatever you want.

Plus your kidneys won't swell and burst like ripe tomatoes. It's how Tycho Brahe died. :D

(seriously I know how he really died)

[LynneSin]

26. For carbohydrate addicts it's not that easy

Remember, the body burns carbs first, then fat and finally protien. If you're taking in way too many carbs you're just not going to burn it.

Call it a fad diet, call it what you will but the diet really does work and even my doctor gave me the thumbs up for using the Atkins.

You spend only TWO weeks on the less than 20 carbs which is to help clean out your system and break the addiction. Believe me, for a hardcore carb addict it was a bitch the first week!!!

But now I've been on the diet for awhile and my carb intake has increased. I've added fruits, vegetables and even milk. I stay away from processed foods, things with too much sugar and overly starchy stuff. And I'm still losing 1-2 lbs per week.

I can agree with Greg about the Bad breath - it really does suck and believe me I was doing everything feasible to keep my mouth tasting minty fresh. But after the 2 weeks, you start adding in the carbs and you go back to normal, just without all the junk food.

And as for the constitpation - I took fiber supplements. Now that I'm eating healthy and normally I don't need them anymore!!!

[jpgray]

28. I love pasta too much to ever go Atkins, besides

I run and bike, so I have an extra cushion of about 500-1200 calories on any given day. :D

Plus it is TERRIBLE for your kidneys--all that protein--yikes!

[info being]

39. Just make sure you also get enough good fats and protein

Or you run the risk of cancer.

[VelmaD]

31. You are absolutely correct

The ONLY way to lose weight is to burn more calories every day than you take in. It doesn't matter what diet you are on - if you take in less calories than you use then you lose weight. Period.

I know this. I have been on a very low calorie diet (that is percentage-wise pretty high in carbs but not really high in anything overall since I only get about 1000 calories a day) for almost 2 years now and I've lost 118 pounds.

Exercise. Eat less. Eat healthier. You'll lose weight.

[info being]

37. Here's the part you don't understand

- carbs don't fill you up long-term...you get bloated immediately and then crash...craving more carbs...it's a cycle.
- Protein and fat make you satisfied and full, without blood sugar spikes.

The point is, with low-carb you eat fewer calories and you aren't hungry. Other diets fail because people are just freakin hungry all the time.

Its that simple...combined with the fact that your body DOESN'T need refined carbs...low-carb is an obvious choice.

[jpgray]

40. If you can't be full and lose weight, you need to exercise (nt)

[info being]

45. Not sure I follow your logic

My point is true, exercise or not.

[jpgray]

49. Exercise reduces the feeling of hunger

It keeps your blood-sugar level stable, so you don't feel that gluttonous hunger associated with carbs by more sedentary people. The blood-sugar/hunger rollercoaster has more to do with a lack of exercise than eating carbs. But you are correct--proteins and fats will fill you up without needing exercise.

[info being]

53. For me, it reduces hunger temporarily...

but my body craves more calories when working out consistently. So the fact is I have to eat something...it has to be fewer calories than what I burn (or equal)...so I choose foods that fill me up and satisfy.

[LynneSin]

16. Hey, the diet works

But I always carry those Listerine Breath Strips. I know better about the nasty breath. Don't need them as much though since I'm 7 weeks into the diet and eating plenty of fruits and vegetables!

Yikes!!!!

[theivoryqueen]

20. why couldn't a person just go straight to the veggie part?

is there some reason the diet must have meat?

[LynneSin]

32. Because you want to jump start your body into burning the fat

And if you have too many carbs it just doesn't happen. That's the whole process of Ketosis (which is an indication of the fat burning).

For those of us who abuse carbs, our bodies just can't handle all that excessive sugars anymore and many time those sugars (which are carb) just end up on your ass. Plus I was drowsy all the time and easily distracted - again from sugar abuse. I could pin down exactly when I would start gettting really moody or tired and it was usually after a major carb binge.

Unfortunately Atkins doesn't work for vegetarian; however, there are other lowcarb diets out there that allow for more carbs in the beginning of the diet.

I miss pasta and bread (I've tried the low-carb varieties and it just made me pine more the real stuff). But I realize I've spent 30 some years abusing my body with Sugar and Junk Carbs. I eat healthy balanced meals every day and my willpower to excercise and stay away from those junky foods I love is pretty strong.

I love the diet and wouldn't go any other way.

[info being]

41. to feel full

Also, a diet lacking good fats and protein leads to cancer. Your cells need this stuff. You can't even absorb the vitamins from veggies without it.

[Dogmudgeon]

18. Long-time low-carb dieter here

I no longer casually make that claim to anyone. It has become embarassing. Just another False Idol to worship in the American religion of Health-and-Beauty Morality.

Low-carb eating can be very good for you, as it has been for me. The same thing can be said for well-supplemented vegetarianism, or even pigging out on sugars and fats. It all depends on the individual.

YMMV.

--bkl

[kmla]

21. I never trust a diet

that lets you eat as many pork rinds as you want - or so I heard. (High protein, I guess).

Hey, whatever works for ya.

[theivoryqueen]

24. that's funny. Bet the pigs completely disapprove

[kmla]

29. I dunno.

Never asked...

[LynneSin]

33. I tried pork rinds once

bleeeech!!!!!

Anyhow - their too salty.

My favorite snack - Sugar Free Jello Gelatin.

[geniph]

25. Personally, I don't hold with any regime

that absolutely forbids or requires any food item, providing of course that one is not actually allergic to said items or likely to die without them. I believe in moderation in all things, including moderation.

Atkins worked great for my mother - until she went off it. Then she gained 100 pounds, which was pretty horrendous, since she started from 135. It kind of has to be a lifetime thing for most people. I think moderating one's intake, and certainly moderating one's intake of the less-essential foodstuffs like sugars and saturated fats, should be a lifetime thing, but I don't think most people can successfully remain lifelong on any regime that won't allow them to have a piece of ordinary wheat bread.

And I say that as someone who voluntarily hasn't eaten red meat in 20 years. Most days, that's no problem, but I will admit I've had a sneaking desire for a pork chop lately. I just think it'd basically kill me to eat one by now.

[stanwyck]

27. What are the long range

effects of eating so much meat? Can't be good. Meat takes forever to digest...just hangs out in the intestines. Which causes bacteria to develop. Meanwhile, you're taking in fewer carbs/fiber to aid digestion. Atkins works for this reason: calories are less. Eating less calories than you burn causes weight loss. I know Atkins works. I'm just not convinced it's healthy. Better to join a group like Weight Watchers which changes your eating behavior more than just what you eat. Weight Watchers has a better track record for long-term, sustained weight loss.

[LynneSin]

34. Geez, you make it sound like I'm eating a Side of Beef everyday

Breakfast I would have 1-2 hardboiled eggs, Diet V8.
Lunch I would have a bowl of Cottage Cheese and a small salad
Dinner would be a piece of chicken or fish and steamed veggies

I would snack throughout the day on carrot sticks or one of those low carb protein bars. I took complete supplements, fiber pills and calcium.

BTW, even with the eggs my cholesterol has gone down.

I wouldn't quite say I'm eating the entire Meat department at my local Acme Grocery store. I'm just eliminating the bad foods that didn't help me lose weight - pasta, bread, junk food, etc.

Now that I'm out of the induction phase (which is the diet listed above that I did for 2 weeks), I eat more vegetables and fruit. I drink milk and I even have low-carb cereal I eat for breakfast.

Please do not make assumptions about the Atkins diet. If someone is eating excessive amounts of meat then they really aren't following the diet.

[jpgray]

38. Aarrggghhh!!! Pasta is GOOD for you!

Nothing like durum wheat pasta--penne, elbows... all in a slow-simmered cajun sauce with red and green onions, garlic, crushed tomatoes from the italian market... yes... with chicken. I would dash out that cute little "egg council" mascot's brains before I ever gave it up.

Serving sizes. That's it. Grains all over Asia, but do you see a lot of obese Vietnamese in those old war movies? Big lard-ass peasants rolling around by their hooches on their bloated bellies? No. Because their servings were on the smaller side of obscene, and they exercised a little bit each day, they didn't have a weight problem.

Do whatever works for you and don't fret about me, but don't malign my precious noodles.

:D

[LynneSin]

46. I will eat pasta on occassion

But I save it for special occasions.

And in Asia, like many other areas of the world, they haven't created a lifestyle that runs on processed foods. I'm home watching TV today and all the food commericials are for fast foods or fast foods you can make at home. Everything is quick and processed. That's why America is obese and the rest of the world isn't!

[jpgray]

50. I totally agree

I went to Hardee's for the first time in a long time, and they have this new thing called a "Thickburger" that really makes me fear for our children's future--we are being trained to consume larger and larger amounts of food, I think on the order of four times as much since the 1950s.

[info being]

47. Sure...all the other stuff you put on it is good...

but pasta adds absolutely no nutritional value. If you never ate bread or sugar or pasta in your life you'd be healthier than someone who did.

[info being]

36. Long-range effects are very positive

Think Low-carb, not Atkins. There's no reason you can't eat healthy while on a low-carb diet of no sugar and flour. The fact is, refined carbs are the worst thing you can eat. Most fat and all protein is good.

I'm 5 years into it and my health is perfect. Even had a blood test.

[jpgray]

44. Yeah, if by carbs you mean sugar

There is nothing wrong with healthy breads, grains, and fibers. A diet without carbs is one without much hope of an active lifestyle. I could never run 50 miles a week without carbs--the energy wouldn't be there.

[info being]

48. Well most people don't run 50 miles a week

very impressive.

[jpgray]

52. Not every week :-)

Unless I'm going for a race I stick to 25, but I would agree that if you don't want to exercise and you still want to lose weight, Atkins is an alternative that won't make you hungry all the time.

[Bridget Burke]

55. Yes, and people who run 50 miles a week

Don't need to go on a fad diet to stay in shape.

[MercutioATC]

56. Not no-carb, but low-carb.

You're right about the energy level, however. It does initially drop (at least it did for me).

[info being]

35. An important tip for Atkins dieters

Use a Potassium suppliment. It will restore the energy drain you feel in the morning while in kytosis.

Low-carb for life, baby!

[LynneSin]

43. I take those too

Plus the fiber supplements. Believe me, those first 2 weeks I needed them

:eyes:

Thanks for the great info about the 5 years. I read another post where someone's mother did Atkins but gained the weight back. I look at my weight problem the way an alcoholic would deal with booze, a recovering drug addict would look at their favorite drugs.

I have to do this one day at a time. I can't tell you how badly my body would crave sugar to the point that I was eat about 4-5 candybars/bags of chips A DAY!!! I was jonesing for sugar to the point that I would be scrounging through my desk finding just a few more coins so I could buy more sugar. IT WAS PATHETIC.

I will be low carb the rest of my life. End of discussion. There are certain foods that I just won't eat anymore (the junk food) and certain foods that I'll give myself permission on occasion to eat (like if my mother is making my favorite lasagna). But I'm taking this one day at a time. Today I will not eat any junk food or anything else that is empy calories/process carbs.

It's not a diet - it's a way of life.

It was encouraging to read your post. Folks either understand the Atkins process or they don't.

[info being]

51. That's EXACTLY it

If you mess up one day or two in a row for that matter...well, get back on it the third. That's how you make it a lifestyle. You're eyes have been open and you'll never eat the way you used to because you know better.

Leaving a low-carb diet is like voting Republican after understanding Chomsky. Not likely.

It is way of life. I lost 40 lbs. originally and have stayed consistently in shape for 5 years.

I don't know if you live near Trader Joes, but they are now offering very good low-carb chips, bread, and chocolate. It really isn't a matter of sacrifice these days...but smart decisions.

Best wishes to you!

[ScreamingMeemie]

54. My mother in law learned the hard way. Atkins by reading the book and

not consulting a Doctor...Guess who had a heart attack???