The anti-Atkins diet thread. Post your alternative healthy diets here.

[Liberal Veteran]

Personally, as I am starting to transition from youth to middle age (which means I am heading into my 40's in a couple of years, and yes 40 to 60 is roughly considered middle-aged), I am looking at healthy diets and am leaning toward a Mediterranean diet:

[jpgray]

1. That'll work, but you might have to count cals if you want to lose weight

Find what keeps your weight at equilibirum, and try to lose 1-2 pounds per week based on that. The most important part of this will be the daily physical activity, because if you don't keep your blood-sugar fairly stable by exercise, you will feel hungry. But after a while, you'll be adjusted and in great health. That pyramid looks okay to me, but I would go sweet potatoes instead of regular.

[Liberal Veteran]

4. I am one of those people that have to work to GAIN weight.

I have always been a thin individual who had difficulties gaining weight . I am 5'7" and the most I have ever weighed in life was 145lbs. Currently sitting at 140lbs.

As it stands, my doctor is constantly harping on me to put on a few more pounds.

[jpgray]

5. This'll work well, then

You may have to up the protein a *little* bit if you want to build muscle more quickly--fish would be great for that, as the pyramid shows, with healthy Omega-3 fats and such. Depending on how intensely you want to exercise, you may not need much of a change. Just go with what feels right, and if you don't like where it's going in a three or four weeks, change part of it. :)

[Skittles]

27. hey lv

shut the f*** up, OK? :7

[Lisa0825]

2. oops, my mistake:-)

I do a healthier version of the high-pro diet. Moderately higher in protein than the standard food pyramid, but LEAN proteins only, like lean cuts of beef, fish, chicken breats, etc. Moderately LOWER in carbs, and only whole grain carbs, like wheat bread and brown rice. LOTS of veggies, and a fruit snack twice a day. It ends up being about 1300-1700 calories a day, depending on what I choose. I lost 50 pounds in 5 months a couple years ago on this diet (along with exercise). I gained half of it back, so now I am back on it again. I haven't read up, but I have heard that it is similar to the South Beach diet.

On days when I don't feel much like cooking, I have a Scan-Diet shake for 2 meals. It's soy based and rich in protein.

edited bc I misunderstood the graphic

[Emillereid]

3. I'm a nutritionist -- and whether or not you decide to do Atkins,

I would suggest you go easy on the grains -- most of them have a high glycemic index and raise insulin too much which in middle age can put on the fat real fast. Read www.mercola.com for reasonable diet ideas. Or eat like your ancestors: www.paleodiet.com. BTW, there's no reason meat can't be part of a healthy diet; pasture fed, organic is best.

[Liberal Veteran]

6. When I use the word "diet" I was not referring to weight-loss regimen...

...I meant it literally. I think one of our biggest problems in our society is that we misuse the term diet to mean "weight loss program" instead of the term diet to mean the types of food we regularly consume period.

[Emillereid]

14. I wasn't suggesting diets to lose weight --

these diets are meant for health. I think the core of a healthy diet regimen are meat (including poultry, fish, beef, etc.), vegetables (the more colorful, the better), legumes (if they are properly soaked to inhibit phytates), real (not man made) fats and low glycemic fruits such as berries and cantaloup. As we get older it is important to keep our insulin under control -- high insulin is implicated in all sorts of health problems. You can be skinny and have high insulin. In a couple of longevity studies those who made it to one hundred were more likely to have low insulin, high HDL cholesterol and low triglycerides. Food for thought. An incredible diet/nutrition book I recommend in "Nourishing Traditions" by Sally Falon and Mary Enig. Protein Power Life Plan and Atkins for Life are also good.

[Liberal Veteran]

18. Sorry...wasn't really aiming that at you. Just a pet peeve...

...of mine that too many people think diet and "weight loss program" are synonymous. I chose your post because as a nutritionist, I know you would understand the difference between the terms.

[BiggJawn]

7. You're 100% spot-on!

I'm a middle-aged diabetic who goes on a sugar high and gains 10# just SMELLING fresh bread!

Since sandwiches are kinda messy w/o some bread to hold them together, I've switched to the coarsest stuff Breadsmith offers.

thanks for the links!

[jpgray]

8. Unless liberal-veteran tracks his meats for miles across the tundra

like the Paleo-diet's progenitors, he *probably* won't need much more than 1-2 decent servings of animal protein a day. As long as you burn what you eat or more, you will not gain fat.

[htuttle]

9. I'm like Jack Spratt nowdays

Stomach problems (ulcer related) lead to me not being able to eat any mammal fat anymore, which basically means, no more mammal meat. At all. No beef, no pork, no lamb.

My typical dinner is a small bit of chicken or turkey, with some sort of carbo, such as a potato or cous cous, or beans of some kind. Now and then I throw a side of green vegetables on. Sometimes, some cheese (in moderation), etc... I eat chicken in some form nearly every day, but not huge amounts of it at any one time.

Most importantly, when I'm not hungry anymore, I stop eating (and the dog gets the rest). I rarely allow myself to eat to the point where I feel quite 'full', but rather stop when i'm 'not hungry'.

Lunch: commonly rehydrated chicken soup/broth, maybe chips. Somedays, just chips. Somedays, just soup/broth.

Breakfast: something sweet (a danish, a few cookies, etc...), coffee (no sugar) and a can of Apple Juice when possible.

I'm very sedentary nowdays, but haven't put on any weight that I'm aware of. I'm also pretty used to being somewhat hungry, however, and given my experience with meat-related stomach cramps over the last few years, I'd rather be hungry than doubled-over with cramps.

Not that I don't miss mammal meat. Somedays, I'd KILL for a brat or Italian sausage! Ground turkey with appropriate spicing works as a substitute. (There are also some great Italian chicken dishes I treat myself to from time to time, like Chicken Marsala with artichokes and mushrooms, etc...). I miss Gyro's a lot as well, but haven't yet found a good substitute for spiced lamb.

[Lefty48197]

10. Count calories

Multiply your body weight by about 14, and that will tell you how many calories you burn on a daily basis. If you eat less, then you will lose weight (Ignore the daily swings on the scale and have faith! It will work!)
If you under eat by about 3600 calories, then you have lost one pound. Take them one at a time... Be patient and have faith.

[BiggJawn]

11. Med diet is good for you.

I am going to it. I still eat too much meat, not enough fruits and veggies, but I'm learning.
Read the label, if it has Hydrogenated ANYTHING in it, put it back on the shelf. I don't use margerine, a pound of butter lasts a year (good thing it freezes well) and Olive Oil for everything. Baggette dipped in O-O is yummy. I use the extra-light oil where I don't want any flavour (eggs fried in extr-virgin are....interesting.....) I enjoy eating olives, too. Imported Med olives, not those funny things in the can from Gropenfuhrerland...

The problem I see with Atkins (and other diets, like the "South Beach Diet") is that it focuses on a short-term solution to a life-long problem. We all know people who say "I lost 70 pounds on Atkin's, but I gained it all back PLUS 20 when I went off it.". I think that what you lose on Atkins may be mostly water-weight along with the fat. you lose 50 pounds and think you can go right back to the diet that put all that weight on you in the first place...Well! I wouldn't go on one of those if I was just looking for a balanced diet. I don't think there's much balance to them.

what we need to do is make conscious life-changes in the way we eat. Less free-radicals, less trans-fatty acids, more "fish oil", more fiber. And less high-glycemic index carbs.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

12. Check with your doctor

That's what I did. Had blood tests, did a complete family health history. Found out I was thyroid deficient and carbohydrate sensitive. The diet I'm on is not Atkins, though it is similar in that I don't do very many carbs. I also take supplements like fish oil and chromium each day, one to thin the blood and the other to regulate blood sugar. So you see this diet is individual to me. I've been on it for about a year now, and have no intention of getting off it, as it is easy to live with and makes my body want to eat things that are good for me, like veggies.

[MaineDem]

13. I go by a combo of Weight Watchers and Diabetic Exchanges

I find counting points on WW very easy to follow and easy to stick to. As my weight goes down so does the amount of food I can eat daily. It's a gradual thing and I've been doing it now for almost 2 years. So far I've lost 140 pounds.

I'm doing this on my own, though. I'm not actually a WW member. My doctor's nurse weighs me each week to keep me accountable.

I never use the word "diet". It sounds trite to call it a "lifestyle change" but that's exactly what it is. I've become fanatical about weighing my food. I measure almost everything (or I did until I understood what the portion sizes were)and I still weigh my proteins especially. It's really easy for me to misjudge portion sizes.

I also have come to realize that eliminating anything from my "diet" completely just won't work for me. If I'm out and my husband has french fries I'll have one - just one - and I'm fine. Same with something like fried shrimp or clams. One and I'm okay. And I count the point value. That's what I love about WW. Everything has a value and as long as I'm within my range for the day I'm okay.

I have cut down on processed food - white flour, white rice, for example. I try to eat soy products a few times a week and I just love wild rice.

And just as important as what you eat are exercise and water. I think my water bill has skyrocketed because I flush that silly toilet so many times a day. :)

I'm 52 and it hasn't been easy to lose this weight but it's working slowly and I'm happy with things.

Good luck. :)

[chaska]

15. anybody ever notice this?

Whenever I overdo the carbs I tend to get zits.

[Emillereid]

17. I recently read a story that confirmed that you are not alone --

it's on my computer somewhere. I'll try to find the link.

[m-jean03]

16. The "macrobiotic" diet is truly superior

I promise, just try it for 10 days. The balance of yin and yang applies to all living things & whole food nourishes whole people. This is our native human diet. Disease is not just from pathogens, it's also from the condition of the body becoming to expanded or contracted/deficient or excessive/cold or hot. If you study this, I bet that you'll likely gain some helpful insight into your health and emotions.

Our mental and physical health have been getting out of whack in this past century from all the industrialized, processed and imported food we eat.
Where do you live?Mediteranean diet is good for a mediteranean climate. You're on the right track with a mostly vegeterian diet. And grains are very good but remember, all grains should be whole grain!

http://www.cybermacro.com

Or look for "The Self-Healing Cookbook" by Kristina Turner at
http://www.amazon.com

Aveline Kushi, Michio Kushi, and George Ohsawa are other good authors.
So, give it a try & have fun!

[ldoolin]

19. Low-carb alternatives to Atkins

I'm partial to Sugar Busters and The Zone myself. They're both relatively low carb but, unlike Atkins, don't rely on ketosis to work. Atkins isn't low carb, it's no carb, and therefore causes muscle loss as much as it causes fat loss. Ketosis isn't a natural state for your body to be in and can increase the risk of kidney stones.

With Sugar Busters I was able to get rid of my beer belly/spare tire, and then I switched to The Zone for maintenance once I lost enough weight. Worked for me. I didn't lose weight as fast as the Atkins fans say they did, but those are probably much more healthy diets than Atkins.

[Shakespeare]

20. I think you're confusing ketosis with ketoacidosis....

Two very different things--ketosis is very safe for the body, ketoacidosis is not.

[LynneSin]

32. Atkins is NOT no carb

You spend 2 weeks on 20 carbs or less (which believe me I still got plenty of greens in my system) and then you start adding the carbs back into your diet.

The purpose of the 2 weeks of low-carb is to get your body jump started into weight loss. Remember, carbs burn first then fat and for many of us on the Atkins Plan (it's a lifetime plan, not a diet) we were probably carb addicts and our body was all out of wack from processed carbs in our system. Many of us suffered with mood-swings, depression, insomnia and drowsiness (mostly during waking hours) because of our carb binges.

I'm 7 weeks on the Atkins plan. If you saw my daily diet you wouldn't think I was on Atkins, but just doing healthy eating. I eat fruits and veggies now and I'm still hesitant to bring too many grains back into my diet but I may add a few here and there. I've never taken any type of diet supplement that had ephredra, ma huang or caffeine in it (btw, I'm not a caffeine person - even the tea that I drink is decaf).

It's irritating to see this negativity about Atkins. It is NOT a diet for everyone, but it works well for those who need to break their addiction to carbohydrates. Believe me, I'd jones for sugar the way Rush Limbaugh would jones for oxycontin!!!

But please do not call Atkins a NO-CARB plan because it is not. It's a system of breaking the bad eating habits and then learning how to eat healthy again. And it's the best plan for those with carbohydrate addictions (which believe me - it's real).

(Gets off her high horse and remembers how great it was last night when she fit into that dress she loved so much but outgrew)

[MaryBear]

21. South Beach is a good one,

and available on-line.

[Cleita]

22. The beer diet.

A friend of mine used this. You drink beer instead of eat. She was quite svelte until she went into re-hab and re-emerged a sober fatty. I don't recommned it. :-)

[FDRrocks]

23. Veganism :)

It's practically the anti-atkins diet.

[chefgirl]

24. Low fat, high volume

I lost an awful lot of weight eating low fat, high volume foods with an eye toward ALL things in moderation.
Not too many carbs in relation to fruits and vegetables. Not too much meat in relation to carbs, etc.
VERY little fat......just enough to keep your skin from getting crusty....lol.
Lots and lots of water to keep the system running clean.
Exercise, per se, wasn't all that crucial to me as I walk miles (at a brisk pace) every day at work.

More than anything, though, what I really learned is that ALL diets will take the weight off. The problem is that you cant live your life eating that way, so the only way to truly lose it correctly and keep it off is to change your eating habits and make healthy choices.
Again, all things in moderation is the key, IMHO.

I'm convinced that the people who are religiously adhering to the Atkins diet are going to begin showing long term ill effects. The science of it just seems so wrong to me.

-chef-

[JVS]

25. My friend swears on a diet of coffee and cigarettes

[corarose]

26. I lost 100 pounds on Dr. Goldberg's Diet and so did some of my friends

You didn't count calories, measure or weigh anything. It was all chemically balanced and you didn't feel empty you felt full.

[Awsi Dooger]

28. I've lost 10 pounds in 10 days on my GO and NO diet

Simple, eat anything you want one day (until midnight), then zilch the next. It's ideal for me, especially since I joyously stuff myself on the GO days. This time the weight loss has been admittedly quicker than normal because I've been laying off the crap. Sometimes I dominate an entire Carvel Ice Cream Cake on the GO evenings, somehow delaying my progress.

I always gain 15+ pounds while with my parents in Miami over the holidays, so this loss is an annual necessity of early December.

[sujan]

29. Question

Can you do atkins diet through your entire life?

I thought it was just a temporary remedy to lose weight.

[sujan]

30. The best book on weight loss EVER

http://www.fourmilab.ch/hackdiet/www/hackdiet.html

[ulysses]

31. we eat along those lines

We have more meat and chicken than is in the Med. diet, but a lot less than we used to. I'm firmly in the anti-Atkins camp. Grains are the foundation.

I've been experimenting some with cooking Japanese dishes. The sanity of it is appealing, and it seems like a very healthful way to eat. I have to really up the portions a lot because I probably burn 2,500 calories a day now that I'm teaching again, but it's all relative. It helps to live near a superb farmer's market and a little Asian grocery.

edit: One thing we do with beef in order to eat less and still enjoy it is to broil six or eight ounces of london broil (med. rare), slice it as thinly as we can, and throw a little olive oil and capers at it. Couscous and steamed asparagus, Kalamata olives if we're feeling rich, and we're set. The meat is enough for both of us.