opinion--no carb diet

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Jan 12, 2004

NO carb? That's dangerous.

LilRedRN1973 · Jan 12, 2004

Interesting. I never heard that. Got any reference to that?

I will ask both my aunt (a nutritionist) and my A&P professor. They are the ones who gave me this information after my grandfather went on the Atkins diet. I was asking what ketones were and how they affected the body. They explained it to me in great detail and I wish I could remember everything that was said. Personally, I disagree with the Atkins diet because I had less energy without consuming complex carbs. I agree that staying away from all the processed sugars and white flour products is much healthier and does promote weight loss. But telling me I can't have a banana or drink a big glass of milk...nope, nuh-uh! I do realize that the only really low, low carb phase of Atkins is the induction, but you still have to keep it under 70-100g of carbs in phase 4. I tried the Atkins for a short period of time (until I spoke to my aunt and professor). I wasn't able to get all the fiber I need after cutting out my oatmeal, brown rice, and the occasional slice of wheat bread. I also didn't have the energy needed to complete a workout at the gym and would get tired after about 30 minutes. And the worst part was my bodyfat was going up, even though my weight was going down! I lost 8lbs in two weeks quite easily, but did notice that my bodyfat had increased. After Atkins, I did Body for Life and much preferred that program. I lost 7% of bodyfat and went from a size 12 to a 6. I ate 6 times a day and was never hungry. My workouts were intense and productive and I felt great! I still made sure I ate quality carbs and kept my protein/carb/fat ratio to 40/40/20.

sbic56, BSN, RN · Jan 12, 2004

Originally posted by SnowymtnRN
I think a lot of people ARE using it as a quick fix, but as soon as they realize its a change of life, not a diet of the moment, they could really do well overall.

It isn't realistic to think that one can stay on this diet forever, IMO. It is very hard to make very low carb a lifestyle and therein lies the problem.

sbic56, BSN, RN · Jan 12, 2004

Melanie

I'm with you 100% on this. The diet and exercise regimen you follow is optimal and will work for life. I try to follow a similar one. I think people don't want to hear that they have to work out and work out hard and regularly if they want to be slim and fit. Fitness is no deep dark secret, but it does require a lifestyle change. Our lives have changed tremendously since the industrial revolution forward. We require less caloric intake than ever before, but instead are consuming far more. Our increased consumption of processed foods, sugars, white flour is the biggest reason for our obesity. Couple that with greatly reduced physical activity and it's a no brainer as to why 60% of Americans are overweight!

SnowymtnRN · Jan 12, 2004

Originally posted by sbic56
It isn't realistic to think that one can stay on this diet forever, IMO. It is very hard to make very low carb a lifestyle and therein lies the problem.

I disagree. If you read the Atkins book, then the Atkins For LIfe book, you DO re-introduce carbs in your diet after you reach goal, but its a learning phase, and you have to learn what are good vs. bad, what packs on pounds on you vs. the next person, etc...Not to mention this is a great cardiac diet as well. A close friend of mine has tried everything to lower his cholesterol, and he's in his mid 30's, on meds, exercise, only needs to lose 20 pounds. So his doc recommended Atkins for Life (not the beginner Atkins with induction, etc..) and he started with his carb count of 60 gms a day. now he's up to 100, but after 6 weeks, his level went form 366 to 160. :eek: That's proof in the pudding! Now he maintains at about 100 grams a day, and honestly i think 100 is a great amount. Nobody needs more than that do they?? its a total lifestyle change, not a quick fix.

sbic56, BSN, RN · Jan 12, 2004

SnowymtnRN

I suppose it is what you beleive you can live with as a lifestyle. For me, 100grams of carbs would not be enough. I'd exhaust that with say, a cup of brown rice, a banana and a sweet potato, all foods I like and that are nutritionally sound. I don't like much for meat, so that part would be another problem. I am not saying Atkins would not work for some, but surely not for me.

Hellllllo Nurse, BSN, RN · Jan 12, 2004

Atkins is a change of lifestyle, not a diet. I've been doing Atkins for over two years now. I've lost 6o lbs, and have gone from size 20-22 to a size 14. I still crave carbs and occasionally fall off of the wagon and eat carbs and sugar. I enjoy it, but boy does it make me feel terrible!

I feel physically unhealthy when I eat high carb.

The Dept of Agriculture had just revised the food pyramid- white bread, potatos and rice are now at the top of the pyramid in the "use sparingly" catagory.

I think low carbing is here to stay.

sbic56, BSN, RN · Jan 12, 2004

I think low carbing is here to stay.

I think it will run it's course similarly to the way ultra low fat diets did. I jumped on that wagon for a bit a few years back. I felt nauseous if I ate any fat after being on that diet for awhile and realized that probably was telling me something. I think it is the same with the very low carb diets; if you get sick by eating an occasional excess of carbs, then your body is telling you something there, as well. I agree that the food pyramid needed to be redistributed. People do eat way to many carbs and that causes a whole host of problems, especially with insulin regulation. Still, I beleive we need the nutruients in fruits, whole grains and vegetables and the low carb diets don't allow enough of those foods to satisfy those requirements.

But, we will all have our opinions and if low carbing is working where nothing else has, then for some it may be the answer. For the vast majority of people, I don't see that as the case.

nursecompassion · Jan 12, 2004

I think Carbs are essential and should not be cut out of a persons diet.

You just need to know the difference between the bad carbs and good ones.

RNPD · Jan 12, 2004

"Still, I beleive we need the nutruients in fruits, whole grains and vegetables and the low carb diets don't allow enough of those foods to satisfy those requirements." -sbic56

Diet is a lifestyle and if you choose wisely you can eat low carb for life and still eat all the poster above mentions.

On a 60 gram carb/day diet I have almost unlimited amts of veggies-I do watch carrot intake and don't eat corn-but I enjoy lettuce, cukes, celery, onions, green peppers, mushrooms, etc. As for fruits, I prefer to eat carbs rather than drink them so I stay away fom fruit juice but have an apple, or a pear a day-or maybe a handful of grapes or berries. If you like bananas, by all means, have one-just subtract the carbs from your daily total. There are low carb whole grain breads and bagels out there if you look for them-they provide fiber, protein, and and taste pretty good. Atkins and Weight Watchers are good.

My typical diet is

Breakfast:

oatmeal or cream of wheat made with nonfat milk (not water) and tea or coffee with nonfat milk,

alt. eggs with breakfast meat (bacon, sausage etc).

alt. low carb bagel with cream cheese

lunch:

salad with chicken, tuna, turkey, cheese, or ham (sometimes small amounts of two or more)

snack: fruit or small amt peanuts or slice of cheese

dinner:

meat, fish, or poultry and a salad, sometimes sauteed veggies as well. An occasional baked potato or sweet potato-maybe 2 or 3 times week.

snack:

fruit (if I didn't have it earlier), or a low fat low carb ice cream or sugar free jelo

I drink only water (at least 6 glasses a day) decaf tea or decaf coffee. I am satisfied, have lost 20 pounds and rarely crave carbs, although if I do I have something forbidden such as a cookie or two. That is usually enough to satisfy me. Depending on what I eat the rest of the day and the choice of sweets I make, I usually don't even go over 60 carbs that day. I admit, I don't eat rice or pasta (although I loved both). I haven't been able to find an acceptably tasting alternative.

I can't see myself ever going back to my high carb diet. I am quite satisfied, my last cholesterol was down to around 180, I have great energy most days, work out 3 times a week at a gym.

I also did not think I could do this. In fact it took me about 3 weeks after I "officially" started to actually start it seriously and then about a month before I got comfortable with my choices and way of eating. Now it has become a habit and I don't choose any new foods w/o first reading the nutrition label. BTW if you live near a Subway, the new low carb wraps are excellent and satisfying for luch. I highly recommend them!

I ws unsuccessful at weight loss until I started this diet 6 months ago. It works for me and I think that is the key-find what works for you-a diet that can become a lifestyle-and exercise. That is the key to weight loss.

SnowymtnRN · Jan 12, 2004

Originally posted by sbic56
SnowymtnRN

I suppose it is what you beleive you can live with as a lifestyle. For me, 100grams of carbs would not be enough. I'd exhaust that with say, a cup of brown rice, a banana and a sweet potato, all foods I like and that are nutritionally sound. I don't like much for meat, so that part would be another problem. I am not saying Atkins would not work for some, but surely not for me.

I hope you didn't think i was being argumentative, cuz i didn't mean to be! What can i say, i'm 28 weeks pregnant!!!! sometimes my foot shoots off before the words make nice sense! i agree with you, a lot of people CAN'T do Atkins, its especially hard for vegetarian or people who eat little meat. But like i said before, no one diet will work for everyone. I have a friend who's doing WW and has done it for years and maintains her weight quite well. She could never do low carb, but then again why should she? WW works for her, she's happy and is healthy!

Again, i'm sorry if i came across as judgemental and grouchy. Its those preggo horomones....ask my dh! :chuckle

sbic56, BSN, RN · Jan 12, 2004

RNPD

I hear what you are saying, but I don't think I could satify my veggie/grain/fruit needs on 100 gms carbs. I like yams and whole grain breads, brown rice and beans. The veggies you mention are not the best ones nutritionally. I'm not a fan of meat and I don't eat pork at all. So, you see, this lifestyle is not my cup of tea, because of those things. (Besides, I am not overweight, just trying to stay healthy.)