opinion--no carb diet

Hellllllo Nurse, BSN, RN · Jan 17, 2004

Where I work, our registered dietician has a Master's in nutrition.

She follows a low-carb high protein way of eating. I've done Atkins for the better part of two years. I've lost 60 lbs, gone from a size 22 to a size 14. My cholesteral has gone from 235 to 155.

Now, tell me again why Atkins is bad? :rolleyes:

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jan 17, 2004

There is nothing wrong with a diet that includes lean meats and lots of veggies. There's MDs in the Physcian's Committee for Responsible Medicine that would rather see vegans eat this kind of diet than one that is full of the wrong kinds of things. What they object to is for the sake of loosing weight people are eating very high saturated fat diets and neglecting important vitamins and minerals found in vegetables and fruits.

The diet that the PCFRM promotes, the low saturated fat, vegan diet has been proven effective in lowering cholestoral, weight, etc. etc. I think they may be a bit behind the times however on some of the latest research that the Atkins diet, as Hellllllo Nurse states, as some proven positive results. Also, they don't seem as concerned with the glycemic index as they should be, but they are getting there. I've read Dr. Bearnard's book "Breaking the Food Addiction" and I've read Atkins, Protein Power and South Beach. So I've read both sides.

I worry about people on Atkins. They don't follow it properly. A coworker of mine is on the diet and was so proud of herself, "All I had today was a piece of sausage, some eggs and bacon, and hot wings". Flame me if you will, but this kind of eating is foolish. (She is long past induction.) So many people on Atkins eat like this. So many people on Atkins eat low carb candies and cakes, fatty foods and are a nutritional nightmare. Yes they are loosing weight, and yes their cholestorol may even drop.

Many vegans and many low fat dieters are a nutritional nightmare as well.

I think a diet that promotes lean meats, low saturated fats, low carb is o.k. as long as it promotes lots of fruits and veggies. I think the diet that the PCFRM promotes is a good diet as well. (It just does not agree with my digestive system.) Neither is hogwash. Both can be healthy.

That's my two cents and I'm sticking too it. :)

sbic56, BSN, RN · Jan 17, 2004

Good post, Tweety. You summed it up well by saying that all of the popular diets can be good or poor depending on how well they are followed. I, too, have seen how people use Atkins as an excuse to load up on mostly meat and cheese and neglect the rest, even past induction. Low fat dieters that go for those low fat, but high carb goodies are defeating themselves as much as the previous group. Pure vegans need to be careful or they won't get nearly enough protein.

If done properly, the Atkins maintainance diet, a vegetarian diet and a low fat diet are all healthy diets as long as necessary nutrients are consumed; it's those who don't follow their chosen diet as they were intended that run into trouble.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jan 18, 2004

This week cover story in Newsweek I noticed at today's grocery store is about carbs.

It states a lot of things that have been said in this thread already. If anyone is interested link below.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3927814/

sbic56, BSN, RN · Jan 18, 2004

Thanks for the very informative article, Tweety!

I think most of us can agree on it's content. It is the diet extremes that are so controversial, such as the Atkins induction phase and ultra low fat diets. This closing statement of the article is what I'm talking about and really isn't far off from Atkins maintainence diet, is it?

A diet that includes fish, poultry, beans, nuts, fruits and vegetables, whole grains and vegetable oils can work for weight control even as it reduces the risks of heart disease, diabetes and several cancers. In other words, it can bring you greater benefits than any medicine yet invented. It tastes better, too.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jan 19, 2004

Here's another article on Article on Atkins I stumbled across.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=594&e=1&u=/nm/20040118/hl_nm/health_atkins_dc

MiaLyse, APRN · Jan 19, 2004

>

I think this is where the problem has been. People don't fully read the book. I have heard so many people say that Atkins is all meat and fat. Then I know they haven't read the book.

Kelly

jtfreel · Jan 19, 2004

My husband and myself are on the low carb diet under a physician's supervision. Results: bad cholesterol down, good CHOL up, better management for hypothyroid, blood pressure down, overall improvement in mood and affect. Lifelong? I will continue to watch simple carbs and will choose wisely. Mike was a lover of bread, rice, pasta, etc. After 3 days, however, he adjusted and (as men do) continues to lose nicely. This diet-or any weight loss diet is better than obesity.