Dangers of the Atkins Diet!
#31
FitDay Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 1
@vsabino It's simple don't count the fiber or sugar alcohols. You should know if you eat large amounts of sugar alcohols some of it will be digested.
Oh and you can get the strips in drug stores usually in the diabetic section. good luck!
Oh and you can get the strips in drug stores usually in the diabetic section. good luck!
#32
FitDay Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 82
ketosis test strips
At the CVS by me, the "Ketostix" ketosis test strips used to be carried in the same section with the pregnancy tests (and other urine test kits), but because of low demand they stopped stocking them regularly and now they have to be ordered as a "no prescription pharmacy special order item." If you can't readily find them in your drug store, just ask for them at the pharmacy counter and be prepared to wait a few days if they have to be ordered. There are also lots of places you can order them online.
Dave
___________________________________________
stats, inspired by Ron
Male, 6'0" tall, 37 y/o
Starting weight, 4/19/10 (started Atkins) = 287
6/16/10 (finished Atkins book & joined Fitday) = 261
latest weight 8/03/10 = 244.5
mini goal (wedding) 9/4/10 = 235
ultimate goal for lifetime maintenance by 4/19/11 (one year mark, 100 pounds loss) = 187
This will be my lightest weight since high school!
Dave
___________________________________________
stats, inspired by Ron
Male, 6'0" tall, 37 y/o
Starting weight, 4/19/10 (started Atkins) = 287
6/16/10 (finished Atkins book & joined Fitday) = 261
latest weight 8/03/10 = 244.5
mini goal (wedding) 9/4/10 = 235
ultimate goal for lifetime maintenance by 4/19/11 (one year mark, 100 pounds loss) = 187
This will be my lightest weight since high school!
#33
FitDay Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 64
Any diet with phases is a fad diet. Lifestyle change is something you do for life and not just a phase.
And I am sure you all know better than the American Heart Association when it comes to dieting, eh?
High-Protein Diets
And I am sure you all know better than the American Heart Association when it comes to dieting, eh?
High-Protein Diets
#34
FitDay Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 165
Maybe its something about the thermic effect of food? Maybe the process of digesting 10g of fiber increases your rate of metabolism enough to burn off an extra 10g of carbs, leading to 2g of net carb just floating around... This is just a guess.
One thing you could try is to do the Atkins diet phases using whole foods instead of the processed Atkins products. I don't find them to be much better than other processed "health" packaged foods (granted I've never actually eaten any — just looked at the labeling).
One thing you could try is to do the Atkins diet phases using whole foods instead of the processed Atkins products. I don't find them to be much better than other processed "health" packaged foods (granted I've never actually eaten any — just looked at the labeling).
Yeah I agree, there are TONS of sugar alcohols too in those Atkins bars, not sure why they suggest them (or why they don't make better ones). Better not to eat them at all probably. What about the Atkins protein shakes? They only have 2g net carbs but they probably slow down weight loss as well?
#35
FitDay Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 1
At the CVS by me, the "Ketostix" ketosis test strips used to be carried in the same section with the pregnancy tests (and other urine test kits), but because of low demand they stopped stocking them regularly and now they have to be ordered as a "no prescription pharmacy special order item." If you can't readily find them in your drug store, just ask for them at the pharmacy counter and be prepared to wait a few days if they have to be ordered. There are also lots of places you can order them online.
Dave
___________________________________________
stats, inspired by Ron
Male, 6'0" tall, 37 y/o
Starting weight, 4/19/10 (started Atkins) = 287
6/16/10 (finished Atkins book & joined Fitday) = 261
latest weight 8/03/10 = 244.5
mini goal (wedding) 9/4/10 = 235
ultimate goal for lifetime maintenance by 4/19/11 (one year mark, 100 pounds loss) = 187
This will be my lightest weight since high school!
Dave
___________________________________________
stats, inspired by Ron
Male, 6'0" tall, 37 y/o
Starting weight, 4/19/10 (started Atkins) = 287
6/16/10 (finished Atkins book & joined Fitday) = 261
latest weight 8/03/10 = 244.5
mini goal (wedding) 9/4/10 = 235
ultimate goal for lifetime maintenance by 4/19/11 (one year mark, 100 pounds loss) = 187
This will be my lightest weight since high school!
#36
FitDay Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 82
Don't go away mad, just go away.
Any diet with phases is a fad diet. Lifestyle change is something you do for life and not just a phase.
And I am sure you all know better than the American Heart Association when it comes to dieting, eh?
High-Protein Diets
And I am sure you all know better than the American Heart Association when it comes to dieting, eh?
High-Protein Diets
In terms of the AHA recommendations, they are failing to account for a few things. For one, they don't account for the fact that the most severe carbohydrate restriction is only in the first stages of the Atkins plan. They also don't account for the fact that the Atkins plan calls for eating plenty of fiber-rich leafy green vegetables. Even during induction phase, the plan calls for a minimum of 12-15g a day of these type of carbohydrate sources. In my own experience (I am doing a prolonged induction phase until I get to within 10 pounds of my goal weight), I eat broccoli, cauliflower, and spinach every day, and often complement my dinner protein with a garden salad. Finally, they have evidently chosen to completely ignore the multivitamin recommendations from the Atkins plan. That is no surprise, since I am sure many people who follow the plan also choose to ignore the multivitamin recommendation, but that doesn't change the fact that the plan insists that a good multivitamin is essential, especially during induction phase.
If you don't like Atkins because it has phases and because the AHA says that these type of diets need more research, then you are free to choose another eating plan. That doesn't change the fact that Atkins has helped many people who were at great risk of heart disease and diabetes. I fell into that group just six months ago, but have since then lost over 40 pounds, eliminated the need for diabetes medication, and erased nearly every risk factor for heart disease. My blood work is now virtually "normal," and that is because of the Atkins diet. Understand the fact that most people who start the Atkins plan are making a change from an unhealthy lifestyle that often includes suffering from obesity and heart disease risk to one that is devoid of both. Any diet, even Atkins, can be challenging at times, and vague and negative accusations such as those you made are not welcomed in a forum where people need encouragement. As an alternative, I invite you to take your comments to a forum that discusses the type of eating plan you are more comfortable with.
I could provide a link to an article that directly refutes the accusations about the health risks suggested by the AHA, but there are far too many to limit it to just one. I suggest you do a google search for "inuit diet and heart disease," "treating metabolic syndrome with diet," "ketogenic diet and diabetes," "ketosis and weight loss," etc. There is lots of evidence to the contrary out there.
Dave
___________________________________________
stats, inspired by Ron
Male, 6'0" tall, 37 y/o
Starting weight, 4/19/10 (started Atkins) = 287
6/16/10 (finished Atkins book & joined Fitday) = 261
latest weight 8/03/10 = 244.5
mini goal (wedding) 9/4/10 = 235
ultimate goal for lifetime maintenance by 4/19/11 (one year mark, 100 pounds loss) = 187
This will be my lightest weight since high school!
#37
FitDay Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 82
Yeah I agree, there are TONS of sugar alcohols too in those Atkins bars, not sure why they suggest them (or why they don't make better ones). Better not to eat them at all probably. What about the Atkins protein shakes? They only have 2g net carbs but they probably slow down weight loss as well?
Dave
___________________________________________
stats, inspired by Ron
Male, 6'0" tall, 37 y/o
Starting weight, 4/19/10 (started Atkins) = 287
6/16/10 (finished Atkins book & joined Fitday) = 261
latest weight 8/03/10 = 244.5
mini goal (wedding) 9/4/10 = 235
ultimate goal for lifetime maintenance by 4/19/11 (one year mark, 100 pounds loss) = 187
This will be my lightest weight since high school!
#38
FitDay Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Nova Scotia
Posts: 5
I was on Atkins from last August to March of this past year and I honestly had never felt better. After phase I, I was probably eating less meat than most people, but I was eating other sources of protein. The real magic for me was that I it really curbed my appetite. I didn't crave sweets anymore. I did a gradual slide since March, completely stopping in June and have gained about 15 pounds. Like the carb addict I am, I made little deals with myself, for the first couple of months losing control bit by bit, but now I spend most of the day thinking I deserve a treat. I will be starting Atkins again next week, and only hope I'm never stupid enought to stop again. I feel miserable, bloated and hormonal... I ate next to no packaged food while I was on Atkins and tons of veggies, a fair amount of nuts and a small amount of fruits daily. A far cry healthier by any standard than my current diet or the average North American diet.
#39
FitDay Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 82
Second timers unite :)
I was on Atkins from last August to March of this past year and I honestly had never felt better. After phase I, I was probably eating less meat than most people, but I was eating other sources of protein. The real magic for me was that I it really curbed my appetite. I didn't crave sweets anymore. I did a gradual slide since March, completely stopping in June and have gained about 15 pounds. Like the carb addict I am, I made little deals with myself, for the first couple of months losing control bit by bit, but now I spend most of the day thinking I deserve a treat. I will be starting Atkins again next week, and only hope I'm never stupid enought to stop again. I feel miserable, bloated and hormonal... I ate next to no packaged food while I was on Atkins and tons of veggies, a fair amount of nuts and a small amount of fruits daily. A far cry healthier by any standard than my current diet or the average North American diet.
Dave
___________________________________________
stats, inspired by Ron
Male, 6'0" tall, 37 y/o
Starting weight, 4/19/10 (started Atkins) = 287
6/16/10 (finished Atkins book & joined Fitday) = 261
latest weight 8/03/10 = 244.5
mini goal (wedding) 9/4/10 = 235
ultimate goal for lifetime maintenance by 4/19/11 (one year mark, 100 pounds loss) = 187
This will be my lightest weight since high school!
Last edited by davej323; 08-18-2010 at 10:14 AM.
#40
FitDay Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 7
Hello Everyone,
I've noticed a lot of threads regarding the Atkins diet. I just hope that all who follow this diet understand the SERIOUS health concerns associated with it.
First of all, your body and your brain need carbs to function properly, period. The brain thrives off of glucose, basically sugar from carbs. When there is not enough glycogen to be used by the brain, your body turns to fat stores, which is why many people lose significant amounts of weight on this diet.
However, after a long period of lack of carbohydrates, the liver begins to produce ketone bodies leading to a condition called ketosis. Ketone bodies create an acidic pH in the blood, causing the body to suck calcium out of the bones to neutralized the blood pH.
This kind of diet can stress the liver and kidneys, destroy muscle tissue and lead to weaker bones. Its definitely a quick fix for losing weight fast, but just ask yourself if its really worth the health risks. Remember, Dr. Atkins suffered a heart attack which the American Heart Association linked to the Atkins Diet.
Just in case you were wondering, I choose to follow a raw, vegan diet.
I've noticed a lot of threads regarding the Atkins diet. I just hope that all who follow this diet understand the SERIOUS health concerns associated with it.
First of all, your body and your brain need carbs to function properly, period. The brain thrives off of glucose, basically sugar from carbs. When there is not enough glycogen to be used by the brain, your body turns to fat stores, which is why many people lose significant amounts of weight on this diet.
However, after a long period of lack of carbohydrates, the liver begins to produce ketone bodies leading to a condition called ketosis. Ketone bodies create an acidic pH in the blood, causing the body to suck calcium out of the bones to neutralized the blood pH.
This kind of diet can stress the liver and kidneys, destroy muscle tissue and lead to weaker bones. Its definitely a quick fix for losing weight fast, but just ask yourself if its really worth the health risks. Remember, Dr. Atkins suffered a heart attack which the American Heart Association linked to the Atkins Diet.
Just in case you were wondering, I choose to follow a raw, vegan diet.
I also like how you try to hide your disdain for Omnivores (or anyone who eats animals) by citing out of date information and propaganda that attempted to scare people away from Atkins - nice fear tactic.
Regarding your claim about needing carbohydrates to store glucose - Gluconeogenesis: "...results in the generation of glucose from non-carbohydrate carbon substrates such as lactate, glycerol, and glucogenic amino acids. It is one of the two main mechanisms the body uses to keep blood glucose levels from dropping too low (hypoglycemia)."
Last edited by Barryman9000; 08-21-2010 at 03:28 AM.