July 6, 2010

Atkins Induction Rules

The Induction phase of the Atkins diet is one of the most important stepping-stones to successful weight loss. In addition to the list of acceptable foods, there are a few rules that are important to follow during this period of the diet.

During Induction, you need to eat three regular-sized meals per day or four to five smaller meals. If you find yourself jittery and hungry between meals, try breaking down your meals into smaller portions and eat more frequently. In order to stave off carbohydrate cravings, you’ll need to constantly keep your body running on the proteins and vegetables on the plan. Never skip meals and never go more than six waking hours without eating.

You can eat freely from the list of acceptable foods. Do not restrict your fats and proteins. Eat as much of them as you like. Remember, the Atkins diet is not a calorie-restricted diet. The only thing you need to worry about is your level of carbohydrate grams. Make sure to count your carbohydrate grams when you eat vegetables, cheese and beverages with Splenda. At least 12-15 grams of your allowed carbohydrates should be from your vegetable list. While it may be tempting to eat them all in cheese, vegetables are important to your digestive system (especially while on this diet).

Avoid all fruit, bread, pasta, grains and starchy vegetables (like cauliflower or squash) during this initial period. These foods will be slowly introduced throughout the course of the pre-maintenance phase. Although beans are high in protein, they also include carbohydrates and should be avoided during this phase. If you feel that you must have some grain products, you should limit yourself to high fiber low-carbohydrate products. However, this may slow down your weight loss process.

Anything that isn’t on the acceptable food list is forbidden during the Induction phase. Don’t be tempted to just have “one bite.” Your one bite may turn into two, and then before you know it you’ll end up ruining your diet.

Remember to adjust the quantity of acceptable foods to suit your appetite. At the beginning of the Induction phase, you may find yourself eating much, much more than you will toward the end of the phase. As your body breaks its addiction to sugar and carbohydrates, you will be less hungry throughout the day. When this starts to happen, make sure to eat only what you need. Eat until you are satisfied and not overly stuffed.

Always read the labels of packaged products, even if they claim they are “carb free.” You may find that some products have hidden carbohydrates. The law allows manufacturers to round off to zero if a product has fewer than .5 grams of carbohydrates. Look at the list of ingredients for manufactured products to determine if there are hidden carbs. You’ll also need to watch out for hidden carbohydrates when you eat out. There are small carbohydrate amounts in gravies, sauces and salad dressings. The best bet is to eat your meat without sauce and eat your salad with olive oil and vinegar dressing.

Remember to drink 8 eight-ounce glasses of water, in addition to anything else you might drink. This will keep your body hydrated and help you avoid constipation. You’ll also be able to flush out the by-products created by fat burning.

Keep all of these guidelines in mind when you start the induction phase and you’ll be setting yourself up for long-term success with the Atkins diet.

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July 4, 2010

Low Carb List Part 3: Other Foods

In part 3 of our low carb list we will look at the carb count of other foods. Here we have the higher carb foods plus miscellaneous items that may or may not be low in carbohydrates.

Fruit

There are no sweet fruits with a net carb count under 5g per 100g. Raspberries, strawberries and blackberries are lowest (around 5.5g net carbs per 100g). Melons, including watermelon, have around 8g.

Most other fresh fruits are in the 10g - 20g net carb range, with bananas the highest. Dried fruits are much higher.

Grains

Unfortunately, there are no grains that make it onto the low carb list. Wheat, corn, rice, millet, barley, oats, rye, buckwheat (kasha) and quinoa are all high carb. They have around 60g - 80g net carb per 100g dry uncooked weight, or 20g - 30g net carb per 100g cooked. That is around 50g carbohydrate for a cup of cooked rice.

Anything made from grains will also be high in carbohydrates. This includes bread, pasta, couscous, popcorn, rice cakes, etc.

Alcohol

Whiskey, vodka, rum and gin are distilled spirits, which are virtually zero carbohydrate (until you add mixers).

Wine has around 3.7g carbohydrate per 5 fl oz serving (2.5g per 100 ml).

Regular beer has about 10g carbohydrate per 10 fl oz serving (3.6g per 100 ml). Light beer has around half of that.

Herbs And Spices

Most herbs are made from green vegetables so they can be included on your low carb list. Spices are often made from ground seeds and can be higher. Usually you would not use them in large enough quantities to cause a problem but check labels and count the carbs in your daily total.

Packaged And Processed Foods

When buying packaged and processed foods, always check the label for the nutritional information. In the USA and Canada, carbohydrates shown on labeling include fiber. Fiber is not digestible, so this can be subtracted from the carbohydrates to arrive at the net carbs of the food.

In most other countries including the UK, other EU nations and Australia, carbohydrates shown on labeling are already net of fiber so you should not subtract anything.

If you are not sure how this is done in your country, look on a food label to see whether the fiber is right under the carbohydrates and indented (you should subtract it) or somewhere else on the label, not associated with the carbohydrates (you should not subtract it).

There's another thing about American food labeling. In the USA, food labels are allowed to show 0g carbohydrate for anything under 0.5g, so for example eggs can be labeled 0g carbohydrate although they are not zero carb. These small amounts can add up. Online nutrition sites such as Fitday will have a more accurate count. However, this is not an issue in most other countries, including Canada, where food labels are accurate to the nearest 0.1g.

All of this information may seem complicated if you are new to low carb dieting. Most of us are so used to thinking about calories, it is hard to just forget about calories and start thinking carbs instead. However, you will probably be surprised how fast you come to have a feeling for which foods are likely to be low carb. To speed up this process, it is important to count your carbs accurately at first and make your own low carb list of your favorite foods.

July 2, 2010

Looking For A Healthy Low Carb Diet?

The search for a healthy low carb diet is not as difficult as many people think. Certain low carb diet plans (especially Atkins) have had a bad press in recent decades, but a lot of the criticism is based on people's prejudice and myth rather than on fact.

Myths About Dr Atkins And Fats

For example, many people believe that Dr Robert Atkins died of a heart attack caused by eating too much saturated fat. This is not true. Dr Atkins died at the age of 72 from head injuries sustained in a fall on the sidewalk outside his clinic. He had suffered heart problems previously, but there is no evidence that these were diet related.

People are also fond of pointing out that Dr Atkins' weight at death was 258 lb. This would make him overweight, even obese, at his 6 ft height. However, his medical records show that on admission to hospital after his fall, he weighed only 195 lb. He was in a coma for around 10 days before he died and his body suffered a lot of fluid retention in that time.

It is true that the Atkins diet does allow high quantities of saturated fat. Dr Atkins' theory, explained in detail in his books, is that fat is not dangerous so long as we are not also consuming high quantities of carbohydrates. It is the combination of fats with sugar and refined grain products, like the ingredients of a donut, that cause clogged arteries, heart disease, and many other serious diseases. Therefore, the contention is that Atkins is a healthy low carb diet.

Many people following the Atkins diet find that their cholesterol levels actually drop after 4-6 months on the diet. However, if the amount of saturated fat is a concern for you, then you could try South Beach. This is also a low carb diet but it has limits on the amount of saturated fat.

Myths About Protein

Another common belief is that low carb diets are high protein diets. Diets that are very high in protein can be dangerous for the kidneys. Low carb diets are not recommended for people with pre-existing kidney diseases, who will need special diets following medical advice. However, low carb does not necessarily mean extremely high protein.

There are four sources of calories in food: protein, carbohydrate, alcohol and fat. Most low carb diets are not especially high in protein. They often recommend about 30% of calories coming from protein, with a little from carbohydrates and the majority coming from fat.

When you start on a low carb diet it is a good idea to track your food intake. This helps you to keep a watch on your carbs and also make sure that you are not getting too much protein. It should be between 15% and 30% of your calorie intake, or around 0.35 to 0.7 grams of protein per pound of body weight, which is around 60g to 120g of protein per day for a person weighing 170 lb. There are around 20 grams of protein in a 4 oz steak, and around 6g in one egg.

Myths About Vegetables

Many people believe that you don't eat vegetables on a low carb diet. This is completely untrue. All of the low carb diets require you to eat a certain amount of vegetables. Many are low in carbohydrates and they contain important nutrients such as vitamins and minerals that are essential to our health.

The amount of vegetables is usually limited only by the carbs that they contain. So you can eat a lot of something like celery (2.4g net carbs per 100g serving) but less of broccoli (4g net carbs per 100g serving).

Many people find that the amount of vegetables eaten in a low carb diet plan is actually more than they are used to. So as long as you choose a well established low carb diet and follow the guidance carefully, you should have no trouble maintaining a healthy low carb diet.

June 30, 2010

So You Want To Be A Low Carb Vegetarian?

Is there a low carb vegetarian diet? Low carbohydrate plans have a reputation of being all about meat, so you may wonder if it is even possible to be a low carb vegetarian. The good news is that yes, it is possible. However, it is easier with some plans than others, and there are certain things that you need to know.

On average, vegetarians have healthier weights than meat eaters, and this is even more true of vegans. But of course some individual vegetarians are overweight. Lacto-ovo vegetarians who eat milk products and eggs can overdose on chocolate, cakes and desserts like anybody else. Vegans may eat a lot of candy, french fries and processed vegan foods.

There is a big difference between low carb diets for vegetarians and vegans. In order to understand this, you need to know about the nutritional content of diets that are low in carbohydrates. Generally, foods that are high in carbohydrates like sugar, potatoes, bread, pasta and starchy vegetables are switched out of the diet in favor of foods that are high in fat.

For a lacto-ovo vegetarian this is not usually a problem. They will base their diet mainly around cheese, eggs and low carb vegetables with a few nuts and beans. It takes a little getting used to the idea of eating pasta sauce on broccoli instead of pasta, or salad without bread, but it is certainly possible.

Vegans (or vegetarians who do not eat both cheese and eggs) will have a little more difficulty on a low carb diet because it is harder for them to get enough protein without going over the carbohydrate levels. Vegan foods that are high in protein such as beans, nuts and vegetables, while not extremely high carb, are high enough that eating a lot of them could stop you getting into fat-burning lipolysis mode.

Nevertheless it is possible to follow a low carb vegetarian or even vegan diet with a little planning. The South Beach diet is good for vegetarians because it allows beans, nuts and seeds in limited quantities right from phase one. This gives you a much greater choice of foods than the Atkins diet, where these are not allowed in the first two weeks.

The low carb approach is a long term way of eating and should not be seen as a quick fix. Therefore, it is important to be sure that you will be happy on the plan before you start. For some vegetarians who are carrying just a little excess weight, cutting out sugar and refined grains might be enough to bring them back to the healthy weight range. But if you have more to lose or have tried other diets without success, a low carb vegetarian diet could be the answer.

June 27, 2010

Atkins Criticism

The Atkins diet is very popular, but it also comes with a lot of criticism. Health experts, doctors and diet specialists come from all different opinions when it comes to the Atkins diet and other low carb diets. Some believe that it is dangerous, some say that it is a healthy method to lose weight and others say that it works on a short-term basis.

However, there are also thousands of individuals who have found success with the Atkins diet. They can speak from personal experience and know that the diet works and it is an effective means of keeping weight off. There are thousands of testimonials that tout the benefits of the low carb way of living.

There are many typical criticisms of the Atkins diet. One of the first is that the diet it too high in fat. The butter, oil and fatty meats that are used in the Atkins diet are a far cry from the low-fat diet fad that recently swept the nation. For many people, the low fat mindset has prevailed and they cannot fathom eating real butter or cream with their meals. It seems like too much fat at first glance. However, those that pay close attention to Dr. Atkins guidelines and follow the program closely know that the diet focuses on good fats. Extra virgin olive oil and other helpful fats are emphasized. The proper use of these oils is important to brain function and mood management.

Another popular Atkins criticism is that it focuses too much on food and not enough on exercise. This is an unfair claim because the Atkins books clearly spell out a need for exercise. There is a lot of attention paid to food choices because they are an integral part of the program, and they are different foods than what people are normally used to eating. However, this does not mean that exercise is not an integral part of the Atkins program. Aerobic and anaerobic exercise regimens are encouraged, and both will greatly increase your weight loss efforts.

Many Atkins critics feel that the diet is hard too keep up in the long term. Critics in this category will admit that Atkins is effective in short-term weight loss efforts, but point out that the lifestyle is hard to maintain over time. However, people who have had long term success with Atkins claim it is one of the easiest diets to follow for significant periods of time. The Atkins plan has rich food that is forbidden on other programs, and it has appetite-suppressing effects. When you combine this with the quick weight loss, a motivating factor for many people, Atkins is easy to stick to long term.

The side effects of Atkins, like constipation and bad breath, have also been a topic that Atkins critics are quick to point out. However, these side effects are not as common as critics make them out to be. If they do occur, the side effects normal only last through the first phase of the diet. Additionally, drinking additional water will normally take care of both problems rather quickly.

There are pros and cons to many diets. If you don’t particularly enjoy preparing and eating meat, then Atkins is probably not for you. But if you are considering Atkins, make sure to look beyond the common criticisms for the truth about the diet.

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June 25, 2010

Low Carb Foods List Part 1: Protein Foods

Here is a low carb foods list for anybody following a low carbohydrate diet. The carbohydrate count that we are using is net carbs per 100g (3.5 oz) weight, not per serving, because serving sizes vary. Carb counts come from the USDA database and we cannot be held responsible for any errors.

For your convenience, we have grouped the foods according to how they are usually used in cooking, not by their botanical classification (so for example tomatoes and olives are with vegetables, and quinoa is with grains). The list is in three parts. Here in part 1, we cover protein foods and fats.

Meat, Fish, Eggs

Meat and fish are the stars of the low carb foods list. Most meat and fish is zero carb provided it is not processed.

Processed meats like bacon, ham and sausages may contain added sugar or other ingredients, so check the labels. Oysters, mussels and organ meats (liver, kidneys etc) have some carbohydrate and are best eaten only occasionally.

Eggs are low carb. A large egg has 0.4g carbohydrate per egg.

Meatloaf, fish cakes, etc contain bread or flour and other high carb ingredients. Avoid them, along with anything coated with breadcrumbs or batter, and meat that has been prepared with barbecue sauce or other sauces that usually include sugar.

Dairy Products

Milk contains lactose or milk sugar which is high in carbohydrate. Milk has around 5g carbohydrate per 100 ml (12g per cup), so it is usually restricted on low carb diets. However, the lactose is mainly contained in the skim part of the milk, so cream and products made from cream can be low carb.

Heavy (double) cream is a good addition to your low carb foods list with 0.4g carbohydrate per tablespoon (2.8g per 100 ml, 6.6g per cup). However, what is sold as cream in Canada is not pure dairy cream but more like American half and half. It may have a much higher carb count.

Butter is almost zero carb (0.1g per 100g).

Cheese varies according to the type and the method that is used to make it. Hard cheese (cheddar style) is often almost zero. Other cheeses can be considerably higher. Check labels.

Unflavored yogurt with no added ingredients has around the same carbohydrate content as milk. Whole milk yogurt is a little lower in carbs than skim milk (low fat) yogurt. This is because the skim milk contains more lactose. However, a lot of yogurt contains added fruit, sugar or other high carbohydrate ingredients, so check labels.

Oils

Liquid oils such as olive oil, canola oil and sunflower oil are zero carb. Coconut oil, which is solid at room temperature in cooler climates, is also zero carb.

Spray oils may contain added ingredients that gives them a carb count, so check the label. But anyway, spray oils were designed for low fat diets and are not necessary when you are eating according to the low carb plan.

Nuts And Seeds

Flax seeds (linseeds), which are very high in fiber, are extremely low carb. Some low carb diets recommend taking one tablespoon of ground flax seed per day to add fiber to the diet.

Pecans are the lowest carb nut with 4.3g net carb per 100g.

Walnuts, peanuts, almonds, pine nuts, brazils, macadamias, filberts (hazelnuts), sesame seeds and sunflower seeds are in the medium carb range (5g to 12g net carbs per 100g).

Pumpkin seeds and cashews are higher (14g and 27g respectively).

Part 2 of our Low Carb Foods List will cover vegetables.

June 22, 2010

Atkins Induction

Atkins diet foods are easy to find and available everywhere. There are many varieties to choose from, whether you pick prepackaged low-carb diet foods or make your own meals. No matter how you want to do the Atkins plan, there is a solution out there for you.

You’ll need to keep the Atkins food pyramid in mind when you make food choices. The Atkins pyramid looks much different than the USDA Food Guide Pyramid. The base of the pyramid consists of protein sources such as eggs, fish, beef, chicken and tofu. On a daily basis, your diet should consist primarily of these foods. The second tier has low glycemic vegetables like salad greens, broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus and spinach.

The third tier is made up of berries and avocado. Fruits should be used on an occasional basis after the initial stages of the Atkins diet. Vegetable and seed oils, cheese, dairy, nuts and legumes are used sparingly and in appropriate portions. While the FDA pyramid has oils and fats at the top peak, the Atkins pyramid places whole grain foods in this spot. Whole grain foods should be used very occasionally and don’t make up the mainstay of the Atkins diet.

When you start the Atkins plan, you’ll need to make sure you understand which foods are acceptable for your stage of the program. The Induction phase is the most restrictive, but it only lasts two weeks.

You owe it to your dieting success to stay within the acceptable foods list. One of the best ways to do this is to follow the Atkins menu plans that are printed within the New Diet Revolution book. There are also Atkins cookbooks and cookbooks that are geared toward other low carb diets that are helpful in formulating meal plans.

It’s a helpful idea to use a cheat sheet of acceptable Atkins foods wherever you go. If you are out and about and hungry, the last thing you want to do is to try to think back in your memory to figure out what you can and cannot eat. Carrying a list of acceptable foods with you will make finding a snack or meal while out on the run easy. You can’t always rely on “low carb” labels to tell you whether or not something is diet friendly. Ever since low carb became the new diet craze, manufacturers have been jumping on the bandwagon to attract Atkins dieters. They label items low carb to sell products and don’t have your health in mind. Relying on foods from your own personal list is the best way to stay on the plan.

Another good resource for keeping track of the appropriate Atkins foods is an online diet program. There are several available. Some are free and some have a small monthly fee. The programs require you to register and then they provide you with personal weekly menu plans based on your needs and your carbohydrate gram level. There are normally printable weekly shopping lists that make picking up your Atkins diet foods from the grocery store easy and quick.

Atkins diet food is easy to find once you know what you are looking for. The books, food pyramid and online resources can help you make better food choices and stay on the diet for the long term.

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June 21, 2010

Low Carb Foods Part 2: Low Carb Vegetables

How you use this low carb vegetables list will depend on which of the many low carb diets you are following. If you just count carbs and aim to stay under a certain daily total, then you will need to weigh your foods to have an accurate count at first.

Cup measures are not so accurate for vegetables because it makes such a difference how you chop the food. You can get a lot more broccoli in a cup if you cut it up small!

However, if you prefer to use cup measures, you can do it accurately by weighing one cup of a food, cut in the way that you normally cut it, and making a note of the weight and carb count per cup. Then in future you will know how many carbs you have in one cup of the food the way that you prepare it.

If you are following the Atkins diet, you have the list of low carb vegetables for induction in the book. You can add other veggies after induction. The lists vary a little in the different editions of the books so we will not reproduce them here. Just keep in mind that you should have a minimum of two cups of vegetables on induction and more later. Also, vegetables should account for more than half of your daily carb count. This means at least 11g net carbs from veggies if your daily carb level is 20g.

Low Carb Vegetables List

Green vegetables are mostly low carb (under 5g net carbohydrate per 100g), with the exception of kale, peas and beans. There are also some non-green veggies that are low carb. Here are some examples. Carb count is net carbs (not including fiber) per 100g of raw item.

Under 2g: lettuce, spinach, bok choy (pak choi), asparagus, endive, watercress.

2g - 2.9g: arugula (rocket), zucchini (courgette), summer squash (marrow), green bell pepper, celery, radish, eggplant (aubergine), tomato, mushroom, cauliflower, kohlrabi.

3g - 3.9g: cucumber, green cabbage, white cabbage, red bell pepper, jicama, okra, parsley, string beans, green onion tops (spring onion tops).

4g - 4.9g: broccoli, turnip, yellow bell pepper, fennel, snow peas (mange-tout).

Medium And High Carb Vegetables List

So that there is no confusion, we are including here some of the vegetables that do not make it onto the low carb vegetables list. Some of the medium carb vegetables, such as onion, can be included in a low carb diet in small quantities.

Medium carb vegetables (between 5g and 12g net carb per 100g) include onion, leek, green peas, kale, red cabbage, pumpkin, carrot, rutabaga (swede), winter squashes, celeriac.

High carb vegetables (over 12g net carb per 100g) include potato, corn, beans, lentils, parsnip.

Avocados And Olives

Olives and avocados are technically fruits, not vegetables. However, unlike other fruits they are low carb foods and make great salad ingredients. We are including them here so that they are not forgotten.

California (hass) avocados have just 1.8g net carbohydrate per 100g. Florida (smooth skinned) avocados have 2.2g. So both types are low carb.

Olives have around 3g net carb per 100g. However, be careful to check packaging when buying olives to make sure that there are no added sugars. Olives in salt water or oil with no added ingredients can be added to salads along with low carb vegetables.

June 18, 2010

Is Atkins right for you

The Atkins diet is very popular, but is it right for you? Before you start down the low carb road, you should take some time to decide whether low carb is the right way for you to lose weight. Just because it has been effective for others doesn’t mean it will be right for you. No specific diet works for everyone, and you may even find that a type of low carb diet that works better for you than another. There are many things to consider before you start the Atkins diet.

First, evaluate your past dieting history. If you’ve been trying to lose weight for a long period of time, you’ve no doubt tried a wide variety of diets. Take note of the different diets you’ve tried over the years. Write down the basics of each diet, what worked and what didn’t. Also, write down why you didn’t stay on the particular diet. Evaluate your experience with high carbohydrate diets. These types of diets include most low-fat and calorie controlled diets. How did you feel while on these types of diets? Were you hungry, obsessed with food or experiencing negative reactions? Or did you feel full of energy and generally good?

If you’ve had experience with low carb diets, write that down as well. Past the negative effects of the first week, how did eating low carb make you feel? Why did you stop using the low carb diet?

The answers to these questions will help you decide whether Atkins is right for you or not. If you’ve had good experiences with low-fat diets and bad experiences with other low carb diets, then Atkins is probably not for you. If other low-carb diets have worked but not without difficulty, then you may have been on the wrong type of low-carb diet and Atkins might work better. If you’ve had bad experiences with both types of diets, then you may have better success with a modified Atkins diet.

Your food and eating behaviors can also give you a clue to whether or not Atkins is a good choice for your weight loss efforts. Carb sensitivities are indicated by a certain set of behaviors. You may be carb sensitive if you feel like eating right after you’ve finished a meal. You will also feel strong urges to eat throughout the day. You may feel dizzy, fuzzyheaded and fatigued without getting a boost from sugar or another carbohydrate. Carb sensitivity is also shown when you feel sluggish after eating. This occurs especially after you eat a meal rich in sugars and carbohydrates. If you experience these symptoms frequently, you may have carb sensitivities. Try paying close attention to how carbohydrates affect you and if you continue to experience these symptoms, try doing a low carb diet.

Your success on the Atkins diet can also be determined by your medical and family history. If you have any pre-diabetic symptoms, or diabetes itself, a reduced carb diet like Atkins may be right for you. Significant weight gain can also be helped by the Atkins diet. Normally, the more overweight you are, the more likely you are to have high blood pressure, high triglycerides and high blood glucose.

If any member of your family has diabetes or is significantly overweight, this can also put you at risk for these conditions. Your tendency toward these conditions on a genetic level can mark a necessity for a low carbohydrate diet like Atkins. The Atkins plan has been shown to improve weight and control blood sugar issues. If these are problems in your family history, then you may want to consider the Atkins diet.

There are a lot of good reasons to try the Atkins diet. Whether you have responded well to other low carb diets in the past or you have a medical history that warrants a controlled carbohydrate diet, the Atkins diet can meet your needs.

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June 15, 2010

Atkins Diet Basics

The Atkins diet is not a new phenomenon. The diet first appeared in the late 1970s and has grown popularity in recent years in response to the low-fat diet craze. As dieters had trouble with low-fat plans, they searched for a new solution and Dr. Atkins’ New Diet Revolution book found a new audience.

A lot of people have jumped on the Atkins bandwagon and there has been a lot of hype as a result. But what are the basic principles of the Atkins diet?

The Atkins diet is based on a theory of why we get fat. According to Dr. Atkins, the over-consumption of carbohydrates and simple sugars leads to weight gain. The way your body processes the carbohydrates you eat have more to do with your waistline than the amount of fat or calories that you consume. In his book, Atkins outlines a phenomenon called “insulin resistance.” He theorizes that many overweight people have cells that do not work correctly.

When you eat excess carbohydrates and sugar, your body notices that sugar levels are elevated. Insulin is released from the pancreas in order to store sugar as glycogen in the liver and muscle cells for extra energy later on. However, your body can only store so much glycogen at once. As soon as your body reaches its limit for glycogen storage, the excess carbohydrates are stored as fat. This happens to everyone who eats too many carbohydrates.

However, insulin resistant individuals have an even harder time of using and storing excess carbohydrates. The more insulin that your body is exposed to, the more resistant it becomes. Overtime, the pancreas releases more insulin and cells become insulin resistant. The cells are trying to protect themselves from the toxic effects of high insulin. They create less glycogen and more fat.

As a result, insulin resistant individuals gain extra weight. The carbohydrates get converted into fat instead of energy. Other side effects include fatigue, brain “fog” (the inability to focus, poor memory, loss of creativity), low blood sugar (which can leads to hypoglycemia), intestinal bloating, sleepiness, depression and increased blood sugar. There is much more than weight at stake when you are insulin resistant.

The remedy for people who are insulin resistant is a diet restricted in carbohydrates. The crux of the Atkins diet is a limitation of carbohydrates in all of its forms. The foods restricted on the Atkins plan include simple sugars (like cookies, sodas and sweets) and complex carbohydrates (like bread, rice and grains). Even carbohydrates that are considered healthy, such as oatmeal, brown rice and whole wheat bread, are restricted on the program.

The diet has you restrict your carbohydrate intake to less than 40 grams a day. This will put your body in a state of ketosis. While in ketosis, your body will burn fat as fuel. According to Dr. Atkins’ research, the ketosis state will also affect insulin production and it will prevent more fat from being formed. Your body will begin using your stored fat as an efficient form of fuel, and you’ll lose weight. Another benefit of the Atkins plan is that ketosis will end your cravings for carbohydrates. If you’ve been living on a carb-heavy diet, you may have found that you simply cannot get enough carbohydrates. With carbohydrate restriction and ketosis comes a reduction in carbohydrate cravings. People who have been on the Atkins diet for some time report that they do not crave carbohydrates as they once did.

Although the initial phases of the Atkins diet are rather strict, the program teaches you to restore balance to your diet in the long run. People who use the diet slowly reintroduce minimal amounts of carbohydrate into their eating until they find a comfortable balance between their health and carbohydrate use.

The basic principles of the Atkins diet have been adapted to many other low-carb diet plans. However, Atkins popularity still remains strong as one of the most effective low-carbohydrate solutions for those who are insulin resistant.

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June 12, 2010

Atkins Diet Foods

Atkins diet foods are easy to find and available everywhere. There are many varieties to choose from, whether you pick prepackaged low-carb diet foods or make your own meals. No matter how you want to do the Atkins plan, there is a solution out there for you.

You’ll need to keep the Atkins food pyramid in mind when you make food choices. The Atkins pyramid looks much different than the USDA Food Guide Pyramid. The base of the pyramid consists of protein sources such as eggs, fish, beef, chicken and tofu. On a daily basis, your diet should consist primarily of these foods. The second tier has low glycemic vegetables like salad greens, broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus and spinach.

The third tier is made up of berries and avocado. Fruits should be used on an occasional basis after the initial stages of the Atkins diet. Vegetable and seed oils, cheese, dairy, nuts and legumes are used sparingly and in appropriate portions. While the FDA pyramid has oils and fats at the top peak, the Atkins pyramid places whole grain foods in this spot. Whole grain foods should be used very occasionally and don’t make up the mainstay of the Atkins diet.

When you start the Atkins plan, you’ll need to make sure you understand which foods are acceptable for your stage of the program. The Induction phase is the most restrictive, but it only lasts two weeks.

You owe it to your dieting success to stay within the acceptable foods list. One of the best ways to do this is to follow the Atkins menu plans that are printed within the New Diet Revolution book. There are also Atkins cookbooks and cookbooks that are geared toward other low carb diets that are helpful in formulating meal plans.

It’s a helpful idea to use a cheat sheet of acceptable Atkins foods wherever you go. If you are out and about and hungry, the last thing you want to do is to try to think back in your memory to figure out what you can and cannot eat. Carrying a list of acceptable foods with you will make finding a snack or meal while out on the run easy. You can’t always rely on “low carb” labels to tell you whether or not something is diet friendly. Ever since low carb became the new diet craze, manufacturers have been jumping on the bandwagon to attract Atkins dieters. They label items low carb to sell products and don’t have your health in mind. Relying on foods from your own personal list is the best way to stay on the plan.

Another good resource for keeping track of the appropriate Atkins foods is an online diet program. There are several available. Some are free and some have a small monthly fee. The programs require you to register and then they provide you with personal weekly menu plans based on your needs and your carbohydrate gram level. There are normally printable weekly shopping lists that make picking up your Atkins diet foods from the grocery store easy and quick.

Atkins diet food is easy to find once you know what you are looking for. The books, food pyramid and online resources can help you make better food choices and stay on the diet for the long term.

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The Best Excess weight Loss Pills and Appetite Suppressant you can locate on the internet nowadays

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June 10, 2010

Atkins Diet - How To Do It The Right Way

Obesity is the main reason for many diseases like cardiovascular problems, diabetes, depression, and sleep apnea. The only way out of this problem is to follow a strict and healthy diet. But that doesn’t mean avoiding food altogether for that it is not at all a good option since it would deprive our body of essential nutrients. Hence a controlled carbohydrate diet is advised for carbohydrate is mostly responsible for increasing one’s body weight.

The low carbohydrate Atkins Diet was first introduced in 1970’s by Dr. Robert Atkins. But it became popular almost 10 years later after the release of his book - ‘Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution’ which went one to become one of the bestsellers of that decade. In no time, millions of people in the United States and abroad began to follow Atkins diet specifications as their first diet choice.

What is Atkins Diet?

Atkins Diet is a high protein, low carbohydrate diet. It promotes using meat, eggs, and cheese while discouraging high carbohydrate-content foods such as bread and rice. If excess carbohydrates are taken in, excess enzymes should be generated to digest it. This may lead to disintegration of pancreatic cells in a long run, which may further lead to diabetes. According to Robert Atkins, on having a low carbohydrate diet, our body will enter into a state of ketosis, in which, instead of carbohydrates, fat is digested to release energy. This reduces the need for more insulin produced by the pancreatic cells and the fat deposits are subsided. Thus, the body weight is reduced to a considerable amount.

Advantages of Atkins Diet:

1. Considerable amount of body weight is reduced by the burning of fats which is the secondary source of energy.

2. Inter-meal diets could be avoided since you won’t be hungry between meals.

3. Could maintain constant blood sugar level.

4. Since most of the toxins contained in our body are removed along with the burning of fats, overall heath is improved.

Things to Note:

1. It is recommended to consult a doctor or physician before trying out Atkins diet meal plans.

2. Daily exercise is highly recommended along with Atkins diet foods.

3. People with kidney disorders, pregnancy, and diabetes are advised not to follow Atkins diet meal plans.

Phases of Atkins Diet:

1. Induction - In this phase, which includes first 14 days of the diet, it is said that you will lose up to 15 pounds of your body weight. During this time, the amount of carbohydrates consumed per day will be less than 20 grams. The only carbohydrates included in your Atkins diet recipes will be low carbohydrate-content vegetables like tomato.

2. Ongoing Weight Loss – During this second stage, the consumption of carbohydrates is raised up to 5 grams per day.

3. Pre-maintenance – During this stage of Atkins diet meal plans, the rate of fall of body weight will be slower. Also, you can experiment various other foods to see whether they add your body weight or not. If found safe, you could add it to your Atkins diet food products.

4. Maintenance – You enter this phase when you find that you have reduced the body weight to the desired level. Also you could add some more carbohydrates to your diet which do not raise your body weight, like full wheat bread.

Tail Piece: The ultimate result of Atkins diet program (other diet programs as well) depends solely on how well the person follows the recommendations. Hence make sure that you follow it religiously.

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June 8, 2010

Atkins Diet Plan - Its Really Not Easy

You can easily be bored with the limited carb choices but it does get better as you reach the last two stages. Your doctor can explain the possible health risk associated with the Atkins diet. The Atkins diet plan is not easy but if you stay with it the results will amaze you. An internet search for Atkins diet will yield hundreds of results.

The Atkins diet tries to trick your body into burning fat for energy rather than carbohydrates or supplements like acai berry pure or natural acai. If the Reactions are really troublesome you should seek treatment. You can find ways to ease these reactions on the internet and in books about low carb diets.

You might get dizzy, have cramps, and other physical effects because of the changes in your diet. It is possible to ease the dizziness and cramps. There are things that can be done to ease the discomfort of leg cramps and other symptoms. Remember minerals like Potassium, are flushed out of your system quickly.

Take a 90 milligram supplement instead of a banana to replace potassium. Relief from symptoms should be felt in about an hour. While on Atkins follow these suggestions for staying healthy. Listed below are some suggestions that might help you get through the time it takes your body to adjust to the diet.

If your weight loss slows or stops before you are close to goal weight, check how many calories you are taking in. Water is also necessary to your kidneys functioning properly. Drinking enough water to equal half your body weight will keep you out of the kitchen and in another room all day. Not drinking enough water can lead to buildup of ketones which can cause serious health problems.

Weighing yourself more than once a week will only frustrate yourself. If you don’t see a drop in inches and pounds, check for hidden carbs and sugars. You will feel your best when you eat the right amount of carbs. Make sure the carbs you do eat are chock full of nutrients. Sugar is off limits on the Atkins diet. Regular exercise improves your general health.

Beware of promises that you will lose huge amounts of weight without exercise. Convert food into energy faster with exercise. Strive for a balance in exercise if you aren’t a little tired after a session, you probably aren’t doing enough and if you are too tired to move you probably did too much. The doctor can tell if your post exercise aches and pains are normal or not. To gain maximum benefit from your exercise and dieting, slowly build your routine. Don’t take more than the recommended doses of any supplement without your doctor’s consent. If you are tempted to cheat, checking your journal will remind you what happened the last time you did that.

Some people overeat and some eat barely anything when under stress, recording what you eat will explain weight loss or gain. If you go off program, don’t beat yourself up, just get back on track as soon as possible. Anything significant should be entered because good stuff affects you too.

Knowing you have to list everything is important especially for diabetics so they can see how foods affect them whether its negative or positive. Recording your blood sugar levels in the journal is an obvious fact. Doing this will teach you to recognize patterns such as when your levels are highest or lowest.

You and your doctor can use the journal to recognize what you have been doing right and to build on it. Try to choose foods made from whole grain flour. If your weight loss stalls or slows significantly, try eliminating all caffeine. Having short term goals will keep you motivated.

The amount you lose in a week or a month is not as important as a steady weight loss. Losing more weight than that is potentially dangerous. Yo-yo dieting , losing weight and gaining it back to get out of starvations mode, than losing, etc. may be as dangerous as being overweight.

With the Atkins diet, you have the maintenance phase to use for the rest of your life, so you don’t have to return to the old way. Only use diets that suggest a slow to moderate weight loss and possibly some nutrient supplements. So the element of a safe workable diet are balanced meals, exercise and supplements.

Not all supplements can do what they claim, so do your homework before you buy. All natural ingredients have one advantage. Supplements and medications often don’t mix well, it might be a good idea to take them separately a few hours apart. You won’t need supplements if your diet is well balanced.

How to have Six Pack Abs - Fast and Successful

1 early morning I woke up and requested myself how to get a six pack quick as well as almost immediately. Right after exploring a couple of work outs and fitness plan I came to a response of my query. It's impossible for average folks like me and also you to have six pack abs as quick as you desire to. Maybe famous people with a trainer and practically nothing to perform than think of their own workout plan can do it rapidly.

However they all should perform really hard to have a flat stomach including a six pack. Well, after I opened my mind to this answer I thought okay, then it should take some time along with a good deal of sweat to reach my target. Hence, what could I only say, I began a six pack exercise course that I created by me personally. Every single morning 30 sit ups and just about every night time just before going to bed again thirty situps.

I did that about 30 days each and every day to acquire perfect abdominals quickly. However it wasn't that effective. Alright, I saw a number of benefits but without dieting plus a much better training routine I didn't noticed a way for getting in condition the way in which I wanted.

Hence I planed to perform some fat loss as well as going on a diet for getting rid of belly fat in the middle of my body system. I believed it would help me to see my hard six pack in the mirror as rapidly as possible. And of course you've got to do some fat loss to determine your ab muscles. Drink a great deal of water and also consume fresh fruits and also vegetable. Chicken breast as well as seafood to help your muscle creating in a rapid way. You have to follow you strategy to succeed that is a fact. To get fit and healthy you might have to be well self-disciplined and you might have to determine the long run achievements when you're beginning your health and fitness routine.

To sum up I'm able to say that the critical matter is the work out system you decide on to acquire your 6-pack abs fast. There are a great deal of exercise programs to choose from and you've got to make your basic research to locate the appropriate one for yourself. This has assisted me to achieve my goal. When you desire to get a six pack then just take action.

June 6, 2010

Carbohydrate Substitutes for the Atkins diet

Cutting down on carbohydrates with the Atkins diet is easy when you see the wide variety of proteins and vegetables that are on the acceptable foods list. However, it does take some time and adjustment to get used to this new way of eating. A lot of the American diet centers around complex carbohydrate foods like breads and pastas. Snack foods are full of sugars and refined carbohydrates. This new way of eating will challenge your old habits. However, there are many carbohydrate substitutes that can fill in the gap.

Some of the most popular replacement items are sugar substitutes. These can be good or bad depending on how you react to them. Each person has a different reaction to artificial sweeteners like aspartame and Splenda. They can be helpful in baking low-carbohydrate treats and making things taste sweet without risking sugar use. However, many people find that using artificial sweeteners makes them crave sugar even more. If you find you want more sweet treats after drinking a diet soda or eating a snack made with Splenda, its best to eliminate them entirely from your diet.

Bread is the number one challenge that Atkins dieters face when looking at their new diet plans. Bread is a staple food for many people, and eliminating it can be somewhat of a problem. There are some low carb breads available out there, but you have to watch for hidden carbohydrates and other unacceptable ingredients. If you are ambitious, you can try making your own bread out of almond flour or other non-traditional flours.

Many people say that they love pasta, but people vary rarely eat it plain. The best part about pasta is the topping. So taking those toppings (meat, cheese and vegetables) and putting them over something else is an easy solution. Many people who follow the Atkins plan have found that squash makes a good pasta substitute. Spaghetti squash, a yellow orange gourd with stringy insides, is a natural base for homemade meat sauce. Zucchini is also a good pasta substitute. You can grate in into fine pieces or chunk it up into sections to act as a base for sauces. Lasagna is easily made with large pieces of eggplant as a substitute for the noodles. The meats and cheeses used in lasagna are low-carb so there’s nothing to worry about there.

Another common problem for Atkins dieters is finding a good substitute for rice. One popular solution is to use cauliflower. Simply place the cauliflower florettes in a food processor and chop them until they are rice sizes pieces. Then microwave the “rice” without water. The pieces will come out fluffy and ready to be used in casseroles or as part of a side dish.

Cauliflower is also a popular potato substitute for Atkins dieters. This time, puree the cauliflower until it is smooth and creamy, just like mashed potatoes. You can add your favorite low-carb topping to it like bacon, sour cream and cheese.

Pizza is a favorite food for many people, but there are Atkins friendly solutions for homemade pizzas that taste just as good. You can make small pizzas using low-carb tortillas as the crust. You can also use the same method with large Portobello mushrooms. If the alternative crust options don’t sound good to you, you can also try a pizza casserole with all of the ingredient layered in a casserole dish. These substitutes will help you avoid indulging in your high-carb favorites while on the Atkins diet.

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June 2, 2010

Low Carb Pasta: Does It Exist?

Is there such a thing as low carb pasta or colon cleanse elite diet pills for low carbs? The answer is yes ... and no. Most pasta is made with grain flour and it is not possible to take out the carbs. However, some manufacturers claim to alter or coat the carbohydrates so that most of them are not digested.

Whether you buy regular pasta made from refined wheat flour, or whole wheat pasta, or special gluten free pasta made with corn, or even expensive health food store varieties made from old fashioned grains such as spelt, it is always going to be high carbohydrate according to most calculations. Here are some examples.

Regular spaghetti: 71g net carbohydrate per 100g (3.5 oz) dry, uncooked product. Chinese-style egg noodles: 68g net carbohydrate per 100g. Corn pasta: 68g net carbohydrate per 100g. Whole wheat spaghetti: 62g net carbohydrate per 100g. Low carb pasta, e.g. Dreamfields: 63g net carbohydrate per 100g (9g digestible).

According to the Dreamfields website, only around 9g carbohydrate per 100g of their dry low carb product (5g per 2 oz serving) is digestible. This means that most people on low carb diets can incorporate a little of this pasta into their diets. This is great news for any pasta fan!

There is also a type of noodle that is not just low carb but zero carb. These are called miracle noodles or shirataki noodles. You will find them at Asian markets and online stores.

These carb-free noodles are not made from grains at all. They are made from konjac root and they are almost all fiber. Konjac is an Asian plant that is cultivated in Japan. Its main component is a water-soluble dietary fiber called glucomannan. As you probably know, fiber fills our stomachs without being digestible. Therefore it has no carbs and no calories.

Some varieties of shirataki noodles are made with added soy in the form of tofu, and this type will contain a few carbs. Check labels, but they will almost certainly still count as a kind of low carb pasta for your diet.

Shirataki noodles and other konjac root products are often used in weight loss diets. In Japan, they are also used as a remedy for intestinal troubles. Studies have been published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition that suggest they can reduce cholesterol, and also reduce glucose levels in diabetics.

These 'miracle noodles' have no taste of their own so you will want a strong sauce. They also have a slimy texture that some people do not like and a fishy odor when you open the pack. However, the odor belongs to the water that they are preserved in, not to the noodles themselves, so you can get rid of it by rinsing the noodles in boiling water before you use them.

Shirataki noodles do not taste like Italian pasta but many people love them and they are certainly worth trying for anybody on a weight loss diet. They are best served with Asian style fish recipes or meatballs and low carb pasta sauce.

May 30, 2010

Carbohydrate Cravings and the Atkins diet

Carbohydrate cravings are difficult to deal with, especially when you are trying to maintain a low carbohydrate way of life. However, carbohydrate cravings are not just a matter of will power. As Dr. Atkins points out in his book, carbohydrates produce a flood of insulin and a rise in blood sugar. There is indeed a physical trigger for carbohydrate cravings, and it is one of the reasons that it is so easy to develop a high-carbohydrate, low protein way of eating.

There are many signs of physical carbohydrate cravings. You will experience a compelling hunger for carbohydrate rich foods. Overtime, you will develop a growing need for starches, snack foods and sweets. Additionally, you may experience cravings and weight gain after using some of the carbohydrate act-a-likes such as sugar substitutes and alcohol.

High carbohydrate foods are everywhere, which makes the cravings even harder to overcome. Eating the high-sugar, refined starch foods will feed your cravings and create more, much like a drug habit. In fact, high levels of carbohydrates produce high levels of the brain chemical seratonin, which is the chemical found in Prozac and other anti-depressants. So eating high levels of carbohydrates is self-medicating. People with low levels of seratonin are prone to using carbohydrates like a drug.

Tension and stress can also lead to overeating carbohydrate-laden foods. When we are tense, the adrenal gland creates more cortisol. Cortisol is a hormone that stimulates production of a brain chemical that causes carbohydrate cravings. It also stimulates insulin, which leads to blood sugar dips and more fat storage.

Considering all of these factors, it may seem impossible to live on a low-carbohydrate diet. However, following the Atkins plan is one of the best ways to break the cycle of carbohydrate addiction and take back your life and your health. The Atkins plan helps you take control of your cravings and rid yourself of years of damage caused by eating too many carbohydrates.

While on the Atkins diet, you may experience some carbohydrate cravings from time to time, especially during the initial phases of the diet. However, these will lessen as your body becomes more used to eating a protein-centered diet. In order to keep your cravings in check, eat small meals or snacks that contain protein every few hours. This will keep your blood sugars stable and avoid the “crash” you feel when you go hungry. Skipping meals will cause drops in blood sugar and leave you craving sweets.

Protein and fat, which are the focus of the Atkins plan, will give your body extended energy. Make sure you are getting enough levels of the essential fats. Sometimes an Omega 3 fish oil supplement will help stave off carbohydrate cravings.

Cravings for foods can sometimes be caused by dehydration. It’s a good rule of thumb to drink a glass of water before reaching for any type of snack. Sometimes thirst can mask itself as hunger. When your body is properly hydrated, it will run more efficiently and you will see a decrease in cravings. Recognize that there is a physical addiction to carbohydrates that will need to be broken. Don’t worry if you feel overwhelmed with cravings for carbs after the first few days on the plan. This is normal. Your body is used to running on a diet full of sugar and carbohydrates. It will take some time to adjust to this new way of eating. Normally, these feelings don’t last more than the two-week induction period. Stay committed to this new way of eating and you will see the benefits quickly.

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May 28, 2010

Which Is The Best Low Carb Diet?

The question of which is the best low carb diet often comes up for people who are searching for ways to incorporate the low carb way of eating into their lives as a 1000 calorie diet. Low carbohydrate food plans can be very effective but they are not always easy.

Atkins Diet

Dr Robert Atkins is credited with making low carb diets popular with his book 'Dr Atkins' Diet Revolution', first published in 1972. It was largely revised in 'Dr Atkins' New Diet Revolution' (2002) which remains the 'bible' for many people following the Atkins diet despite later amendments by the company that took over Dr Atkins' business after his death.

The Atkins diet focuses on restricting carbohydrate intake to a very low amount (under 20 net carbs) for a two- week induction period, then gradually increasing them to the point where you stop losing weight (the 'critical carbohydrate level for losing'). Foods are also limited during induction, and then gradually added back.

You can eat unlimited meat, fish, eggs and pure fats (oils and butter) at all times. Cheese, cream and vegetables are limited in induction, although you are advised to eat at least 2 cups of lower carbohydrate vegetables from the approved list. Milk, nuts, fruit, beans, starchy vegetables, whole grains, whole wheat products and alcohol are not allowed during induction but are added back later. Refined carbohydrates such as white bread and sugar are not allowed at any stage.

South Beach Diet

The South Beach Diet was developed by Dr Arthur Agatston. In the first phase it is very similar to Atkins induction but includes a few more foods, for example beans, nuts and seeds in limited quantities. Other foods are phased in later.

South Beach is more restrictive in the types of fats consumed, promoting monounsaturated fats (olive oil, canola oil) and minimizing saturated fats like butter.

The main difference in format between South Beach and Atkins is that South Beach counts portions while Atkins counts grams of net carbohydrates (subtracting fiber, which is not digested).

Other Low Carb Diets

There are many other low carb diets out there. Some of the best known are Protein Power, the Sonoma diet and the Paleo diet. Broadly speaking they follow the same principle which is that restricting carbohydrates allows the body to go into lipolysis or 'fat-burning' mode, resulting in weight loss. At the same time there is plenty of fat consumed, which helps people stick to the diet because they do not feel hungry, even when calorie intake is relatively low.

So now for the big question: which is the best low carb diet? The answer will lie with you to some extent. Low carb diets do work provided you can keep to the rules. But think about what suits your lifestyle or food preferences before you start.

Vegetarians will find the induction phase of Atkins difficult, although it is possible as long as you eat both eggs and dairy foods. South Beach is probably easier for vegetarians.

The gram-counting style of Atkins is good for people with an analytical type of mind who like to know exactly where they are with a diet. South Beach would be better for people who would find carb-counting annoying and wouldn't actually do it.

The bottom line is this: the best low carb diet is the one that you can stick to.

May 25, 2010

Discover All About The Atkins Diet - Also Know As The Low Carb Diet

Nearly everyone has heard of the Atkins Diet by now, even if not necessarily clear on what it is. Some may even know it as the source of “low-carb” diet craze in the country, but don’t know much about it beyond that. Considered as controversial as it is revolutionary, the Atkins Diet has worked successfully for a tremendous number of people, and not so successfully for a good amount of others. This article aims to place a neutral and objective eye on this popular weight loss program.

Re-introduced in the 1990’s (after an initial period of popularity in the 1970’s), the Atkins Diet is the brainchild of Dr. Robert Atkins.

The diet works in several phases, the first – or the “induction period” – lasting only 2 weeks. In this phase, dieters are not to eat any more than 20 grams of carbohydrates of any form each day. The bulk of a person’s diet during this period, then, is fats and proteins. Usually, a dieter will reach their 20 gram limit on carbohydrates simply from the small amounts in foods like salad dressing, cheese, sauces, condiments, and vegetables.

Forbidden from a participant’s diet during this 2 week induction period are fruits, grains, breads, cereal, milk, and vegetables with a high-glycemic index (a measure of the effect a food has on the body’s blood sugar).

During this period, the body enters a state called “ketosis”, where it begins burning its own residual deposits of fat in order to produce the energy for which it previously had been relying on your regular consumption of carbohydrates.

Atkins also asserts that the source of most weight problems people experience is an “insulin-resistance” that causes overweight bodies to have difficulty converting carbohydrates into glucose (or sugar) which becomes energy. In this state of ketosis induced by the induction phase of the Atkins Diet, the insulin function of the body is affected in such a way that impedes the production of more fat.

After the two week induction period ends, dieters are then permitted to increase their carbohydrate allowance by 5 grams each week. In other words: they’re allowed 25 grams of carbs per day throughout week 3, 30 grams of carbs per day throughout week 4, 35 g in week 5, etc.

Depending on the person’s body type and weight objectives, this gradual increase in carbs should level off somewhere between 40 g and 90 g per day. At this point, the dieter is considered to have entered the “maintenance” phase of the diet, where they ought to remain for the rest of their lives. Although counting calories is not a part of the Atkins Diet, studies by the North American Association for the Study of Obesity found that adhering to the restrictions imposed by the Atkins Diet led to a decrease of 1,000 calories from participant’s daily caloric intake.

A quick perusal of the recommendations published by most traditional health experts and health organizations will reveal that 40-90 grams of carbs per day is still a miniscule amount compared to that of what they consider a “standard” healthy diet.

The Atkins Diet also contradicts authorities (US FDA and the American Cancer Society included) that extol the virtues of eating fruits, vegetables, and whole grain breads and cereals. According to Atkins, even “healthy” carbohydrates are harmful in large quantities.

Studies by the Annals of Internal Medicine and the New England Journal of Medicine have actually found that participants on the Atkins Diet experienced an improvement in heart disease indicators.

Like the 80’s and 90’s were to “low-fat” and “fat-free”, Dr. Atkins has helped make the early 21st century “low-carb”. Whether that’s for better or worse is up to you.

May 22, 2010

Easy Low Carb Recipes

There are a lot of easy low carb food diet recipes available. Low carb dieting is now so popular that there are many recipe books written on just this subject. There are also recipe books written by the authors of most of the best known diet plans including Dr Robert Atkins, Dr Arthur Agatston of the South Beach Diet, the creators of the Protein Power and many others.

On top of that, you can find plenty of low carb recipes online. Usually these are available for free. The disadvantage of finding a recipe on a website is that they are not always so easy to print. The internet is often not set up for easy printing. Of course you could carry the computer into the kitchen or copy out the recipe by hand. However, sometimes you can copy and paste the text into Word or a similar program and then print it. Give it a try because it is useful to have your own collection of printed easy low carb recipes.

Many easy low carb recipes are adapted versions of regular recipes. For example, you would not believe how easy it is to make home made quiche when you do not have to bother with the pastry.

Low Carb Quiche

Makes 6 servings, each approximately 3g net carbohydrate depending on the choice of vegetables.

Lightly grease a large pie dish. Put in 8 oz of shredded cheddar cheese mixed with half of a small onion chopped small (25g or 2.5 Tbsp). Add about 8 oz (225g) chopped cooked low carb vegetables such as mushrooms, broccoli, zucchini etc. Add some ham, cooked chicken or bacon cut into small pieces.

Take 6 eggs and beat them. Mix in 1 cup heavy cream and seasoning. Pour this mixture into the pie dish around and over the vegetables, meat and cheese.

Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees (180 degrees C) for about 40 minutes. When it is done, the top will be lightly browned and a knife pushed into the center of the quiche will come out clean.

Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for 3 days and eaten cold. If you make it without meat, you can even freeze individual portions, then thaw and reheat.

Bacon And Cabbage Stir Fry

Makes 1 serving, 2g net carb per cup of shredded cabbage.

Cook 2-4 slices of bacon and cut into bite sized pieces.

Separately, heat 2 Tbsp olive oil or butter over a low to medium heat in a skillet with a lid. Add 1 or 2 cups (75g or 150g) of shredded cabbage according to your allowance under the rules of your diet. Cover with the lid and cook for 5 mins, stirring frequently. Add the bacon and cook for another 5 mins, or until the cabbage is translucent and soft.

This is delicious as a light meal or first course. It is one of our favorite quick and easy low carb recipes.

May 19, 2010

Atkins Diet - Learn More

The Atkins diet can be boring because of the limited choice and some believe it can be dangerous. Get a physical to make sure you can tolerate the diet and inform the doctor about your decision to try the Atkins diet. Make sure you completely understand how the diet works.

You can get all the information, both positive and negative, that you could want online, at the library or the bookstore. The Atkins diet attempts to get your body to burn fat instead of carbs as fuel. Atkins dieters sometimes experience physical reaction in the early weeks of the diet.

There are things that can be done to alleviate these symptoms. Dizziness and muscular cramps can be experienced by new Atkins dieters. You might have dizziness, cramps or other physical effects caused by the dietary changes you are making. You can take steps to prevent cramps and other symptoms.

Brain fog, dizziness and muscular cramps are common reactions to the dietary changes. Minerals like potassium wash out of your system rather quickly. A banana will not replace all the potassium loss, you need to take a supplement. Your symptoms should improve in about an hour.

Here are some hints to help you stay healthy while on Atkins. There are ways to help you combat the symptoms of the dietary changes. You need to eat at least 8 calories per pound of body weight. You need to drink enough water to flush toxins from your system.

Some people recommend drinking water equal to half your body weight, that is a lot of water. Water helps the body to rid itself of acidic ketones and also helps in lipolysis , the burning of fat rather than carbs for energy.

Don't weigh or measure yourself more than once a week, more often will have you obsessing over every 1/4 ounce. You will likely see a decrease in inches after the first week, if not you will surely see it in pounds. Eating the carbs that make you feel your best, still means you need to stay within the limits for the diet stage you are in. You will get more "bang for the buck" if you choose unprocessed, natural nutrient dense carbohydrates.

Sugar is an absolute no-no. Regular exercise is absolutely necessary. Do not even consider a program that promises you can lose weight without exercise. Exercise helps the body to better utilize the foods you consume. Not doing enough exercise is as bad as doing too much. Ask your doctor's advice about how often, how much and what type of exercise is right for you. Don't start off by trying to run a 10k, try a walk around the block and build up tolerance for more.

Be sure to take the nutrient supplements prescribed by your doctor. You should have a journal to record your weight loss and food consumption. If a major event or life change happens, record it and the emotions, since these can affect how you eat. What happens in your life affects what you eat, how much and even how often you eat.

Significant events should also be entered because even good stuff can affect you. Keep track of exactly what you eat in your food journal if you are diabetic you will be able to see how certain foods positively or negatively affect blood sugar levels. You should record your daily test results in this journal also.

Your journal will teach you to recognize patterns and to realize when your blood sugar levels are changing. Share your journal, or at least the trends you have noticed, with your doctor so that he can determine what needs to be done. Read the labels on every pre-packaged food item, look for white flour and hidden sugars.

You will lose weight faster if you limit your caffeine intake. The Atkins diet, or any other diet, is not going to take off 50 pounds in a week. A weight loss of 2-4 pounds a week may be realistic for one person but not for another. Losing more than this could be dangerous.

If weight loss is very rapid your body will go into starvation mode and try to hold on to what it can, and weight loss will stop cold. Any large weight loss will be regained if you return to your "normal" eating habits. Your prior "normal" eating patterns are what made you overweight to begin with.

A diet that promises phenomenal weight loss in a very short period of time is likely a scam. A really workable diet is one that recommends a balanced diet, exercise and possibly supplements. Be sure that any supplement is safe in general and for you in particular.

Just because a supplement is all natural, doesn't mean it is safe. Some supplements can interact with certain medication, so be cautious. No medications, vitamins or supplements should be taken without your doctor's approval.

May 16, 2010

Atkins Diet 101

Who does not desire to have a fit and shaped up body? Perhaps we all do. Overweight is the biggest enemy of our health. But factors such as sedentary work, lack of time to exercise and the availability of delectable fast food have made it extremely difficult to have stabilized weight.

It is not only a person’s appearance that is badly affected by being overweight but also his fitness. Usually obese people keep on confronting one or the other health problem. There are times when excess of weight becomes a mental torture and leads to depression.

It is quite an easy task to gain weight but immensely difficult to reduce it. Though there are various remedies prescribed to shed weight, all can’t to followed or trusted. One old and quite effective way to become light is the use of Atkin’s weigt loss diet.

Dr. Robert Atkins (1930-2003) was the father of Atkin’s Diet. In 1972 he popularized the diet in his famous series of books. In practical application also the diet turned out to be quiet successful. Thus it became more and more popular with time.

Dr. Atkin believed that carbohydrate is the primary reason behind gaining weight. This is because carbohydrates are composed of energy providing items such as sugar, starch, cellulose and gums. So if a person reduces the intake of carbohydrates (carbs) he or she can greatly get rid of many pounds. Thus people should avoid potatoes and other starchy vegetables along with sugar, grains, pastas and fruits for these are the major sources of carbs. In the opinion of Dr. Atkins doing this will translate a carbohydrate-burning metabolism to a fat burning one. Atkin’s diet is critical of carbs related but not of fatty and protein rich stuff. In fact it recommends its users to eat food that provides them fats and proteins. In the case of proteins it particularly emphasizes the consumption of animal protein.

Though atkin’s diet has done wonders in many cases, it has many shortcomings. If this weight lose at home diet is quite popular with one set of people, some others are enormously critical of it. this is because of several reasons. Firstly Atkins meals are not only low in carbs but contain negligible amount of essential vitamins, minerals, fiber and other nutrients. Secondly atkin’s diet is flourishing with cholesterol boosting fats that can be very troublesome. Thirdly since atkin’s diet promulgates animal protein, vegetarians find it difficult to adopt it. In the fourth place according to the American Heart Association (AHA), a high protein diet is not adequate to lose weight. So diets such as Atkin’s can cause nutritional deficiency and other cholesterol related problems (cardiac arrests) in the long run. Finally critics believe that eating meat and other high protein products can lead to osteoporosis, colon cancer, heart diseases and renal diseases.

However the best way to reduce weight is to avoid excess as well as complete elimination of anything. A person should take a diet rich in essential nutrients (vitamins, minerals, proteins, fibers etc.), stay away from fatty foods as much as possible. Also carbs such as sugar should be consumed in a regulated manner.

May 14, 2010

Guide To Low Carb Sweeteners

There are some low carb sweeteners on the market, and then there are some other sugar substitutes that are not so low carb. In this guide we look at the most popular alternatives so that you can choose the one that will best suit you and your diet.

Sucralose

Marketed as Splenda in many countries, sucralose is an artificial sweetener produced by modifying sugar molecules. It has a sweetness of 600 times as much as sugar.

Sucralose is the low carb sweetener of choice for dieters because you can cook with it. Unlike many artificial sweeteners, it does not lose its sweetness at high temperatures. This means that combined with low carb flour substitutes, it can be used to bake low carb cookies, cakes and puddings.

If you buy the granulated version it contains bulking agents to contain the sweetness so that one teaspoon granulated Splenda has the same sweetness as one teaspoon granulated sugar. The bulking agents contain a small amount of carbohydrate and you will need to count these carbs in your daily total. It's about 0.5g carbohydrate per teaspoon, which is around one-tenth of the carbs in sugar.

Tablets for adding to hot drinks also contain some other ingredients. See packages for details. Liquid Splenda is pure sucralose plus water so it is carb-free.

Stevia

Stevia rebaudiana is a plant native to South America that has very sweet tasting leaves. It has been used as a sweetener in Japan for many years. It is marketed either as an extracted chemical called Rebaudioside-A (brand names include PureVia, Truvia) or simply as powdered plant leaf. In the USA the plant leaf is not approved as a food but only as a dietary supplement, so you will find it in health food stores.

It is zero calorie and zero carb, but some studies have suggested that it does produce an insulin response so may not be so suitable for diabetics. It also has a slightly different taste from regular sugar, with a little hint of licorice that can take some getting used to, although some people like it right away. Stevia is chosen by many low carb dieters who want a natural zero carb sweetener.

Aspartame

Aspartame is the artificial sweetener most often found in diet sodas. Marketed as Nutrasweet and Equal among other names, it is a powder produced by combining two amino acids or proteins. It breaks down at high temperatures and stops tasting sweet so it does not work for baking.

Sugar Alcohols

Sugar alcohols are neither sugars nor alcohols, but are a form of carbohydrate that is believed not to be absorbed by the body in the same way as other carbohydrates. They have names ending in -ol, e.g. maltitol, erythritol, xylitol, sorbitol.

There is debate about exactly what their effect is. In the absence of conclusive research, most low carb diets advise counting them as having half the carbs of sugar, i.e. 50g carbohydrate per 100g product, or 2.2g carbohydrate per teaspoon. This is still rather high so most people on a low carbohydrate diet avoid sugar alcohol low carb sweeteners and choose other sweeteners that have zero carbs.

May 11, 2010

Atkins Diet - Increase Your Heart Attack Risk

Critics of the Atkins diet food plan have always questioned it's health validity. When Dr Atkins was called before a Senate committee headed by George McGovern, he was forced to admit that pregnant women following his low carb diet would suffer fetal damage to their unborn babies.

Studies since have found that long term, Atkins dieters do not lose weight more quickly, or keep it off more, over a twelve month period as compared to people following other diets. The initial weight loss is mostly fluid, not fat as is often claimed.

And whilst the high levels of protein and fats, and extremely low level of carbohydrates, appeals to some people's tastes, for most, it's unappetizing and doesn't produce a feeling of well being. As such, it becomes difficult to follow for long periods. Yet it is sold as a 'way of life', rather than a diet.

Most seriously, questions raised by Atkins's death, and the state of his heart health as revealed in the medical report after his death, seemed to give credibility to his critics.

Officially, Atkins died as a result of slipping on an icy pavement near his office. But his medical report revealed that he had a history of heart attacks, hypertension, and congestive heart failure. His wife explained the heart problems as a result of a virus they both contracted in Turkey.

Whether or not this is true, other evidence has since emerged that indicates Atkins diet is not good for the heart after all.

One recent study at Oxford University followed 19 people over a two week period. When they followed a diet high in fat and low in carbs, it was found that the energy stored in their heart was reduced by an average of 16%. In some people, this reduction was as high as 30%. On top of this, whilst they were on this diet, these people's hearts were unable to relax as easily. These changes reverted back to normal two weeks after they went back to a normal diet.

Jody Goran's experience was much worse. A 50 year old, he tried the Atkins diet and lost weight. He stayed on it for two years, but in October, 2003 he started having chest pains. He went to the doctor straight away, and they found that one of his main arteries was 99% blocked. He was not far away from having a fatal heart attack, and had to have surgery straight away.

Yet, 6 months before he'd started the Atkins diet, his check up revealed a very healthy heart. He had clean, unblocked arteries, and a 96% chance that he would NOT have a heart attack within the next 5 years. After following the Atkins diet for 2 years, not only was one of his main arteries blocked 99%, but his cholesterol had risen from 146 to 215. Just after the angioplasty, his cholesterol levels fell back to 209. But it wasn't until he discontinued the diet completely that his cholesterol levels returned to 146.

According to a report in The Weekend Australian Magazine, Atkins even acknowledged that in as many as 30% of dieters, higher levels of the 'bad' cholesterol can cause potentially serious heart problems. The same article does state that in others, the 'bad' cholesterol levels will lower, but 30% is a significant number. And there are other, healthier ways to lower cholesterol.

Overall, the questions and potentially serious side effects, quite apart from the bad breath and constipation, make this a highly questionable long term approach to weight control.

References: 1. Australian Healthy Food magazine, April, 2006 2. The Weekend Australian Magazine, March 11-12, 2006

May 8, 2010

Where Can I Find Low Carb Sugar?

Want to know where you can find low carb sugar? Unfortunately, there is no actual sugar that is low carb. Sugar is about the highest carbohydrate food that you can get.

White granulated sugar is pure carbohydrate with 100g of carbohydrate and zero fiber in 100g of sugar. Brown sugar is very slightly less at 98g carbohydrate. Maple sugar is still high with over 90g carb per 100g product.

When you get into other sweet foods the proportions are a little less but these are still high carb products. Honey has 82g net carb per 100g product. Maple syrup comes in at 67g.

Fructose, which some people think of as a sugar substitute, is simply sugar refined from fruits and some grains. High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is sometimes used in diabetic foods because it does not require insulin, but it is not low carb. It has 76g carbohydrate per 100g and no fiber. Dextrose, maltose, glucose and lactose are all high carb sugars too.

So if you are on a low carb diet you will need to avoid all of these. Since there is no low carb sugar, you will want to look for a sugar substitute. Fortunately, there are plenty of these.

Some are natural plant extracts. The most popular one for low carb diets is stevia (brand names Truvia, PureVia, or available in powdered leaf form at health food stores). Stevia is a zero carb product so long as nothing has been added to it.

Sugar alcohols, which are also used as natural sweeteners, do have some carbs and calories. It is not known exactly to what extent these are absorbed but they usually count as half the carbohydrate content of sugar. Maybe they could be called low carb sugar but that is still too high for most low carbohydrate diets.

Others are inventions of the chemists' laboratories. These artificial sweeteners include aspartame (brand names include Nutrasweet), which is often found in diet sodas, and sucralose (Splenda) which is becoming more and more popular because it does not break down under heat, so it can be used in baking. Splenda is probably the most popular low carb sugar substitute.

There have been some health concerns regarding the use of artificial sweeteners. The research on all of the different products is too varied to cover in any detail here, but often research has been done by feeding huge amounts of the products to animals such as rats. Sometimes they would get cancer or another serious disease and die. However, rats that were fed huge amounts of sugar would probably die pretty soon too.

Most people accept that artificial sweeteners that have been approved by the FDA are safe for humans to eat in normal amounts. They can be very useful in low carbohydrate diets, used sparingly in drinks and desserts as a kind of low carb sugar.

May 6, 2010

Atkins Bankrupt

Over the past few weeks, ever since Atkins went belly up our company has been bombarded with questions about the possible harmful effects that their ‘Atkins days’ might have caused.

It seems like everyone tried that system at one time or anotheras a one of the quick diets for weight loss.

Well to help alleviate some of the fear that’s out there, let me answer just a few of the basic questions here:

Q: “Could I have caused permanent damage by following a high protein diet?” A: If you haven’t yet experienced any major health problems, then it’s not too late to reverse many, if not all of the negative side effects that usually follow a program like that.

Q: “I think I’ve damaged myself internally by following this type of diet … help!“ A: First, relax! Then simply stop doing the things that you know are killing you, and start doing things that have been proven to make you healthier, leaner, and more energetic.

For example…every meal should have it’s foundation in fresh, preferably raw vegetables, then you should add a small portion of lean protein such as egg white, fish, chicken, or turkey. That’s it. That simple change will help you reverse many of the toxic effects of an unhealthy diet – and re-start the fat-burning process getting you back into a tight, lean body.

Q: “I’m afraid to stop this way of eating, for fear of gaining it (my fat) back, what do you suggest?” A: It’s time to make a change. It’s time to re-train your body, and begin triggering the correct chemicals within your body to help you automatically burn body-fat naturally. By following a healthy diet like the one laid out in The Living Health Weight Loss Program, or any other healthy program that’s proven to get you healthy and lean fast – by using a healthy program like that your body WILL transform from unhealthy to healthy, from unfit to fit, and from ordinary to extraordinary.

May 5, 2010

Atkins Low Carb Diet

Welcome to my atkins low carb diet blog,

the low carb and especially atkins diet is one of the most popular diets nowadays and there are a lot of information floating around this type of diet. Here can you find what low carb really means and how this diet works. Is wine a aolution in a atkins diet or not and what kind of food you can eat and what not.

My blog is there to help you finding the right diet choice and if you want to go on an atkins low carb diet then you can find a lot of information here on my blog.

So, stay tuned for my next posts and have a look around on my blog ;)

Sabrina