I’ve noticed in a few other threads that quite a few Dopers seem to be doing the Atkins diet. Hubby is embarking upon it the first of the year, and so I’ve been doing some research for him. I’ve looked at the Atkins site http://atkinscenter.com/, and noticed that they have lots of low-carb food product for sale, like bread mixes, a breading-type coating for frying chicken and such, desserts, and a lot more. How many of you have tried these products? Are they any good? I don’t mind paying a premium price for this type of product, but don’t want to buy an entire package of something only to find out it’s inedible. Also, what low-carb products have you found in regular super-markets that have been enjoyable/helpful?
Thanks!
Generally, the products from Atkins are icky, IMO. Some of the meal-replacement bars are ok. Expert Foods has a good cornstarch substitute that can be used for thickening cream soups, gravy, etc. You can get it at netrition.com.
As far as the grocery sore, Wasa Fiber Rye crackers are pretty LC. But you won’t find much in the way of prepared foods, truthfully.
You might want to check out alt.support.diet.low-carb on Usenet. Here is their FAQ. There’s a lot of good info there, despite the horrible page design.
I corrected the spelling of “Atkins” in the title to clarify matters.
Czarcasm you can be my hero du jour! I can’t believe I misspelled that:smack:
norinew Has your hubby discussed this with his doctor?
Some people have great difficulty with this diet, this is why I ask. Some experience a large amount of intestinal problems and end up with horrible hallitosis, etc…again, that’s “some” people.
IMHO, well this is the place, reduction in calorie intake, reduction in simple sugars and simple carbs are the best way to appropriately lose weight. This allows you no real restrictions and adding in a little movement in the day, the pounds come off, just a little slower.
As they say, nothing worthwhile is easy and this goes for DIEting. It’s the choices that we make on a day to day basis that makes all the difference. Have him keep a journal of what he eats and review it weekly to see what he is eating or drinking that could be causing excess weight.
I’m not Atkin’s bashing, I am just realistic about the food choices I make and I truly know and believe (from my super skinny step-mom’s experiences over the years) that portion control eliminating known bad foods and adding a little exercise is the safest way to lose weight. It’s a lifestyle change really.
techchick68,
My Mom went on the Atkins diet a while ago. She has lost 19 pounds.(Her goal is 25) Her blood tests show that her cholesterol levels have dropped. At the same time my Mom eats a whole lot of food. She doesn’t count calories, she counts carbs. In the past two weeks I have gone to Las Vegas buffets with my Mom four times and watched her eat two or three plates of food at each outing. During that time she lost another two pounds. My Dad made a comment the other day and said “She eats and eats and loses weight and feels better.”
My Mom always had problems staying on a low cal diet. She was always hungry. My Mom loves this diet and it is working. She says that she is doesn’t crave food anymore and is always satisfied after meals. The whole point of this is that Atkins works for some people.
** norinew**,
If your husband is going to do Atkins you need to let him know that high carb foods are going to be on the ‘don’t eat’ list for life except in very small amounts. He needs to be prepared to stop eating those foods ahead of time.
I am going to start Atkins when my supply of high carb food is gone. The three things I will miss the most is bread, potatos and potato chips. I am making it a point to modify my eating habits before I start the diet so that it isn’t a big shock when I start it.
To give you an idea of what I am doing I no longer make sandwiches with two pieces of bread. I now just use the bottom slice. Next week I am going to start using lettuce to make a sandwich into a wrap and getting rid of the bread altogether.
I think preparing ahead of time is a really good idea.
Slee
sleestak
Again, I stress that lifestyle change is the best bet for anyone that wants permanent weight loss.
People can choose to eat a slice of apple pie or 5 baked apples, still feeling fullfilled.
Taking out processed foods like white bread and switching to whole grain bread is a better bet than restricting your diet to fats and proteins. A whole food diet is better than a strict DIEt like that.
Granted you don’t want to go all out on eating potatoes, bread and pasta but like the experts have always said, everything in moderation. Add in some movement, just simply walking 30 minutes 3-4 times a week, a well balanced food source, you have a lifestyle that works for everyone that has normal metabolism.
I really didn’t want to start in on the Atkins bashing because that’s not my thing but it is very important that anyone that actually goes on a diet should see a doctor before hand.
Going on the Atkins DIEt for a month or two or three is fine but the moment you return to your old lifestyle, you will pack on the pounds. I have seen it with my brother and sis-in-law. My sis-in-law has made the choice to eat better and exercise more and has made her life’s goal to be healthy. She’s now back to a size 5 (I used to be a size 4) and she told me the steps she has made and she’s made a commitment to staying this way. Holiday’s aside, she is deliberate in her approach to eat healthy. No strict DIEts like Atkins again. She feels better.
She doesn’t watch fat calories, she is simply watching HOW she eats. Whole foods and organic foods play a role in that. She does eat steak, cheese and the like but she has put more veggies and fruits in her life. Also, running has been her free and clear way to reduce her weight and her stress as well.
I have always been thin, I am currently a size 6 but want to get down to my size 4 again and it works on me. I refuse to go the route of many, a quick fix. Beginning January 1, I am stopping smoking (again,) stopping the alcohol (big caloric intake for anyone) and revisiting my lifestyle when it comes to food. In addition, I am going to start walking again. This is a lifestyle change.
I would start now but heck, it’s the holidays and I will just be a glutton and live like I have until then.
It’s going to be difficult to make all these changes at once but I have to or I am doomed to high blood pressure, heart disease and possibly cancer from my smoking. But I am doing this for me.
Anyhow, I think severe DIEts like Atkins can only harm in the long run and I stick to that, everything in moderation idea that only makes sense.
BTW, I am big fat lover. I love bacon, eggs, steak, cheese, milk, etc…but I also know that too much of those can be harmful to my health.
Before anyone goes on a DIEt such as Atkins, it’s not much to ask that a person go to their doctor before hand and getting a physical and subsequent visits to ensure that they are not failing, health wise. “Some” people can not handle those types of DIEts. “Some” people can get very sick from such plans.
< off the soap box, sorry I rambled >
Hi all, Possibly the longest Atkins dieter here on the board (apx 9 yrs).
1st before he starts have him look at the maintance diet (formerally called meat and millet diet). and have him ask himself can he stay on this diet for the rest of his life. If it would be any kind of real struggle forget it it is not going to work for him. Atkins is a lifetime commitment.
OK back to the OP
I didn’t order many Atkins products because of the cost but have sampled them over the years. Most of the products are a big improvment in taste then they used to be, some very tasty. BUT most of these products are for maintance, not intended for the weightloss part of the diet and usually will cause you to cut back on other carbs further to allow it. If your hubby has a high CCL (Crit. Carb. Level) then he might get away with it once in a while.
Also when you eat bad (off diet) it is better (IMHO) to get it overwith right away, binge, re-do induction right after as opposed to drag it out over a few days a little at a time.
I’m on the Atkins plan also and I do use a few of the Atkins products, but only a few because they are very expensive. I do like the muffin/bread mixes–I usually make 18 muffins at a time and freeze them for later. It’s good but does have a strange aftertaste to me. I think the key to eating Atkins bread is to eat it hot and with lots of butter. 
I also like the Atkins Endulge bars. Some people can’t handle the malitol in them–it can cause stomach problems, but it doesn’t seem to bother me. These bars aren’t cheap either, but to a chocaholic like me, it’s well worth the price so I can have my chocolate fix every now and then.
The best low carb product I’ve found is low carb tortillas. La Tortilla brand is the best by far, IMHO, both in price and quality.
You can find some Atkins foods at certain grocery stores. Publix has a good selection–they even have the baking mixes and syrups.
I’ve even been able to find Endulge bars at Walmart on occasion.
Good luck to your husband, norinew!
Oh yea. There is now a pretty big selection of low/no carb foods in supermarkets and the like, better to try what they have first as it will be about 5x cheaper, then specialty stores about 1.5 to 2x cheaper then atkins.
There was a no sugar place in NJ (edison IIRC) but it went out of business about 1 yr ago, too bad I leakky liked that place, greatr prices and unique and very tasty products.
Also be careful no sugar/ no sugar added does not mean no carbs.
I have found the reviews at www.lowcarbluxury.com to be very accurate and trustworthy. The recipes are good, too - I haven’t tried one yet that I didn’t like.
ENugent This site has so much great information, and I know it will be so helpful, that I’ve bookmarked it. Thank you, thank you, thank you!