In the PC game ‘Far Cry’, it is possible to overhear two mercenaries talking about the Atkins diet (though they don’t mention it by name). I got a good laugh out of that. It’s everywhere!
This is probably the wrong place for this, and I feel like I’m walking through Atlanta after Sherman went through even wading into this thread, but I have to say it–
I’d try the Atkins diet. You all have convinced me. I’m not that overweight, but I’d like to lose 20lbs. and keep it off. However, I am a vegetarian and there is no way in hell I’m ever going back to eating meat. How would I do this diet? I don’t want to live on tofu. In large doses, it doesn’t agree with me. Is it possible for me to go Atkins and maintain my dietary restriction? Or will I have to join the OP in cursing this damn diet that is all up in my face that, valid scientifically or not, is off the table for those of us who don’t want to eat animals? Or, as **Boo Boo Foo ** keeps saying, is my only option the tried and true “work out like a devil”? I do exercise in a moderate manner, but this winter was too cold for anything outdoorsy, hence the weight gain.
Rubystreak - if you want to try Atkins, do buy the book. I believe there may even be special editions (certainly recipe books) for vegetarians. You can also try http://www.atkins.com - but it’s increasingly becoming just a low-carb product pusher (which isnt’ AT ALL what Dr Atkins intended).
Dr Atkins does admit the diet is harder for vegetarians. He pretty much says that it is impossibly boring for vegans.
But for a vegetarian who eats cheese and eggs, and likes mushrooms, it would be pretty ok. You can actually eat more than the recommended amount of cheese per day, and the diet still works amazingly. (I know a pre-diabetic who is so carb sensitive she has to swap some of the vegetables for things like cheese, and has a real problem with any fruit). Roasted mushrooms are, IMO, richer than steak. Eggs are hugely versatile. The nicest rich, creamy soups are often the vegetable-based ones. Then there are things like avocado which frankly are rich tasting enough to be a meat substitute for any meal.
Atkins - if you read the book - wasn’t originally designed for people with only a little to lose. The science came from his treatment of long-term, morbidly obese people, many if not most of whom were pre-diabetic or diabetic. However the diet does work for those with 10-20lb or so, just more slowly. (It works for me anyway).
If you do decide to give it a try, there are lots of great LiveJournal communities as well, for support, recipes and ideas.
in the spirit of the OP, I got this today on the Fatkins diet
Not real work safe due to language, but this is the pit and it real funny.