Atkins
 

Anyone here on this? I have been on Carbohydrate addicts diet and honestly I think I need to switch at least for a little while. I have been going over recipies so I can get past the oh my I can't do this to thinking I can do this. I am used to being able to have one meal that has anything I want. So how hard was it to find replacements so you did not feel like you were missing out?

Re: Atkins
 

I'm of the mindset that you shouldn't replace food. You shouldn't be replacing a candy bar with an atkins bar or sugar with splenda. I think it makes it way harder because you are still eating like a person who is eating the SAD rather than making a lifestyle change. HIghly processed foods are going to kill you if they are atkins friendly or not.

Re: Atkins
 

I am already mostly no carb with the diet I am on now, but I have these last 30 pounds that just will not come off. I have been contemplating going Atkins to see if it would kick start things again. I already eat non processed and no sugar so that will not be hard. What will be hard is giving up bread, pasta and desert in my one meal I allow carbohydrates.

Re: Atkins
 

I've been Atkins, low-carb, for years. I'm more wholelottafoods-free now.

I agree with CTL, but it's ok to transition if that helps. Like cauliflower with cheese, sour cream, even cream cheese, makes a decent substitute for mashed potatoes. The bread substitutes are just bad. I never tried the ricotta cheese rolls, though. As you go on, though, it's better to replace current food with something entirely different and more healthy, rather than trying to find an exactly low-carb replacement. They never taste the same, and in some cases are more harmful to the body because of the chemicals.

My recent favorites have been a whole sauteed Spanish onion cooked in olive oil, which I've decided is my current comfort food. I guess it's like a replacement for noodles, though I don't put spaghetti sauce on it.
When I was able to eat a wider variety of foods I would make the same Italian dishes I've always enjoyed but had meat instead of pasta. Like spaghetti sauce over Italian sausage or chicken breasts with mozzarella melted on top. I didn't miss the spaghetti.

Take what I say with a grain of salt, though, because I've been wheat-free since 1999. I don't remember struggling with withdrawal, except the first few days. After that I allowed one meal on Fridays for pizza until I reached my goal. I found after 4 days without breads I could taste them hidden in things like stuffed mushrooms.

Re: Atkins
 

Oh thanks. Yeah when I first went just the low carb for breakfast and lunch I had some serious withdrawl. I thought of nothing of toast made from home made bread and grilled cheese. It lasted a few days but soon passed. Hopefully since I already limit it wont be so bad.

Re: Atkins
 

I've done Atkins many times, and it's always been really good for my body type.
I'm currently only looking to lose about 15 pounds, but I find that the induction phase helps me to 'reset' my sugar cravings, aside from getting me into that weight loss groove, my body just has more energy, etc. Once I'm off the sweet stuff, ya know?
I do agree with Can'tTurnLeft in that the 'man made' sweeteners are really no better than sugar/ carbs. They trick your body into thinking it's real sugar, and you still have insulin spikes that make you hungry. The best way I've found is just to dive into the fat. Cream, cream cheese, red meat, salads and deviled eggs. I carry carl budding meat packs when I'm away from home (I know it's just balogna, but it's better than a bar) and drink actual protein shakes instead of the canned ones if that's what I'm craving.
I might be more indulgent in 2 weeks. ;)

I'm here for support if you need!

Re: Atkins
 

Thanks :)

I do use spenda for sweetner but try to stay away from aspertame. I do not react to it like some people do. I find that if I am craving a sweet I can make a cream cheese and real whipped cream with some splenda and it will help the sweet tooth. I got a blender so I can make some sugar free slushi type drinks for when it is hot. I hope that will help as well to feel like I am having a treat.

Re: Atkins
 

This stuff is awesome.

It comes in flavors. It's my hero.
Also, I do the cream cheese and whip thing too. You just gotta have something sometimes, right?

Re: Atkins
 

Is it like stevia? I tried that and it is not only bitter but caused horrible stomach cramps for me.

Re: Atkins
 

Ugh! That's aweful! Most sweeteners have fillers in them such as corn starch. This is pure stevia with no fillers, but if you're sure you can't take stevia then I wouldn't recommend it.
I will say this, though...Induction phase of Atkins will cause constipation if you're prone to it. Be prepared for that. I still haven't found a good relief for that, except running. Drinking a lot of water is important, but I can't preach that because I'm really bad about that.

Re: Atkins
 

I have no fear of that. I have an autoimmune thing that attack my tummy. I go too much.

I bought it from the health food store and the first thing I noticed is it was so bitter I had no idea how anyone thought it was sweet.

Re: Atkins
 

I just made my first low carb dinner. I made DH a baked potato to go with it and I had mashed cauliflower. I stayed completely in the rules about acceptable foods and I feel like I cheated it was so good. I kept the oatmeal out of the meatloaf and put in a couple stalks of celery and extra garlic instead and had some fresh green beans. It was so good.

Even my favorite dips are ok as long as I do not use chips. My Parmesan dip I make just grill some chicken and serve it over that tomorrow.

Re: Atkins
 

The dinner sounds delicious. That's how I ate Atkins while the rest of my family at regular food. I made a meat entree and salad or veggie I could have, plus sides the rest of the family enjoyed. My husband doesn't care how I eat, as long as he can continue eating what he wants. With meals like that, he never felt deprived. I did stop making casseroles, though.

For dips, I used crunchy veggies instead of chips. Peppers, celery and snap peas were favorites. For a little while I did use pork rinds but really don't like them.
There are also recipes online for low-carb cheese crackers that are only shredded cheese and spices, baked in the oven. I haven't tried them (I'm cow dairy-free) but have heard they're delicious.

Re: Atkins
 

Oh, yeah! You can make taco shells/ nachos out of cheese, pizza crust out of cauliflower and cheese (yes this is really good!) and I use pork rinds in place of bread crumbs on casseroles or fried chicken, etc.

Re: Atkins
 

Oh how do you make taco shells out of cauliflower and cheese? That sounds yummy.