From Atkins to Calorie Count

Hi all, I recently started the Atkins diet going on 1 1/2 weeks I feel fine and it has helped with stabilizing my sugar (this was the reason I did the diet in the first place) so far I have lost about 8 lbs. I am aware that this diet is not a lifestyle and not the best way to loose weight but I needed a jump start and to address my hypoglicemia. I don't plan on doing this long term and I really miss my delicious fruits and milk. I would like to end Phase 1 (induction) of the Atkins and switch to Calorie Count. And continue my weight loss journey that way but I am kind of scared of gaining because I will be introducing carbs, any advice suggestions? I love Calorie count and would like to continue this way. Thanks! 

As a hypoglycemic are you not consulting with your doctor on dietary choices you are making?

Atkins can place significant strain on the cardiovascular system and the liver and while you feel fine now, I think it is a very good idea to see you doctor and talk about your desire to manage your hypoglycemia (and weight loss) with diet -- she or he may recommend a nutritionist for you to work with.

There are many other broader and less dangerous diets than Atkins that would allow for you to steer clear of sugars and refined carbs; lose weight safely; and keep your hypoglycemia completely in check as well.

Best of luck and let us know how it goes with your doctor.

I tried Atkins (insulin resistant here) and I couldn't do it.  Now I follow SB. 

Tons of veggies and lean meats and whole grains, fruits, Whole wheat pasta, brown rice are all part of it.

 I hate the term low carb though.. I eat a lot of carbs.. I just make sure the carbs I eat are the ones that work with my blood levels .

Good afternoon Noemi21,

I went on Atkins myself about 10 years ago and lost 59 pounds in approximately 8 months.  I loved it because I could eat until I was full.  Every diet I had ever tried in the past left me hungry after every meal, and inevitably I would fail. Atkins has a bad rap for sure.......but it usually comes from people who like to pile on, who also have never read his book.  If you have not read it cover to cover, I'd like to strongly urge you to read it. 

People think that you can not have any carbs with Atkins.  That is not true. If you are doing it correctly, then you know that during the induction phase the carbs are drastically reduced while your body deals with ridding itself of the additions it has.  No, I don't mean drugs, I'm referring to refined sugar addictions, caffeine\etc.  If you had headaches during the induction phase, that was a great sign, believe it or not.  That was your body dealing with not having the sugar it was used to getting, and the caffeine.  After the induction phase, you begin to add carbs (good carbs) to your diet including veggies/fruits/nuts.

To address your question, now that you are out of the induction phase, I'd recommend consuming the bulk of the carbs you eat during breakfast and lunch, and very little at dinner. Why? Your body will use the carbs during those first 2 meals and convert them to energy for the day.  Carbs at the evening meal often are converted to stored fat, because most of us are not that active AFTER eating dinner.  So, eat mainly low carb veggies and no carb protein for dinner. By no carb protein I mean skinless chicken, ground turkey, hamburger (without bread), tuna fish, eggs.  (Tuna fish with real Mayonaisse has zero carbs.) You will find that eating protein for dinner leaves you satisfied, with a full feeling throughout the evening.  That significantly reduces the urge to snack later on.

Be sure to drink lots of water.  Repeat....be sure to drink lots of water. Water not only is good for you as we all know, but it is a major contributor in losing weight. By drinking water instead of sodas/Juices/etc., you're body is not having to deal with high levels of corn syrup/Fructose/ and other things not good for you. Replacing those bad drinks with water also lowers your calorie intake AND carbs for the day.

Personally, I slowly veered away from Atkins after losing all of that weight and after about 10 years I had put it all back on.  What a dummy!  I did not follow the book after reaching my goal weight.  I sure wish I did because I would not be trying to lose weight again.

Recently I decided to do exactly what I recommended to you, beginning  6 weeks ago. My Calorie limit is 2200 daily, and I have only exceeded that limit (barely) 1 day so far.  I do not eat high carb foods at all, do not eat sweets, and will not eat foods with refined sugar.  I drink at least 1 gallon of water every day, and usually have 10 carbs or less at dinner time, eating mainly salads/low carb veggies and protein.   You should include fiber in your diet, such as General Mills Fiber One Bran Cereal.  One serving (1/2 cup) has over half of the recommended fiber for the day.  It has only 60 calories per serving as well. It is high in carbs (25) but many of those carbs (because it's fiber) leave the body and are not processed/converted to fat. I do not eat it with milk, but will pour it in with soup and heat it up.  It surprisingly makes the soup very rich, and it has a good taste. (Ok, that may sound gross, but it's really tasty, especially in minestrone soup). Following the plan I mentioned above, I've lost 26 pounds in 6 weeks.  It's hard to believe because it really is not that hard at all.  The only way to succeed in my opinion is to record every calorie you consume.  This site makes it easy to do just that. Some people will say that the healthy way to lose weight, and to increase the chances that you will keep it off,  is to lose 1-2 pounds per week. I feel that is really good advice.  I would be happy losing that as long as I was eating right.  I know that my average of 4+ pounds per week is high, but I feel great, I am eating right, counting my calories and it is working. I also know that 4+ pounds per week average will not continue, as this past week I lost 3 pounds.  It will even out at 1-2 pounds soon, and yes I will be happy with that.

Please know that I am not a nutritionist nor a doctor, and your doctor will give you the best advice.  That said, I hope this has been helpful in some way, and that whatever method you choose will be the right one for you. 

Best wishes,

BigTim320

Just a little warning...

I too am hypoglycemic, i did atkins about 4 years ago and yes i lost 40 lbs in about 3 months... I since had gained all of that weight back and had serious issues with my hypoglycemia. I hope that you will follow the advice of your dr and make sure the introduction of carbs is done correctly. please be careful as i would not want you to have the same results i did leaving that diet.

Best Wishes!

:0)