Just want to chime in on my thoughts. I currently do biomedical research where we study the genetic causes of obesity, but I do a heck of a lot of reading on the health problem in general. This might be kinda long. Anyway, the Atkins diet does seem to work in losing weight. However, there are several points to consider. 1) a study published in New England Journal of Medicine (May 22, 2003) by Foster et al showed that a low carb, high protein-fat diet reduced weight more than a conventional (low fat, high carb) diet for the first 3 months but NO statistically significant differnence was seen after 12 months. This was a one year, multi-center, controlled trial involving 63 obese men and women that were randomly assigned to one or the other diet. 2) a review of the past medical literature published in JAMA of this year also showed that a low-carb diet did not significantly show a difference when compared to traditional diet and exercise; however NO recommendations for or against could be made. They did point out that most of the weight lost in the low-carb diet is from DECREASE in CALORIES (i.e., they just ate less calories as opposed to any effects of high protein levels). Basically, this means that while the Atkins diet seems to work (at least in the short term), the long term benefits or even harm it does to one is still unknown. The current thinking is that the Atkins diet helps to reduce weight by mainly curbing how many calories one eats. Hey, for most people it is easier to eat lots of pasta, bread, potato chips, and rice than a whole hunk of steak (pound for pound). However, possible side effects of the diet include: * kidney problems (the kidney has to filter all the protein load and the long term effects are unknown - you might have kidney stones or worse) * pancreas and gallbladder - working on that rich protein and fat diet for a long period might be similar to problems you might have with the kidney * cardiovascular - especially all the animal fat, again long term effects are unkown (positive or negative). Basically, I am not advocating against or for this diet. It does seem to work, but you have to also realize that there are some serious potential health concerns that you might want to consider before starting this diet. Also, while it might work initially, if you get off it or in the long term, you might end up gaining back all those lost pounds (called "rebounding"). This is true of almost all diets. It seems that animals (including people) have a strong physiological mechanism in place to MAINTAIN your present weight (lots and lots of science on this one, which I won't go into detail - but it does heavily involve genetics). I guess Nature thought it was better to be safe and have a few love handles in case the next famine came around rather than being lean and trim all the time. Anyway, consult your physician and get regular check ups (minimum once a year but more if you or your health plan can cover it) if you are on this diet. If you are elderly (middle age and up), you definitely want to have your blood pressure and cholesterol levels checked if you are on this diet. Ok sorry to get long winded, but this is something I am quite interested in and hopefully someone found it helpful.
Oh one book that people might find interesting on this topic of vegetarian and animal rights issues is Peter Singer's "Animal Liberation." I am NOT a vegan nor do I support his view of animal rights. In fact, you can say that he is targeting people just like me. However, he does a very good job of explaining his side of the story and uses two main examples of the food industry and animal research to show why morally he thinks it is wrong to treat animals in this fashion. He also states how being vegetarian can achieve some of these goals. While he is a philosopher, this book is very easy to read by almost anyone and I do recommend it if someone is interested in this topic. I don't know why I am even writing this, since I really don't believe in all of his causes, but I guess you can say I appreciate how clearly and intelligently he states his opinions. Warning after reading the book, you might not be able to be on an Atkins diet because he paints a grim picture on how that steak got to your plate.
at least with pizza and beer you can be sure of the results. no weighing yourself everyday. no counting calories. no being fustrated when your weight doesnt drop. reminds me of the Kids in the Hall "my gut is better than yours" skit. ha ha. Brian
I find the notion that animals raised for food have a less fulfilling life than those in the wild amusing. If Mother Nature were a real person she would tried by the World Court for depraved indifference. Animals raised by man are at least cared for in a symbiotic relationship. They are fed , protected, treated when they are ill and killed in quick fashion. Animals in the wild can never relax because they are always being hunted by predators, they can never ease in their protection of their young. If caught they face being shredded limb from limb till they bleed out. In times of drought whole herds can face an agonizing starvation. They are constantly harrassed by mosquitos , deer flies, horse flies, abcesses, Poxes and infections. Many females will die painful deaths during unaided childbirth. I've got nothing against vegitatarians but I think the cows are pissed cause your eating all their food. Jeep
That's just a funny scene there. A cow staring at you pissed as heck while you try to outeat their pasture. I mean do you think a cow would even stop to look at you or just continue chomping away. I just have an image of them eating NON-STOP except to lie down once in a while. While I agree with your notions about Mother Nature; hence, I do eat meat and don't believe in Animal Rights but Animal Welfare, you should try reading "Animal Liberation" by Peter Singer if you want a different perspective (yes, I am kinda pushing this book...sorry). He writes that most animals we eat are not treated in the way you depict. There is no scenic farms anymore in the US. It is pretty much taken over by large companies trying to make a quick profit. Unfortunately, this means cutting costs and doing otherwise inhumane things to animals in order to make a buck or two. Luckily, some people recognize this. Recently, the fast food industry stated that they are trying to change some of the standard practices to be more humane. Also, nowadays you see a lot more "free range" chickens being sold. Although not enough for my umm "taste." Ok I think that's enough for me or else I would have to take this into the other BBS Hangout forum, not to mention that it is off the original topic of the Atkins diet...
Being a vegetarian doesn't preclude either. I eat cheese pizza all the time and though I don't drink alcohol, there would be nothing stopping me from drinking beer if I did.
"Animal Liberation" is a fantastic book (it launched the animal rights movement), but a little dated. John Robbins' "The Food Revolution" and "Diet for a New America" are updated and a bit more accessible to the mainstream. Fascinating reads.
Do it under observation by a Dr. Three months ago, my uncle who is ONLY 48 years old and in pretty good shape just wanted to drop 20 pounds, recently suffered a MASSIVE stroke which he suffered permanent damage and ultimately had to get 7 (yes seven) bypasses. They would not directly say that the diet caused it, but the y did say this. If you are borderline high cholesterol, this diet can be harmful. Just get yourself and the Mrs. checked out before hand. He swears by the diet as do many of the doctors who he spoke to about it, but its important to make sure you do not have any other issues which could be made worse by a diet that calls for such a large amount of red meat. Again, do not let it discourage you, just a reminder to make sure everything else is okay.
so you are Vegetarian . .not Vegan Kewl My thing is . ..what about all the chemicals put on and in plants to stop the bugs and sh*t chemicals are in everything Rocket River Eat, Drink and BE MERRY!
Good advice, but I gotta tell you. If you're going on this plan, you shouldn't just assume that you can have all the red meat you want. That's where people go wrong on this plan. Chicken and fish have just as much protien as red meat but are much better for you. When I lost all my weight, I limited myself to red meat 2, maybe 3 times a week. The rest of the time I was all about chicken and fish (and lots of eggwhites).
This is probably the best advice anyone can give you. Before you change your diet (you should ask your doctor about your diet anyway), always consult your doctor.
I try to eat as much organic food and produce as possible, but I'm not trying to be perfect. It's an imperfect world and if imperfection were grounds for royalty, I'd be the King of the World. I just try to do the best I can.
It is all good. Vegetarian for good health is kewl Vegetarian for 'ethical' reasons is goofy and pretensious Rocket River
No kidding -- what an inaccurate load of crap. Jeff was goofy and pretentious looooong before he became an ethical vegetarian.
I gained some weight recently b/c of work and turning my ankle playing basketball and want to lose about 10-15 pounds rather quickly before a Acapulco/Brazil trip in August. The Atkins diet seems perfect for my scenario. Now what exactly is the diet?? You eat all the protien, sugar-free desserts and greens that you want? For some reason I heard that grapefruit juice was involved. Can someone just tell me the basics??
