October 30, 2007

• Now, Pass The Garlic…

  Well now, I hadn’t counted on that last post being Featured, but I’m glad that it’s had some exposure since I believe the topic demands attention. I was not surprised at the many comments that stated that low-carb was dangerous, or that some thought that carbohydrates are a necessary part of the diet for good health. I totally disagree, but we are all entitled to our opinions, even if they are wrong.

  I did receive a comment, however, that made me feel like Christmas had come early. It was a comment from Dr. Michael R. Eades, co-author of Protein Power, and he had this to say:

  

  I truly do appreciate Dr. Mike stopping by and giving us the benefit of his experience (and I totally forgive the typo of my screen name, lol). His reply makes me feel a bit vindicated to say the least. I really respect him and hope that you all will travel to his blog HERE where you can read up on what the studies really say, and how good low carb can be for you. He makes himself very accessible and often responds to comments and questions left for him in his posts. Thank you, Dr. Eades!

  Many of the comments/questions to my last post I answered in the comments themselves, but here are a few I’ll respond to for this post:

  Q. darabrat: My question is:  WHERE’S THE CHOCOLATE???
  just kidding. 

  A. I know you said you were kidding, but it’s a valid question (especially for me since I’ve always craved chocolate). But now, for some reason, I don’t crave it nearly as often. When I do, though, I usually make some Chocolate Coconut Oil Bark. It’s yummy (and the texture rivals that of fine European chocolate), and totally okay to eat while low carbing! Here’s the recipe.

  Q. Snow_Fae : What’s like a sample of it?

  A. The sky is the limit for menu choices, as long as those dishes are low carb. Check out Linda’s Low Carb Recipes for an idea of some of the things that can be enjoyed. For an actual eating plan, you’d need to read up on it. Protein Power, Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution, or even reading both and doing a combination of the two (many low carbers “tweak” their eating plan to suit them) is a good place to start.
  
  Q. Mr_Whaley : Won’t this diet lead to problems in your digestion?  Something about being more at risk for polyps growing in the colon?

  A. On the contrary. Digestion is improved on a low carb diet. For me personally, the acid reflux I had while eating a high carb diet is now completely gone since I’ve started eating a low carb diet. There is an article about it HERE. There has been some talk about an increased risk of colon cancer when eating red meat, which not all people agree is the case (and looking at the studies, I don’t think it’s the case myself). Check out Dr. Eades blog for information on the studies about colon cancer. But no, there is no correlation between a low carb diet and polyps.

  Q. sweetanonymity : okay, so what do you drink?

  A. My one vice is Diet Pepsi. I know, full of chemicals and caffeine, but I have cut back and continue to. I also drink flavored sugar free water, tea, water with lemon, and on occasion (very seldom) I’ll have a Vodka and Diet Tonic.

  Okay, that’s all for now. I’m not a doctor, nor do I play one on TV…I just know what I’ve researched has shown me that low carb is safe, effective, and I believe the way God intended us to eat. And for those of you who told me I should study basic nutrition, microbiology, etc….I have. And I was Dean’s List. I loved it, and Human Anatomy and Physiology was one of my favorite courses.

  I knew this topic was a controversial one when I posted it. I expected a backlash, but all-in-all I am thankful that we can disagree in a civil manner, for the most part. For those of you still wondering if this way of eating is right for you, please do take a look at the links in the last post, and if you have any questions you may message me.

  ---

  I promised last time I would explain what the turning point was for me to decide to do low carb…I’ll try to give the Reader’s Digest condensed version, lol.

  I grew up in a home that embraced the teachings of Dr. Atkins. I remember my grandmother and mother doing Atkins, though neither really stuck to it for very long. But, when they were doing it, they were losing weight and feeling good.

  Fast forward through my youth to young adulthood. I was rail thin as a child, but had a tendency to get a little chubby from time to time as I got older. My weight soared during my first pregnancy, and I think I had gained 60 or so pounds. I was crushed that I had only lost 12 pounds after delivery. My eldest was three when I finally decided the weight had to go. I did Diet Workshop (similar to Weight Watchers) and it was a low fat, low calorie diet. I stuck to it diligently and over the course of 5 months and lost over 60 pounds. I exercised like a madwoman, and even became a personal trainer/aerobics instructor. I didn’t keep it off for long, though, as the amount of calories I could eat in order to stay at that weight never satisfied me, so I ended up going back to my old eating habits. I didn’t really gain back much (maybe 5 -10 pounds) when I got pregnant with my second child. Since I was so slim to begin with (more slim than when I got pregnant with my first) I didn’t gain as much with the second, but I still had some to lose, so I did Weight Watchers. Again, I felt like I was nearly starving, but I lost the weight. Almost 5 years later I got pregnant with my third and last child. I probably gained 70 pounds while not even trying. I could look at food and gain weight. When my son was about 2 years old I did my own version of a very low calorie, low fat diet and lost the weight.
  
  I am proof positive that low calorie, low fat diets do not work in the long run. Yes, they can take weight off, but who can enjoy eating like a bird for the rest of their lives just to maintain, and eating such unsatisfying, tasteless, low fat foods? I can’t.

  So about a year ago I was sick with asthmatic bronchitis and prescribed steroid treatment. It helped get me better as far as my lungs were concerned, but it also made me blow up like a balloon. It was not a pretty sight. I was as fat as I ever had been in my life, even through my pregnancies. I tried the low fat, low cal thing again. Nothing happened. I just kept putting on the pounds. I did manage to lose ten pounds, but I put it back on and took it back off several times, and that was it.

  About 4 months ago I met up with a Xangan friend of mine, RdKingClassic03. He was telling me about how he’d lost a bunch of weight doing Atkins (40 pounds to date, and holding steady!). He looked good. I was already comfortable with the whole low carb thing, having been exposed to it as a child, and having known others through the years who had done it. I knew at that moment that I needed to do low carb. I went home and called my mother and asked to borrow her copy of Atkins Diet, and she also gave me the Protein Power book. I devoured both books in the matter of a couple days, like my life depended on it…and I believe it did. It wasn’t just vanity that led me to want to lose weight, I was also feeling crappy – sluggish and sick. I looked it, too. I was also battling depression – the extra pounds only compounded matters.

  So here we are, 4 months later. I’ve put a big dent in the weight issue, but more importantly I feel like a new person. The depression has lifted and I am revitalized. I have no intention of ever eating any other way. Why should I? I am more than satisfied.

  Thanks RdKingClassic03…you are an inspiration to me!

   

  • 1:31 am
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