Introduction and newbie questions

[Nando]

Hello all

Started Atkins a few days ago, on my 3rd day to be exact. Have read several articles, faqs and forums so Im not exactly in the dark. However, I have several concerns and some questions that I would greatly appreciate if you take the time to enlight me.

- Slim Fast 2g Chocolate Shake (6gb cabrs 4 fiber) is adequate ?

- I'm concerned about lack of fiber. Which veggies should I shoot for in order to increase the fiber intake. Ive been eating celery, spinach and broccoli. Lettuce as I understand has no fiber and I dont particularly like it, so it is not even in the picture.

- Water is no problem. Ive been drinking like 9 glasses a day. However, I understand that it must be WATER. My question is the following. Should I mix the water with say, Lipton Decaf Tea (made with Splenda) would that count as a glass of water, half or nothing ?

- I'm a bit worried about constipation. Always suffered from that and Im afraid Atkins might make it worse. Any tips ? Anything NATURAL I would gladly take, not a big fan of drugs. This is probably the topic that worries me the most.

- Any tips to prevent cholesterol and trig. from raising ? Best Ive heard is to mix the protein with fiber veggies but anything else I would glady try to accomplish. Most articles Ive read claim that the Atkins diet actually lowers them but many claim the opposite so I'm in the dark here.

- Caffeine, have had very little and not exactly sure why this is a problem, but if you got some info on the subject I would be most appreciative of. I love Arizona Diet Green Tea but it has a little caffeine.

So far it has been a joy to follow the Atkin's Diet. Have lost 5 pounds in 2 days (although Im sure it is mostly water, i have pee'd like crazy).

There have been no cravings, no hunger and honestly there isnt much I miss except for bread and milk. However, 5 years ago I decided to quit smoking after 15 years, and I quit. That was rough and Im very proud of that accomplishment. Unfortunately, I gained about 35 pounds because of it. I'm hoping Atkins will help me do that without demolishing my blood values and/or kidneys.

Thank you all for reading.

Nando

[black57]

Congratulations on giving up smoking. By reading your post, I am thinking that you are a little afraid of this way of eating. We have all been in your position. Here is an example of everything that I eat. All kinds of meats, cheeses, asparagus, brocolli, cauliflower, zuchini,cucumbers, romaine lettuce ( this has a good supply of nutrients as opposed to iceberg lettuce ), bell peppers, avocados, pumpkin, mustard greens, turnip greens, kale, collards, chard, spinach, butter, olive oil, low carb full fat salad dressings and mayo. I am more concerned with nutrient content and the joy of eating. The change your body goes thru is systematic and it will take your system time to adjust to your new diet no matter what you eat. If you overdo fiber you can end up with a ton of gas and constipation.

With this diet my cholesterol total is 149 and triglycerides are 49. I am more regular than I have ever been. Oh, and I am having a cup of leaded coffee as I type this post. When it comes to water, I drink it daily but rarely do I drink more than 4 glasses of water. I prefer sparkling water that is flavored but not sweetened such as Perrier with lemon. I don't like sweet drinks, not even when I had a high carb diet.

Hope this helps.

Black57

The reason you are losing water is because you have been retaining water. This way of eating allows your body to free itself of excess water retention. Waterloss is good loss.

[Sunflower7]

I would think that the health benefits of drinking green tea out weight the caffeine that is in it. Sounds like you are starting out great. Congratulations.

[4beans4me]

Welcome to the forums Nando and...

http://www.cardisland.com/graphics/products/2238/photos/AX5BE7312.jpg

Enjoy your day! :)

[zorra_1]

*The concern about caffeine is because it stimulates insulin production. I drink tea regularly and have a cup of coffee every once in a while. I don't test my blood sugar so I don't personally know what caffeine has been doing to me. There are several people on here who would rather be killed than give up coffee and their weight loss seems fine.

*Constipation is a problem for some. I didn't have any problems because of all the veggies and water. You may want to do a search on this board about it and remedies (psyllium husks, metamucil (sp?).

*Slim fast shakes - It is best to eat whole foods on induction, but for occassions where you can't get to a real meal, 2 carbs doesn't seem to be a problem (but I can't vouch for where those carbs are coming from - milk?)

*Cholesterol - there have been quite a few studies recently that suggest cholesterol levels may not be so affected by the foods you eat but rather genetic predisposition (I'm not a Dr. and reading thse reports/studies makes my brain hurt!)

*Congrats on not smoking!

If you're anywhere near San German (can't figure out how to do an accent mark :lol: ), stop by La Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico for me! Also, go to the big Sanrio store and get me some Hello Kitty things. Thanks! ;)

[Jr8Fan]

I had to have surgery after using Slim Fast shakes. My doctor and my surgeon both agreed that the fiber in the shakes overwhelmed my system and I ended up with an almost completed blocked and definitely infected intestine. Spent a week in the hospital on IV antibiotics and more weeks out of work after that. They advised using "real" food in the future and skipping the meal replacement anythings.

Anyway, just my word of caution. And, by the way, I used the Slim Fast exactly as directed by the Slim Fast people. I still got sick.

[cs_carver]

I carry the fiber caplets--FiberCon is one brand name but everyone makes their own generics--and pop a few if I'm having an otherwise low-fiber day. It may take a bit of time to adjust but you will, and then you'll be able to tell if you're eating enough from your food to keep things the way you like them.

WRT the cholesterol problem--what you read is the pro-low carb vs anti-low carb people. Most pro LC people / studies are looking at controlled carb / controlled insulin when they talk about their results. Hang around here, or read some of the other books on the topic, and you'll come to see that ANY study that gives results of a high fat diet WITHOUT controlling insulin and/or carbs is simply useless to us.

Insulin plays WAY too big a role to be ignored.

[Nando]

Hope this helps.

Black57


It sure did, thank you.

[Nando]

I would think that the health benefits of drinking green tea out weight the caffeine that is in it. Sounds like you are starting out great. Congratulations.

That's what I thought too but it also has Splenda so Im not sure if Im shooting myself in the foot.

Anyone knows about Sorbitol ? Would love to hear opinions on it as I found another Tea that uses Sorbitol instead of Splenda, not sure if the Sorbitol grams can be decudcted from carbs like the fiber ones. I know recent studies suggest not to deduct Sugar Alcohols anymore but I think Sorbitol might be connected to Splenda. Any info would help, thank you.

[Nando]

Welcome to the forums Nando and...

http://www.cardisland.com/graphics/products/2238/photos/AX5BE7312.jpg

Enjoy your day! :)

Thank you, been a great day so far, no hunger and no cravings.

Although I dont have a LOT to lose I am determined to do so.

[Nando]

*

*Constipation is a problem for some. I didn't have any problems because of all the veggies and water. You may want to do a search on this board about it and remedies (psyllium husks, metamucil (sp?).

*Congrats on not smoking!

If you're anywhere near San German (can't figure out how to do an accent mark :lol: ), stop by La Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico for me! Also, go to the big Sanrio store and get me some Hello Kitty things. Thanks! ;)

Ya, constipation has become a problem for me. Today is my fourth day on Atkins and still nothing. I have been drinking a lot of water perhaps it is time I buy some Psyllium Husks to complement the diet.

Thanks, quitting smoking is without a doubt the hardest hurdle Ive had in my life. It was nasty, it took like 6 REAL tries to quit but hey, 5 years and counting and I swore on my children I will never touch that crap again.

I'm actually located in Guaynabo, so I'm basically on the other side of the island ;)

Thanks for the info.

[Nando]

I had to have surgery after using Slim Fast shakes. My doctor and my surgeon both agreed that the fiber in the shakes overwhelmed my system and I ended up with an almost completed blocked and definitely infected intestine. Spent a week in the hospital on IV antibiotics and more weeks out of work after that. They advised using "real" food in the future and skipping the meal replacement anythings.

Anyway, just my word of caution. And, by the way, I used the Slim Fast exactly as directed by the Slim Fast people. I still got sick.

Donna,

Truly sorry to hear your story, I will be sure to stay away from Slim Fast.

[Nando]

I carry the fiber caplets--FiberCon is one brand name but everyone makes their own generics--and pop a few if I'm having an otherwise low-fiber day. It may take a bit of time to adjust but you will, and then you'll be able to tell if you're eating enough from your food to keep things the way you like them.

WRT the cholesterol problem--what you read is the pro-low carb vs anti-low carb people. Most pro LC people / studies are looking at controlled carb / controlled insulin when they talk about their results. Hang around here, or read some of the other books on the topic, and you'll come to see that ANY study that gives results of a high fat diet WITHOUT controlling insulin and/or carbs is simply useless to us.

Insulin plays WAY too big a role to be ignored.

Are Fibercon tablets natural ? Today I plan to get some Psyllium Husks since they have been recommended to me numerous times. Wonder how they compare to Fibercon, perhaps someone can shed some light.

[Nando]

Just a little update...

I'm on my 4th day today in Atkins.

- Feel great
- Slept great
- No cravings
- No hunger
- Lost another half a pound
- Ate some tomatoes, broccoli, celery so I must conclude that SOME fiber is getting into my system, also lots of water and still constipated so need to take some action towards this "problem". Decided to buy Psyllium Husks and give it a go. By the time I actually have a bowel movement I might reach my desired weight goal lol ! Just kidding but it does make me laugh.

The hardest part of the day for me is breakfast. Basically, I eat a cheese omelette and some ham slices with two glasses of water. However, I dont feel like eating EGGS every morning so today i found some crackers that are actually quite low in carbs.

Here is the info....

Suzie's Carbflat
Crackers
Baked-All Natural
No Hydrogenated Oil

Serving Size - 2 Flatbreads

Total Carb 7g
Dietary Fiber 2g
Soluble Fiber 0g
Insoluble Fiber 2g

Sugars 0g

Protein 4g

That's actually pretty damn good for crackers, therefore I will start mixing them with Ham slices and cheese so I dont HAVE to eat eggs every morning.

You know what, Im pretty sure I can take this diet all the way. Hell, I quit smoking, if I did that I can do anything ;)

Have a great day all.


Thank you for all the support.

[black57]

Nando, once I had a BM that caused me to be 2 lbs lighter, not kidding! I would dis the cheese until things got back to normal. Cheese can plug things up. Since Dr. Atkins death his method has been changing. But, the purpose of induction is to enable you to control your cravings for carbs. In my opinion, you should find an alternative to the crackers until you move on to O.W.L. But if you have a hard time with that, don't worry about it. You definitely have the intestinal fortitude to succeed at this.

Black57

[cs_carver]

I'm not sure if they're "natural," per se. What matters to me is that they are bulk-forming, rather than chemical. They work the same way fiber in food does.

Good enough for me.

[Nando]

Still no bowel movement and several are suggesting that Psyllium Husks might cause stomach cramps.

Nevertheless, lost another half a pound :)

[black57]

How about a dose of low carb, full fat mineral oil? Give your body some time...it will all come out in the end :lol: Congrats on your loss and you should be losing some more soon. For me, I was backed up during induction and came very close to using a laxative. I still managed to drop one or 2 little kids at the pool ( this is what it was once called here at the forum ). Eventually things smoothed out and now I am extra regular. Now, that is my experience and I hope that yours is similar.

[Jr8Fan]

Still no bowel movement and several are suggesting that Psyllium Husks might cause stomach cramps.

Nevertheless, lost another half a pound :)

I take extra Vitamin C and that helps my be regular. It is easier on you too than drugs. You don't have to worry about overdosing on Vitamin C because your body only absorbs so much and the rest is "pee'ed" away.

Also, I go less often on Atkins....I think carbs really "move" me! :D