Serious question

[SkySamChew]

I know everyone says to eat fat, fat is okay, I cant help but be a skeptic. If someone could answer the next question for me and/or provide links or something showing proof of this, Id feel a little more at ease.

Ok, so if you cut out carbs, and eat fat a lot (like real mayo, butter, etc) then would it or would it not clog your arteries AS you are losing weight?? I have high cholesterol and I can't help but wonder if the fatty things I am told to eat would hurt me in the long run? I am on day 2 of induction and I have been using anything I can to cut back on fat without using hydrogenated oils. Ive been using low fat foods except butter.. low sodium when I can.. etc.

Any input would be much appreciated!

[DrH]

I felt the same as you until I read Atkin's book as he clearly explains why fat is so important. If you have not read the book, I would do so as it eased all of my aniexty. Jill



I know everyone says to eat fat, fat is okay, I cant help but be a skeptic. If someone could answer the next question for me and/or provide links or something showing proof of this, Id feel a little more at ease.

Ok, so if you cut out carbs, and eat fat a lot (like real mayo, butter, etc) then would it or would it not clog your arteries AS you are losing weight?? I have high cholesterol and I can't help but wonder if the fatty things I am told to eat would hurt me in the long run? I am on day 2 of induction and I have been using anything I can to cut back on fat without using hydrogenated oils. Ive been using low fat foods except butter.. low sodium when I can.. etc.

Any input would be much appreciated!

[Mimya]

I know everyone says to eat fat, fat is okay, I cant help but be a skeptic. If someone could answer the next question for me and/or provide links or something showing proof of this, Id feel a little more at ease.
My advice and I don't mean to sound rude is - if you plan to follow the Atkins plan then you need to read his book(s) ex: Atkins’ Diet Revolution. You can find it at the public library, used online sites, flea market type places. I got mine from a friend (free).
It's crucial to know if this is the plan for you.

All the answers (plus some) are in his book(s) and it will put your mind at ease. "Peace of mind' will keep you on track to follow ANY plan correctly.

Good Luck to you.

[SkySamChew]

I have read it, not cover to cover but skimmed through. My mom read it and always told me exactly what it said but she never mentioned the fat thing, so thank you, I will read the book for myself asap :)

[KvonM]

if it helps, i can give a quick summary... i agree with everyone else though that you should read the book and get the full explanation.

eating fat helps you burn fat... it's almost counter-intuitive, but it's along the same lines where drinking more water helps prevent you from retaining water.

[bkloots]

I can only speak for myself, but after four years of Atkins, and regular exercise, my cholesterol/triglyceride numbers are astonishingly good. As of December 2006, my total cholesterol is 250. Sounds scary, huh? But my HDL (the good stuff) is 140, my LDL (the bad stuff) is 98, and the CHOL/HDL ratio (the number they use to determine heart attack risk) is an itsy-bitsy 1.8. They recommend that it be less than 5.0, so I'm pretty well down there. Triglycerides are at 57, against a recommended level of less than 150, so no worries there either.

I can't say enough about the importance of exercise in keeping these numbers in a healthy range. However, if you are following Atkins, you don't need to worry about dietary fat, as long as you avoid the dreaded transfats. The anti-fat mindset is based on ancient studies and prejudice.

Furthermore, FAT is extremely important in Atkins as an energy source. If you decrease carbs to the low levels of induction, your body must get energy from fat and protein instead. You MUST eat fats to make up for the carbohydrate deficit, and not deplete protein stored as muscle. All this is explained in the book, which you are going to get your hands on pronto, right?

However, the only thing that counts FOR YOU is what your bloodwork shows after about six months on Atkins. Don't believe ME. Check it out for yourself.

[Rosebud]

I know everyone says to eat fat, fat is okay, I cant help but be a skeptic. If someone could answer the next question for me and/or provide links or something showing proof of this, Id feel a little more at ease.

Ok, so if you cut out carbs, and eat fat a lot (like real mayo, butter, etc) then would it or would it not clog your arteries AS you are losing weight?? I have high cholesterol and I can't help but wonder if the fatty things I am told to eat would hurt me in the long run? I am on day 2 of induction and I have been using anything I can to cut back on fat without using hydrogenated oils. Ive been using low fat foods except butter.. low sodium when I can.. etc.

Any input would be much appreciated!
This is the best link I know of to explain the reasons that fat is more than okay: The Skinny on Fats. (http://www.westonaprice.org/knowyourfats/skinny.html)

HTH :)

Rosebud:rose:

[bkloots]

Wow, Rosebud. That really seems to be the definitive article on fats. I've bookmarked it for future reference. Thanks.

[SidC]

Wow, Rosebud. That really seems to be the definitive article on fats. I've bookmarked it for future reference. Thanks.Me, too. I was getting ready to put up the link to Bowden's article Fat is Not the Enemy - but this is much better.

[bkloots]

SidC, go ahead and post the Jonny Bowden link. It's probably "friendlier" in style and presentation, and just as helpful.

[SkySamChew]

Thank you to everyone who helped me understand this. All of your help was appreciated. Now heres one, How come Atkins died of a heart attack (someone told me that today..) lol

[SidC]

SidC, go ahead and post the Jonny Bowden link. It's probably "friendlier" in style and presentation, and just as helpful.It is friendlier; also a lot shorter! Here it is: Fat is Not the Enemy! (http://www.jonnybowden.com/press/ediets-article_id2027.pdf)

Atkins had cardiomyopathy, but he did not die from a heart attack. He died as a result of a head injury from slipping on ice - see this USA Today (http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2004-02-10-atkins-statements_x.htm) article.

[mike_d]

I have high cholesterol and I can't help but wonder if the fatty things I am told to eat would hurt me in the long run? I would bet your triglycerides are high which raises total cholesterol, that's caused by eating sweets and starches-- not from dietary fat.

My blood work was high and so was my blood pressure, now they are both in the normal range along with my weight. I always put almost 3 Tbs a day of coconut oil in my tea and coffee and cook with it. I also use lots of lard and butter. Most 'diet experts' will agree coconut and palm oil are saturated and "very unhealthy tropical oils." :lol:

[SkySamChew]

Very interesting Mike and Thank you SidC. I will have to tell my friend who told me that, that she is wrong lol

[Voo36]

1.5 years down with Atkins.. my Cholestrol ~ 43 years old in a family fraught with heart attacks is 154.

(Its only a theory of mine, but Im half guessing someday that plaque and build up inside veins and arteries will be a type of "allergic reaction" to the huge amounts of carbs our bodies are subjected to.. especially in the forms of processed foods that bear no resemblance to the real, fresh foods that god intended for us to eat)

Ok.. thats my 2 cents worth.. and you got more than you paid for lol.

Have a great weekend :wave:

Phyllis

[SidC]

Very interesting Mike and Thank you SidC. I will have to tell my friend who told me that, that she is wrong lolYou're most welcome. It's a small thing, it is not necessary, but a thanks is most appreciated once in a while. Best of luck to you, SkySam - and good karma sent in your general direction.