Questions for LCing and Kidney Stone/Gout Issues

[HollyK]

Hi everyone!,

I am new here, and have a few questions.

I really want to start a LC diet. I am not sure which one, nor have every book on every diet out there. With that said I was hoping for some direction, on which LC diets I should buy books for or get information on. Here is what I am looking for...

Something LC, possibly Atkins.

Problems I have to work around. Meat, and LC foods are high in acid after being processed through the body.

Carb foods tend to be more alkaline after being digested.

I have gotten kidney stones in the past, and I have been tested to be high risk for gout. And, these are caused by high acidity.

LC diets seem to be very effective, but I am worried about inducing kidney stones. I want to know if anyone knows of a modified Atkins, or LC diet that may go around this acid issue, of if there are ways to combat the acid?

I also want to know if any of you have gotten stones after starting their LC diets.

And, I am just wondering if I can not be on a LC diet with out causing stones/gout?

Thanks for all your thoughts and insight!

[NoWhammies]

I take Topamax. One of the side-effects of Topamax is kidney stones. The only time I had an issue was when I stopped drinking water because I was very busy and essentially forgot to drink water - and I mean, I really wasn't drinking ANY water. I do keep my protein intake fairly moderate because of the potential kidney stone issue - and I make up the missing carb calories with higher fat instead. I make sure I have adequate water intake - nothing insane - but I make sure I'm drinking some water throughout the day. I also avoid a lot of purine rich foods like mushrooms, asparagus, spinach, organ meats and cauliflower - just to be on the safe side. So those are the things I do - but I certainly wouldn't subtitute what I say for the advice of your doctor. :)

[PearlWhite]

I read this book called "How I Gave Up My Low Fat Diet and Lost Forty Pounds!" by Dana Carpender. It is really good and she talks about all the major low-carb plans, sums them up and gives the biggest advantages for each as well as disadvantages.

One of them is what she calls a "Basic low-carb diet" and that means you eat about 50 gr. carbs per day. (Should not include sugar, wheat or other "bad carbs"). There are also chapters on Atkins, CAD (the Drs. Heller plan) & more.

I really encourage everyone to read this book, I got it at the library and you can get it used on Amazon USA for 99 cents (+ postage).

Here's the Book Description from Amazon (and I find it to be pretty much on the money):

Subtitled "Everybody's Guide to Low Carbohydrate Dieting", How I Gave Up My Low Fat Diet and Lost Forty Pounds! is a breezy, chatty, non-technical, fun-to-read explanation of low carbohydrate dieting - why it works, the surprising health benefits, and most importantly, how to "do" the diet. Or, rather, diets, since the book details three very different main approaches to controlling carbohydrates (including the Basic Low Carb Diet, similar to Atkins or Protein Power, and the Mini-Binge Diet, popularized as The Carbohydrate Addict's Diet), plus several variations, finally summing up the basic principles which tie them all together. The point is to give the reader the tools necessary to construct a new way of eating that will fit his or her body, psyche, and lifestyle, thus allowing them to stay slim, energetic, and healthy for life.

This book really helped me, it itroduces you to all the LC diets, so you can make an informed choice about what's best for you, and it gets you really motivated. If I remember correctly she also metions some medical condissions and what diet-plans you should not do if you have them.

In my opinion this is the best book to read (that I've come across) if you're not sure which plan is best for you.

Hope this helps