Newbie + Question re Atkins Diet

[Zephon]

Hi,

I'm new here. Just diagnosed Type II last week. Don't know
much about anything yet.

There is an article posted on the ADA website (from Oct. 29
Washington Post) about a new study of low-carb diets and their
beneficial effect, contrary to the medical profession's
conventional wisdom. Online at:

http://ada.yellowbrix.com/pages/ada/Story.nsp?story_id=33958-
137&ID=ada

The Atkins Diet worked for me several years ago, but I didn't
keep on it because it was BORING. I wanted more fruits and
vegetables and grains and legumes. I just retrieved Atkins'
book off my bookshelf, and he claims his diet works well for
Type II diabetics.

My doctor doesn't like it because of potential effect on
Cholesterol levels. But Atkins denies that. And anyway, I
feel the diabetes is the larger problem because I find
myself frequently tired and lethargic. And it's hard to get
up in the morning because I'm so groggy. I think the out of
control blood sugar is the larger problem, and I suspect
Atkins could fix that.

Any opinions or experiences with Atkins? (If this has already
been talked about a lot, let me know and I'll search are
Google archives.)

Thanks,

Zephon

[Julie Bove]

"Zephon" <Zephon@galaxy7.com> wrote in message news:sDTv9.371-
8$V15.378362@newsread2.prod.itd.earthlink.net...
> Hi,
>
> I'm new here. Just diagnosed Type II last week. Don't know
> much about anything yet.
>
> There is an article posted on the ADA website (from Oct. 29
> Washington
Post)
> about a new study of low-carb diets and their beneficial
> effect, contrary
to
> the medical profession's conventional wisdom. Online at:
>
> http://ada.yellowbrix.com/pages/ada/Story.nsp?story_id=3395-
> 8137&ID=ada
>
> The Atkins Diet worked for me several years ago, but I
> didn't keep on it because it was BORING. I wanted more
> fruits and vegetables and grains and legumes. I just
> retrieved Atkins' book off my bookshelf, and he claims
his
> diet works well for Type II diabetics.
>
> My doctor doesn't like it because of potential effect on
> Cholesterol
levels.
> But Atkins denies that. And anyway, I feel the diabetes is
> the larger problem because I find myself frequently tired
> and lethargic. And it's
hard
> to get up in the morning because I'm so groggy. I think
> the out of
control
> blood sugar is the larger problem, and I suspect Atkins
> could fix that.
>
> Any opinions or experiences with Atkins? (If this has
> already been talked about a lot, let me know and I'll search
> are Google archives.)

I have not tried the Atkins diet and probably wouldn't since I
can't seem to tolerate large amounts of protein. Makes me feel
really sleepy, lethargic and also seems to sit like a ball of
lead in my stomach. But the bottom line here is that you said
you tried it and couldn't keep on it. So obviously that's not
the diet for you. Have you seen a dietician? That would be the
first step. Tell him or her what kinds of foods you like to
eat and bring in a list of menus of what you'd eat in a
typical day if you didn't have diabetes. That's a very good
starting ground. You may still have to tweak the diet from
there if it isn't working for you. My past experience with
dieticians is that they seem to push their own favorite foods.
One pushed me to eat fruit and another pushed me to eat
chicken. I hate both of these things so a diet that includes
them in any quantity would never work for me.

--
Type 2 http://www.redshift.com/~juliebove/ Julie Bove, posting
from new account

[Alice Fabe]

In article
<sDTv9.3718$V15.378362@newsread2.prod.itd.earthlink.net>,
"Zephon" <Zephon@galaxy7.com> wrote:

> Hi,
>
> I'm new here. Just diagnosed Type II last week. Don't know
> much about anything yet.
>
> There is an article posted on the ADA website (from Oct. 29
> Washington Post) about a new study of low-carb diets and
> their beneficial effect, contrary to the medical
> profession's conventional wisdom. Online at:
>
> http://ada.yellowbrix.com/pages/ada/Story.nsp?story_id=3395-
> 8137&ID=ada
>
> The Atkins Diet worked for me several years ago, but I
> didn't keep on it because it was BORING. I wanted more
> fruits and vegetables and grains and legumes. I just
> retrieved Atkins' book off my bookshelf, and he claims his
> diet works well for Type II diabetics.

If you liked the diet but were bored with the food choices,
you should bop on over to alt.support.diet.low-carb. There are
a lot of creative cooks over there. I'm not doing an
Atkins-type diet, but I eat low carb, and, I have to say, I'm
almost never bored with what I eat!
>
> My doctor doesn't like it because of potential effect on
> Cholesterol levels. But Atkins denies that. And anyway, I
> feel the diabetes is the larger problem because I find
> myself frequently tired and lethargic. And it's hard to get
> up in the morning because I'm so groggy. I think the out of
> control blood sugar is the larger problem, and I suspect
> Atkins could fix that.

A lot of people in the low carb group report improvement in
lipid profiles, especially triglycerides, on a low carb diet.
If you're OK in that department now but definitely have a
blood sugar problem, I would think that an MD should respect
dealing with the *actual* problem before you worry about a
*potential* problem.
>
> Any opinions or experiences with Atkins? (If this has
> already been talked about a lot, let me know and I'll search
> are Google archives.)

Oh, it has, it has. But that's OK. Opinions have changed over
the years.

--
AF

[Rjalias]

Here's one limited "experience" with the Atkins diet:

I checked out the prices in the low-carb products with his
name on them,
e.g. low carb peanut bars, etc.: very expensive.

RJ

"Zephon" <Zephon@galaxy7.com> wrote in message news:sDTv9.371-
8$V15.378362@newsread2.prod.itd.earthlink.net...
> Hi,
>
> I'm new here. Just diagnosed Type II last week. Don't know
> much about anything yet.
>
> There is an article posted on the ADA website (from Oct. 29
> Washington
Post)
> about a new study of low-carb diets and their beneficial
> effect, contrary
to
> the medical profession's conventional wisdom. Online at:
>
> http://ada.yellowbrix.com/pages/ada/Story.nsp?story_id=3395-
> 8137&ID=ada
>
> The Atkins Diet worked for me several years ago, but I
> didn't keep on it because it was BORING. I wanted more
> fruits and vegetables and grains and legumes. I just
> retrieved Atkins' book off my bookshelf, and he claims
his
> diet works well for Type II diabetics.
>
> My doctor doesn't like it because of potential effect on
> Cholesterol
levels.
> But Atkins denies that. And anyway, I feel the diabetes is
> the larger problem because I find myself frequently tired
> and lethargic. And it's
hard
> to get up in the morning because I'm so groggy. I think
> the out of
control
> blood sugar is the larger problem, and I suspect Atkins
> could fix that.
>
> Any opinions or experiences with Atkins? (If this has
> already been talked about a lot, let me know and I'll search
> are Google archives.)
>
> Thanks,
>
> Zephon
>

[K]

"Zephon" <Zephon@galaxy7.com> wrote in message news:sDTv9.371-
8$V15.378362@newsread2.prod.itd.earthlink.net...
> Hi,
>
> I'm new here. Just diagnosed Type II last week. Don't
> know much
about
> anything yet.
>
> There is an article posted on the ADA website (from Oct. 29
> Washington
Post)
> about a new study of low-carb diets and their
> beneficial effect,
contrary to
> the medical profession's conventional wisdom. Online at:
>
> http://ada.yellowbrix.com/pages/ada/Story.nsp?story_id=3395-
> 8137&ID=ada
>
> The Atkins Diet worked for me several years ago, but I
> didn't keep on
it
> because it was BORING. I wanted more fruits and vegetables
> and grains
and
> legumes.

I think you answered your own question. Why not try just
eating less and exercising more? Replace e big meals and
snacks. If you are hooked on a particularly "high cost" meal
or snack routine, dump it. The results should follow.
--
Kosta, T2 eat smaller, live longer

[Colleen]

This group is a world of help and support for me. I was
diagnosed on Oct. 11, '02. I've always eaten healthy but am
learning that it is a whole new ball game. Stick with it and
you can meet the challenge.

Colleen

[Evelyn Ruu]

"RJAlias" <rjaliashide@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:KCXv9.173084$qM2.55012@sccrnsc02...
> Here's one limited "experience" with the Atkins diet:
>
> I checked out the prices in the low-carb products with his
> name on them,
> e.g. low carb peanut bars, etc.: very expensive.
>
> RJ

I went on low carb - essentially an "Atkins" type diet and
didn't buy a single product with his name on it for two months
and lost a total of 16 lbs. I just recently did buy some,
however, and was pleased by the product (Atkins baking mix).

Regards, Evelyn

[Gman]

"Zephon" <Zephon@galaxy7.com> wrote in message news:<sDTv9.37-
18$V15.378362@newsread2.prod.itd.earthlink.net>...
> Hi,
>
> I'm new here. Just diagnosed Type II last week. Don't know
> much about anything yet.
>
> There is an article posted on the ADA website (from Oct. 29
> Washington Post) about a new study of low-carb diets and
> their beneficial effect, contrary to the medical
> profession's conventional wisdom. Online at:
>

I've been low carbing since being diagnosed but not to the
extreme such as Atkins. I eat about 100-150g of carbs a day
down considerably from pre-diagnosis levels. My low carb diet
has helped in gaining control of my BG levels and keeping them
at good levels. I'm not actually eating much different
otherwise, I have always been a meat and potatoes type
person...just now I'm eating broccoli instead of the spuds.
I've cut out most of the carby foods like chips, crackers,
rice, potatoes, chocolate (DOH !), pop...etc. I still have the
odd helping of rice, fries but limit the protion size. I drink
diet pop exclusively...coffee with sugar twin, the odd glass
of milk (used to drink 2 liters...half gallon...a day). With
me I find that portion control to be very important...when I
do eat carby foods I restrict the amount and don't gorge like
I used to.

[Jmmbear]

In article
<sDTv9.3718$V15.378362@newsread2.prod.itd.earthlink.net>,
"Zephon" <Zephon@galaxy7.com> writes:

>Hi,
>
>I'm new here. Just diagnosed Type II last week. Don't know
>much about anything yet.
>
>There is an article posted on the ADA website (from Oct. 29
>Washington Post) about a new study of low-carb diets and
>their beneficial effect, contrary to the medical profession's
>conventional wisdom. Online at:
>
>http://ada.yellowbrix.com/pages/ada/Story.nsp?story_id=33958-
>137&ID=ada
>
>The Atkins Diet worked for me several years ago, but I didn't
>keep on it because it was BORING. I wanted more fruits and
>vegetables and grains and legumes. I just retrieved Atkins'
>book off my bookshelf, and he claims his diet works well for
>Type II diabetics.
>
>My doctor doesn't like it because of potential effect on
>Cholesterol levels. But Atkins denies that. And anyway, I
>feel the diabetes is the larger problem because I find myself
>frequently tired and lethargic. And it's hard to get up in
>the morning because I'm so groggy. I think the out of control
>blood sugar is the larger problem, and I suspect Atkins could
>fix that.
>
>Any opinions or experiences with Atkins? (If this has already
>been talked about a lot, let me know and I'll search are
>Google archives.)
>
>Thanks,
>
>Zephon

First welcome to the group. Okay this is my personal opinion
only. I did 3 months of maintenance level Atkins and brought
my numbers down on my
A1C. Not alot, but enough to prove to me it was working. So,
my Dr said Atkins would be fine, but not to go down to 20
gr. carb. To start at 30gr carb and work my way up. She
told me that we would recheck my cholesterol the next two
visits. 3 months, 9 months to see if Im okay with the
increase in fat. So far so good. I do aprox 50-100 carbs
a day. You might want to try Atkins new book as some
things have been changed or you might try reading Protein
Power. Many here do a form of lowcarb, some do lowfat
lowcarb, some do ATkins, some the diabetic exchange. Some
just cut out the processed carbs. Everyone is different
and what works for one, doesnt always work for another.
If your morning numbers are high, I would suggest a snack
before bed. One with a mixture of fat,protein and carb. I
do crackers, cheese and ham. Others do crackers and
peanut butter. It varies. Good luck with this.

Jeanne Type 2 Diagnosed 05/28/02
189/165/120

[Jmmbear]

In article <KCXv9.173084$qM2.55012@sccrnsc02>, "RJAlias"
<rjaliashide@hotmail.com> writes:

>Here's one limited "experience" with the Atkins diet:
>
>I checked out the prices in the low-carb products with his
>name on them,
>e.g. low carb peanut bars, etc.: very expensive.
>
>RJ
>

Yes but you dont have to buy his products. His diet not
dependent on buying his products. I do buy some locarb
products, only one of which is an Atkins product-the peanut
butter cups.

However if you stick with fresh veggies, meat, fish, chicken,
dairy products you dont have to eat the lowcarb products. I
just use them for convenience and also for treats. Much like I
would have used candy, cakes and cookies in the past. My food
bill is the same as it was prior to lowcarb diet. What has
changed is what I buy. I no longer buy chocolate covered
rasins by the 3 pound container, M&Ms by the big bag,
pastries, cookies, bagels, breads, pasta by the 3lb
containers, rice in the huge bags or high high carb yogurts.
Now I buy fresh veggies, a few lowcarb protein bars, several
lowcarb candys, fresh meat, fresh fish, milk, eggs, bacon,
cheeses, and some fruits. So it is all relative. Anyway as
always YMMV and this is JMO As always YMMV and this is JMO
Jeanne Type 2 Diagnosed 05/28/02
189/164/120

[Mack]

On Wed, 30 Oct 2002 16:18:32 GMT, "Zephon"
<Zephon@galaxy7.com> cast the following madness into the void:

>Any opinions or experiences with Atkins? (If this has already
>been talked about a lot, let me know and I'll search are
>Google archives.)
>
>Thanks,
>
>Zephon

the only correct diet for a diabetic to follow is the one that
works for the individual using it.

The most common advise given here is to eat to your meter. Get
plenty of exercise and follow your doctor's advice for your
individual needs.

Personally, I don't follow any particular diet plan. I simply
restrict the amount and type of carbs I eat. 30 to 40 % of my
total daily calories is in carbs. I do have a bit more freedom
since I use insulin but that is still not a license to eat
whatever and however much I want.

Mack Type 1 since 1975 Minimed 508 Insulin Pump
http://www.alt-support-diabetes.org
http://www.insulin-pumpers.org http://www.us.zerolimit.net
(irc server webpage for our chat room) #diabeticnet is the
name of our IRC chat on zerolimit.net
http://www.zerolimit.net/files/zl-mirc.exe
http://www.irchelp.org/irchelp/misc/webtv.html
http://www.xs4all.nl/~ircle/ <--Ircle Mac IRC software