Are low carb diets a bad idea?

[Lynlw]

Eating fish on a regular basis Ugh - I really don't like fish

DO you know if scallops, shrimp ect count as fish? I do not like fish either (it taste fishly lol) but love the critters

 

[Superbob]

Key components of the Mediterranean diet include:

* Eating a generous amount of fruits and vegetables
* Consuming healthy fats such as olive oil and canola oil
* Eating small portions of nuts
* Drinking red wine, in moderation, for Count me in!!!!
* Consuming very little red meat
* Eating fish on a regular basis Ugh - I really don't like fish

Maybe you have to take the good with the bad

Superbob's diet: eat everything from all food groups, in copious quantities.

Except beets.

 

[Lisa in Katy]

I agree with SuperBob's diet, except I also forgo greens (don't tell my fellow Southerners).

I also dislike fish because it tastes fishy! However a creamy lump crab topping masks the flavor. Would that work???

 

[BackDoc]

I'll agree with UIHCCHI that the Mediterranean diet has too many variables to adequately describe. The constants are: liberal use of extra virgin olive oil. Not canola oil as someone else mentioned. Also--plenty of fresh green vegetables, which by nature are relatively low in carbohydrates, as well as plenty of seafood and other lean animal protein. Red wine in small quantities is also allowed.

This by in and of itself lends itself to overall healthy eating. I think Barry Sears, PhD "Zone Diet" comes very close to following the Mediterranean concept.

The only problem I have with the Zone, is that it is too complicated--I used to put patients on that plan, but they just didn't get it, so I made it easier and now use South Beach.

South Beach also comes close to approximating the Mediterranean plan.

 

[Karlynn]

Eating fish on a regular basis Ugh - I really don't like fish

DO you know if scallops, shrimp ect count as fish? I do not like fish either (it taste fishly lol) but love the critters

I'm with you, I love the critters too. But, unfortunately, I don't think they count as fish. I do like fish when it is fresh from the sea. (Fresh Red Snapper is really good.) But living in a very land-locked area, I don't get it unless I go on vacation near the ocean.

 

[Lynlw]

I'm with you, I love the critters too. But, unfortunately, I don't think they count as fish. I do like fish when it is fresh from the sea. (Fresh Red Snapper is really good.) But living in a very land-locked area, I don't get it unless I go on vacation near the ocean.

Darn, I wish I liked fresh fish since I live in NJ, but give me a lobster or clams any day

 

[bookjp]

Hi all, I hope I'm putting this question in the right place but what I want to know is, are low carb diets such as Atkins a particular risk to people with heart problems, specifically, me?

I've piled on weight since I stopped work and can't shift it with low fat diets but previously, I had a lot of success with Atkins. The weight dropped off and the only problem I had then - but that was before my heart problem was in existence or diagnosed - was a high potassium level.

I don't know if that had anything to do with the diet or the heart problem which at that time must've been there but hiding itself.

I realise there are some inherent health question marks with Atkins but as I've done it before for many months - and only intend to do it for a couple of weeks to kick start my weightloss - without significant problems, I'd really like to do it again.

Any advice would be appreciated if there's a good reason why I shouldn't do it

Thanks everyone,
Lynn

You probably won't believe this but I think I've been on the atkins diet my entire life.Never had a health problem my entire life.I don't eat bread,no fruit,no vegetables except celery.I have chicken 3 or 4 times a week,steak once or twice a week and just about any other kind of meat or fish.I've ate like this for as long as I can remember.My only regret is I didn't write the book and make millions.Can't recommend this for everone but its worked for me so far.

 

[Jkm7]

What do you eat with all the meat, fish and chicken if you don't eat any veggies?

Just a piece of chicken and that is it? Do you eat white potatoes, white rice, white pasta?

 

[bookjp]

usually just fries.Probably sounds pretty boring to most of you but it works for me.Just what I like not because of diet or anything.I've been the same since high school 5'11' 170 I never vary more than a few lbs.

 

[Lisa in Katy]

Ok, I've got to ask book. How old are you? You eat a similar diet to my husband - a meat and potatoes man, the more fried the better. His perfect meal is a hot dog and potato chips (which he classifies as a vegetable). He went years without putting on weight. However, as he approaches 50, it has finally started to catch up with him. He's 6" and weighs about 195 with cute love handles. Not really overweight, but since he spent most of his life around 170 and eating whatever the hell he wanted, I secretly enjoy the gain!

 

[Jkm7]

Book, I also would start to worry about clogged arteries and the like catching up when you get around the age of 50-55. It isn't only about weight. Though I admit to being jealous you can eat as you wish without fear of gaining.

You might be one of the luckies who can eat as you wish with no harm done.... Good 'on you' if that's the case.

 

[Dina]

Ok, I've got to ask book. How old are you? You eat a similar diet to my husband - a meat and potatoes man, the more fried the better. His perfect meal is a hot dog and potato chips (which he classifies as a vegetable). He went years without putting on weight. However, as he approaches 50, it has finally started to catch up with him. He's 6" and weighs about 195 with cute love handles. Not really overweight, but since he spent most of his life around 170 and eating whatever the hell he wanted, I secretly enjoy the gain!

Tee-Hee
I was just waiting for someone to ask and you came thru.
You are so funny
BTW-my husband is like this too,but I do get him to
eat something green atleast once a week.

 

[Lisa in Katy]

OK, book, I found on another post where you said you're 56, so we can't write off your lack of weight gain to the mysteries of youth. Dang! Guess you're just one of the lucky ones. And as a card carrying member of the "Cholesterol is a myth created to earn more money for doctors and drug companies club", I can't even buy into the assumption that you might be hurting your body. You'll know for sure when you have a cath.

 

[abbanabba]

Key components of the Mediterranean diet include:

* Eating a generous amount of fruits and vegetables
* Consuming healthy fats such as olive oil and canola oil
* Eating small portions of nuts
* Drinking red wine, in moderation, for Count me in!!!!
* Consuming very little red meat
* Eating fish on a regular basis Ugh - I really don't like fish

Maybe you have to take the good with the bad

I think the only reason fish is highly recommended is because of the Omega 3 fats. If you're not a fan of fish (me either!), you could try substituting with flaxseed oil or ground flaxseeds which are high in Omega 3s. Walnuts are also a good source


A : )

 

[lynnconnolly]

Sorry if I've started a diet war guys but I can't tell you how much I appreciate all the advice, links and alternative opinions. It all helps to provide a balanced overview which I was lacking before.

Thanks again to you all for your invaluable help

Lynn

 

[Karlynn]

I think the only reason fish is highly recommended is because of the Omega 3 fats. If you're not a fan of fish (me either!), you could try substituting with flaxseed oil or ground flaxseeds which are high in Omega 3s. Walnuts are also a good source


A : )

I just read that in "You on a Diet". And I love walnuts! I'm glad that I can get that component in a form other than fish and without taking capsules. It also recommended 6 walnuts 20 minutes prior to a meal to start the hormone that signals to the brain that it's satiated.

A Note: since I am making changes in what I eat, and adding things like walnuts that have Omega 3 - I am monitoring my INR more closely (at least 1 time a week).

 

[vprnet]

I did Akins in the mid ninties and it worked for me. Lowered my BP and improved my colesteral numbers all around. But then under my docs recommendation I took up the South Beach diet. It's more sensible and worked even better.


BAVR with 27mm ON-X NYP Weill Cornell Dec 19, 2008.



PS. I am not a medical professional or a doctor. My comments in this forum are my own opinion and are not intended to be given as medical or professional advise or a recommendation of any valve choice. Decisions that affect your health and wellbeing are ultimately yours and your doctors. vprnet

 

[Bina]

I just read that in "You on a Diet". And I love walnuts! I'm glad that I can get that component in a form other than fish and without taking capsules. It also recommended 6 walnuts 20 minutes prior to a meal to start the hormone that signals to the brain that it's satiated.

I'm not a huge walnut fan.....but I can gobble them down easily if they are baked into double chocolate brownies.

 

[Blanche]

Live and learn..

Live and learn..

I think the only reason fish is highly recommended is because of the Omega 3 fats. If you're not a fan of fish (me either!), you could try substituting with flaxseed oil or ground flaxseeds which are high in Omega 3s. Walnuts are also a good source

I didn't know that Walnuts are a good source of Omega 3s. Last week Albert got some Walnuts from the market for me. I was using them in salads and as a snack.

Now I wil change the timing and have them before meals. Thanks for the tip.
Blanche







A : )[/QUOTE

 

[Mary]

I love walnuts, so I'll try the 20 minutes before eating tip and see if I can tell a difference--what I do for this group!: