Why do some of you have such a problem with Atkins?

[Red]

Originally posted by: rahvin

Originally posted by: Redhotjrm
It is not nutrionally healthy. Your doctor wants to stay in business 5 years from now so he wants everyone to stay on Atkins for heart-related diseases down the road.

Seriously though, I learned last semester in an advanced human nutrition class that low carb diets are not healthy. The right carbs are good for you and the only healthy way to lose weight is to exercise and reduce caloric intake. That was the whole semester in summary.

Ketosis is hard on the body, and Atkins over a long period of time is really unhealthy.

I learned a long time ago that you can't trust a professor's bias for as far as you can throw them. Here is something you need to do as a student, you must have everything proved to you. There has been NO SCIENTIFIC data either confirming the safety or proving the dangers of ANY diet. NONE. ZERO. Without objective scientific studies to validate the healthyness of any diet everything becomes speculation including everything taught in your nutrition class.

Humans are just beginning to research this area so take any information you recieve with a grain of salt and ask for results of actual scientific studies to confirm any asserstians.

I see your point. However, isn't it risky to jump on a diet, however successful, that hasn't been properly studied? People smoked cigarettes for years and they weren't studied because everyone thought it was ok. Why do the same thing with a diet? Studies show that reducing caloric intake (eating less) leads to the obvious point that weight goes down.... with no side effects. The same studies show that exercise is very healthy for the body... with numerous side effects such as increased metabolism, a stronger heart, better respiration, etc.,.... as well as dropping weight. Atkins works, no one will argue that either. But just like you said, humans are just beginning to study the side effects of a diet like this, so why do it?

 

[rahvin]

Originally posted by: Redhotjrm
I see your point. However, isn't it risky to jump on a diet, however successful, that hasn't been properly studied? People smoked cigarettes for years and they weren't studied because everyone thought it was ok. Why do the same thing with a diet? Studies show that reducing caloric intake (eating less) leads to the obvious point that weight goes down.... with no side effects. The same studies show that exercise is very healthy for the body... with numerous side effects such as increased metabolism, a stronger heart, better respiration, etc.,.... as well as dropping weight. Atkins works, no one will argue that either. But just like you said, humans are just beginning to study the side effects of a diet like this, so why do it?

Obesity is a severe health problem. It has been linked to nearly every modern health problem including heart disease and cancer. Do you remember Phen Phen? It was a drug combination that triggered weight loss. People were shocked later when it was discovered that the combination could cause severe damage to to the heart valves. What the mainstream media never picked up on though is that the damage was known to occur but the combination was still approved for use as a weight loss measure for the severely obese. It was believed that the risk to the heart valves was less than the health risks associated with obesity. Phen Phen's problem was that it was prescribed for people that weren't severely obese.

Atkins is a method of eating that is different than the diet and nutrition industry has embraced. Atkins lived on the diet for over 40 years with no adverse health consequences (he died from a brain injury related to falling). But the key thing to remember is that the diet recommended has no scientific basis. It has as little objective scientific proof as the atkins diet has. So knowing this how can you say one way of eating is any worse than another? Sure we have scientific studies that show that exercise is good for you and fiber is good for you but nothing confirming that any way of eating is any better than another. So the unknowns you fear are the same with any way you choose to eat. We could as easily discover that the elimination of grains from the diet extends lifespans by 20 years as we could that long term usage of the Atkins diet causes cancer. Without proof there is no way of knowing what the truth is.

You advocate sticking with the way we currently eat without evidence because you feel it's safer but without real proof you fall into the same trap you analogized with cigarettes. Without knowing for certain we can't advocate any diet over another. Fear of the unknown is no reason to avoid dietary differences. The Atkins diet works, blood chemistry results of those on the diet show improved results and that is the best scientific data we have.

 

[Wingznut]

Originally posted by: LordJezo

Originally posted by: Kev
Atkins killed my mother and raped my dog

Don't blame Atkins, blame Bush.

Is that all you have to share in this thread? Since you've started (at least) two other anti-Atkins threads, I would've thought you'd have something rational to contribute.

Originally posted by: DevilsAdvocate
Wingznut -

What you fail to appreciate is that there are a lot of people here that merely exist to tear people down. They never have anything positive to say.

ATOT is like the world's largest asshole pageant.

Actually, I do understand that there are people here just like that. (LordJezo being one of them.) I also have two other theories, both of which I believe have been proven to be true...

1) That these people wouldn't have a leg to stand on, once faced with the facts (and thereby required to provide facts.)
2) These people are simply a bunch of sheep. If you start a thread with a negative perspective (as LordJezo recently did), people are quick to jump on the bandwagon with the ever-prevalent "mob mentality". If you start one with a positive perspective (as I did with this one), then those people aren't so quick to judge.

Baa-a-a-a-a!

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: DevilsAdvocate

Originally posted by: apoppin

Originally posted by: DevilsAdvocate Wingznut - What you fail to appreciate is that there are a lot of people here that merely exist to tear people down. They never have anything positive to say. ATOT is like the world's largest asshole pageant.

Then he must be posting to hear what us positive people have to say. If this is the the world's largest asshole pageant, then you are also addicted to it and look to "approval" from it. (BTW, you asked for advice from us asses, yesterday)

I was not referring to you, apoppin. You are a nice guy, and generally have something constructive. Thanks!

I was not seeking approval yesterday. I was basking in the pale glow of the collective's negativity I was engaged in a self-pity party, and I'd like to thank all those who participated. Misery does indeed love company.

I am just having a pretty crappy morning

Thank-you for your kind remarks!

So why did Wingznut post this topic? Either he feels defensive and needs to justify his diet (why? to this pagent of asses) . . . OR. .. . he feels someone may post something negative about Atkins that is true . . . or . . . well, I'll stop guessing.

Atkins doesn't "feel" right to me . . . that's why I have a custom diet that really (really) works for me (I look much younger than my age; almost never sick; and have ENERGY that men half my age admire).

If your diet works for you, then I am for it (for you).

G'luck!

 

[Koing]

People should just fvcking go and do some running/cycyling/swimming/sport/lift weights for min of 3hrs a week. They come back in 6 months I bet they not only lose weight but look much better from the exercise.

Another question who the hell wants to lose just weight? You'd still be skinny guy after all................wouldn't you at least want to have some muscles and bet some what stronger and fitter?

Koing

 

[Wingznut]

Originally posted by: Koing
People should just fvcking go and do some running/cycyling/swimming/sport/lift weights for min of 3hrs a week. They come back in 6 months I bet they not only lose weight but look much better from the exercise.

Another question who the hell wants to lose just weight? You'd still be skinny guy after all................wouldn't you at least want to have some muscles and bet some what stronger and fitter?

What does that have to do with anything? Nobody is talking about dieting without exercising.

And if you are implying that doing the Atkins plan correctly does not require exercise, then you are very wrong.

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: Koing
People should just fvcking go and do some running/cycyling/swimming/sport/lift weights for min of 3hrs a week. They come back in 6 months I bet they not only lose weight but look much better from the exercise.

Another question who the hell wants to lose just weight? You'd still be skinny guy after all................wouldn't you at least want to have some muscles and bet some what stronger and fitter?

Koing

I am proud to be "skinny" (135lbs/5'9"). I exercise daily - but only (occasionally) with light weights. Yet I am very fit and strong for my size (I can still surf solid surf) and endurance that guys half my age are envious of.

Not all of us worship "muscles". In fact, some of us think the muscle-boys look ridiculous.

BTW, "just exercise" won't work for many people on the typical fast-crap American diet. They simply don't have the energy from their low-grade fuel and sugary liquids they exist on.

I believe GOOD diet AND exercise are the key (along with a positive attitude and plenty of rest) to healthy living. If Atkins can do it for you, more power.

 

[Jugernot]

Problems with low carbs diets? NOT ME!

See sig for my weight loss. I've lost 10" off my waist and gone down 3 shirt sizes. You try telling me that is water weight...

 

[hdeck]

i have no problem with the diet itself, but i do have problems with people proclaiming it as the best thing to ever hit society. people act as if it's some amazing thing that no one ever knew before but news flash: lowering intake and exercising can lead to weight loss! OMFG AMAZING!

 

[treemonkey]

 

[kami]

I eat low carb as much as I can, but during school it was next to impossible. If I eat reasonably (say 100g or less of carbs a day), I won't gain weight...but I won't lose any. I've been ridiculously busy as of late and that turned into too much junk and fast food...now I'm cutting back on the carbs a lot more and the weight falls off. 5 pounds this week, and i'm not even eating super low carb. Hell I had a huge dinner at Jack Astor's the other day...garlic bread and all. A big part of it I have learned is water intake. I have 3-4 liters of water per day (in addition to my mandatory diet pepsi's and tim horton's coffee).

And as for drinking, I either have rum and diet pepsi (zero carb) or Sleeman's Clear beer (2.5 carbs/bottle).

Low fat diets suck because you can get carried away easily...those "non-fat" foods are only non-fat because they fill it with even worse stuff (i.e. sugar) to compensate.

 

[Wingznut]

Originally posted by: kami
Low fat diets suck because you can get carried away easily...those "non-fat" foods are only non-fat because they fill it with even worse stuff (i.e. sugar) to compensate.

Well said.

 

[pg22]

If you were to ask any of the guys working out at the UCLA gym, if they suggest or use the Atkins diet, they'd probably laugh you out of the gym. Honestly though, I think you're being a wee bit sensitive. I mean you're talking about dieting. There's a reason most people who go to actual weight watchers meetings are woman (and what the hell was the name of that other woman's diet that had actual meeting centers?). I'm glad you improved your weight situation, it will add years to your life.

 

[Chaotic42]

Because the thought of having to eat that much meat makes me sick.

 

[Wingznut]

Originally posted by: pg22
If you were to ask any of the guys working out at the UCLA gym, if they suggest or use the Atkins diet, they'd probably laugh you out of the gym. Honestly though, I think you're being a wee bit sensitive. I mean you're talking about dieting. There's a reason most people who go to actual weight watchers meetings are woman (and what the hell was the name of that other woman's diet that had actual meeting centers?). I'm glad you improved your weight situation, it will add years to your life.

Ummm... yeah.

I guess all that would matter to me, if the measuring stick of being a "man" was to live up to you and your UCLA gym buddies' standards.

(Sorry, that's not the criteria that I use... But thanks for your input.)