1. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Wed, Jul 06, 2005, 8:30 pm PDT

two years ago I started a low carb diet due to not being able to take statins..lost 42 pounds in tow mths..and the weight has stayed off..my docotor was against the Atkins diet..I asked him did he read the new book..NO..he like this article stated thought it was high fat..high fat was during induction for the first couple weeks..now its healthy carbs from green veggis..salads..berries..lean meat and fish..my energy levels are way up Chol levles down from 300 to 160..now after two years of blood tests even my doc now sees the results and has taken a new look at the diet..

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2. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Wed, Jul 06, 2005, 9:19 pm PDT

Moderation in all aspects is the key to a healthy life; good common sense and being responsible for every action will also add maturity to one's outlook in the progression of the human condition.

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3. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Fri, Jul 08, 2005, 4:50 pm PDT

Amount of Carbs needed is based on the individual, the amount of physical activity, and other factors. A high fat diet is actually very healthy depending on the needs of the individual. A low fat diet can be good or bad for some. A no fat diet can be deadly especially in the highly toxic world we live in. Your body needs fat more than any other nutrient. the question is what kind of fats are you eating? Are you eating damaged fats? Polyunsaturated fats are very easily damaged by heat. Raw fats from nuts, cheese, avocadoes, coconuts and butter are very nourishing. Soy, Canola, and cottenseed oils are really industrial oils and should be avoided like the plague. I encourage anyone interested in learning about the truth about fats to do more research themselves particularly from unbiased sources. Nutrition and Physical Degeneration a book by Dr. Weston Price is good place to start learning about the myths and truths about nutrition.

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4. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Fri, Jul 15, 2005, 4:46 pm PDT

If you are diabetic, you have to limit carbs or go on medication. I've been diabetic for about 8 years and am only now on 1/2 mg of amaryl once a day. I control my diabetes with diet. At this point in my life I have no side effects from diabetes and my health is good. My colestrol is 145. Not to bad. My Doctor has been pleased with how I'm doing. Everyone is different and they have to work out what works for them.

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5. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Sat, Jul 16, 2005, 7:10 am PDT

Just because you limit carbs doesn't mean you eat unhealthy. I'm down from 230 to 194 over 2 years. my wife is down 45 pounds. We're totally healthy eat lots of salad, and low carb veggies, chicken, and beef. I really disagree with this article. There is way to much fat out there....

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6. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Sat, Jul 16, 2005, 6:52 pm PDT

The perpetuation of the myth that eating a diet high in fat in the absence of excess carbohydrates will "will increase the fat in the bloodstream, often building to levels that are considered harmful" is beyond false - it's dogmatic, unsupported and considering the source, really sad. You might want to read some current scientific data. As for following a diet under the supervision of a Registered Dietician - if the rest of them as as woefully uneducated with respect to physiology, biology and nutrition, well, no thank you. I can't believe these half truths and 'diet myths' are still being perpetuated - then again, looking at the source, maybe I can.

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7. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Sat, Jul 16, 2005, 9:41 pm PDT

I have eaten this way for almost 5 years. After my initial success, I stumbled upon the book "Eat Right For Your Type". In this book, I found that my particular blood type thrived on protein, and could not process carbohydrates well. All I know is that for the last 5 years, I have not experienced the stomach problems that I had always had before. I eat more,feel better and am in better shape than I have ever been. I realize that this way of eating may not be for everyone. But one thing to consider is this; You cannot do this until you lose weight and then go back to your old way of eating. Just as if you are a smoker and quit smoking...If you take it up again, it did you no good to quit in the first place. It must become a way of life. This is the easiest change in the way I live I have ever tried. Again, it may not be for everyone, but for me it has been fantastic.

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8. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Sat, Jul 16, 2005, 11:35 pm PDT

I want to thank all the people who posted in response to Koch's comments. She stopped right where her dietary registration started and looked no further. I have met many dietitians and never ceased to be appalled by their lack of knowledge around food. Most of then encourage canned food and "enriched wheat" bread for heaven's sakes! Cut out fat. Eat Healthy Choice dinners--all loaded with SUGAR.... I would never, ever recommend anyone seek out "help" from a dietition. We now live in a world where people MUST educate themselves and get to know their own bodies--and be prepared for resistance from others. When I did Atkins I lost 35 pounds--and I'm vegetarian. I did the Atkins diet almost totally vegetarian. I added fish, usually salmon, about three times a week in a portioned serving. I ate a lot of nuts. I chose organic cheese, especially farmer cheese and goat cheese. I chose raw veggies and raw berries. Because I'm vegetarian, naturally my carb intake wasn't quite as low as Atkins required in the first two weeks. In the beginning I ran about 30 carbs a day. Later on I was about 50. I find long term hovering around or less than 100 keeps me in check. I discovered my heartburn completely CEASED when I stopped eating WHEAT. I am sure now that most of what is GERD is a wheat allergy and if folks have that they should experiement and go without wheat entirely, check every label--and then see what happens. I find when I eat wheat, corn, potatoes or any of that higly carb stuff my blood sugar shifts for the worse--and I'm HUNGRY when my stomach is yelling, "No More!" A limited amount of carbs are fine--provided they are high quality and don't mess with your biology. Eat raw and organic as your usual choice--even with cheese. Try to avoid your microwave. Drink lots of water and any other drink is either food or a snack. Order size small at restaurants and you will be given a normal adult sized portion. Don't let anyone talk you into supersize. Want better heath? AVOID DIETITIANS. Invest in a small libray of texts such as Eat Right for Your Type, maybe Atkins Diet, maybe South Beach Diet. I strongly recommend Prescriptions for Nutritional Healing by Balch and Balch. You will never buy another health and healing book because everything is in there and intelligently put together. I've been overweight all my life and I'm also tall. When my doctor did my last blood test he didn't want to give me a copy of my results because he knew I would boast what's on there. My cholesterol is 169 and my triglycerides are 97 (needs to be less than 150). Here's a treat for people (especially of type O blood type like I am) who love chocolate. You can have it. Eat the dark (this means NO MILK--Hershey's Special Dark is not dark but has dairy!) A little bit of very dark chocolate of no less than 70% cocoa will go a long way and has very little sugar in it. this is the way the Europeans eat their sweets--high on flaver and low on sugar--plus they walk a lot. Most of all, get to know your own body and take notice of how you feel after you eat anything. If you don't feel wonderful afterwards, it's probably not for you. You know your own body better than anyone else--especially those who go to school to learn the one way that they think everyone should eat. Be brave: LISTEN TO YOUR BODY.

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9. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Sat, Jul 16, 2005, 11:44 pm PDT

One more thing: AVOID MSG. It makes people hungry. It is in all flavored chips--unless it comes from an organic company. ALWAYS read the labels. MSG is also hidden under many other names. Do a websearch on MSG and the problems with it and learn about it. It is bad for your health. And avoid aspartame (nutrisweet) It is really, very, very bad for the brain. It causes headaches and I have a seizure disorder because of it--yes it causes that, too. Try instead stevia, or if you are not in the induction phase of the Atkins, use a tiny bit of raw honey. Unfiltered is best. look at www.reallyrawhoney.com Very good and a little will do ya.

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10. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Sat, Jul 16, 2005, 11:47 pm PDT

This article is just one more of many closed-minded entries straight from the washed up world of modern nutrition. This is the group who gave us the "wonderful" food pyramid which helped our nation become a nation of obese people in just one generation. What's even more apalling is that Ms. Koch fails to cite any of the many scientific studies which have consistently shown improved health after eating a high protein diet. It's fine... we're used to hearing this nonsense by now.

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11. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Sun, Jul 17, 2005, 6:38 am PDT

I am so confused! I was recently as an endocrinologist for a pit. tumor and got a lecture on being on a low carb diet and how it is an unhealthy choice. When I first went on the diet I lost about 25 lbs- now I am not loosing anymore, so should I try something else? I still need to loose about 40 lbs more ( according to the chart the doctor showed me) I feel better on low carb. Before I went on low carb I had lots of stomach trouble and lots of heart burn- when I am eating low carb- it is gone! I really think low carb is a good choice for me even though the "experts" disagree. With that said, I definantly do need to loose more weight and if this isn't working, then maybe they are right. If there is someone out there who can help me- Please do! After leaving her office I was so depressed and confused. I want to eat healthy and teach my kids to eat healthy, I just don't really know what that means anymore.

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12. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Sun, Jul 17, 2005, 6:45 am PDT

I am not a doctor but when I cut back on carbs I lose weight and feel better. My BMI is around 24 so I am not as concerned about my weight as some of the other posts here. I think cutting back on carbs is healthy even if you do not want to lose much weight.

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13. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Sun, Jul 17, 2005, 7:47 am PDT

I completely disagree with this article. I have followed the Atkins diet since September 2002. I have lost 55 pounds, going from 180 lbs to 125 lbs and a size 18 to a size 4. I hate to state the obvious but in order to get long-term weight loss, you have to start with short-term weight loss, no? And if this diet actually works and to me it is obvious that it works, why wait for long term studies to come out before you try it?

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14. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Sun, Jul 17, 2005, 8:29 am PDT

The only part of what Ms. Koch says that I agree with is that a person should go by how they feel and I feel sooooooo much better after eliminating bread, pasta, potatoes and rice from my diet. I felt better within two days! I have since reintroduced some of those items, but in very small quantities and very infrequently. Like Barry Sears (The Zone)says, "treat them like condiments". I think we get caught up in the words. when people say 'low carb', basically they just mean cutting out or limiting processed foods and starchy vegetables. Isn't that what most nutrionists suggest anyway? that we limit our intake of these foods and get lots of green leafy vegetables and fruit and protein with every meal? THAT'S REALLY WHAT "LOW CARB" IS ULTIMATELY! Yes, most of the lc diets start out a little radical, but all of them end up more balanced. I agree with everyone so far and really appreciate your comments. We are a culture that has become so unhealthy and our primary sources of food are those things that are quick and ready like bread, pasta, chips, prepared frozen meals (with sugar and msg). We all need to get back to basics and basically that's what most 'low carb' lifestyles offer. k

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15. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Sun, Jul 17, 2005, 8:32 am PDT

I have to say that I too have had a very different personal experience. A few months more than two years ago I went on what I adopted an informed modified low-carb lifestyle (after having lived long enough to recognize the negative effects of a diet high in sugar, unrefined flours, etc.) I've dropped 50 pounds, have steady, reliable energy, no longer struggle with glucose-related epiosodes, have more consistent moods, and have a much better quality of life. I did give up ice cream and most bread products, and I only eat beef once a month or so (just because). I get variety in my diet and my favorite meal of the day is breakfast, which is a combination of grains, protein and fats to start, stoke, and power the engine. It's true what someone else said that you have to learn to listen to your body and trust your own experience about what is true for you. Each person's wiring is a bit different and the subtle differences unique to each person are key.

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