The biggest problem for me?
The myth that we need vegetables, fruits, fiber, or any carbs at all to live well. I'm sick of all this whining about how Atkins or other so called Low-Carb is "misunderstood". Quit trying to appease mainstreamers by patting yourself on the back about your veggie intake.
Full Version: The biggest problem for me?
Although I tend to agree, you could state these views with a little less anger. Compromises in terminology and such have to be made if you want to reach folks. A prime example is Kimkins and The South Beach diet. Hearing Dr. Arthur Agatston speak can be very enlightening, yet he seems carefull to not want to rock the boat too much amongst his peers.
My main objection is that fruits and vegetables grown/shipped/trucked from Mexico and Chile somehow compare to ones grown and analyzed, under ideal conditions at some research facility. Tests from the past have shown that even Florida oranges shipped within the USA can be almost completely devoid of vitamin C.
My main objection is that fruits and vegetables grown/shipped/trucked from Mexico and Chile somehow compare to ones grown and analyzed, under ideal conditions at some research facility. Tests from the past have shown that even Florida oranges shipped within the USA can be almost completely devoid of vitamin C.
| QUOTE |
| The myth that we need vegetables, fruits, fiber, or any carbs at all to live well. I'm sick of all this whining about how Atkins or other so called Low-Carb is "misunderstood". Quit trying to appease mainstreamers by patting yourself on the back about your veggie intake. |
If loving vegetables is wrong, I don't wanna be right. Veggies and fruit are tasty, and whatever nutrients they possess are at least natural, as opposed to overprocessed "low-carb treats". The better quality the veggie, the better the nutrients, and the taste experience, too. My organically-grown, vine-ripened garden tomatoes are perfect, and if you don't want to indulge, that's your right, but don't diss my food preferences, either. You got that????
I still love my spinach leaves and mashed cauliflower. 
I may be deluded, but I'm happily so. :-)
I'd never have lost 150 pounds if it hadn't been for my beloved veggies. 
I think the body was designed to eat fruits and vegetables. We now have WAY more choices than our ancestors did, so while they at meat, they also ate naturally occurring fruits and vegetables. Also, remember that corn and potatoes were not common eaten prior to the 19th century throughout the world, and there was no such thing as bleached rice. Table sugar, as we know it today, did not exist, and besides, only the wealthy were able to afford sugar. Nobody ever got fat eating fruits and vegetables. Let's be honest.
If a person ONLY ate fruits and vegetables -- and I mean a variety of fruits and vegetables, not just all starchy ones like bananas, corn, and potatoes -- and meats, and NO sugar or flour, they'd do okay. They might not be thin, but likely not massively obese either. The problem is that many of us have screwed our metabolisms up so much by eating mass quantities of all the bad stuff that the only real way to correct it is to do a program like Atkins.
Have you ever looked at an old yearbook, like from the 50s or 60s, and noticed how lean most of the kids looked. They ate a fair amount of carbs, even Coke sweetened with sugar instead of high fructose corn syrup, and stayed pretty lean. Mind you, they got more exercise than we get now, but still . . . That was before HFCS and trans fat entered the picture, before ppl ate fast food everyday with epic-sized portions of high sugar foods, and when ppl actually did eat fruits and vegetables on a daily basis (well, much moreso than now).
Just my 2¢, but I think low glycemic fruits and vegetables are good for any maintenance plan and in some cases, even the weight loss diet itself.
If a person ONLY ate fruits and vegetables -- and I mean a variety of fruits and vegetables, not just all starchy ones like bananas, corn, and potatoes -- and meats, and NO sugar or flour, they'd do okay. They might not be thin, but likely not massively obese either. The problem is that many of us have screwed our metabolisms up so much by eating mass quantities of all the bad stuff that the only real way to correct it is to do a program like Atkins.
Have you ever looked at an old yearbook, like from the 50s or 60s, and noticed how lean most of the kids looked. They ate a fair amount of carbs, even Coke sweetened with sugar instead of high fructose corn syrup, and stayed pretty lean. Mind you, they got more exercise than we get now, but still . . . That was before HFCS and trans fat entered the picture, before ppl ate fast food everyday with epic-sized portions of high sugar foods, and when ppl actually did eat fruits and vegetables on a daily basis (well, much moreso than now).
Just my 2¢, but I think low glycemic fruits and vegetables are good for any maintenance plan and in some cases, even the weight loss diet itself.
I think it's also worth mentioning how much portion sizes have changed . Remember the old pepsi Jingle " 12 full ounces, that's a lot"? Now you can get an Xtreme Gulp at 7-11 that is 64 ounces ( does it come with a porta-potty?) I think I also read that hamburger patties in that era were about 1 oz . They have those now at a local resturaunt - as an appetizer!
| QUOTE (TazChick @ Aug 18 2007, 11:06 AM) |
| I think I also read that hamburger patties in that era were about 1 oz . They have those now at a local resturaunt - as an appetizer! |
Those would probably have been White Castle hamburgers. I don't think that anybody ate just one of those as a meal. My parents used to buy them by the sack for us and we each ate three or four of them. I remember that they cost about 12¢ each and a couple cents more if you had cheese on them.
| QUOTE (Jeff726 @ Aug 5 2007, 12:23 AM) |
| The biggest problem for me? The myth that we need vegetables, fruits, fiber, or any carbs at all to live well. I'm sick of all this whining about how Atkins or other so called Low-Carb is "misunderstood". Quit trying to appease mainstreamers by patting yourself on the back about your veggie intake. |
What is it that you're eating then?
If you don't think we need fruits, vegetables, and fiber, then I would say that YOU don't understand Atkins.
Am I misunderstanding your point?
And honestly... I don't "appease" anyone.
This is simply how I eat.
| QUOTE (Violet Skye @ Aug 17 2007, 02:34 PM) |
| If loving vegetables is wrong, I don't wanna be right. Veggies and fruit are tasty, and whatever nutrients they possess are at least natural, as opposed to overprocessed "low-carb treats". The better quality the veggie, the better the nutrients, and the taste experience, too. My organically-grown, vine-ripened garden tomatoes are perfect, and if you don't want to indulge, that's your right, but don't diss my food preferences, either. You got that???? |
You would be wise to watch your tone with me. And the funny thing is, I never said it was wrong for anyone to consume anything. I'm not forcing my views on anyone, much less you. I simply deny the NEED for eating fruits and veggies. Heck, I sometimes will have some in nominal amounts as an accessory to a nice meat dish. There is just no instance where I eat them because Atkins or the food pyramid says I need to.
Good for you, Jeff. If shunning those things helps you change your habits for the better, then GO FOR IT! Ultimately, you are the final decision-maker about what's best for YOU!
Exactly, Jimmy. And while I admit the appeal of the Bear's diet plan because I love meat so much, even he said it's an extremely tough plan to stick with, so I am not completely closed-minded to another option. My experience with veggies and fruits is that I will buy so much and forget to eat it, thereby wasting it. One of these days I'll figure it out. I know I sometimes give ya ribbing over on your blog, but it's not meant to be personal. 
I do that too Jeff. Over buy and then it goes to waste. I have started going to the store more often and buy less, but it's fresher. If and when you do eat fruits or veggies, just buy the best of the best, what's in season, not too much and really enjoy it when you do.
I'm undecided wheather you need them or not for good health, but I'm leaning towards yes, just because of all the plant compounds and pigments that are proving to be good antioxidents and so forth. Of course that's based on today's studies, and who knows, that can certainly change tomorrow. There is a lot of "junk science" out there.
I'm undecided wheather you need them or not for good health, but I'm leaning towards yes, just because of all the plant compounds and pigments that are proving to be good antioxidents and so forth. Of course that's based on today's studies, and who knows, that can certainly change tomorrow. There is a lot of "junk science" out there.
| QUOTE (melodiegale @ Aug 25 2007, 07:21 PM) |
| ... I'm undecided wheather you need them or not for good health, but I'm leaning towards yes, just because of all the plant compounds and pigments that are proving to be good antioxidents and so forth. Of course that's based on today's studies, and who knows, that can certainly change tomorrow. There is a lot of "junk science" out there. |
That's a good point, but I prefer my fats and proteins to be animal based. For my Omega 3's it's fish oil, not flaxseed. For frying it's lard and bacon grease, not any of the seed oils (corn, soy, canola et al should be avoided). Plants have a place, but not necessarily as food. Coffee, tea, poppies etc. And although Jesus made wine from water we need grapes.
I eat veggies and some fruits, but for pleasure not because I think they are essential.
I do believe it's good for us all to have veggies, if for no other reason than to make meals more interesting. When money is tight, like it is now, I eat mainly meats. This is because I have a freezer that is well stocked and I can eat without spending any money (at that moment in time....of course I have to replace it!). Right now, in anticipation of a move, I am trying to empty my freezer.....and I've been eating larger servings of meat and smaller servings of veggies (If any at all).
Fruits and veggies do contribute to the diet, but in my opinion are not essential. And the ones sold in food stores (yes, even most "health" food stores) are not fresh and are not ripe when picked. Veggies (and fruit) from your garden or the local farmer's market/co-op are great....but in my opinion the ones in the food stores are sometimes not worth the money!
I do believe it's good for us all to have veggies, if for no other reason than to make meals more interesting. When money is tight, like it is now, I eat mainly meats. This is because I have a freezer that is well stocked and I can eat without spending any money (at that moment in time....of course I have to replace it!). Right now, in anticipation of a move, I am trying to empty my freezer.....and I've been eating larger servings of meat and smaller servings of veggies (If any at all).
Fruits and veggies do contribute to the diet, but in my opinion are not essential. And the ones sold in food stores (yes, even most "health" food stores) are not fresh and are not ripe when picked. Veggies (and fruit) from your garden or the local farmer's market/co-op are great....but in my opinion the ones in the food stores are sometimes not worth the money!
I have been using more and more frozen veggies ( when I can't get them at the farmer's market) Easier to store and taste good too. I find I am eating less veggies but then I am now eating less of everything. I don't have much appetite so during the day have hardly been eating anything. I do eat a bigger dinner though but that is usually meat and salad. The woe plan I follow does advocate using veggies so I try to get at least two servings in a day. I should eat more but since I am hardly hungry I don't feel that I need to push myself to eat more of these things just to say I got them in.
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