The Low Carbohydrate Diet Revolution

By ELLETH FAEWEN and SHAWNEE, Atkins Diet Bulletin Board

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.; SINGAPORE -- Most people think of the Atkins diet when they hear the phrase low-carb. Indeed, Dr. Robert C. Atkins is the author of a number of low carbohydrate ketogenic diet books. The first one was published in 1972, and his pioneering efforts revolutionized the dieting world we see today. For everything that you hear; however, Dr. Atkins did not create low-carb dieting.

William Banting published pamphlets in the 1860s extolling the health benefits of the low carbohydrate diet he was put on by his medical advisor, Mr. William Harvey, F.R.C.S. The basic tenet of his diet was to consume as little as possible bread, butter, milk, sugar, beer, and potatoes due to his belief that these contained starch and saccharine matter, which tended to create fat. Mr. Banting found that his indigestion disappeared, his umbilical rupture was cured, he lost 50 lbs, his sight and hearing were surprising for a man in his 70s, he slept better at night, and he basically felt in better health than he had for the previous 26 years of his life. Mr. Banting revolutionized dieting in his time, and he received thousands of letters from readers thanking him and telling him how his low carbohydrate diet had changed their lives for the better.

The Johns Hopkins University and Mayo Clinic devised a diet to treat epilepsy in the 1920s. The diet requires high fat consumption and a low intake of carbohydrates in order to induce ketosis. They studied how the diet worked with children who were unsuccessful in treating their epilepsy with medication, and they found that 55 percent of the original patients remained on the diet and 27 percent had a greater than 90 percent decrease in their seizures. There were some children who had no seizures for two years while on the diet, and they appeared to be cured of the epilepsy even after stopping their low-carb ketogenic diet.

Walter Lyons Bloom and Gordon Azar did a study in 1963 comparing carbohydrate restrictive diets to fasting diets. They concluded that eating a diet adequate in calories, protein and fat, but deficient in carbohydrate, resulted in weight loss similar to that of fasting patients.

The first truly popular low-carb diet was popularized in the book The Doctor’s Quick Weight Loss Diet by Dr. Irwin Maxwell Stillman in 1967, and the low carbohydrate revolution began. The diet consisted primarily of protein sources like meat, fowl, fish and eggs while curtailing the consumption of carbohydrates to close to nothing. The book sold 2.5 million copies from 1967-69 and large numbers of people lost a lot of weight on this controlled carbohydrate diet.

Dr. Robert C. Atkins opened his practice as a cardiologist in New York City in 1960. When he was in his 30s and overweight, he ran across a 1963 article by Bloom and Azar. Their article said you do not have to go hungry to lose weight; instead, you can lose weight by cutting back on carbohydrates. This convinced Dr. Atkins to try the diet, and to his amazement it worked very well. After his success with the diet, he began recommending it to his patients and found that not only did they lose weight; other health problems they were fighting with either had greatly improved symptoms or went away completely. These included high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol levels, heartburn, diabetes, acid reflux, and arthritis. The vast majority of his patients also reported that they slept better, had more energy, got sick less often, and basically felt better overall.

Dr. Atkins published his original book, Dr. Atkins Diet Revolution, in 1972; however, the revolution was off to a slow start. His low carbohydrate diet countervailed what had been taught in the mainstream medical institutions and was attacked by the likes of nutritionists, dieticians, physicians, and the Journal of the American Medical Association; however, other doctors were also now aware of the connection between carbohydrates, disease and obesity.

In 1983 Dr. Richard Bernstein, a type 1 diabetic since the age of nine, opened his highly controversial clinic to treat diabetics with a very strict low carbohydrate approach to the disease. Bernstein’s ideas were ridiculed at first by the medical establishment, but the low-carb revolution picked up steam.

In 1992, Dr. Richard Heller wrote his first diet program called The Carbohydrates Addict’s Program for Success: Taking Control of Your Life and Your Weight, which blamed high carbohydrate consumption for the increased obesity being found throughout the USA. He found a fast growing audience for his ideas as the revolution continued to grow.

The first edition of Dr. Atkins’ New Diet Revolution was published in 1992, and another came in 1999. These two editions sold over 10 million copies and the editions combined to become one of the 50 top selling books of all times.

The year 1999 was a breakthrough year for low-carb practitioners and the low-carb revolution steamed full speed ahead. Dr. Richard Bernstein published his book Diabetes Solution, and it was an instant hit selling upwards of a million copies. Today the latest 2003 Edition has a preface by none other than the president of the American Diabetic Society, quite a victory for a man who when he first preached his controlled carbohydrate approach to the disease was regarded as a crackpot and eccentric by the American Medical Association.

Also in 1999, Dr. Richard Heller teamed up with his wife, Dr. Rachel Heller and Dr. Frederic Vagnini to publish The Carbohydrate Addict's Healthy Heart Program: Break Your Carbo-Insulin Connection to Heart Disease, a newer version of his first book that documented very clearly the relationship between high carbohydrate consumption and the plethora of Syndrome X diseases as well as, of course, obesity. This book and several related ones by this group of authors sold and continue to sell millions of copies.

One low-carb diet; however, was much more successful and popular with the public than the others; that was Dr. Robert Atkins’ diet. Literally millions of people succeeded in losing weight and improving their overall health by following the programs put forth in Dr. Atkins’ New Diet Revolution. Dr. Atkins nutritional approach spread primarily by word of mouth as people successful on the diet introduced it to others. The medical establishment was stubbornly against the Atkins approach and tried their best to discredit it. The debate over the Atkins nutritional plan grew into a roar as millions tried and succeeded losing weight and improving their health while the experts claimed it was wrong and could not be done. The real testament as to the validity of Dr. Atkins’ program is that while a large majority of the medical & nutritional establishment claimed his diet was just plain wrong, the number of people following the program continued to grow at a faster and faster pace as successful individuals motivated and encouraged their friends and others to try the Atkins Nutritional Plan.

As more and more people found the diet worked for them, other successful low carbohydrate diets quickly followed such as The Zone, Sugar Busters!, The No-Grain Diet, and The South Beach Diet, to name a few.

The revolution took off at amazing speed when Dr. Atkins published an updated version of his book, Dr. Atkins’ New Diet Revolution, in 2002. The new edition incorporated slight changes in his program based on his last 30 years of research. This edition of his book was soon followed by a plethora of published research findings validating the weight loss and health benefits of a low carbohydrate diet. Some people in the groups that previously attacked his diet were now considering the possibility that low carbohydrate consumption was a safe, effective way to lose weight and eat for life.

Now millions of people are doing Atkins, and the revolution has skyrocketed. Companies have begun putting out a myriad of low carbohydrate foods, which have quite literally flown off the shelves. More and more restaurants are providing low carbohydrate menus or net carbohydrate counts on their existing menu items. Even fast food companies have jumped on the bandwagon with low carbohydrate hamburgers, wraps, and breakfast bowls.

What the future holds for low carbohydrate diets is anyone’s guess. They have entered the mainstream, and the results of current research will certainly have a major impact on the continued acceptance of low carbohydrate diets. I am certain that Mr. Banting would be pleased to see the low-carb revolutionized world of today.

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 Look for Elleth Faewen, co-author of this article, to be featured in the upcoming issue of CarbLite Magazine.

http://www.carblitemag.com

I Made Goal! (now what?)

By BIKER GODDESS, Atkins Diet Bulletin Board

 

Biker Goddess Starting Weight: 175  Goal Weight: 130

DALLAS, Tx. — After what feels like forever, you've finally made goal. There were struggles and celebrations along the way, but always that goal waiting for you at the end. So now that you've made it, what's next?

In some ways it's easier. It takes a lot less effort to maintain a given weight than it does to lose. You've got a wider variety of food to choose from. By now, most people have accepted your new way of eating. Making good choices is almost second nature by now.

But, in some ways it's harder. The motivation to continue eating right is diminished. People assume you're "done" and can't understand why you still refuse treats. Or maybe you don't refuse treats because you can be more liberal now that you're at goal. Maybe you didn't go through OWL and Pre-Maintenance and now don't really know what to eat to maintain. Your carb levels start to creep up because you're not paying as close attention as you had been.

One thing is for sure - if you don't want to go through the whole weight loss thing again, you'll have go into Maintenance. Hopefully recognizing some of the common challenges will help you avoid them and you can enjoy the beautiful new healthy you.

Motivation: Well, this is one you're going to have to come up with on your own. You know the benefits. You know you can do it, because you have. You know the rules. So what gets in your way here? Having to keep working at it.

It's still work and with what seems like very little payoff. At least compared to when you were losing weight every week.

The trick here is to appreciate how far you've come and to celebrate your success as often as you can. Remind yourself where you don't want to go again.

 

Skills

Keep a before and after picture handy.

Appreciate something you like about your body at least once a day.

Treat yourself to something that feels good at least once a week [NOT a food item].

Buy one well-made, properly fitting outfit that makes you feel fabulous.

Wear it!

 

"One bite won't hurt":

Well, chances are, it won't. How you cope with this one is going to be determined by your personality. Is one bite going to send you on a binge? Can you handle occasional treats?

If you know you have a history of letting one bite turn into two, three, and more, then you're going to just have to say no each and every time. It may be harsh, but when it comes right down to it, is any food worth your health, your weight, your self-worth?

If you leave occasional treats as occasional, and you really want something, then have a bite. Limits are the key here. One thing once in awhile. Not a couple of things and not on a regular basis.

 

Skills

Your doctor (Dr. Atkins) has warned you to stay away from refined carbs for your health.

"Nothing tastes as good as thin feels"

Set a reasonable limit of the 'extras' you can have, say one item a week.

Drop a few pounds prior to a big event where you want to splurge.

 

Skipping OWL and Pre-Maintenance:

It was too tempting to just get the weight off and get to goal as soon as possible. Or you were scared to move out of Induction because it was 'safe'. Either way, you find yourself at goal without really having an idea of what you can eat to maintain your new weight.

Unfortunately, that means you're going to have approach maintenance as what can you eat and not gain. There will probably be a period where you bounce back up, rather than stopping your loss on the way down.

It's scary, but trust that Dr. Atkins had enough experience to know that you could maintain your new loss eating things from the Carb Ladder. You'll have to work backwards here, since you don't want to lose any more weight. There's no clear answer on how to do this, since Dr. Atkins cautions about starting OWL in enough time, so you'll be doing a lot of experimenting.

Based on how strict you had to be during Induction, pick a place somewhere in the middle of OWL and start eating at that level. If you gain, immediately drop down a level. If you keep losing, go up another level. If you stay the same, then try this level for another week, or until you notice a slow gain or loss.

 

Skills

Carry a list of foods you can eat. Either the Induction list and the OWL list, or create your own, with the foods you like to eat.

As soon as you see an increase in your weight, cut back to the last level and hold there.

Don't be afraid to experiment - what you come up with here is what you'll be doing for life.

 

Carb Creep:

Now that you're not as focused on your diet, it seems that you're suddenly eating more or eating higher carb foods without realizing it. You put back on a couple of pounds and your clothes are starting to get a little tight.

As long as you don't let it get completely out of control, it's pretty easy to recover from carb creep. For starters, don't ever let yourself gain over 5 lbs. Don't think to yourself that you'll start tomorrow. Start the moment you realize it. Maybe all you need is to cut back a little and maybe you need to go back to Induction to jump start. Either way, do something *immediately*.

 

Skills

Continue to weigh regularly or monitor how your clothes fit.

Periodically record a day's menu, just to make sure you're on track.

Exercise more to counteract additional carbs/calories.

Don't abuse Induction; yo-yo dieting is hard on the body and makes each successive attempt to lose harder.

Pressure to "Eat normally":

"Are you still doing *that diet*?" Insomuch that the definition of diet is what you eat, then yes, you are. It may help to consider Atkins as a Way of Life (WOL) or a Way of Eating(WOE) or even a Way of Eating for Life (WOEFL).

You might even want to just call it 'eating healthy.' Maintenance looks suspiciously like a balanced diet anyway.

You may even want to not claim to be doing anything at all. Unlike Induction, where it can sometimes be obvious you're doing something different, in Maintenance you can fool people by just claiming to prefer some things over others.

Skills

Ignore those types of comments.

Explain what Maintenance entails.

Challenge the person to show how it's unhealthy.

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Doing Atkins in Japan

In Memory of Dr. Atkins

By ELLETH FAEWEN, Atkins Diet Bulletin Board

 

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Dr. Robert C. Atkins died of a head injury when he slipped and fell on the ice on April 17th, 2003. One year later his wife, Veronica Atkins, said she “would like to ask each and every one of you to continue to spread the word, to talk about how Atkins has changed your lives for the better—and not because it is a great diet, but because it is a remarkable lifestyle.” The members of Atkins Diet Bulletin Board responded to her request. Here, in their own words, are the heartfelt expressions of our members.

 

Nmissi

If the good doctor was still around, I'd want to bake him a flax muffin! or something. The first great gift of the Atkins WOE was energy. The second was the forty eight pounds I've lost since February, and the way my pink silk suit fit the other day. (I hadn't worn this suit since my eight year old was a baby in diapers.) Additionally, I can thank him for stable blood sugars- I'm no longer anemic, nor hypoglycemic. I no longer suffer scary blood sugar lows, I no longer get the shakes or the mental fog that they bring. But the greatest gift of all, is the freedom from an addiction to TAB that I've had my entire life. Without headaches, without cravings, somehow I am off a six-can a day Tab habit. My gratitude is boundless.

 

Mindykins

When I turned 40, I began to get adult onset everything! My cholesterol and blood pressure which had always been in desirable ranges crept up and I suddenly needed BP medicine. I developed high Homocysteines with very scary numbers. I got depressed as my weight was at an all-time high and I was a devoted low-fat dieter and gym rat.

Going on Atkins changed my life, as my medical history is much improved. I am not on blood pressure medicine any more. My weight has dropped. My cholesterol is wonderful and my Homocysteine levels are within normal ranges now.

I have learned to love vegetables and eat only real food all the time. I drink 9-10 glasses of water every day (I used to drink less than one!).

I have more energy. My complexion is great and for the first time in 10 years I don't feel like I'm just getting old!!

I especially like Dr. A's philosophy on whole foods. I have eaten organic foods for over 10 years, and when I figured out that Dr. A was an advocate of organic food, that is what sold me on this WOL. Dr. A does not heavily promote his feelings about organic foods, but I think he, in his understated way, has done sooo much for mankind in getting us humans to eat HEALTHIER in general.

With so much overprocessing of our food supply, Dr. A is to be commended for his approach in getting us to rid ourselves of excess chemicals in our diet. Even if he had to lure us in with the promise of significant weight loss -- which he delivered on!!!!!!!!!!

I have studied and worked in the Health Food industry for years and quite frankly, Dr. A stands head & shoulders above any industry leader I know.

Long live this WOE and may it continue to improve the lives of countless millions!!

 

Betty

Doing this WOE has given me a new lease on a healthy life. I now have more energy than I had before, my back, legs, and knees no longer hurt, and the acid reflux I used to experience is gone. I am also looking better because of the weight I lost. That was a nice side benefit of the weight loss. I am very thankful that I learned about the Atkins way and very happy with the changes I have experienced in my life because of it. I will always share this with others.

 

I EAT FAT

This WOE made me realize everything I was doing wrong with my diet. Eating the Atkins way has gotten rid of the bloat that I tried for a long time to get rid of. I believe that it is the way to eat for life. I think anybody that has a weight problem should eat this way. It will make immeasurable changes for the better in their life.

 

JustDoItDeb

I want to share with other type 2 diabetics that they don't have to be enslaved to insulin and medicines. I was on the verge of becoming insulin dependent when I started back on Atkins. I have already had to reduce the amount of diabetic meds I take or my blood sugar readings would be way too low and I have only been back on plan for three months! I have a bottle of NPH insulin sitting unopened in the refrigerator and I plan to never have to use it!

 

I have emailed information, as requested, to four people already, so that they can get started on the Atkins plan. This is the first time in my life that I feel I can and will lose all the weight I need to!

 

Thank you Dr. Atkins and also Mrs. Atkins, for sharing this WOL with the world!

 

Cilla

I thank Dr. Atkins from the bottom of my heart!

Doing the Atkins WOE, has given me more energy, strength, and overall I am a happier person. Of course I lost weight(20 pounds). I have lost inches, and I can now wear a size 2 to 4, before I was in 8, great to be in when you are an adult but when you are 13, and just under 5 feet, it looks bad. Doing the Atkins WOE also cleared up my severe acne, and I now have a glowing complexion. I also now enjoy exercise, and I can not wait to go running, and liftweights.

I hope more kids, and adults start doing the Atkins WOE.

My entire family now follows the Atkins WOE. We are happier, and more healthy than ever. Thanks Dr. Atkins.

 

Lovesong

I have tried every diet known to man... had some initial success with some of them, before becoming frustrated and tired of being hungry ALL the time!

 

With Dr. Atkins' plan, I haven't been frustrated, because I'm seeing results and because I'm NOT hungry! I am fully satisfied with the way I'm eating :) My skin is clearer, I feel better--I've lost 73 pounds in 8 months!

 

I've got quite a bit to go yet, but I have no doubt whatsoever that I will be able to lose the amount of weight I want to lose. I've never felt more confident about anything!

 

Atkins WORKS--all you have to do is follow his plan! Thank you, Dr. Atkins, for having the intelligence and diligence to work so hard, to persevere in the face of doubt, so that you could get this plan out there to help SO many people! Thank you for the bottom of my heart!

 

My best to you, Mrs. Atkins. I know what a rough year this has been for you. I know how upsetting it has to be for you to hear people besmirch his work/name. But I hope you know that there are millions of us out there that think he was an awesome man! My deepest sympathy on your loss.

 

~Debbie~LoveSong~ ;)

Everett, Washington

 

IrishIrish

Bless Dr. Atkins!

I had seen him on television interviews and never really gave him a second thought until I read his book. Even following his death, he has given me a freedom second to nothing I've known. And throughout the day when I thank God for giving me the strength, I also thank Dr. Atkins for giving me this program.

And to Mrs. Atkins, my thoughts are with you.

 

Book

I get to feel awake all day, and a good part of the evening

My back does not hurt

My feet do not hurt

I don't crave sugar so bad I eat frosting from a can

I eat better than I have in a long time, and have the disposition to prove it

My hubby said I have my "glow" back

I know it will be within my reach to wear all my "cute" clothes again

I honestly believe I will live longer, and those years will be better years, thanks to the work of Dr. Atkins.

 

Moochiecat

Dr. Atkins Plan has proven to be much much more than just a way of eating. It's helped me see myself for who I am, and gave me the tools to change the things that weren't working for me. It's given me a confidence in myself that I never dreamed I had. It's given me structure, courage and hope for my future. I will always be grateful for his research and dedication to helping people such as myself.

 

LenZen

In such a short period of time Dr. Atkins WOE has reminded me to focus on what makes me function: exercise and whole foods. I bypass all of the commercial marketing and packaging and go for the basic good stuff that the earth provides.

 

I don't suffer from incessant back pain, insomnia, caffeine dependency, stomach and intestinal distress, and I'm not partial to my favorite alcoholic beverages anymore.

Most importantly I have so much more energy!!!

Thanks!!

 

Doitnow

I thank Dr. Atkins each and every day!

For the first time in 30 years of yo-yo diets, I have finally found a WOL that I can live with.

· I am in control and no longer have cravings.

· The refrigerator no longer screams my name and calls to me in the night.

· I can fit comfortably in an airline seat.

· I can cross my legs again.

· I find that I want to and need to exercise every day!

· I enjoy shopping for clothes again.

· I no longer fall asleep on the sofa at 5:00.

· My mood swings have diminished.

· I am happier, more confident and have faith that I will be able to continue with this WOE for Life!

 

Thank you Dr. Atkins...you have made a difference in so many lives. I only wish that you could see the low carb revolution that is sweeping the nation. You were right!

 

savannah1972

For me the most thing I can say is that it has given me hope - while I have not been perfect and have strayed from time to time I do know that I can stick to this plan and be strong - unlike other diets where when I did the simplest worse thing off of it I would spiral downward so fast - I really have the confidence and do really believe deep down that it will happen - not a long shot or a dream - just a matter of time!! I never really thought that or believed that before. For once I enjoy dieting and being healthy!

 

Skdmom

I have to say that it has helped me begin to regain my health.

My hubby also is doing much better and this is the first diet we've attempted that I haven't had to listen to him whine about what he was getting to eat. We are looking forward to spending many more years together in good health and the ability to enjoy life.

 

Catlady4520

What Dr. Atkins diet has done for me:

Made me actually like myself again.

Discovered the joy of wearing much smaller clothes

Improve my health and self esteem

Helped me "unload" the psychological damage done through years of obesity.

Find the drive to accomplish career goals

Be there to see my first future grandchild!

 

Elleth Faewen

I cannot begin to thank Dr. Atkins enough for all the positive changes he has brought to my life. Number one is that I am much healthier, and I look forward to a long, healthy, active life because of him. I also thought that naps after lunch were normal, but now I know better. My blood sugar has stabilized and I no longer get the sleepy/hungry feelings I used to get all the time.

I feel better every day because of Dr. Atkins guidance, and I was so sad when I learned of his death one year ago. I am sure he would be very proud to see the healthy impact he has had on the world.

 

Source: A Letter from Veronica Atkins http://atkins.com/Archive/2004/4/13-139304.html

 

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