You're right in that you CAN lose weight from cutting out all meat and eating only carbs, because as you said, you would be cutting out calories. However, the reason that the people you know who cut out all meat and ate only carbs weren't any healthier is becuase they were probably experiencing tremendous spikes in their blood sugar followed by equally tremendous dips - this is what happens when one consumes carbohydrates. You know that tired feeling you get in the afternoon after you've eaten your "healthy" turkey sandwich with no mayo, or your low fat cookies, etc.?? It's all due to the simple carbs.
The Atkins diet doesn't suggest that you cut out ALL carbohydrates from your diet. It suggests that you cut out your consumption of SIMPLE carbs - rice, white flour, sugar, potatoes, etc. Most people consume more than 300 grams of carbs a day while eating these things. The diet suggests that you cut your consumtion down to 20 grams a day, TEMPORARILY, and eat only certain complex carbs - those that you'd find in certain vegetables, for instance. After two weeks, your intake can increase to the point at which your body is still losing weight, and when you've accomplished your goal, it increases AGAIN to the amount at which you can maintain. Most people are able to eat limited amounts of wheat bread, can drink milk, and can increase their intake of veggies. They are just leaving out the aforementioned white flour and sugar. Does that sound so bad? Not to me. Especially since I no longer have that tired afternoon feeling. Especially since I sleep better than ever. Especially since I've lost 15 pounds. And btw, my blood pressure and cholesterol are both down. No heart attacks yet...
Anyone who makes a comment such as this obviously NO knowledge of the diet. Heresay is NOT fact, my friend - try reading the book. If you don't agree after you have your facts straight, then you're only out 8 bucks and you can make and educated argument, rather than an assinine comment that benefits no one.
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You're right in that you CAN lose weight from cutting out all meat and eating only carbs, because as you said, you would be cutting out calories. However, the reason that the people you know who cut out all meat and ate only carbs weren't any healthier is becuase they were probably experiencing tremendous spikes in their blood sugar followed by equally tremendous dips - this is what happens when one consumes carbohydrates. You know that tired feeling you get in the afternoon after you've eaten your "healthy" turkey sandwich with no mayo, or your low fat cookies, etc.?? It's all due to the simple carbs. The Atkins diet doesn't suggest that you cut out ALL carbohydrates from your diet. It suggests that you cut out your consumption of SIMPLE carbs - rice, white flour, sugar, potatoes, etc. Most people consume more than 300 grams of carbs a day while eating these things. The diet suggests that you cut your consumtion down to 20 grams a day, TEMPORARILY, and eat only certain complex carbs - those that you'd find in certain vegetables, for instance. After two weeks, your intake can increase to the point at which your body is still losing weight, and when you've accomplished your goal, it increases AGAIN to the amount at which you can maintain. Most people are able to eat limited amounts of wheat bread, can drink milk, and can increase their intake of veggies. They are just leaving out the aforementioned white flour and sugar. Does that sound so bad? Not to me. Especially since I no longer have that tired afternoon feeling. Especially since I sleep better than ever. Especially since I've lost 15 pounds. And btw, my blood pressure and cholesterol are both down. No heart attacks yet...
Anyone who makes a comment such as this obviously NO knowledge of the diet. Heresay is NOT fact, my friend - try reading the book. If you don't agree after you have your facts straight, then you're only out 8 bucks and you can make and educated argument, rather than an assinine comment that benefits no one.