Comments on: Are Very Low Carb Diets Overrated for Weight Loss? Atkins vs South Beach vs the Zone.

By: mike

mike — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:47:39 +0000

Great article! This is like the coffee debate…one week it causes cancer and the next it’s okay to drink. Carbs will always be debated. I like to use P28 Bread as a post-workout snack. It’s a high protein bread that builds lean muscle while burning fat. I can’t wait to use some of these suggestions in my workout routine!

By: Are Low Carb Diets Over-rated for Health and Longevity? The Kitavan and Okinawa Diets : Fitness Spotlight

Mon, 03 Aug 2009 03:10:32 +0000

[...] a previous article “Are Very Low Carb Diets Over-rated for Weight Loss“, we looked at comparing very popular diet approaches such as Atkins vs South Beach/Zone [...]

By: 090824 WOD “DCF WOD” « Santa Rosa Fire Department Crossfit

090824 WOD “DCF WOD” « Santa Rosa Fire Department Crossfit — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 14:19:43 +0000

[...] Workouts: “Are Very Low Carb Diets Overrated For Weight Loss“? [...]

By: Terry

Terry — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 15:58:47 +0000

I’ve been Low Carbing for 5 months and have lost 100lbs since starting. I exercise 2-3 times a week, eat on average 5 carb a day and IF once a week. I have had cheats while on vacation, and gained weight fast! (15lbs in 5 days) but after 5 days of low carbing again it was all gone. There are times when I IF that I lose 2-3lbs and there are times when I stay at the same weight, it seems every second week I try a 38hr fast I lose weight. Any reason for this at all Mike?

By: Geo

Geo — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 18:42:12 +0000

I eat only meat and drink only water (over a year now)…(i.e. ….Zero carbs…..) I’ve NEVER felt better in my life! It takes some adapting, but, as a 42 yr. old male, I stopped diabetes in it’s tracks (I was 278 lbs. and pre-diabetic…now, 181 and lipid profile is PERFECT!). I don’t push my WOE on anyone, I just know that those who say you NEED carbohydrates ingested are not telling the truth!

I will not stray from this woe, as it has given me energy that I’d never dreamed of, and MY Dr. is on board wholeheartedly!!!!

Good luck to all who endeavor good health!

By: Mike OD

Mike OD — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 14:29:07 +0000

pjnoir – here’s an article on the Zone diet and Diabetes from Diabetes in Control website:

“Regarding the effects of a Zone-like diet specifically in patients with type 2 diabetes, Markovic et al had obese patients with mild type 2 diabetes follow a calorie-restricted diet (approximately 1100 to 1200 calories per day) with a macronutrient ratio (carbohydrate:protein:fat) close to approximately 40:30:30 (actually 38:33:29) 20, 21 These patients improved insulin sensitivity, glucose control, reduced triglycerides, and improved their cholesterol profiles. By only the fourth day subjects improved their blood glucose and reduced their body fat, which the researchers attributed to the reduced consumption of carbohydrates. The increase in fat consumption also helped apparently by slowing the absorption of carbohydrates. ”

Most people call the Zone a “low carb” diet anyways…..but of course there are other important factors like choices of carbs (whole foods, or processed) that will dictate the rate at which glucose enters the bloodstream.

In the end….people can go as low as they like…but the focus should always be on fruits and vegetables first for carb choices (most people can’t overeat on those anyways)

By: pjnoir

pjnoir — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 04:11:07 +0000

Fine but Diabetes changes everything. Atkins approach to controlling diabetes, “Atkins Diabetes Revolution” Book is a life saver. Low carb diets are the rule for many. Even on Ori’s Warrior Diet, low carb is perferred.

By: CrossFit Guelph - 3 2 1 Go! » Blog Archive » Are Very Low Carb Diets Overrated for Weight Loss?

Sun, 07 Jun 2009 23:39:29 +0000

[...] from Fitness Spotlight click to read complete [...]

By: Brian Dickey A.K.A. The Low Carb Junkie

Brian Dickey A.K.A. The Low Carb Junkie — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 07:41:52 +0000

Loved the article, I could not have said it better. I think the most important part is finding what works for you and sticking with it. It comes back to that old saying if what you do doesn’t work change what you are doing. I live, sleep and dream low carb and anabolic diets.

By: Angel

Angel — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 19:44:44 +0000

Thank you for this article! When I decided to go low-carb (LC) for good two years ago, I already knew that trying to go below 30g of carbs a day would be too difficult for me, due to a previous terribly unhappy experience with the Atkins diet. So I decided this time around I would eat as few carbs as I could manage. I probably on average ate 60g/day (many fewer than I had been eating), and I experienced considerable and sustained health benefits. I find now, two years on, that my appetite is much less than it was before starting LC, and my between-meal endurance and ability to fast are much greater. I can even on occasion eat fewer than 30g of carbs a day and feel fine.

I particularly appreciate this post because in addition to my past problems with a very low carb diet, I also still have occasional cravings for high carb goodies – and when I indulge, I feel great afterward! I couldn’t explain it, so it has been a constant struggle for me, between guilt and “caving in”. I understand this process better now, and it will be nice to get rid of some of the guilt. I’ll also try to pay more attention to how often I do indulge, and how I feel afterward, and see if it follows any sort of cycle.

I did a blog post about my decision and transition to LC, and the many health benefits I gained, if anyone wants to read my experience in more detail.

http://www.divinemind.biz/blog/2009/04/11/the-benefits-ive-experienced-from-eating-low-carb/