You'd be surprised at how many "versions" of Atkins I've heard people follow in my many years as a dietitian.
Someone really did tell me once they wouldn't eat cauliflower because it was "white."
This is a perfect example of being unable to see the forest through the trees. Making good food choices based on nutrient density and positive effects on your health gets lost in the rush to avoid carbs.
Food is more than numbers...it's information! Food sends messages to your genes as to how they will be expressed...will you develop heart disease, diabetes, hypertension? Part of the answer may be how you are interacting with your environment via food choices! (The growing field of Nutrigenomics is fascinating!)
I love to talk about the notion that "food is more than numbers." When we have tunnel vision and choose food based soley on the "number of grams of carbs" it's easy to follow a diet comprised of packaged, processed foods...just carb FREE ones. (0 carb bars, shakes, etc).
And when we "cheat" on Atkins, it's just as easy to fall into a diet comprised of packaged, processed foods...ones WITH carbs.
And the fact is, NEITHER is really very nutritious, nor a diet our cave man ancestors would have followed.
You make great points about the necessity of watching portions sizes (no 20 portions of bacon!) and choosing healthier foods like yogurt, fish, turkey, chicken, veggies and fruits. Doesn't sound unreasonable to me!
I think you'd love the book Food Politics by Marion Nestle if you haven't already read it. It will reinforce (and likely anger you further) how government/politics influences what is suggested as "good for us"...including the food pyramid.
Most of all, I'm glad to hear you're back on track. Keep up your good work.
by Marion Nestle if you haven't already read it. It will reinforce (and likely anger you further) how government/politics influences what is suggested as "good for us"...including the food pyramid.