Tag Archives: low-carb

Atkins for Endurance Runs: Why Cutting Carbs Eliminates Tummy Troubles and Powers You for Hours

Running a marathon is serious business, which is why most competitive runners have an unflagging game face. (After all, any extra effort—like that needed to muster up a smile—might zap important energy stores!) But it’s hard not to grin when you get a look at the ridiculous signs held by fans, many of which refer to the gross things that can happen during long distance runs. All those banners about diarrhea and going number 2 while running down a crowded street? Well, they’re funny because they’re true.

dont_poop

However, stomach cramps, sprints to the port-potties, and worse don’t actually need to be a part of your marathon plan, according to Colette Heimowitz, MS, VP of Nutrition and Education at Atkins.

“Carb loading for cardio endurance can help you have energy, but it has side-effects,” says Heimowitz. “You have to take in so many carbs right before an event that runners get so many to intestinal upsets.” Even worse, she says, most runners who rely on carbs for their energy tap their stores well before end.  (more…)

Posted on April 30, 2024 by Jessica Cassity

One Big Problem with High-Protein Diets: Eating Mostly Meat Shortens Life Span

Almost all of today’s most popular diets are low-carb, high-protein. Atkins has been big for decades; Paleo is an ever-expanding movement, thanks in part to its following of cross-fit fans; and other plans like Dukan, Medifast, and Southbeach aren’t got anywhere anytime soon. But, while this eating formula may result in noticeable weight loss for most folks, a new study, profiled in a Huffington Post article, suggests high-protein diets may also shorten your life. That’s a pretty big deal.

protein

Here’s what we know:

  • Diets that are high in protein and low in carbohydrates help the body shed fat. There are two main reasons for this: Protein is harder for the body to digest than other nutrients so you automatically burn extra calories as you digest and metabolize it. Also, proteins are more filling than many other types of food. Eat a bowl of pasta and you may be hungry again within the hour. Eat a chicken breast and you may forget to eat your snack.  (more…)
Posted on March 6, 2024 by Jessica Cassity

3 Steps to Perfect Pasta

Pasta is an incredibly versatile food. It’s an easy option on a busy night, or when funds are low. It’s a comforting option when you want something warm and filling. It’s also a heavy option when you’re trying to cut calories and watch your waistline.

 pasta pot

It’s this last reason that can give pasta a bad rap, especially among dieters. So we want to share a secret with you: You can eat pasta and lose weight. Really. We promise.

The problem is, most people don’t focus on making good pasta. So, let’s start there. Let’s assume you’re already buying a whole grain option, therefore getting maximum nutrients from each and every calorie.  But how are you preparing it? If you’re like most people, you’re probably just setting the pot to boil and dumping it in. If you take just a few extra steps, your pasta will taste much better.

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Posted on January 14, 2024 by Lacy

Atkins Releases Three New Frozen Meals that Pass the Taste Test

The name Atkins is synonymous with the low-carb diet fad of the early 2000s. However, that name means much more than a passing fad and the brand is continuing to release products that are intended to provide great food, healthy ingredients, and still remain lower on the carb scale. They just released three new frozen meals, and it looks like they accomplished their goal.

Chicken Marsala - Atkins Diet

 The three new frozen meal flavors are sesame chicken stir-fry, Italian-style pasta bake, and chicken marsala. They all average about 350-400 calories, about 25 grams of fat, and a nice rate of about 25 grams of protein. The meals net about 4-7 grams of carbohydrates per meal and they are appropriate for anyone at any phase of the Atkins Diet. Furthermore, the ingredients are pretty good too. Very few additives or “things that are hard to pronounce” on the label. The company boasts how they use no fillers in the meat, premium cuts of vegetables, real butter and natural creams in their sauces. This all sounds great, but the real test came when the meals were put to the taste test.

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Posted on June 27, 2024 by Lacy

7 Strategies for Keeping Your Appetite in Check

Bob Greene has laid out some easy and convenient tips for developing a healthy appetite. From simple calorie counting suggestions to portion control, these pointers will help you ease in to your weight loss program. As summer begins to rear its pretty head, it’s important to abide by a consistent foundation of eating habits. Enjoy and employ these seven strategies for keeping your appetite in check.

View Healthy Appetite Strategies Slideshow

Posted on April 8, 2024 by BestLifeDiet

Atkins Announces Sharon Osbourne as New Brand Ambassador

Sharon Osbourne, made famous by her marriage to rocker Ozzy Osbourne and role as co-host on both “America’s Got Talent” and “The Talk,” has a new venture on the horizon. The star announced this week that she will be partnering with Atkins Nutritionals, Inc. – the diet company most well known for putting “low-carb” on the map – as their newest celebrity ambassador.

Osbourne is thrilled of the new partnership and hopes she’ll be able to lose the extra pounds she’s put on over the years as she nears her 60th birthday on October 9.

Sharon will be following the Atkins diet approach, focusing on plenty of protein and a healthy balance of good carbs and fats. As reported by RedOrbit, Osbourne will be chronicling her weight loss journey online at Atkins.com, where she has also agreed to contribute tips and advice for the website’s followers. In addition, she will also appear in online, TV and print marketing campaigns.

“As I near a milestone birthday, I don’t want to take my health for granted any longer,” said Osbourne. “I’ve struggled with my weight for years, and I wanted a diet plan that would ensure I’d look and feel great. After looking at other weight-loss plans, I realized that Atkins is the best plan for me because my body – like many women my age – doesn’t process sugar and refined carbs well.” (more…)

Posted on September 12, 2024 by Dana

Courtney Thorne-Smith Still Loves Atkins After 10 Years

Atkins SpokeswomanThe actress best known for her roles on Melrose Place and According to Jim, Courtney Thorne-Smith became a spokesperson for Atkins about two years ago. She’s even signed on for her third year, according to a press release published two days ago.

Thorne-Smith says she struggled with her weight for many years and tried many diet plans. In the end, the low-carb, high-protein Atkins diet plan worked for her. She’s been in the “maintenance” phase of the Atkins diet for the past ten years.

She argues that people shouldn’t confuse the nearly-no-carb “Induction” phase of the diet for the whole plan. “When I finally went back and read the Atkins book, I was able to figure out what I needed to eat in order to be my own food judge. I eat a plant-based diet, and no starch or sugar,” Courtney told ThatsFit. She does allow herself to cheat on special occasions: “Of course, like on my son’s first birthday, I had a piece of cake. It’s just a rare treat, so to balance it out, I won’t have as much fruit the next day.”

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Posted on January 5, 2024 by Health Buzz

Misleading Health Food Claims Confuse Consumers

Don’t you like it when you see, say, a candy product that is labeled “50 percent less fat”? First… 50 percent less than what? Second, it’s candy!

Over the years, as certain dietary concerns became the latest trends (think low-fat, low-carb, etc.), food manufacturers have tried to keep up the best they can while still selling a palatable food product. Maybe the best example is after the low-carb craze really took hold. While it’s died down a little, and research has come out to show that whole grains are a necessary part of a healthy diet, people are still carb-conscious.

Food manufacturers do a dance of deception around the labeling regulations, usually staying within the law, but still doing a good job of misleading consumers. (more…)

Posted on October 13, 2024 by Jason

The Pros and Cons of Anthony Hopkins’ Diet

Anthony Hopkins is in his early 70’s and proving anyone who ever said, “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks” completely wrong. Hopkins enlisted the help of his wife, Stella Arroyave, to give his lifestyle a complete fitness-makeover. That was two years and 75 pounds ago.

So, how does he do it?  He leads an active life and eats small amounts of nutritious food. It’s also been speculated that he’s a vegetarian. It may sound simple and old-fashioned but the fact is, it works! Gone are the days of his addiction to fatty foods. He’s no longer hooked on carbs such as cookies and bread and Hopkins religiously goes to the gym six days a week and only consumes 800 calories a day.

Back up for a moment. This nearly 73-year-old man goes to the gym six days a weeks and power walks on top of that? My instinct here is that he sounds too active to be living on only 800 calories a day. A certain amount of calories is necessary to maintain the functionality of your brain and body. Severely low-calorie diets can be dangerous. According to an estimation on My Pyramid, Hopkins should consume closer to 2200 calories a day. It’s worth noting that many studies point to the conclusion that our food pyramid recommends far too many calories. Restricted calorie diets have many perks, but going overboard is simply careless. I suppose it’s all up for debate. (more…)

Posted on September 30, 2024 by Theresa