Atkins Diet Misconceptions: High Protein or High Fat Diet?
This is the second in Atkins Diet misconceptions or myths series, and in this video I deal with the thought this is a high protein diet. Just check out google for “Atkins Diet” and “high protein,” and you’ll see how prevalent this misconception is.
USDA Food Pyramid Standard for Protein:
10-35% of Total Calories
http://health.msn.com/weight-loss/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100186268
http://www.health.gov/DietaryGuidelines/dga2005/document/html/chapter5.htm
With 35% being the standard for high protein, what does Dr. Atkins recommend?
“The macro-nutrient breakout in the Induction phase is 60 percent fat, 30 percent protein and 10 percent carbohydrate. It should be more appropriately be called a high fat regimen. As you progress through the phases, your percentage of fat naturally diminishes as your percentage of carbohydrates increases.” Even in DANDR, he cautions against going high protein on page 43,
“No, because when you cut out fat, what is left is protein and carbohydrate, both of which can produce a blood-sugar response. Fat is the only substance that won’t have an impact on your blood sugar. It also provides essential fatty acids you can’t get from protein or carbohydrates. Contrary to much of what you may have heard, fat can be good for you! (43)”
Dangers of low fat, low carb, high protein diet:
Sources:
* http://www.nationmaster.com/encyclopedia/Rabbit-starvation
* http://www.medbio.info/Horn/PDF%20files/rabbit%20starvation.pdf
Rabbit starvation is the form of acute malnutrition caused by excess consumption of any lean meat (e.g. rabbit) coupled with a lack of other sources of nutrients usually in combination with other stressors, such as severe cold or dry environment. Symptoms include diarrhea, headache, lassitude, a vague discomfort and hunger that can only be satisfied by consumption of fat or carbohydrates.
How much protein is advisable:
*** .8 – 1.2g per kg of body weight – normal adults, or roughly 72g to 109g per day for 200 pound adult
*** Up to 1.6g per kg – for extremely active or weight lifting adults, or 145g for 200 pound adult (29%)
Source:
** http://sportsmedicine.about.com/od/sportsnutrition/a/Protein.htm
** Protein requirements for endurance athletes. Nutrition , Volume 20 , Issue 7 – 8 , Pages 662 – 668. M . Tarnopolsky
Kimberly
November 30th, 2008 at 3:40 pm
Henry
I think you should be able to or at least get very close. The last few pounds are suggested to be lost slowly as you work out what your maintenance level of carbs and food intake will be. I would suggest you watch my “How much weight will I lose?” video where I deal with the question more fully.
Thanks for watching.
December 1st, 2008 at 5:46 am
Sarah
Thanks for the info , I was just wondering as a new atkins dieter and about 5 days into the induction, If I follow the regimented diet will I really drop the 30 lbs I am looking to drop over the next four months?
December 3rd, 2008 at 9:45 am
Eugene
Ours does too, I just can’t let him roam free without proper supervision – chews cords.
December 3rd, 2008 at 6:06 pm
Wilma
2 of them – a Dutch and Lop eared one. Thanks!
December 4th, 2008 at 9:13 am
Alexander
How many bunnies do you have??! lol. Great video! I have way more sucess with high fat/ low carb.
December 5th, 2008 at 9:04 am
Cynthia
Thanks so much for the feedback. I still have about 20 pounds to go to bet to my goal. I love eating low carb. It really seems to work for me. Since 06 I’ve lost 55 pounds. However..I was on and off the program..but I am back on trak now still sitting at 55 lost. Keep up the good work all of you. It’s worth it ! A good book to refernece is “Eat right for your blood type” Interesting book. If you are type “o” blood . Low carb is the best diet for you. I think its good for any type.Take care ~Amy
December 6th, 2008 at 6:50 pm
Harvey
I found cooking with Ghee to be a huge help during induction and beyond. I am in OWL and often forget to eat enough fat. When that happens I get bitchy and my energy tanks. Ghee, butter and mayo all help me stay in the 65-70% range.
December 8th, 2008 at 10:36 pm
Catherine
Awe, we used to have a pet rabbit when I lived in NY! He was so smart and even used a litter box:)
December 9th, 2008 at 5:19 am
Vera
Thanks Kent. I do use butter and salad dressing too. However..I do tend to eat lean meats..unless I cook pork. I’ll read your blog and I will continue to keep an eye on my food choices. Have a good night!
December 10th, 2008 at 2:38 am
Clara
Have a look at my menus blog for ideas (just google “Bowulf menus” and you should find a link to it).
I usually have no problems with my fat percentage. Sometimes I stray into the 70-75% range. Of course, I have salad dressing on my salads and butter on my veggies, which add to the fat content. I also feature sausage (no sugar) in my menus as well. Look at the protein – are you just eating leaner proteins.
December 11th, 2008 at 5:31 pm
Viola
Kent, During induction how does one get that 60-65% fat? I am not eating cheese. I am taking a flax seed oil 2T. per day..and I use mayo. I cook with canola but not often. Do you have any suggestions? Thanks- Nice video.
December 14th, 2008 at 4:43 pm
Nellie
I think in the end what I took out of the information is that Atkins Diet uses fat primarily for energy and that according to USDA standards, it isn’t high protein or high LEAN protein. If you are going to eat chicken breasts, eat the skin with it or eat it with some fat (cheese, cream, fat, dressing, etc.).
Plus you already know you are much healthier now than before. This video series is more for the doubters than the followers. I have another one planned in a few days on water weight.
December 15th, 2008 at 3:21 am
Jesus
wow my brain is twitching, lol I swear Im horrible with the number/grahm/% lingo…. I think Max should start posting his own videos! LOL ..( Im picturing him in glasses and lil microphone).. =)
December 18th, 2008 at 7:47 am
Derek
Hey, this was an all Rach and Nic episode all the time…
I always knew Canadians had to have a breaking point to their niceness. I finally found it remove their access to moose meat. Check the links – rabbit starvation is a legitimate condition.
December 19th, 2008 at 5:51 am
Bryan
I know. I just had someone who said they wouldn’t try Atkins because AHA and others cautionary tales. Given their record of past recommendations — remember when Cheerios and Oat Bran were all the rage?, I am keen to take all the science, compare it to my reality, and then make some conclusions from there.
Thank you for the affirmation!
December 20th, 2008 at 10:22 am
Rafael
HOW DARE he Taunt us with his Rabbit’s like that…what about the brown one..why was he not included In this Vlog…OMG:)
I think Im going to get a Guinea Pig… So I can have something caged and furry to tease my subscriber’s WITH:)LOL!!!!
December 20th, 2008 at 1:25 pm
Phillip
I heard that the America heart association gave its seal of approval to pop tarts! Its so clear that they are payed off and they are in the back pocket of junk food makers. Ive studied health and nutrition for over 5 years and I can say with out any doubt that the Atkins diet trumps everything!
December 23rd, 2008 at 1:35 pm
Chris
Kent: ‘YOU FLITHY ANIMAL’…. LOVED THE RABBITS IN THE VIDEO…. ROTFL…. as for the Canadians getting bitchy with the runs..from lack of whale meat in diet…I get that from a lack of Moose meat…. OMG… KENT YOUR KILLING ME…. LOL Rachele
December 25th, 2008 at 1:53 am
Marian
He may be devilishly handsome but very noisy as he makes himself known scratching his nails on his cage.
Too bad I couldn’t set him up as the title graphic for the real big hits.
December 25th, 2008 at 11:54 pm
Carl
Max is safe. He is much too lean to eat, but I could always make a garlic cream butter sauce for him. Hmmm.
(Just kidding)
I made this great holiday’s recipe that the wife and kids loved today. I have been looking for another great recipe to introduce to you guys, and I think I found it.
December 29th, 2008 at 7:49 am
Betty
I have to say Max is Devilisly Handsome:)
Just How I like my Bunnie’s white with black spot’s:)
Thanks for Finally Including the BUNNIE Kent:)
I bet this Vlog get’s BIG HIT’S!!!LOL!
December 31st, 2008 at 11:59 pm
Carolyn
Great Video…..
Once Agian Atkins Deliver’s Through Bowulf!
Ok so beside from all the Science, and the Data that we have; for the people that still question us LC people!
Protein Ultimetly Supress’s HUNGER!!!
Atkins72′ forces us the Eliminate all the Processed Food, and Junk from our diet’s…And that people is the recipe for All the Success’s!
OMG:) Poor Max; he’s been used for Human Atkins Testing…Dont worry Maxi:) Im coming to rescue you…..LOL!
January 4th, 2009 at 5:07 am
Benjamin
It’s all about finding what works for you. For me, life without the fat would be problematic. The low fat foods I was eating never led to same feelings of being full. The only exceptions I have found are nuts for me, but I think that is more behaviorally controlled, not due to the fat not working.
In your case with the moderate carbs, I would think that should prevent any of the negative side effects.
January 4th, 2009 at 10:30 am
Harvey
You and me both.
January 7th, 2009 at 9:16 pm
Edith
I do better on high protein. Fat doesn’t fill me up at all and the number of calories per gram run my calories up too fast. I shoot for about 1g of protein for every pound I weigh, but sometimes I don’t make it. Percentage-wise I seem to be at about 42%.
I do a low-fat, moderate-carb, high-protein diet.