This weekend I made the decision of going back to Dr. Atkin's principles of healthy living and eating. Not necessarily his newer books and theories.


A family member I respect came to me with the outdated theories and notions related to Dr. Atkins (bad liver, eating fried food, etc). Of course, I instantly became irritated. I mean I read his book 10-15 years ago and was successful with weight loss and very healthy, too.

My response to this family member is below...I wanted to document it.


Keep reading if you're interested...

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RESPONSE
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So, did you read his book 10 years ago?

Not all foods and ways of eating are good for everyone. For me, Atkins suggestions are what work. I'm never hungry and mostly feel content. For instance, I know for a fact refined sugar is a mood swinger for me and makes me super hungry. Plus, it's so super bad for us, but people eat it with no problem, since it's in a lot of processed foods.

We stayed on induction for a year and every 6 months got our blood checked (as Atkins suggested). Atkins also said to ensure you take certain vitamins (ex. daily detox) to ensure your liver was safe. He also told people to talk to their doctor first, before any lifestyle change. So, we did exactly what he said to do. We spoke to our natural and regular doctors. My father in law followed us and his cholesterol improved (the first time in his adult life) and he was eating tons of protein and meat.

Atkins had always promoted healthy eating. He was clear: Yes, you can fry. Yes, you can eat sugar substitutes. But you shouldn't and if you do keep it to a minimum. This is where the average person that didn't read the book took the diet to the extreme by never coming off Induction and never moving toward through the rest of the phases to Maintenance. They didn't check their blood work with their doctor and some probably did hurt themselves.

I wouldn't read his book now, since it's not written by him! Since the day he died from the head injury, his enterprise has been mismanaged in many ways, but mostly with the inclusion of junky snacks and crappy vitamins with his name of them. When he was alive, he never sold out like that. I bet he's turning in his grave, as they say.

Also, so many people disliked his theories so much that they claimed he had a heart condition from unhealthy eating...and that's why he died. His wife and lawyers nipped that in the bud fast. He died from hitting his head on ice during a fall. He was 72 and couldn't sustain a bad head injury. "On April 8, 2003, at age 72, Dr. Atkins slipped on the ice while walking to work, hitting his head and causing bleeding around his brain."

http://lowcarbdiets.about.com/od/atkinsdiet/a/dratkinsdeath.htm

If you recall from the book, there is nothing wrong with eating meat. It's not fat that makes you fat (as all nutritionists now agree - probably due to Atkin's research).

Also, what all people who read his book should have walked away from was that it is the "combination" of foods that make us unhealthy. If you eat natural foods that the land produces, you will be healthier and happier. Think about it...meat, vegetables, fruits, eggs, cheese, etc. Once we add the refined sugars, chemicals, white flour, etc...that in combination with the proteins is what's unhealthy.

I loved Atkins because I respected him and agreed with everything I read...still do It just makes sense to me.

May he rest in peace.