Keto vs Atkins 20

(chad) #1

So how do y’all feel about adding a portion of carbs back in to your diet after you get closer to your goal weight. I know I have a ways togo before I’m even close to my goal weight but was just wondering how y’all felt about doing more Atkins diet after keto does the heavy lifting.

(TJ Borden) #2

It’s a personal preference. Many here have no plans to transition from keto. If you’re in maintenance mode and have no continuing metabolic issues, I believe a modified paleo (with dairy) would be a great way to go.

Whole foods, no sugar loaded processed shit that got us all fucked up to begin with.

#3

So, about 20 years ago, we did the Protein Power diet. Very similar to Atkins, but only limited carbs to 35g/day. We lost a good amount of weight (it was so long ago, I really can’t remember exactly how much), but when we got within our goal weight we started working toward maintenance.

Maintenance, under the Protein Power diet, was IIRC 85g of carbs a day. Long story short, we didn’t stick to it, started eating more carbs, and eventually gain our weight back. Then the kids were born, and the rest is history. :grin:

What I remember most about Protein Power was that we were eating three meals a day (now, on Keto, we’re OMAD), but still hungry and fought cravings all the time.

What keto had taught me is that I have a low threshold for carbs, and it’s best to keep it low. Besides, what do I need them for anyway?

Also, FAT is KEY! I struggled on Protein Power, because I wasn’t getting enough FAT. With Keto, ONE meal a day, no cravings. No problems.

That’s my experience.

(Carpe salata!) #4

Try it and see. Some people just feel better on keto. Others can be metabolically flexible without inflammatory complications.

For me it’s best to stay on keto with a bit of fasting … currently on day 2 of 5.

(Katie the Quiche Scoffing Stick Ninja ) #5

I’m within 5kg of my goal weight and have recently started a 5x5 progressive strength piece program. I noticed after my first session how HUNGRY I was, and inadvertedly over ate.
Now i’m struggling on my appetite ramping up again, so am taking it one day at a time, to which I just totally bombed and ate some chinese, but I really wanted it lol.
I’m attempting to eat 40-50g of GOOD CARBS on workout days.
Back at it tomorrow!

(chad) #6

See I was thinking about incorporating more of a 50g ish carb day occasionally after I get closer to where I want to be. I guess I just need to work towardmy goal and just try out different things to see what works

(You've tried everything else; why not try bacon?) #7

It depends on what your personal carbohydrate threshold is. Twenty grams a day is fairly arbitrary, chosen, I understand, because it’s low enough for everyone but the most insulin-resistant to get into ketosis. If you are not a sugar addict and can eat a higher amount of carbohydrate and still remain fat-adapted and ketotic, then go for it.

But to me, hearing someone on a ketogenic diet talk about increasing carb intake sounds an awful like the professor who tried to prove that alcoholics could learn to drink “moderately.” Last I heard, she was in jail for vehicular manslaughter while under the influence, though her sentence might be up by now.

(Laurie) #8

I lost weight on Atkins some years ago, and it was great. I did try to keep my carbs below 20. After a year I ate a piece of pie at Christmas time . . .

Since then I’ve tried many times to use the “Maintenance” model as an excuse for eating fruits, starchy vegetables, etc., as well as unlimited amounts of nuts and whipped cream. At times I’ve eaten so many nuts I had a reaction. I just didn’t know where to stop.

So basically I was overeating and eating a SAD, but paying lip service (no pun intended) to the low carb concept. For example, I’d insist on cream (lots of it) rather than milk in my coffee, and gorge on pork rinds instead of potato chips.

I don’t like to see anyone criticizing Atkins, but I am very leery about the phases after Induction–for me anyway. Now I know I really can’t get away with adding in more carbs. Carbs make me too hungry. Better to keep it simple and keep carbs low.

If I ever get “too thin,” maybe I’ll have to rethink this, but I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it.

(Terence Dean) #9

I’m 23 weeks in and have been experimenting with carbs as high as 100g per day for the past month, I’ve settled at 50g and its great, gives me a lot of flexibility in terms of menu choice but also hasn’t given me cravings for more either. I found that pushing it to 70g brought back cravings for more sugar. Still losing weight at 50g no problem. I think a lot depends on your tolerance for carbs, some people say they get kicked out of ketosis if they do more than 30g, so no hard and fast rules, we have different metabolisms.

#10

I think it all comes down to one’s degree of metabolic derangement (IR vs. not-IR) along with whether or not one has addiction/compulsivity issues that predate keto. If so, it may require a lifelong vigilance related to potential self-sabotage, and conservative approaches to carbs.

Not having additional issues, I’ve found it easy to continue body recomposition by varying my carb levels anywhere from 10g - 60g net per day, and discovered I esp enjoy to eat most of my carbs together in one foodie meal, and have another meal that is a VVLC protein/fat light meal. The randomness seems to be key in order for me to stay in the agile, “keto-cusp” that the Drs. Eades wrote about and that I seem to feel my best in. Very subtle and intuitive cycling, according to the day at hand.

In my first year of keto I was quite conservative in what I let into the house in order to remove potential temptation - I didn’t want to risk potential emotional eating, etc.

Nowadays, with my keto-restored palate, amazing satiety, and well nourished brainz, I’m effortlessly conservative. I simply have no interest in old faves like salt n’ vinegar chips, brown stout ale, or fine pastry - and no need for them in my house. If there’s a certain dish I want for a holiday or whatever, I’ll have it keto-style, and it does the job!!! The keto foods I’m eating are so delish, and apparently my hormones got all balanced and I have no cravings! I eat to satiety, I enjoy some red wine and chocolate a few times a week, and have no tendency towards bingeing or cravings for junk.

For those who still have cravings or addictive tendencies or high emotional stress that increases vulnerability though - I totally respect the validity of being more strict. :avocado:

(Terence Dean) #11

Totally agree with that, eating whole foods where possible is the way to go!

(Ken) #12

IMO, setting a certain amount of carbs per day opens the possibility for “Carb Creep”, the downfall of many who initially lost weight on Atkins. A better strategy is to practice what I call Carb Awareness. This is based on understanding glycogen levels, making sure you never get to the point of chronic overcompensation. When you decide to eat carbs, for whatever period, you don’t eat them afterwards for a period of time so your glycogen levels drop. You can actually eat carbs for a day, them not eat them for at least two so you rid yourself of stored glycogen. If your focus is fat loss it’s better to eat’em for one meal at a time. However, if you’re adapted and stalled, eating them on the Weekends potentially can break your stall.

(Pete A) #13

From 2 past fails transitioning to Atkins maintenance, I plan on keeping my carbs below 20. That doesnt mean you won’t tolerate more, which looks like you will attempt.

My adding carbs on Atkins both times (having lost a significant amount of weight each time) made me crave them more. I knew it, justified it and got reckless.

I appreciate the discipline and knowing how my body responds with this particular restriction. Plus now that I’ve kept the weight off since April and am for me an ideal weight, same 70/25/5 macros, and active, my body is recompositioning (is that the word?)

Like @SlowBurnMary says, I have no interest in those foods. Why change? I’m convinced I don’t always need to think “more” of something is better in this life.

Less is best! :grinning: for me anyway…

Good luck and looking forward to hearing how it goes!

(KCKO, KCFO 🥥) #14

I started my keto journey with the Atkins 20 foodie program, just never used their products but the meal planner really helped me figuring out what to eat. I followed it for two weeks. I then started up the Adkins ladder, so I found out I could add nuts and soft cheeses. I have pretty much stuck to that. I eat anywhere from 15-50 grams of carbs a day, biggest source of the carbs are the nuts and the dairy I eat, cheeses and Greek yogurt. I never touch grains or anything sugary. I eat no potatoes. I gave up my sour dough breads. I still make room for dark chocolate and wine. I lost my weight and have been in maintenance for a year now.

I do not have diabetes in fact a recent NMR panel shows my IR is below the lowest number listed on the labs range, they start at 27, I was at 25. So while I could eat more whole carbs, like lentils and beans, brown rice, I will not because when I eat them, I feel like I have to eat ALL THE TIME. So I just don’t go there, I focus on what I can eat and enjoy and don’t think about the things I should not eat. I love my eggs, bacon, leafy veggies, etc. I make occasional keto treats with raw 100% cocao powder and enjoy my occasional glasses of wine.

Good luck sorting yourself out.

(Sharon) #15

In the past everyone I have known on atkins eventually gained it all back and it always started with adding more carbs when they got to thier goal weight. I know for me this is a way of eating a true lifestyle change. If I start to add in a little carbs pretty soon I will be so addicted and adding the pounds back on. I have actually reduced carbs now that I am within in 10 pounds of my goal.