Mental Aspects of Living Low Carb

[Kandy67]

I don't know if anyone else struggles with this, but for my whole life I have had the USDA's four food groups and food pyramid ingrained into my brain. I have been taught that if I don't eat so much grain and have so much dairy that I will drop dead.

For me, the toughest part of living a low carb lifestyle is the mental part. As far as the physical part goes...I feel better now, I'm losing weight, I don't have the digestive issues I used to have, I just feel healthier. But my mind keep screaming that I am not getting the nutrition I need because of cutting out grain based products. Deep down I know that it is just a result of lifelong conditioning, I'm just wondering how long it will take me to un-condition my brain.

[peanutte]

How long did it take you to come to terms with Santa Claus not being real when you found out?

What nutrition can we really point to, that we were getting from grains? It's cheap, high-volume food, but other than what has been added to enriched wheat products, what essential nutrients were they providing? Fiber? We can get fiber from vegetables. Folic acid? They only started adding that to bread within the past fifty years or so.

Seriously, other than filling you up easily, what did eating lots of grains ever do for you?

[Kandy67]

Hummm, let me see....it caused me to develop a sensitivity to gluten and it made fatter than I want to be! So much for the government's 'kool-aid'!

Hey...something just occurred to me...maybe the food pyramid was created to create more business for America's wheat farmers!! Maybe it was all just the government bowing to a powerful lobby!

[flourchild]

If the boards are any indication, most everyone struggles with this to some degree, at least in the beginning. LC eating seems counter intuitive. But getting a grip on the science, combined with seeing and feeling the results - well shoot, that should make a believer out of anyone.

And if you think grains are essential, or you just plain enjoy them, you're allowed to reintroduce them in the last stage of OWL.

[Kandy67]

I lost 20 pounds on the Atkins diet around 5 years ago, I fell off the wagon but now I'm back on it!

I love the quote on your profile! "Less pitchforkable..." that cracks me up!!

[peanutte]

Very good points, flourchild!

[junkfoodmonkey]

Kandy, have you read "Good Calories, Bad Calories?" It's a big ol' tome of a book and can be tough going in parts. But it can certainly help to silence that little nagging voice inside that's says "But this CAN'T be right can it?" when you're eating your steak.

[phat girl no more]

I get lab work done every year, since I have been on Atkins my lab work is has improved greatly. I lost 22lbs so far this year which is very good. My primary doctor notice as soon as she walked in. For me the proof is in the numbers.

[oceandiva]

I read a lot about metabolism and it gives me the info to contact the old inner dialogue. I agree with junkfoodmonkey that reading "Good calories, Bad Calories." It's full of research and history about low carb in comparsion to low fat.

[jamistar77]

Originally Posted by peanutte

How long did it take you to come to terms with Santa Claus not being real when you found out?

What nutrition can we really point to, that we were getting from grains? It's cheap, high-volume food, but other than what has been added to enriched wheat products, what essential nutrients were they providing? Fiber? We can get fiber from vegetables. Folic acid? They only started adding that to bread within the past fifty years or so.

Seriously, other than filling you up easily, what did eating lots of grains ever do for you?

Good way to put it Peanutte! LOL
I love how much the government knows so much!! We would have a very "overweight" nation if they didnt step in. SOrry for the sarcasim

[peanutte]

Sarcasm is always welcome when we're talking about stupid things that don't need to be stupid!

[SeaGail]

It ain't just wheat either - it's all the sugar, which is REALLY addictive ... and corn syrup included in almost everything, don't get me started. Corporations aren't stupid - they know where money can be made and it's not like they are concerned with your health and well-being.

Nevertheless, it isn't just not believing that the pyramid isn't right and going on from there. For me when it gets down to it, bad food tastes good, period, and I will always battle it. I will never think cake icing is disgusting, but I have to come to the realization that it IS up to ME and the food I want is not going to automatically lose it's allure. If I want to be healthy and enjoy life to the fullest, I have to make some sacrifices. Should I ever reach goal, I can occasionaly indulge (accent on occasionally), but not get back on the sugar/grain train that took me to the miserable place I've been in. I have to accept that it will be hard at times, but the reward is truly worth it.

Gail in WA

[peanutte]

- it's all the sugar, which is REALLY addictive ... and corn syrup included in almost everything, don't get me started.

Right. I agree.

I have to accept that it will be hard at times, but the reward is truly worth it.

I think in general it gets a lot easier as you stick to your new habits and distance yourself from the old ones. I'm not saying there are never difficult moments and tough decisions to be made, but the basic day to day stuff gets way easier. (For some of us, I should say, to qualify that.)

[SeaGail]

Thanks for the encouragement - I have to really take a look inside and get myself right mentally (i.e., not keep putting off starting day after day - needless to say that gets you nowhere except heavier).

Tomorrow's my day to start ... again ... but my impetus this time is not only internal, but the fact that my doctor (who I haven't seen in about 18 months, and I take BP medication) only gave me a 30-day refill and said I have to come in for a check-up. I know, I know, that's very reasonable, but I have such a white coat reaction (my BP goes up a LOT when I go to the doctor - when I take it myself at home, it's much much much lower).

Thanks again.

Gail in WA

[StephStu]

I don't have a problem with the low carb, but I do have a problem with the high fat. Right now on induction, I'm just eating whatever, but once I get to OWL, I plan to cut out most of the saturated fat and try for more lean meats and such.

I have actually eaten better since I started this diet. I guess years of hearing how saturated fats can kill you is just instilled into my brain, and I can't get it out. I believe the research, it's just a "tape" playing in my head..."no saturated fats, low cholesterol...no saturated fats, low cholesterol".

I'll be more comfortable doing less saturated fat after induction.

[peanutte]

Well, honestly I don't know what to tell you. You can't do Atkins and low fat at the same time. That would be a different plan.

[FlyNavyWife]

Steph I suggest you rent Fathead.

[junkfoodmonkey]

Originally Posted by StephStu

I don't have a problem with the low carb, but I do have a problem with the high fat. Right now on induction, I'm just eating whatever, but once I get to OWL, I plan to cut out most of the saturated fat and try for more lean meats and such.

I have actually eaten better since I started this diet. I guess years of hearing how saturated fats can kill you is just instilled into my brain, and I can't get it out. I believe the research, it's just a "tape" playing in my head..."no saturated fats, low cholesterol...no saturated fats, low cholesterol".

I'll be more comfortable doing less saturated fat after induction.

Why not check out some of the other low carb plans? Not all are as high fat as Atkins, you may find there's another that you prefer. Personally I'm all for following a plan, whichever one it is.

[peanutte]

I agree.