Atkins diet and IC

[blue]

Has anyone tried using the Atkins diet along with the IC diet. The biggest difference I see is the artificial sweetner. I'm curious if anyone's on the Atkins........

[Kathi]

I did Atkin's with no problem with food. But, I only lost 8 lbs in 6 weeks. I take an antidepressant & apparently this inhibits the weight loss :-( boo. I could have gone on for a long time with that diet. Too bad. I tried not to use artificial sweetner, only the yellow one can't remember what it's called. Kathi banghead

[Sarojini]

I did the Atkins diet for a while between Thanksgiving and Christmas. This was before anyone suspected I even had IC... however, I have had a horrible period that has been going on from about mid-December (3 weeks into my Atkins foray) until now (frequency, urgency, pain, etc). This is what finally drove me to the urologist who is pretty certain it's IC.

I suspect I had IC long before this (for example, last July, while dressing for my wedding I remember thinking "oh, God, please do not let me have to pee during this ceremony!!!") wink And I think I peed about 4 or 5 times on the plane ride from Memphis to Montego Bay, Jamaica at the same time (3 hr ride).......... so I am not blaming the Atkins for anything, even though my husband is (but he just hates it when I diet period lmao )

I SUSPECT that for me, it was all of the artificial sweeteners I ate during the Atkins period that got me going with a full-on flare. I think that if I were to do Atkins, but were careful about artificial sweeteners, it would be ok!

[ICNDonna]

I never thought I'd ever try the Atkins diet, but my hypoglycemia has been giving me a really bad time for several months and I asked our family doctor about trying the low carbohydrate diet. His opinion is that it's okay if it's followed 100% but cheating can cause the cholesterol to go crazy. My husband decided to go on it with me and we are in our second week. I have no idea how we will do as time goes on, but so far it hasn't been difficult to follow. We already use Splenda so that's no change. We're concentrating more on protein foods than on sweets, but I did get some low carb candy bars at Costco this week and some low carb ice cream.

I'll have to let you know how it goes. We've decided to give it a three month try --- and if we do well, will continue beyond that.

Donna

[PixieRose]

Blue,

I do LC because of my IBS and of course to lose weight. But it has actually really helped my IC. Especially at night. Sugar is generally bad for me anyway so I don't even fool around with the fake stuff. If you want sugar or such, just count it in. Also I have a day off every week(not binging)but a good treat.

Some people have a real problem and I would say the first week or so you might have a "wee" bit of trouble.

Goodluck

[liz2]

Pure cane sugar is fine for me, but the beet sugar is not. Cane sugar has to be labeled as pure cane sugar; otherswise, consider the sugar to be derived from sugar beets.

The powdered artificial sugars use corn extenders and that is bad for my bladder. Equal is derived from grapefruit.

[liz2]

Atkins and my IC don't get along.

[Mimi-in-Chicagoland]

My doctor said Atkins could stress the kidneys a bit--she said ICers needed a few more carbohydrated to keep out of too much ketosis. I'm doing South Beach with splenda with few problems. I've just noticed that my pee is a bit stronger, but I've not been very good at drinking as much water as I should. South Beach included more good carbs and fruit so you have a better balance. (its also helped my IBS)

[MakinIT]

Stevia is a good sweetner too. Due to politics in the sweetner industry though, it is in the health food section under additives...you may have to ask some one. It is a bit expensive. I won't take artificial sweetners like the "blue" or "pink" packages because it aggravates my migraines and my IC, but the stevia, and a little splenda doesn't bother it. I've also been on a low carb diet for a longtime due to diabetes. Have to be. Lost 80 Pounds....Unfortunately, feel like crapola, cause of the IC

Tracey

[Sharon]

I hate to be a downer for anyone doing the Atkins
diet, because I have nothing against it. I just want to pass along the results of some studies done on the Atkins diet.

"Results of the only study to examine kidney function were striking. When subjects switched to Atkins from their regular diet, they excreted over 60 percent more calcium and their urine was MARKEDLY MORE ACID, placing them at higher risk of kidney stones."

I got this information from an article in Oprah's Magazine, March issue.

I don't know if this acid increase would have an effect on our bladders or not, but I thought it was good idea for the IC Atkin dieters to be aware of it.


Sharon

[raeray]

I've been on the Atkins Diet for about a year now. I haven't had any problems from the diet at all. In fact I'm healthier.

My blood pressure medicine was cut in half, and the doctor says he thinks I will end up off of it completely.

My blood sugar is great. I lost 30 pounds, which took a lot of pressure off my stomach/bladder.

I can't recommend it highly enough.

I also think that the discipline and the care I take with the Atkins Diet has done me good with the IC. It made it easier to handle the narrowed diet for IC.

[MakinIT]

Iknow...My doc tells me everytime he does my blood work it's better than 95% of his patients. and, being diabetic, they evaluate your eating habits every three month by measuring your HBac1 level (Kinda an average of your blood sugar levels) on a scale of 4-12. When I was first dx with diabetes, I wieghed 220 and my level was 10.4. Now, I wiegh, 150 and my level is consistently between 5-6. (They like a diabetics to be 7-8, normal persons, 4-6) . My Cholesterol is perfect...I've been on a version of Atkins for Diabetics. Basically, I'm allowed 60 carbs/day and that's it 12 per meal, 6 pe snack (4 snacks) ...been that way from the start, and it never changes..there's no "phases" or inductions or anything. If it werern't for this damn IC, I'd be in great shape...I do cheat a little, I eat a few more carbs in blueberries and pears, as I'm so sensitve to most stuff and those are a few of the foods I can eat..they don't really raise my blood sugar at all either.

Oh well, asi is la vida...

Tracey

[ICNDonna]

Well, we're still on Atkins --- my husband has already lost 14 lbs. I'm still struggling with weight, but my blood pressure has lowered significantly and I have not had even one low blood sugar reaction since we started.

When we get where we want to be on weight, we'll be able to add some carbs, but for now, we're still keeping pretty low --- and drinking lots and lots.

Donna

[MakinIT]

good For you and your hubby Donna...I think, though, that diet is really reflective on body type so maybe you are struggling withthe wieght end cause this just isn't quite the diet for you...who knows? Some people do better just simply cutting calories, not bothering with worrying about carbs vs. fats...others have to cut fat...I've not knocked what worked for anyone as long as 1) it produced wanted results by the patient (usually wieght loss) and 2) some of the good benefits, (good blood work) comes up.

You can keep trying...or skip all that induction crap and order "Dr. Bernstien's Diabetic solution" (it'son Amazon.com) and see what that does for you, and your hubby. At least read the product guide on the website. It was my food bible before IC. Now I have to work on combining it with what I can eat. Like I said, I allow myself to eat a little more so Iget fiber and such...otherwise, I never eat.

Good luck...you are so strong, I'm sure you'll do great.

Tracey

[ICNDonna]

I know it's a tough thing to try to lose weight. I was on weight watchers and lost almost 30 lbs, then weight loss came to an abrupt halt in November --- and even going to the lower end of the diet guidelines, I was totally stuck.

I finally picked up some ketone test strips and just this morning, I had my first positive test --- so maybe I'm on my way. I'm on this diet with the approval and encouragement of my doctor, so will be sticking with it until I see him next month.

Thanks.

Donna

[DanaW]

Good luck Donna!! I encourage you to keep trying. I eat similar to Atkins when I diet. I do the SugarBuster plan. Love it! I usually start more strict, like Atkins, then, slowly implement the SB plan. (which is actually in between Atkins and the southbeach diet) I also use Spenda with no problems.....I am now back on my S.B. WOE (way of eating) I have to lose mega weight. Just found out that I have a low thyroid too. I am hoping that I won't have a harder time losing...because of that. :D

[Alexa]

I've been on Atkins for 3 weeks now. I gained some weight after our wedding last summer, and I estimate I need to lose 15-20 pounds at this point. I've lost 7 pounds so far, but my husband..get this..has already lost 15!! not fair, is it??? wink My weight loss has been frustratingly slow! We're going to Hawaii in May and I need to fit back into that bikini! :D
Anyways I have noticed an increase in frequency, but it might be because I've been drinking a considerable amount of water. I haven't been in any pain during this time, other than the typical discomfort I get termporarily right before my period. Otherwise I feel good. I was feeling quite sluggish and tired the first 2 days of Atkins, but then I bounced back and got back to working out 3 or 4 days a week. I also do pilates almost every day. I think Atkins can be adapted quite easily in order to accomodate an IC diet.

Good luck to those on it :)

Take care,
Alexa

[yvette]

Hey! :)

Would anybody mind posting what they eat in an average day (with time of day too)?
What does a typical Atkins Menu look like?

just curious, TIA for anyone who actually will humor me :D

[ICNDonna]

Here's what I am having today:

Breakfast: three link sausages, 2 eggs

Lunch: One slice of cheese, small piece of ham, 1/4 cup macadamia nuts, one low carb candy bar :)

For dinner I will have a chicken breast, some sliced pepper, black olives, and will top it off with a low carb ice cream bar.

I've FINALLY started losing weight and hope to continue. My husband has one piece of low carb toast with his breakfast and likes a chef salad for lunch so that's what I fix for him.

As soon as I lose more weight, I'll start adding more foods.

Donna

[Alexa]

Here's what I ate today (pretty typical):

breakfast: coffee with one tablespoon cream, one egg, one ounce cheese

snack: one ounce cheese and one stalk celery

lunch: Thai beef salad with cucumber and lettuce (I usually have a salad with chicken...but I went out for lunch today)

dinner: roasted chicken and stir fry bok choy with ginger (we will either eat fish, poultry, beef or pork along with a veggie and sometimes with a small tossed salad -- we eat red meat about once a week, and try to eat fish at least 3 times per week)

dessert: I don't usually eat dessert, but sometimes in the evening I'll have a decaf coffee with 1 tablespoon cream. Sometimes (like around that time of month!!) I'll have a sugar free chocolate bar or some other low carb dessert, but I try to avoid it because I find it can stall my weight loss.

Also....I drink about 6-8 glasses of water a day. I usually drink most of it when I get home from work because it certainly increases my frequency. But I feel so much better when I'm hydrated :)

Let me know if you have any questions!!

:) Alexa

[yvette]

:kissing: Donna and Alexa :kissing:
Thanks for taking the time. I appreciate it.

[jaime15]

For breakfast: 2 slices turkey bacon (cooked on my George Foreman grill) and 1 hard-boiled egg (which I dislike eggs but force it down anyway.)

For Lunch:A chef's salad or a grilled hamburger steak and green beans. (Either or, not all at once.:p )

For snack: 10 small peanuts

For Dinner:A grilled chicken breast and small salad.

Sometimes when I want a dessert I eat one no sugar brown cow or fudge pop.

How's the work-out and your diet going???:hi:

[yvette]

Were going Ok for a while, as of late between the nasty weather, a small flare and inexplicable throbbbing (pain????) at my *old* Interstim scars -- I've had to cut my excercise down to a minimum.....that throbbing is horrible....I'm guessing it may be my sciatica being irrtated by cold and the interstim unit.

I've been losing very small increments of weight....both nothing to blow my horn about :(

Birthday cake and gifts of choclate from people at work have been slowing progress :eek:
::::::::sigh:::::::::

[Alexa]

hey y...sorry to hear you're not feeling well .. I hate the throbbing feeling too. Slow sustained weight loss is really the way to go. I've heard the faster it comes off, the harder it is to keep it off (generally -- I'm sure there are exceptions, especially if one has a considerable amount to lose). And really, weight loss is about more than what the scale says. I've only lost about 7 pounds, but I've lost inches which can make a bigger difference. And I feel better. How much are you trying to lose? I hear ya about the cake and goodies...it take a lot of will power to stay away, but you know what? After the first few days of Atkins (which were brutal for me), it became sooooo much easier!! I haven't even been craving that stuff anymore, and I NEVER thought I'd say that! :wink:

Take care sweetie, glad you got my PM before the PM's went down. Just wanted you to know I was thinking about you :grouphug:

love,
a

ps. forgot to mention for those interested in atkins, I also workout (treadmill/weights) 3 or 4 times per week, and do pilates daily. If you workout though, don't forgot to increase your water too.

[P.Chef]

My husband and I went low carbs last year. I've lost 15 pounds in 9 months so it wasn't quick but I don't mind now that I'm down 2 pants sizes.:D

I noticed that soy products are on the "usually problematic" list for diet and IC....I haven't gone off of soy since suspecting IC. The Zone bars have been especially helpful in my weight loss and I like a soy cereal too. Any thoughts?

Andrea :hi: