4th Semi Annual Veggie Challenge

[Skeptika23]

I'm in!

On OWL, so 17 per day for me!

[mitzimarie]

Originally Posted by Skeptika23

I'm in!

On OWL, so 17 per day for me!

Awesome! Thank you so much for joining us.

Here is our updated roster:

mitzimarie - OWL
jimmie 48 - OWL
Lyssie - Induction
Georgiana - OWL
OzLover - OWL
blueberrylady - OWL
sallyseachange - Maintenance
*Alexa* - OWL
LaceyLooWho - OWL
Mickkey - Induction
Skeptika23 - OWL

I'll be purchasing, cutting up, and bagging veggies today so I'll be ready for the next 5 days. I am relieved that I was able to find some jicama yesterday. For a while, none of my usual stores had any. I was stressing out! But Walmart got some in, and while they were kinda different looking than what I am used to, I am thrilled to report that they're the best tasting ones I've ever had!

[mitzimarie]

OK, Folks! Time is drawing near...

I am SO PROUD of you for joining this challenge! So many people attack the Atkins WOE as unhealthy. Nothing could be further from the truth! They are basing their judgement upon rumors and misinformation. They think that all we eat is meat, cheese, and eggs. If they would take the time to educate themselves about the plan, they would understand that the Atkins eating plan emphasizes the benefits of protein and natural fats - AND nutrient-rich carbohydrates. Although Dr. Atkins was one of the first to draw attention to the dangers of too many carbs - and the wrong ones - the Atkins WOE (way of eating) is NOT anti-carb. The crux of the matter is in limiting carbohydrates and in selecting the right carbohydrates, those most full of nutrients and fiber and those with the lowest impact on your blood sugar. So, not only is it important to choose foods with low carb counts, it is also crucial to select the most nutrient-dense carbohydrate foods.

The goal is to eat as many "good" carbohydrates as your body can tolerate without interfering with weight loss or getting your blood sugar out of whack. You will control carbohydrates, not eliminate them. And you will choose healthy, satisfying whole foods, ones that provide nutrients and fiber.

Vegetables, in general, contain "good" carbohydrates, although some are very high in carbs and not as high in nutrient value, and some are the reverse. Most vegetables provide fiber and many healthy phytonutrients (phyto means "plant"), those magical substances found in plants that help us ward off disease. Fortunately, the vegetables that are most dense in nutrients happen also to be those lowest in carbs.

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from page 89 in DANDR:

- How (and When) To Eat Your Veggies -

Choose a good lineup of vegetables, then follow these five tips:

1. Consume vegetables little by little throughout the day. If you save up your carb allowance for a giant veggie splurge, it might produce a surge in your blood sugar.

2. When you eat higher-carb vegetables, such as yams or winter squash, do so along with proteins and fats. They will slow the passage of carbs through your digestive system and minimize their impact on your blood sugar.

3. Look for recipes in which a variety of vegetables are included with meat, fish or fowl as part of a complete entree, such as stews and dishes based on Asian cuisine.

4. Don't drink your vegetables. Juicing removes the fiber, which has the double merit of helping you feel full and maintaining a healthy digestive system. Juices also concentrate the sugars from vegetables, increasing the risk that they'll spike your blood sugar.

5. Cook carefully. Vegetables are most nutritious when crisp - not overcooked. An exception to this recommendation and to #4, above, is the tomato; its cancer-fighting chemical lycopene becomes more bioavailable when heat breaks down the tomato's cell walls or even when it is served as juice.

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No matter what phase of Atkins you are in, whether it be Induction, OWL (Ongoing Weight Loss), Pre-Maintenance, or Lifetime Maintenance, you will still derive the majority of your carbohydrates from vegetables low in carbs. Kudos to you for dedicating this week to the importance of veggies.

Best of luck to all of you!

[mitzimarie]

By the way - if there are any night-owls out there tonight (Sunday night) who still want to join this challenge, just go ahead and do so. As long as you start the Challenge with us tomorrow, we'd be pleased to have you.

See ya!

[Georgiana]

I guess I'm the first one reporting here...

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Nov 10

cucumber - 4 carbs / 1 fiber = 3 net carbs
scallions - 1 carb / 0 fiber = 1 net carb
red leaf lettuce - 3 carbs / 1 fiber = 2 net carbs
tomato - 9 carbs / 2 fiber = 7 net carbs
broccoli - 8 carbs / 6 fiber = 2 net carbs
onion - 1 carb / 0 fiber = 1 net carb
red, yellow & green pepper - 5 carbs / 2 fiber = 3 net carbs

Total - 31 carbs / 12 fiber = 19 net carbs

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I think I really love this challenge. It's amazing how much you can eat if you substitute empty carbs/calories like mayo, cream, etc. with veggies. Yummy!

My total net carb count for the day was 21, with 2 coming from cheese (counting 1 carb per 1 oz) and the rest from veggies. I never had over 90% of my net carbs from veggies! Pretty darn amazing!

[Alexa]

I've got my 17 veggie carbs in today

[mitzimarie]

Originally Posted by Georgiana

I think I really love this challenge. It's amazing how much you can eat if you substitute empty carbs/calories like mayo, cream, etc. with veggies. Yummy!

Georgiana! You've just hit the nail on the head with this observation!! You really can eat a lot of food while keeping carbs low, if most of them come from veggies.

My total net carb count for the day was 21, with 2 coming from cheese (counting 1 carb per 1 oz) and the rest from veggies. I never had over 90% of my net carbs from veggies! Pretty darn amazing!

Wow! My bet is, if you can do this all week, you will be rewarded on the scale.

Keep up the great work, Georgiana. You're setting an excellent example.

[mitzimarie]

Originally Posted by *Alexa*

I've got my 17 veggie carbs in today

Nice going, Alexa! Thanks for reporting your total.

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Whew! Long day at work for me. I've already gotten my minimum net veggie carbs in, but I'm not going to report totals yet because I still haven't eaten dinner.

I'll see y'all later this evening!

[Skeptika23]

Nov. 10:

Green Beans (1.5 cups) - 16 g - 6.4 fiber = 9.6 net
Cherry Tomatoes (10) - 6.7g - 2.0 fiber = 4.7 net
Cabbage, Green, Raw (5 oz - pre-Martial Arts Class snack) - 6.7g - 2.9 fiber = 3.8 net

So far today veggie carbs - 29.4 - 11.3 = 18.1 net (1.1 over goal)

I don't think I'll have any more veggies today...

[Lyssie]

Georgiana, yer such a kiss up. :P

I barely survived the day on schedule:

1c pumpkin = 18g-10g=8g net
1/2 cucumber = 5g-1g=4g net

Which gives me 12 right on. I apparently forgot to eat at some point today and it threw off the whole plan.