Pasta?

[Erin80]

Just wondering if it's ever possible to eat pasta again while on Atkins? I LOVE pasta, and I know I'll miss it if I can never eat it again. I like whole wheat pasta, so I have no problem eating that. Does anyone eat pasta successfully without gaining weight?

[ValidRouge]

On the grains rung you can have whole wheat pasta or the dreamfields pasta.

[kisstuck]

You may have to ask Julirama, but I think she eats Shiritake noodles. They are legal once you reach OWL.

[sadie147]

as long as you don't have an issue with wheat, or with the number of carbs, yes you will be able to have whole wheat pasta again. If you have a high ACE, you can probably have it without issue. I can have usually up to 100 g's a day but have never tried the ww pasta, was never a big pasta person.

[attek]

Erin,
Depends on your CCLL and what your body can tolerate. I have a very high CCLL - over 100 - and can still lose weight eating WW pasta. For my lasagna, 1/12 of my 9x12 pan has 26g carbs, 2g fiber, and 308 calories. It's a 3 inch by 4 inch piece, which is a decent portion for me. Pre-Atkins, I would probably have eaten about this same size but with a couple of pieces of garlic bread and some dessert. Atkins version - same size lasagna but a side of asparagus and canteloupe, or brussels sprouts and yogurt with blueberries, etc. For spaghetti, I eat regular WW, but a small portion. I used to fill my plate with spaghetti Pre-Atkins, but now I fill the rest of my plate with some Induction veggies and then a piece of fruit.

On OWL, I used to substitute julienned sauteed zucchini for a similar texture as spaghetti noodles. Others use the spaghetti squash.

I think most non-Atkins people and probably even Induction-ers would be very surprised by my Maintenance meal plans - "you mean you can eat THAT (WW pasta and bread, potatoes, corn, pineapple, banana - not all in the same meal, LOL) on Atkins?" I think the biggest change of habits is that Pre-Atkins I ate very little fruits and veggies, and that led to eating more carbs and meats for the same feeling of fullness. I probably eat more fruits and veggies in 2 days now than I used to all week.

[Erin80]

Thanks Attek.....it's good to know I'll be able to eat pasta and bread again! I have yet to find my CCLL, as I'm still on only rung 1 of OWL....but need to move on (haven't yet because I'm scared of gaining weight back, I like the number I see on the scale right now!)....

[Lamby-pie]

I'm in pre-maintenance. I'm only a few pounds from goal and I'm just now starting to experiment with higher rung foods. I had some popcorn a few weeks ago, a potato this week.
Next week I might try some bread.
I've found that I don't like some of my old favorites, some I think I will enjoy on a limited basis. I've accepted the fact that I cannot have them every day. I'm thinking maybe once or twice a week in limited portions once I hit goal.

[sallyseachange]

Once you know your CCLL/CCLM you'll be able to figure out how much or how little pasta (whole wheat) you can have on a regular basis...
You'll most likely need to juggle your higher carb foods, but on the other hand you might just be surprised that they are not as wonderful as you remember them to be.

I'd never have believed in life without pasta (where I live!) at the beginning...but in fact, I now only have it maybe once a month... usually dreamfields, and a small portion at that. Amazing how tastes change.
I'll bet yours will too.

[ttdriver]

I eat Dreamfields at least once a week with no problems.


Betty

[ShannonK]

This is such an interesting thread. I came to the Maintenance Forum to ask just such a question.

I am on day two of re-induction, so I know that I have a way to go before I can eat whole wheat pasta, which I love.

My question is this: I live in The Netherlands and we are taking a vacation to Italy in December. I doubt that I will be at goal by then, so what can I eat??

Sally, what do you recommend, since you live there? We will be mostly eating out and I was looking forward to eggplant parm and pizza, etc. Italian food is my favorite!

Thanks!