In Atkins own words... in 2006

[Debi2007]

I found this today while I was snooping around online. I was under the impression that the Atkins organization is pushing their products, but that Dr. Atkins really didn't endorse them. I was happy to find that he actually does... and makes them sound yummy. Thought others might find this interesting. I saw his shakes at the store the other day and thought it would be nice to have something handy once in a while when I just don't have time to prepare something, but then just kept thinking they really weren't okay.

This is a clip from a transcript that I tried to find in the search here on the board, but couldn't. I imagine the whole transcript is wandering around here somewhere, but if not, I added the link. I didn't know Atkins had a cookbook. I have seen some recipes online, but haven't gotten that far.

Hope this is helpful to someone.

Transcript

Question: I have lost 22 lbs on the Atkins diet but now I find I'm bored with the menu. Can you suggest a cook book that will help? The only books I can find are low fat.

Dr. Robert Atkins: First of all, I've been on the diet for 35 years and I've never had a boring meal. In addition to the recipes in New Diet Revolution, there are incredibly delicious recipes in the Dr. Atkins' Quick and Easy New Diet Cookbook written by my wife, Veronica. Then there are incredible products available through Atkins Nutritional. There are protein bars which taste like Mounds bars. They are delicious and they come in 4 flavors and there is shake mix which comes in two flavors which can be used to make chocolate or vanilla mousse with heavy cream. There is a bake mix allowing you to make pancakes, waffles, muffins and bread and still lose weight without going off the Atkins diet because all of them contain negligible carbohydrates.

[Debi2007]

So, I have to wonder... the chocolate Atkins shake with heavy cream... how would that make a mousse? Freeze it? It sounds like heaven.

[Hudson]

Yea, I 've had the shakes frozen a long time ago. I thought they were ok but too expensive.

For the cookbooks. I would do a search on Linda's low carb recipes. Many very good recipes. And Dana Carpenters 500 low carb recipes is very good as well. Those are my two main sources.

[Debi2007]

Originally Posted by Hudson

Yea, I 've had the shakes frozen a long time ago. I thought they were ok but too expensive.

For the cookbooks. I would do a search on Linda's low carb recipes. Many very good recipes. And Dana Carpenters 500 low carb recipes is very good as well. Those are my two main sources.

Do you just pour them in a bowl and freeze? Sounds good.

I will take a look at Linda's low carb recipes... I have heard lots about it.

[APanthesilia]

I still think be careful of the shakes and bars. Too many is a bad thing! And for me I can't usually stop with 1!

[Debi2007]

Originally Posted by APanthesilia

I still think be careful of the shakes and bars. Too many is a bad thing! And for me I can't usually stop with 1!

Yes. I think it follows the guidelines of the diet. You can't exceed your carb limits.

[sadie147]

If you read the ingredients on most of the bars, you'll have to wait until certain rungs to have them.

For example, here are the ingredients on teh chocolate chip granola bars:

INGREDIENTS: SOY NUGGETS (SOY PROTEIN ISOLATE, OAT FLOUR, CALCIUM CARBONATE), GLYCERINE, PROTEIN BLEND [HYDROLYZED COLLAGEN, WHEY PROTEIN ISOLATE (MILK)], CHOCOLATE CHIPS (LACTITOL, CHOCOLATE LIQUOR, COCOA BUTTER, SOY LECITHIN, VANILLA AND ACESULFAME POTASSIUM), POLYDEXTROSE, ROLLED OATS, SUNFLOWER OIL, PALM KERNEL AND PALM OIL, DRY ROASTED SOYBEANS, DEHYDRATED COCONUT (SODIUM METABISULFITE), COCOA POWDER (PROCESSED WITH ALKALI), ROASTED ALMONDS, CELLULOSE, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR, SOY LECITHIN, SUCRALOSE, ACESULFAME POTASSIUM. NUTRITION BLEND: TRICALCIUM PHOSPHATE, CALCIUM CARBONATE, MAGNESIUM OXIDE, VITAMIN A PALMITATE, ASCORBIC ACID, SODIUM ASCORBATE, THIAMIN MONONITRATE, RIBOFLAVIN, PYRIDOXINE HYDROCHLORIDE, CYANOCOBALAMIN, ALPHA TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, NIACINAMIDE, BIOTIN, CALCIUM PANTOTHENATE, ZINC OXIDE, FOLIC ACID, CHROMIUM CHELATE, PHYTONADIONE, SODIUM SELENITE. CONTAINS: SOY, MILK, ALMONDS AND SULFITES. THIS PRODUCT IS MANUFACTURED IN A FACILITY THAT USES PEANUTS, OTHER NUTS AND SEEDS

Everything I have bolded, is not suitable until the nuts, legumes or Grains rungs. This is where you have to be really careful.

No one here has said that you can't use them, I've even had one when i'm in a tight spot and need something convenient that I can carry, however it 's WHEN you can have them.

They also contain sugar alcohols or glycerine, which though many say your body doesn't digest the carbs, this is not always true for everyone. The chocolate bar ones are also full of sugar alchols so you need to be careful This bar above's nutritional info shows as:

22g's of total carbs
10g's of fibre
1g of sugar

they claim it's 2net carbs though. many would argue this is incorrect. I have always counted them as 12g's of carbs (or whatever the math may be on a particular bar).

My 2 cents

[Debi2007]

Originally Posted by sadie147

No one here has said that you can't use them

I don't think anyone implied that. I have just read many comments talking about how the Atkins organization is trying to sell their products and they aren't necessarily endorsed by Dr. Atkins himself.

I actually wonder what bars he is talking about, because there are several bars to choose from now and I wish I knew the original 4 bars he is talking about.

If Dr. Atkins himself endorses them and they say 2 net carbs - not sure why anyone would argue that point.

[brandywine1241]

The interview you linked to mentions Dr. A's new book "Vita Nutrient Soultion" which was first published in 1999. Therefore I would guess the interview took place in 1999-2000. Also, if I remember correctly, when I first joined the board in 2003 quite a few people said the bars and shakes tasted terrible. My bet is that they have reformulated the products to improve the taste and they are not the same ones Dr. Atkins personally endorsed.

[MrsBrittney]

I agree with everyone here. I say use them sparingly, like any treat, and really just count on yourself verses the marketing team.

I have picked up some Atkins products labeled Phase One friendly and when you pour over the ingredients, you find that they aren't really. So just be wise and find ones that suit your phase needs! =)

Also I say limit them because from my own experience, they stalled or completely stopped my weight loss. I read up a bit and found that many individuals, myself included, can treat sugar alcohols (such as malitol) almost the same as real sugar - so perhaps like those sensititve to aspartame, it causes an insulin reaction similar to real sugar.. and is essentially like eating all those carbs, even if the "net" carbs are low.

So experiment but I've found doing a whole foods induction and eliminating processed ones is better - and using LC products as a "treat" in other phases. Then again, if that one Atkins Phase 1 shake will keep you from completely breaking down and eating a whole cake - its probably worth it! ;-)

On a side note, too.. if you've never tried sugar alcohols before, do so SLOWLY. I've met very few people who don't experience the gas and liquid poo warning they have on the label lol