Reply #25: Personally, I don't hold with any regime

[geniph]

that absolutely forbids or requires any food item, providing of course that one is not actually allergic to said items or likely to die without them. I believe in moderation in all things, including moderation.

Atkins worked great for my mother - until she went off it. Then she gained 100 pounds, which was pretty horrendous, since she started from 135. It kind of has to be a lifetime thing for most people. I think moderating one's intake, and certainly moderating one's intake of the less-essential foodstuffs like sugars and saturated fats, should be a lifetime thing, but I don't think most people can successfully remain lifelong on any regime that won't allow them to have a piece of ordinary wheat bread.

And I say that as someone who voluntarily hasn't eaten red meat in 20 years. Most days, that's no problem, but I will admit I've had a sneaking desire for a pork chop lately. I just think it'd basically kill me to eat one by now.