The Atkins Diet: Raise or lower cholesterol?

[brentspeak]

Poll question: The Atkins Diet: Raise or lower cholesterol?

I'm more interested in the cholesterol aspect of the Atkins diet rather than the weight issue.

Atkins diet: Essentially, fewer carbohydrates and more fats and protein.

[brentspeak]

1. My own vote: "other"

Because I don't know! I'm hoping people here can provide their opinions and personal experience.

[qnr]

2. Me too. I have to cut back on my carbs, but not for dieting. n/t

[nini]

3. Depends on your body type

My brother's cholesterol and triglycerides plummeted while on Atkins. Contrary to popular belief.

[DS1]

4. Made my kidneys hurt

No shit, I quit

[Rabrrrrrr]

5. Ooh, we haven't had an Atkins flamewar in a long time!

:popcorn:

[nini]

6. I hear Oprah is going to have a show on it

:evilgrin:

[davsand]

7. I think it depends on your food choices.

If you scarf down a pound of bacon at every meal, then yeah--I'd expect it to boost your cholesterol levels. They have studies that show your blood cholesterol levels do increase after a meal that is high cholesterol.

You CAN eat meat (and some fats) and not kill yourself, however. Chow down on Salmon or lean beef or chicken or turkey and you are not gonna hurt yourself too much. I've not read Atkins' completely, so I'm not an expert on his diet, but I do think that he'd have emphasized lower saturated fat food choices.

I'm on the South Beach Diet and have had some good results with it. If you are diet shopping (and I did that same thing) you may want to check it out. It has a lot to do with eating smarter (lower carb and whole grain with lean meats and good fats like olive oil) and it is a pretty flexible diet that will let you eat in a restaurant and not feel like a freak.

YMMV, and Atkins might be a good (or better) fit for you and your lifestyle...



Laura

[haydukelives]

8. Atkins worked for me

My lipid profile went from bad to very good.
Triglycerides and LDL's are way down.