There are two ends of the spectrum when people start talking about being on the "Atkins diet"--either they are simply cutting back on their carbohydrates and consuming whatever amounts of meat, cheese, eggs, and bacon they choose to eat or they are following the plan that was written and promoted by the late great Dr. Robert C. Atkins in his various books, most notably Dr. Atkins' New Diet Revolution.
It's amazing how people can get away with describing both of these as the "Atkins diet" when only those people who have educated themselves about this way of eating in the latter group can honestly say that. Even worse, we've got people who try to debate the Atkins diet without ever seeing what Dr. Atkins wrote. Come on, that's just plain ignorant if you ask me. So I'm ready to help do something about this lack of understanding about the Atkins diet starting right here and right now.
In Episode 48 of "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb On YouTube," my lovely wife Christine and I share about an Atkins Diet Startup Kit that we are making exclusively available to anyone who wishes to learn more about this healthy and delicious low-carb nutritional approach. With all the mounds of misinformation and confusion that has been generated by those so-called health "experts" and the media about this wonderful dietary plan that helped me shed 180 pounds in 2004, why wouldn't you just want to learn more about what it's all about? That's precisely what this 6-item kit will do--EDUCATE!
Learn more about what's in the Atkins Diet Startup Kit in today's video:
Here's a recap of the materials included in this package:
- Why & How It Works video - Staying Slim & Health video - Atkins diet workbook - Atkins meal planner (recipes) - Atkins easy carb gram counter - Basic diet manual
These materials certainly do not replace what you get in Dr. Atkins' New Diet Revolution or any of his other books. But they do complement those books by putting the Atkins diet in clear and understandable language using a 3-part video explanation of the nutritional plan from Dr. Atkins himself, workbooks and information sheets to help you personalize your low-carb Atkins plan, and then practical information on carb counts, recipes, and other essential information to go on the REAL Atkins diet the right way. This is about a $100 value worth of materials that you can't purchase anywhere else and it's all yours for only $25 (plus FREE PRIORITY MAIL SHIPPING!).
Yes, you get the two videos, the big workbook, the recipe book, the carb gram counter book, and the basics guide to take when traveling all for the flat cost of $25. This includes your PRIORITY MAIL shipping, so you'll get it quickly when you place your order. Please contact me at livinlowcarbman@charter.net and we'll work out arrangements to ship your materials. I want to get these materials about the Atkins diet into the hands of people who genuinely want to learn what this specific diet plan is all about. There are no more excuses for thinking the Atkins diet is just bacon-wrapped-butter-and-brie (maybe Dr. Dean Ornish should buy this kit--HE MIGHT LEARN SOMETHING!).
Give us your feedback on our videos by e-mailing livinlowcarbman@charter.net anytime. We appreciate hearing from you and will possibly use your show ideas in a future video. Watch our previous YouTube videos and join the ever-growing list of people who now subscribe to our YouTube videos. THANK YOU for your support of our video series on YouTube and we'll keep 'em coming!
Jackie Eberstein answers YOUR questions about the Atkins diet
If you missed Part 1 of my podcast interview with Jackie Eberstein, then you really need to go back and take a listen. She is the foremost authority on the Atkins nutritional approach today having worked alongside the late great Dr. Robert C. Atkins for nearly 30 years and continues extending his legendary low-carb legacy at her fabulous "Controlled Carbohydrate Nutrition" web site long after his death. Jackie is a real asset to the low-carb community and I am thrilled to have had the chance to share just a few short moments of her with you this week.
In Episode 153 of "The Livin' La Vida Low-Carb Show with Jimmy Moore," we pick up with Part 2 of my interview with Jackie and she continues answering questions from readers and listeners about the Atkins low-carb lifestyle. When you've been around patients for as long as Jackie has seeing many of them going through all the ups and the downs that come from any weight loss and health experience, you get a sense for how to help people when they run into difficulty during their own low-carb journey. She hopes through this podcast interview that people will be encouraged to know that they are doing something positive for the sake of their long-term health by being on Atkins.
Click on the "LISTEN NOW" link below or download it to your iPod to hear Episode 153:
"The Livin' La Vida Low-Carb Show with Jimmy Moore" Episode 153 [31:17m]: LISTEN NOW | Download
Jackie Eberstein gets into the nitty gritty of Atkins low-carb living in today's portion of the interview talking about inflammation, the criticisms of low-carb, the perfect way to combat metabolic syndrome, her work with Dr. Jay Wortman and filmmaker Mary Bissell on the low-carb documentary called My Big Fat Diet, and what she is doing on her web site as well as The Veronica Atkins Foundation web site to share the TRUTH about what the Atkins diet is REALLY all about.
Jackie Eberstein is one of the most intriguing podcast interview subjects I've ever had on my show and I'm glad you were able to hear from this amazing woman with so much knowledge about the Atkins diet. In fact, she's agreed to come back as a regular guest to answer your questions for her about the Atkins low-carb approach. Go ahead and start sending me your questions via voicemail by calling (206) 202-6516 or by e-mail at livinlowcarbman@charter.net. Then we’ll have Jackie answer them in an future podcast. Here's your opportunity to have ANY question about livin' la vida low-carb answered by a REAL expert.
What did you think about my interview with Jackie Eberstein? Did what she say make sense to you and were you helped at all by the things she shared? Tell us what you thought about it in the show notes section of Episode 153. Be sure to check out her "Controlled Carbohydrate Nutrition" web site as well as the book she co-wrote with Dr. Mary C. Vernon entitled Atkins' Diabetes Revolution to learn more about the work Jackie is doing to further the Atkins low-carb message to the masses. And if you'd like to meet her in person, then go sign up for The 2nd Annual Low-Carb Cruise coming up in January 2009. Jackie will be there along with Dr. Jonny Bowden, Dr. Eric Westman, low-carb recipe author Dana Carpender, and many others (yep, I'm going too!). :D
Don't you dare miss next week's podcast interviews with Cassandra Forsythe, author of Women's Health Perfect Body Diet on Monday and the "Diet Detective" Charles Stuart Platkin on Thursday. You're gonna enjoy these and I've got plenty more coming in July, including Christin Sherburne talking about life after being the Kimkins cover girl of Woman's World magazine one year later, Dana Carpender, Dr. Jonny Bowden, Colette Heimowitz from Atkins Nutritionals to talk about the changes happening there, and my follow-up interview with Dr. Keith Berkowitz answering your questions about reactive hypoglycemia. THANKS so much for listening to "The Livin' La Vida Low-Carb Show with Jimmy Moore."
The original 1972 book that made Dr. Atkins famous!
Sometimes I don't even think we realize just how brilliant the late great Dr. Robert C. Atkins really was for espousing what he did during his amazing career. Sure, low-carb diets had been out there in the public eye for over a century (most notably from William Banting in 1864 with his Letter On Corpulence) before he came along. But it was the charisma and enthusiasm for the low-carb lifestyle that Dr. Atkins brought to the public arena that captured the attention of millions of people worldwide who were interested in learning more about how low-carb could help them shed the pounds and restore their good health.
When the original Dr. Atkins' Diet Revolution was published in 1972, it ignited a firestorm of controversy that still lingers on to this day. Despite all the best efforts by those who have appointed themselves the "experts" in diet and health in the United States over the years, none of them have been able to slow down the momentum that the healthy Atkins low-carb nutritional approach has had in the United States and around the world. And if I have anything to say about it, we'll keep that ball rolling for many more years to come.
While his original book has since been updated several times since with Dr. Atkins' New Diet Revolution, there were some incredible nuggets of truth shared in that original book that make it worth having a copy of for your low-carb library. ORDER A COPY and read it from cover to cover because you will learn more about livin' la vida low-carb in just that one book alone that was written nearly forty years ago. Like I said, we're only just beginning to realize what a genius Dr. Atkins really was.
One of my blog readers from Green Bay, Wisconsin named Dave Hatch wrote to me recently stating he had read Gary Taubes' Good Calories, Bad Calories and that inspired him to go back to the original Atkins' Diet Revolution book from the 1970's and read it again. When he did, a light bulb moment happened for Dave when he saw the following quote from Dr. Atkins.
"A TREE WITH DEADLY BRANCHES. There is a tree...it's branches are called, Diabetes, Heart Disease, Overweight, Low Blood Sugar, Peptic Ulcer, Migraine, Allergy and half a dozen other diseases that are so common nowadays. The name of the tree might be, A Disturbed Way Of Handling Carbohydrates."
That quote appears on page 48 of Atkins' Diet Revolution and it got the wheels turning inside of Dave's head to recreate that image into the shape of a real tree illustration to vividly demonstrate these signs of failing health and their connection to carbohydrate intake. He did a masterful job of showing that carbs are the roots that feed all of these diseases that Dr. Atkins talked about in his book.
Click on the image below to see a larger version of Dave's tree:
Isn't this GREAT?! Dave did a yeoman's job of taking that quote from the 1972 book and illustrating it perfectly so that anyone and everyone will be able to see the carbohydrate connection to all of these conditions. And every single one of those health ailments have been documented in the research literature to be tied to the consumption of carbohydrates.
My favorite part of the tree analogy is the trunk itself. As I stated, the roots are the "intake of carbohydrates" and the branches are the negative health manifestations from eating all those carbs. But look right there in the middle of those two things at what is the real reason that most people should be livin' la vida low-carb--INSULIN!
Yes, this "flooding" of insulin into our bodies is a direct result of consuming carbohydrates, especially in the amounts that are being recommended by people supposedly in authority over matters concerning health. And don't even get me started on the diet diabetics are told is best for them by the American Diabetes Association (ADA). UGH! If a doctor or dietitian tries to convince a diabetic to include eating lots of "healthy" carbs, then they ought to have their medical and nutritional credentials revoked!
If you control the insulin, then you can prevent these diseases from happening in the first place. And the best way to control this insulin release is by following a significantly reduced-carbohydrate diet. There's just no bones about it, this way of eating that we talk about here is not just a healthy diet (which it is), but it is the ONLY way you can eat to prevent this insulin rush from happening. Try eating a low-fat diet and you'll find yourself trying to make up that lost fat intake with (surprise, surprise!) MORE carbohydrates. This in turn produces MORE insulin which leads to the vicious cycle of disease all over again. Why do that to yourself?
While low-carb is often dismissed by its critics for supposedly being too "high-protein" (it's not high in protein, but rather moderate in protein) and/or "high-fat" (which is not a negative factor for your health when you are reducing your carbohydrates and only the total caloric percentage of your fat actually goes up), the fact of the matter is neither of these other macronutrients have the instantaneous insulin response that carbohydrates do. Carbs equals insulin equals disease. Nobody can even dispute this fact.
It's impossible to ignore the indelible link between carbs which heavily increases insulin in the body which then manifests itself in all of these terrible health conditions. Dr. Atkins saw this coming decades ago and yet we still ignore all the warning signs and try to come up with a pharmaceutical answer to these health problems in 2008. Haven't we learned ANYTHING in the years since 1972 when Dr. Atkins wrote his book?
You very likely don't need a prescription drug to treat that medical condition you have. Just take a closer look at your diet and realize you are feeding your disease by the foods you are eating. Fix that and you'll very likely fix your health problem. Low-carb is not some "magic pill" for every health problem you will encounter. But it will certainly address MANY of the ones that are tied metabolically to carbs. And there's a bunch of 'em!
Dr. Atkins, you were indeed a bona fide genius and your legacy will continue to live on strong for many years to come! Special thanks to my reader Dave Hatch for sharing his tree illustration with us and I think he'd appreciate hearing what you have to say about it in the comments section. Do you think he encapsulated what Dr. Atkins was talking about in the quote? Or does that illustration lack essential part of the equation? Share your thoughts about it below.
Jackie Eberstein shares about the Atkins lifestyle this week
Since the sudden and tragic passing of the late great Dr. Robert C. Atkins in 2003 after a slip and fall accident on ice took him away from us, there has been an obvious personality void of a strong voice in support of the healthy Atkins controlled-carb nutritional approach. He was such a unique man who positively influenced all of those people he had within his inner circle. One of those people is with us this week for a special two-part interview at my podcast.
In Episode 152 of "The Livin' La Vida Low-Carb Show with Jimmy Moore," I am very honored to bring to you Part 1 of my interview with Jackie Eberstein, author of Atkins Diabetes Revolution and arguably the foremost authority in the world on the Atkins diet. If you have ever wanted to know ANYTHING about the Atkins nutritional approach, then Jackie is the woman who has the most knowledge and experience with this way of eating. We are so privileged to have her with us this week.
Click on the "LISTEN NOW" link below or download it to your iPod to hear Episode 152:
"The Livin' La Vida Low-Carb Show with Jimmy Moore" Episode 152 [33:12m]: LISTEN NOW | Download
Jackie Eberstein answers quite a few listener-submitted questions, provides some pretty funny memories about when she first met Dr. Robert C. Atkins (she didn't like him or his "quack" diet), and shares from her years of working with patients using the controlled-carbohydrate approach. Some subjects she tackles in Part 1 include, fatty liver disease, supplements, and diabetes, among many others. This could be two of the most informative podcasts I've ever done about livin' la vida low-carb, so I hope you have a chance to listen. And don't forget, Jackie is coming on the January 2009 cruise, so you can MEET HER IN PERSON and ask questions about Atkins low-carb at that time.
Connect with people like Jackie Eberstein anytime by:
What do you think about the things Jackie Eberstein shared in Part 1 of my interview today? Talk about your reaction in the show notes section of Episode 152. Call us with your feedback on our podcast hotline at (206) 202-6516 or e-mail me your response at livinlowcarbman@charter.net.
It's back and better than ever before--the official Atkins Diet Cruise!!!
Believe it or not, there are tons of brand new people who are JUST finding out about livin' la vida low-carb for the very first time because of the explosive new Gary Taubes book called Good Calories, Bad Calories. I've seen a noticeable increase in traffic over the past months or so and the e-mail inquiries from people wanting to know more about how to do the Atkins diet have nearly doubled since so many people are ready to give this healthy nutritional approach a try.
Rest and relax on the beaches of the Eastern Caribbean
That's why I'm pleased to announce the thrilling return of the very popular Atkins Diet Cruise coming in March 2008. After a few years away, this fun and exciting more than week-long trip down to the Eastern Caribbean has returned and is just as educational, enjoyable, and entertaining as ever! This is arguably the most unique cruise you will ever take in your life!
You won't eat this good on your low-carb lifestyle on just any cruise
While most cruises have so much food, mostly high-carb offerings that tempt you to go off plan during your vacation, the Atkins Diet Cruise is different. On the previous 11 cruises they have done over the past 15 years, they have had expert Atkins chefs right there on board to provide delectable Atkins-approved dishes for those who are following the low-carb lifestyle.
Master Atkins chefs stand ready to serve you low-carb meals
The chef who will be on board this upcoming Atkins Diet Cruise is a veteran low-carb diet cook who is quite experienced with the needs of low-carbers and has been on many past cruises. The ship's menu will be completely compatible with your Atkins diet, so there's no need to worry about gaining weight. In fact, the average weight loss for the people who go on this 8-day cruise is an astounding 4-8 pounds!!! WOW!
Obviously, NOBODY is gonna get you results like that, so this is quite a lucrative deal for anyone who is new to the Atkins diet or would like a refresher course.
Dr. Atkins enjoyed finding low-carb treasures on the island stops
The cruise line is the Costa Mediterranea, which leaves the port in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on Saturday, March 29, 2008, and will travel down to luxurious destinations in the Caribbean including San Juan, Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, the U.S. Virgin Islands, La Romana, Dominican Republic, Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos Islands. The cruise will return to port on Saturday, April 5, 2008.
Eberstein, seated next to Dr. Atkins, knows all about low-carb living
Leading the Atkins seminars on board the ship will be Jacqueline Eberstein, R.N. who worked directly with Dr. Atkins for three decades and orchestrated all of the past successful Atkins Diet Cruises. She will be joined by Karen Paris, P.A., who has an additional 20 years of Atkins diet experience to impart on the people who will be attending this outstanding cruise.
Some of the topics that will be covered on the cruise include:
- How to get started on a Low Carb Plan - The Prevention of Type 2 Diabetes - Low Carb and Family Nutrition.
Both of the hostesses will also be available for one-on-one personal nutritional counseling sessions for those interested in customized help with their low-carb lifestyle. Additionally, there will be yummy cooking demonstration, a regimented exercise routine program, and an open question and answer session about anything and everything related to the Atkins diet.
All the Atkins dishes will be clearly marked for you to enjoy
Best of all, all the meals will ENCOURAGE you to eat healthy while indulging in the delicious offerings of the master Atkins chef who will prepare everything for you to keep you on the straight and narrow all week long. You most certainly won't have to worry about what you put in your mouth on this cruise because it's ALL gonna be low-carb and oh-so-yummy!
Dr. Atkins and Veronica always looked forward to these cruises
Plus, there will be a very special commemoration and celebration of the life of the late great Dr. Robert C. Atkins on the 5th anniversary of his passing while on this cruise. So many of us owe a great deal of gratitude to this man who committed his career to helping people overcome their weight and health problems with the use of a non-traditional diet plan that just plain works! It helped me lose over 180 pounds and keep it off for the past four years. And I'll never be the same again!
Oooh la la, I can smell the tropical air now! AHHHHHH!
Christine and I are so excited to be going on this cruise and I can't wait to meet those of you who will be going on this trip. It looks to be a great way to start your 2008 off on the right foot and it's only a matter of months from being a reality. I hope you can join us on the Atkins Diet Cruise!
The Atkins Diet Cruise is both affordable and practical
With rates starting as low as $799 per person (which is all-inclusive for the cruise, Atkins-approved food, and all the low-carb lifestyle classes on the ship), this could be just what you need to kickstart YOUR Atkins diet into high gear. Please call 1-800-947-6051 to speak to your cruise captain Bob Lincoln with any questions you may have about this cruise or go to the Atkins Diet Cruise web site for more information.
These gorgeous sunsets await you on the Atkins Diet Cruise
If you decide to go, then let me know! I'll be looking for you and would love to talk to you on the ship about how the Atkins diet completely changed my life for the better. :D
You know the old saying, "A picture is worth a thousand words." Well, I've got five pictures, videos, and even an audio today that will interest those of us who are livin' la vida low-carb much more than those thousand words. These run the spectrum from weight loss to science to health. Watch, listen, read and ENJOY!
Earlier this year I blogged about a new weight loss movie by an independent filmmaker named Steve Yu. The documentary film is called INSPIRED: The Movie and is set to release in 2008. Anyone looking to be motivated and inspired in their weight loss efforts needs to see this movie! What I really enjoy about the premise of this project is that it doesn't focus on any one specific plan for losing the weight. Everything is on the table and Steve encourages people to find what works for them. I couldn't agree more! Watch this inspiring new trailer for the movie which includes some footage from the interview I did with them several months back.
You gotta love go-against-the-flow comic strip writer Scott Adams, the creator of the uber-popular "Dilbert." Through his unique talents and skills, Adams made a statement about the current state of populist science that pervades our culture nowadays (much of what Gary Taubes exposes in his new book).
Although one of his interests is "vegetarian food," you can't help but love this "Dilbert" strip earlier this week where he smacks the flim-flam practices of some people in the research community right upside the head. Get ready to stand up and cheer this one because it's 100% spot on.
I've got a real treat for you today, especially those of you who have either NEVER heard the late great Dr. Robert C. Atkins or if you knew him well. One of his strongest critics while he was alive was Dr. John McDougall, a known vegan advocate and decidedly anti-low-carb. Yet in this interview with Dr. Atkins he conducted, I found it fascinating that Dr. McDougall was amazed that people could find health and weight results by following two dietary approaches that are diametrical opposites. Because I never knew Dr. Atkins when he was alive, this was fantastic to hear and recharged me to keep on livin' la vida low-carb that much more. The spirit of Dr. Atkins is still alive and well in 2007 and you'll feel it all over again after listening to this interview.
Let me just say up front that I tee-totally despise about 99.9% of what television political talk show host Bill Maher has to say about anything. But when I saw this rant from him about the abundance of pills for everything while we continue our poor health habits. It's sprinkled with irreverent humor, but there's quite a bit of truth in what he said. If you take ANY kind of prescription drug, then you REALLY need to hear what Maher has to say.
By the way, he mentions fried Coke which is sadly a reality at a fair near you. My favorite part of the segment was when Maher shares that diet and exercise does work and says "ask your doctor if getting off your ass is right for you." HA! You go boy!
One of my longtime readers Dan said he saw that picture above in the November 2007 issue of Reader's Digest and thought it was pretty darn close to being a spittin' image of yours truly. It's a caricature by the C.F. Payne Gallery and shows a man stooping over looking inside his refrigerator. I suppose the big ear, the hair style (although mine isn't receding quite that much yet!), the thin face, and other little nuances are eerily similar to me. Even my wife Christine had to laugh when she saw this. But obviously it's NOT me because that refrigerator has milk, juice, and leftover spaghetti in it! LOL! THANKS for thinking about me, though, Dan!
You know what they say about a picture being worth a thousand words. Well, I came across a couple of pictures that speak volumes about what livin' la vida low-carb is all about. The common argument people, including educated ones, use against low-carb plans like the Atkins diet is that it relies too much on meat consumption.
In fact, you'll recall noted health expert Dr. Andrew Weil appeared on CNN's "Larry King Live" last week to talk about the new Gary Taubes book Good Calories, Bad Calories and his primary criticism of the low-carb lifestyle was the description of it as a diet that is "mostly meat and no carbohydrate." Dr. Weil, you should know better than that! You know good and well that neither the late great Dr. Robert C. Atkins or any of the other low-carb diet authors ever call for what you have described.
So, to dispel the myth that the Atkins low-carb diet is just meat, meat, and more meat, here are those pictures I promised.
This first one is a rather creative photograph that Dr. Atkins had made with his smiling face posing with all the wonderfully delicious foods you can eat on the Atkins diet. Hmmmm, what do you see more of in that picture than anything else? Is it meat? Nope! It's veggies, baby, and that's just the way Dr. Atkins liked it:
The second image I have to share with you is a food pyramid for people who are livin' la vida low-carb. No, this is not the USDA-indoctrinated Food Pyramid that tells you to eat carbs, carbs, and more carbs with very little fat. Instead, you'll notice the foods on the lower end of the pyramid are non-starchy, green leafy vegetables and delicious selections of fish, beef, and poultry. Above that is low-glycemic fruits and cheese followed in very small quantities by beans and whole grains as well as teeny tiny amounts of sugar at the very top. It's quite illustrative of this way of eating:
Finally, I'd like to show you a picture of the food my wife Christine and I chose to eat on a recent trip to one of our favorite restaurants--Denny's. You'll notice my plate on the left has delicious portions of meat with their outstanding mixed vegetables side dish. I also had a side salad not shown in the photo. But look what my lovely darling, who recently hit her goal weight of 122 on the Atkins diet, decided to have for her meal. A fried chicken sandwich with seasoned fries! Say it ain't so! Here's the proof:
Christine was right in the middle of saying "Oh no you didn't" as I was taking her picture stuffing her face with this high-carb food bonanza! LOL! Yes, she can get away with eat more carbohydrates than I can and she likes to rub it in my face sometimes. She probably lost another pound after eating that meal, too. Makes you sick, doesn't it?
So the next time somebody tells you that livin' la vida low-carb means you eat a no carb diet, remind them that the Atkins diet is so much more than meat. And now you have the visual proof to show them, too. :)
Earlier this year I told you about a brand new obesity documentary from a filmmaker named C.J. Hunt who is In Search Of The Perfect Human Diet. He's traveling all across the country meeting with some of the most prominent researchers, doctors, nutritionists, and health experts to figure out the answer to that rather daunting undertaking.
But now C.J. Hunt wants to hear from arguably the most well-informed, enthusiastic, and compelling experts yet--YOU!
That's right, he believes that the bread (low-carb, of course!) and butter of his documentary will come from the REAL LIFE stories and examples of REAL people who have made livin' la vida low-carb their permanent and healthy way to eat. You, me, and everyone who has implemented a controlled-carb, nutrient-dense lifestyle change can help shape the direction of this movie, so keep reading to find out how.
Here's a question that I want you to think about:
Is low-carb just your diet or is it now your personal mission?
In other words, are you actively involved in sharing the low-carb lifestyle with those people in your sphere of influence? Have you committed yourself to giving back to others--paying it forward, as such--for the tremendous benefits you have received from livin' la vida low-carb?
For me personally, I think most of you know the answer to that question. It is INDEED my personally mission to help educate, encourage, and inspire others to begin their own journey on the low-carb lifestyle for the sake of their weight and health. That's why I created so many different avenues for sharing that message, including through my blog, book, podcast, YouTube videos, and my new forum.
With such a miraculous and radical turnaround in my weight and health because of this healthy nutritional approach, I can't help but shout it from the mountaintops and continue to carry on the torch that the late great Dr. Robert C. Atkins started some three decades ago. And I'm not alone either with literally a new low-carber popping up seemingly every minute of every day. Look at all the blogs and web sites!!!
What about YOU, though? Is low-carb just a personal dieting tool to you? Or has it become something bigger than a simple diet plan to you? If you believe livin' la vida low-carb is something special that merits an investment of your time, energy, and resources, then what kinds of actions are you doing to try to advance it?
Perhaps you know low-carb is the way that most people should be eating to manage their weight and health since obesity and diabetes have gotten completely out of control in this world of low-fat, low-calorie, portion controlled diets, but you just don't have the time nor do you care to get involved in actively promoting low-carb in the mainstream. Why is that and what is REALLY holding you back?
I know I'm getting a little deep and somewhat personal here, but this is something C.J. is sincerely interested in as an angle for his film and he will be monitoring your responses in the comments section below.
I'll assume since you visit my blog that you have some inkling of a vested interest in seeing the low-carb message actively promoted (after all, it's what I try to do on a daily basis and have been for the past 2 1/2 years). So, if you already are or could be involved in furthering the mission, then how would you do it?
How much time do you devote to sharing low-carb with others? Do you have any special talents that could be used to market the low-carb message? What about tapping into some personal contacts who could help in this effort within your sphere of influence? Finally, are you actively supporting through financial contributions those who are on the front lines of communicating the low-carb agenda?
This is a lot to take in, but it all leads to this question:
How can we all collaborate our efforts into one?
It's the big picture focus and one that I've thought about quite a bit since I began blogging here in early 2005. One of the reasons I got involved so actively was because the pro-low-carb voice was being quashed and its active defenders were few and far between.
After Dr. Atkins died, it was as if all the most ardent supporters went into hiding. What's up with that? Be bold, be strong, and trust that you have the right message for such a time as this. I've personally seen a turnaround in my life because of the Atkins diet and I'll be danged if anyone dares to tell me I can't talk about it!
Get excited and motivated because that revolution that began so many years ago is headed for a fresh new revival in a big way. With the new Gary Taubes book coming out next Tuesday and some truly remarkable research about the healthiness of saturated fat coming very soon, the positive message of livin' la vida low-carb is primed for public consumption. That's something C.J. Hunt is attempting to tap into.
One final thought about In Search Of The Perfect Human Diet is this question:
How do you think this film can help you?
If you could communicate ANYTHING in this documentary about the low-carb life, then what would you want the message to be? How do you think a film like this could or should influence the public's perception of livin' la vida low-carb and of the importance of eating in the way we have evolved to eat?
I realize I've just plopped enough questions in your lap that many of you could write a dissertation about it. But this is YOUR chance to make an impression on a movie that could be a part of the driving force to share the genuine low-carb lifestyle to an audience of people who have probably never heard it before.
Submit your comments below or you can e-mail the filmmaker C.J. Hunt directly at cjhunt3@perfecthumandiet.com. This oughta be REALLY good! I can't wait to read what you have to share.
By the way, you can invest in this upcoming documentary if you believe in the mission of what C.J. is trying to accomplish with it by becoming a Film Angel. You can even sign up NOW to get on the DVD Mailing List which you will want to do since EVERYONE who is reading this will want a copy of this movie to share with their friends and family, right? :D
THANK YOU for getting involved and feel free to get as detailed as you would like in your responses. Feel free to take a few days to think about this if you'd like, but something tells me most of you are already locked and loaded on this one!
9-21-07 UPDATE: Well, not everyone is happy with my assertion that people like me are carrying on the torch of the late great Dr. Robert C. Atkins because there were defenders of low-carb living PRIOR to him. Here's what was shared in an e-mail:
Err, Jimmy - given what you yourself have posted about the work of William Banting, amongst others - could we please stop the Atkins Deification? I grant you he popularised it LATELY - but he was hardly the first. Or best.
No offense intended, but it's grating, to me, at least, and it makes it hard to take the rest of your posts seriously...
I've never stated that Dr. Atkins was the first or the best defender of livin' la vida low-carb (and I've not deified, only admired the man for his great work). But you have to admit he is the most famous name associated with this way of eating. Plus, I lost my weight and improved my health on the ATKINS diet, so naturally I'm going to give credit to him for MY experience.
Here was my e-mail response:
THANKS for your opinion, but most people are more aware of Dr. Atkins than they are William Banting. But I agree with you that livin' la vida low-carb goes back much further. And even further than Banting, too. THANKS for reading!
If this kinda petty thing irritates somebody that they think it is "hard to take the rest of your posts seriously," then I have questions about their commitment to the message of livin' la vida low-carb in the first place. But that's just me!
I appreciate all the responses so far, so keep 'em coming! :)
In an ideal world, there would be clear-cut criteria laid out in black and white about how to do a low-carb diet. While there are certain basics that apply to virtually every low-carb plan, there are also what I would describe as "gray areas" where it will really depend on the individual to figure out for themselves.
One such issue is caffeine. If you have read Dr. Atkins' New Diet Revolution, then you know the late great Dr. Robert C. Atkins addresses this subject a couple of times--but only in passing. Here are the two brief references I found in my mass paperback version of the book:
Page 189--"Excessive caffeine has been shown to cause a hypoglycemic reaction, which will provoke cravings and cause you to overeat. Omitting caffeine may be a big sacrifice for you, but, in my experience, weight loss often starts up again as soon as people remove caffeine from their regimen."
Page 222--"Consume caffeine only in moderation."
Other than those two points, Dr. Atkins didn't say much else about caffeine consumption. Obviously he felt there was enough of a negative metabolic response to caffeine intake for him to dissuade Atkins dieters to try to steer clear of it as much as possible.
But what about the impact of caffeine on ketosis? Is there any and what guidelines can people following a low-carb diet use to gauge what amount of caffeine intake they can tolerate while still losing weight? These are some of the questions that were explored by one of my intelligent readers in the following e-mail:
Hi Jimmy,
I would like to clear something up with your help. I feel there needs to be a summary, possibly a FAQ, on caffeine. Here's my question: What are the effects of caffeine, ESPECIALLY when one is in ketosis?
When talking about caffeine, there are several hurdles most web articles don't get over.
1. The reasons why caffeine use is discouraged on low-carb.
A. I don't use caffeine because I don't want my weight loss/maintenance to be based on a drug.
B. I don't use caffeine because it negatively affects my mind, sleep, heart rate, or other.
2. I use caffeine because it speeds up my metabolism.
Okay, most agree it speeds up metabolism. How about difference in metabolic effect between ketosis and non-ketosis?
3. Caffeine causes release of adrenaline, which causes the liver to break down glycogen, causing a temporary increase of blood sugar, which causes insulin to be released. Thus the dreaded blood sugar/insulin roller coaster.
This I cannot find an answer for. Does this same process happen under ketosis?
As you know, Jimmy, everything changes when in ketosis. Most studies do not differentiate, which usually means NONE of the subjects studied were ever in ketosis, and thus they don't know. This seems to be true in every area of science, which is why so many nutritionists are so ill-informed and against low-carb.
Since I don't have problems under #1, and #2 seems to be a benefit, my whole use of caffeine hinges on #3, and I don't know the first thing about testing blood sugar levels on myself.
If caffeine causes the rollercoaster in ketosis, then I will stop using it. But how do I find out this fact? Is a caffeine FAQ a good idea?
As always, thanks for being such a great resource for everything low-carb!
Now THERE is somebody who's putting on their thinking cap about how he needs to be livin' la vida low-carb. I can appreciate anyone who cares enough to contemplate what's best for them that they would go through the trouble of analyzing something like caffeine consumption so closely. KUDOS to my reader!
My personal experience with caffeine consumption, primarily through diet sodas, has been negligible if non-existent regarding my weight loss and maintenance. I'm a fairly heavy diet soda drinker and switch back and forth between the ones with caffeine and the ones without (depending on what's on sale).
The only adverse effect I have noticed are the headaches when I switch to the non-caffeinated diet sodas. It lasts a couple of days and then I'm better. My weight does not change enough one way or the other, so caffeine doesn't bother me. But not everyone is this way.
For some, caffeine can cause their blood sugar levels to go haywire and bring on intense sugar cravings that lead to binge eating. This is NOT a healthy reaction when you are trying to overcome carbohydrate addiction and shed the pounds. So, are there any studies on caffeine and ketosis that might shed some light on this reader's questions?
I went directly to the most knowledgeable Atkins diet expert I know--Jackie Eberstein--who worked directly with Dr. Atkins for three decades treating obese and diabetic patients with a low-carb dietary approach. Here's what she had to say about this issue:
Jimmy,
I am not aware of any studies that have looked at caffeine and ketosis. I can only comment upon my experience with myself and any number of my patients over the years.
Caffeine for someone with an unstable blood sugar can cause the blood sugar rollercoaster regardless of ketosis.
Some people are more sensitive than others and of course the amount of exposure matters. Other factors matter such as having caffeine when the blood sugar is more stable after eating a low-carb meal may have no or only limited negative effects. For some of us caffeine when we are stressed for other reasons can really provoke symptoms.
One needs to determine their tolerance. I recommend that people with an unstable blood sugar avoid caffeine intake and others limit to at most about 3 servings daily.
THANK YOU, Jackie! So the jury is still out about caffeine on a low-carb diet. I know I try to avoid it as much as possible just as I steer clear of aspartame and maltitol. There are plenty of alternatives to these that I enjoy, so there's no use in forcing myself to consume products with these ingredients in them.
When I forwarded Jackie Eberstein's e-mail to my reader to let him know her perspective about his thought-provoking questions, here's what he had to say:
Hi Jimmy,
Thank you so much for replying to my email. It seems very true when they say we are 50 years away from fully understanding the affect of food on our physiology. The essence of Ms. Eberstein's message is "see how it affects you and act accordingly."
Until we have the scientific facts, we all have to make little experiments in our diets. That makes your blog and forum one of the most valuable things because people's experiences become most important where the science is lacking.
Excellent discussion topic regarding caffeine and ketosis and I welcome your feedback on this subject matter in the comments section below. How has caffeine affected you? Does it kick you out of ketosis or lead to weight gain? Or do you avoid it like the plague so you don't have to mess with it? Let's hear from you!
Dr. Atkins And His Low-Carb Diet Still Command Respect Years After His Passing
You know someone's life has made a lasting impact on the world when their contributions to society are still being talked about many years after that person is gone. That's precisely what has happened to the founder of the world's most popular low-carb nutritional approach.
The late great Dr. Robert C. Atkins of Atkins diet fame was prematurely taken from us on April 17, 2003 after a tragic slip and fall accident on some ice in New York City which resulted in a massive head injury that he was unable to recover from at the age of 72. It was a sad day for the millions of people who were positively touched by this remarkable man and you should read this touching tribute from Lora Ruffner and her readers at Low-Carb Luxury.
Although I had not yet chosen to begin livin' la vida low-carb at the time of his death and never had the chance to actually meet Dr. Atkins in person, I have since grown to love and appreciate all that this incredible man has done for me even after his untimely demise. My life will forever be changed for the better because of the lessons I learned from the Atkins diet and nobody will ever convince me otherwise.
Even still, there are some out there who are so threatened by this man who has been gone for four years and four months that they feel compelled to continue spreading lies, innuendo, and propaganda about how Dr. Atkins died claiming he was obese, had a heart attack, and that it was all because of his "unhealthy" diet. The best example of these kind of repugnant statements comes from Mr. Low-Fat Diet himself, Dr. Dean Ornish. Will he ever learn to give it a rest?
When you hear these kinds of personal attacks against someone like Dr. Atkins long after their passing, it's got to make you wonder what all the fearmongering and fuss is REALLY about and why they don't just move on with their own agenda and message. Could it be they realize that people's lives are STILL IMPROVING TO THIS DAY on that there Atkins diet, so they have to grasp at straws to try to discredit it in any way?
I can almost hear Dr. Atkins saying from the grave, "Go ahead, make my day!"
In my recent interview with Veronica Atkins in May 2007, the faithful and loving wife of Dr. Atkins for much of his career, she expressed how much all these rumors surrounding her husband's tragic death hurt her personally and that these distortions of the truth are obviously being spread by "fanatics" who are "unwilling and uninterested in seeking the truth."
"They certainly showed their true colors when they illegally obtained copies of Dr. Atkins' medical records following his death and then leaked false information to the press claiming he was obese," Mrs. Atkins told me in the interview. "When my husband was admitted to the hospital following his accident, he weighed 195 pounds--a healthy weight for a 6’ 2” tall man. The extra weight he gained during his hospital stay was due to an accumulation of body fluids related to his treatment and linked to organ failure."
But, despite this...
"This group chose to distort the facts to suit their agenda, which is very disturbing indeed," she added.
It's on secret that Dr. Atkins suffered from a heart condition called cardiomyopathy stemming from a viral infection and most realize it had nothing at all to do with his healthy low-carb diet. In fact, if you go back through statements he made throughout his 30+ years in the diet industry, then you will hear him speak quite candidly about this personal condition he suffered from and the many hours of research he personally undertook to study it to help others with it. You won't hear this anywhere else.
Nevertheless, the neverending drumbeat of personal vilification of Dr. Atkins goes on in 2007 and I'll sometimes get an e-mail like the following one inquiring about the circumstances surrounding his death and whether it had anything to do with his diet.
I'm always happy to respond to these questions because it's an opportunity to share the truth. Here's what an Ohio man wrote to me this week:
Hello,
I really enjoy your blog! Congratulations on the fine success you continue to enjoy.
I just started up Induction after a three-year lapse...recent blood profile was getting pretty bad and first thing out of the doc's mouth was Lipitor. I said no thanks, would rather try diet changes. So here I am, 7 pounds down in less than a week, walking 2 fast miles a day, and feeling fine!
My questions for you: Is there any truth to the stories circulating a few years ago that Dr. Atkins had arteriosclerosis and other circulatory conditions? I know the family addressed his post-coma weight gain, but can't find where they addressed these reports. Any info? If this is already answered on your blog I overlooked it, I'm sorry. Thanks for your time.
Actually, I had addressed this previously at my blog, so I replied:
Hey,
It's so GREAT to hear from you and I'm happy that you have chosen to start livin' la vida low-carb. GO BOY! :D
Your question is indeed one I have addressed previously at my blog in the following post:
There are some pretty radical low-fat loving, anti-meat individuals groups who will continue to rail against this way of eating because it threatens them and their chosen way of life. It's great that they have chosen be a vegetarian or a vegan. But that doesn't work for all of us as you well know.
EXCELLENT QUESTION and I appreciate hearing from you. Contact me anytime! :)
This precipitated a follow-up response and question from my reader:
Hey Jimmy,
Thanks for the quick reply. Okay, I did not see that article you wrote previously so thanks for pointing it out.
Can you tell me, if you know, what the nature of the infection Dr. Atkins had that led to these conditions? Did his family or Atkins Nutritionals, Inc. representatives ever say?
Unless that issue is buried once and for all, there will be no end to the ammunition his enemies will have to claim that the diet could lead to long-term damage to the cardiovascular system, even if it takes 30 years to do it.
And I'll confess, it's given me a bit of cautious doubt myself, despite the benefits I've seen so far in my own weight and energy (the next blood test is several weeks away yet). I'm one of those "examine all sides first, then decide" people! Thanks again.
Man, if I had a dollar for everyone that asks me this question... ;)
Here was my reply:
Yes, Dr. Atkins had issues that were present in his own health LONG before he even started his research on low-carb diets. Read this statment from Veronica Atkins for more detailed information.
To me, it's as simple as this--looking at Dr. Atkins and his health is not going to prove or disprove what livin' la vida low-carb has done for me (although there is a long-term study that found low-carb diets are not unhealthy for heart health with lots more research to come over the next few years). The fact is it IS working for me and I've never been healthier in my entire life. It sounds like the same thing has happened for you, too. CONGRATULATIONS!
Ultimately, the decision about continuing on with this way of eating is yours. But ask yourself one question--How else am I going to eat healthy if I don't eat low-carb?
Something to think about, my friend. THANKS again for your e-mail.
The bottom line that I try to tell people is don't let anyone try to talk you out of your low-carb lifestyle when you know it is what's right for you. This is YOUR life and health, so anyone who disparages your decision to eat a healthy low-carb diet can just go suck on an egg (which is very low-carb, by the way!). :D
You could tell it was like a light bulb went off in my reader's head when he wrote his final e-mail to me:
Thank you! I never saw that statement from Veronica Atkins before and it is entirely satisfactory to me. Thanks for pointing me to it!!!
As for the occasional anti-meat fanatics you get dropping by, just remember, "You will never reason a man out of something he wasn't reasoned into in the first place."
I personally wouldn't waste time on them. They won't dispute Atkins on any medical, scientific or otherwise objective basis because they can't. But in their minds they don't really NEED to, either.
As you know, they view eating anything with a face as morally wrong. That (in their minds) ends all need for rational, mature discussion. No success you have will make one bit of difference to them, except to make them angrier; you are still WRONG and EVIL for eating meat, period.
Hence the losers who threaten you with the heart attack bogeyman. That you tolerate them as well as you do is impressive...I have no patience for such fools.
Continued success to you!
Ah, another satisfied low-carb convert...welcome to the fray, my friend! He really needs to read what Dr. Barry Groves had to say about the sacrosanct meat-hating minions in my exclusive interview with him earlier this week. Classic Barry and 100% right on!
I couldn't resist sharing why I engage these anti-meat activists:
Awww, but it's so much fun to yank their chain every once in a while...they're threatened by people like me and you. :D YOU GOTTA LOVE IT! THANKS again!
So, you see, even though it has been years since Dr. Robert C. Atkins has departed from us, we're still talking about him. And they'll still be talking about him in 2008, 2009, 2020, and beyond! His legacy will live on for a very long time because you and I both know he was right after all! :)
I welcome anyone to e-mail me with your questions about the low-carb lifestyle anytime by writing to me at livinlowcarbman@charter.net. It's my pleasure to hear from my readers and I make it a priority to answer every single request for information about livin' la vida low-carb! THANKS for reading and I'm always thrilled to correspond with you.
Don't Let Anyone Try To 'Talk You Out Of' Your Low-Carb Lifestyle
One of the most difficult diets you could ever go on has got to be a low-carb diet. It's not because of the diet itself, but rather the reaction you will receive from others when they find out you are livin' la vida low-carb.
And yet the boo birds who oppose the low-carb life will kick and scream like a bratty little 2-year-old trying to discourage you from doing that diet that's right for you. I've never understood the fascination by the anti-low-carb crowd to be so brash and arrogant in their admonishment of those of us who have chosen to eat this way to manage our weight and health.
Maybe they are jealous of our success and are desperate to keep others from finding the answer to their obesity and health ailments. Sounds crazy, but who knows what these people are thinking. Or ARE they even thinking?! Got me?
All I know is livin' la vida low-carb works for me and has been for nearly four years. When I weighed in at 410 pounds in January 2004, I had high hopes that this would be the last diet I would ever go on. I'm not sure I was completely convinced at the time when I started, but losing 100 pounds in the first few months made a believer out of me! And I've never lost my zeal and passion for low-carb living ever since!
I got the best little e-mail the other day from a man who is 65 years old and on the Atkins diet. He lost 64 pounds in eighteen weeks back in 1999 and has been livin' la vida low-carb ever since. This man has a lot of simple, yet practical advice for anyone who is on the low-carb lifestyle for the long haul about how to transition from the "diet" to the "lifestyle."
Here's what he wrote in the e-mail:
Dear Jimmy,
I have learned many things about dieting. I read almost every diet book and tried most of them. I learned exactly what I wasn’t willing to tolerate the rest of my life!
The biggest secret for long term success is becoming an expert on the subject. The more you know about your diet, the more likely you are to succeed.
Learn to be a great cook, not just a good one. Learn so much about this lifestyle that no one will ever be able to talk you out of it. This is the best advice I can pass on to anyone serious about maintaining their health and appearance.
When I go to a restaurant I tell them exactly how my meals should be prepared! I do nearly all my own food preparation and have become a great cook!
When my wife can tell our friends that I like a “little fish with my butter” there can be no doubt that this is the “greatest diet” in the world! NEVER GIVE UP! YOU’RE WORTH IT!
WOW, that's totally awesome! I'd love to see this guy start his own blog and share his little nuggets of wisdom and truth about livin' la vida low-carb on a regular basis. Straightforward advice written in a no-nonsense, been-there-done-that style that makes you wanna listen to everything he has to say. Reminds me of somebody else I know. :D
Dana suggested we seek you out. Wow! I just couldn't believe my luck! You have the greatest site ever! I have listened to every one of your podcasts. They are wonderful! FAR TOO SHORT! They could never be long enough!
Do you think he's a little excited? LOL! Hey, I'm just happy to be able to share from my own low-carb experiences and I can tell from the reaction I received from this very kind man that he has been hoping to find others who believe just as he does. This incredible lifestyle change is the greatest thing that ever happened to him in his life just as it was for me. Neither of us will EVER be the same again.
Nobody will ever replace the late great Dr. Robert C. Atkins, but this man thinks I will someday.
I have no doubt that you are going to do for low-carb what even "the great one" (Dr. Robert C. Atkins) was unable to fully accomplish. You will be having unbelievable success in the very near future with the "low carb movement." Of this I have no doubt! Keep up the great work and will be following your "GREAT WORDS OF WISDOM' from now on.
THANK YOU very much for those extremely generous remarks and I only hope to live up to the expectations that I have for myself in all that I do. In some ways, I have experienced much of the same level of backlash from the low-fat vegetarian groups that Dr. Atkins did when he was trumpeting low-carb when low-carb wasn't cool. But it is my duty to share the truth and let others decide what's right for them.
They attack me and others in the low-carb community because they know we have found a nutritional approach that is scientifically sound and backed by the evidence--and it's tearing them apart on the inside knowing we have the truth on our side! Someday soon we will see a major paradigm shift happen when the high-carb, low-fat diet gig will finally be up. No more low-fat letdown--it will be time for livin' la vida low-carb to shine instead!
Veronica Atkins: AMA, ADA 'Have Their Heads In The Sand' About The Atkins Low-Carb Diet
My favorite interview yet with the lovely and gracious Veronica Atkins
When I started blogging about the low-carb lifestyle two years ago, what I wanted more than anything else was to carry on the torch of advocacy for livin' la vida low-carb that had been conspicuously absent since the untimely death of the late great Dr. Robert C. Atkins. It was as if all the defenders of this way of eating fell off the face of the planet or decided to suddenly clam up. I for one felt that somebody needed to stand up on behalf of Dr. Atkins to defend his life's work.
Dr. Atkins left behind an incredible legacy that will continue to postively impact the lives of millions of people around the world for decades and generations to come. My only regret is that I was never privileged enough to meet him and shake his hand for helping me lose over 180 pounds in 2004. I am a permanently changed man today because of the Atkins diet and nobody can ever take that away from me.
But although I can never have that fateful meeting with my nutritional hero, I got to experience the next best thing--an interview with none other than Mrs. Veronica Atkins. As the faithful wife and loving companion to Dr. Atkins through all the ups and downs of his unprecedented medical career, nobody knew the human being she affectionately referred to as "Bobby" better than Veronica.
I've been able to meet and interview a lot of interesting people at the "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb" blog over the past couple of years, but none more thrilling than this one with Mrs. Veronica Atkins. Eloquent, articulate, and ever-faithful to the mission of her late husband, you will be encouraged anew to start livin' la vida low-carb after hearing from this engaging and elegant woman. ENJOY!
1. Words cannot adequately express how privileged and honored I am today to have with us here at the "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb" blog the one and only Mrs. Veronica Atkins. As most of my readers already know, Mrs. Atkins is the widow of Dr. Atkins who came up with the most widely-discussed diet program in the history of the world. Did Dr. Atkins have any idea this low-carb diet he stumbled upon decades ago would create such a ruckus? More importantly, did he ever really expect the Atkins diet to be fully embraced by the health and medical community?
Thanks Jimmy. It’s my privilege and pleasure to be here with you and to share a little bit with you and your readers about my late husband, Dr. Atkins. Your Livin’ La Vida Low-Carb blog has been an invaluable resource for health professionals and the public alike to remain informed and current on all things low-carb. Your passion equals that of Dr. Atkins-–and that’s saying something!
The short answer to both your questions is a resounding “Yes.” Bobby certainly didn’t want to create a ruckus--he hated controversy--but he had no choice. He was ridiculed and alienated by his peers for pointing out that carbohydrate restriction is the single best strategy for treating excessive levels of insulin which leads to diabetes, obesity, hypertension, heart disease and even cancer. So, of course, he felt compelled to speak out.
Certainly, he fully believed that the controlled-carb lifestyle would eventually be accepted as a healthy lifestyle choice. How could he not when he saw the evidence in his clinical practice every day where he could reverse Type 2 diabetes and prevent it in those who were at risk of developing it. My husband firmly believed that had mainstream medicine adopted his teachings, the public health crisis that we see today, where obesity and diabetes have reached epidemic proportions, could have been averted.
2. As much as he and his healthy nutritional approach have been irresponsibily chided and scorned by the so-called health experts and the media over the past few years, nobody in this world really knew Bobby Atkins the human being as well as you--his faithful companion. What are the qualities you best remember him for and is there anything about the real Dr. Atkins that you wish people would never forget?
Well, I was in constant awe of Bobby...his intellect, his honesty, his courage, his boundless energy, his curiosity and thirst for knowledge and his commitment to his patients and their rights.
One of my fondest memories is of him leaving our apartment every morning at 6:30am for the short walk to his clinic...and the worn black canvas bag (that I tried, unsuccessfully, to replace with a briefcase on his birthday!) that he carried with him wherever he went—stuffed to the gills at all times with his writings, notes and medical journals. For all his brilliance, there was a childlike quality that he never lost...and every day was an adventure for him.
I wish people knew how hard he fought to change things. Even though he knew that by speaking out he would be attacked and vilified by his detractors, he never wavered in his convictions. In his monthly newsletter, writings, radio show and media appearances over the years he spoke out about many of the issues that only now are making headlines: the dangers of trans fats, the over-prescribing of hormones, antibiotics, statin drugs, and the consumption of denatured foods such as white flour, sugar and high fructose corn syrup --which make up the majority of products that line our supermarket shelves--and their role in the obesity epidemic; he brought to light scientific evidence that heart disease is not caused by cholesterol when it was widely accepted that it was the #1 cause.
He called to task some formidable opponents--the food companies, the pharmaceutical giants, the FDA, the ADA, and the AMA--and exposed their deceptive and in many cases dangerous practices. And he was instrumental in changing policy that led to the passing of patients’ rights bills.
I’d also like people to know that he was a brilliant clinician and diagnostician and not just a “diet doc," a label that stuck due to the phenomenal success of his Atkins Diet Revolution books. In his clinical practice, he treated a myriad of illnesses and succeeded in weaning patients off of their medications using diet and correcting nutritional deficiencies--something that gave him enormous satisfaction. He used the low-carb approach as the basis for all of his treatments.
Another interesting and little known fact about my husband is that at one point he wanted to pursue a career in comedy--in fact in his early years, it was a toss-up as to whether he would pursue a medical career or a career in stand-up comedy. He had a wonderful wry wit and I think he could have been a successful comedian. However, I have no doubt and neither did he that he was put on this earth to make a difference.
3. How did it make you feel when the downright malicious lies from anti-Atkins, anti-meat groups like the Physicians Committee For Responsible Medicine (PCRM) came out about your husband's untimely death following a slip and fall on ice in New York City were plastered all over the news boldly and erroneously reporting that Dr. Atkins had died of a heart attack and was obese? If you could respond directly to those who make such allegations, what would you say to them?
As you can imagine, it hurt me to the core. I’d ask this group to try and see reason, put aside their agenda and tell the truth. Unfortunately the more I hear about this group, the more I’m convinced that they are fanatics--unwilling and uninterested in seeking the truth.
They certainly showed their true colors when they illegally obtained copies of Dr. Atkins’ medical records following his death and then leaked false information to the press claiming he was obese. When my husband was admitted to the hospital following his accident, he weighed 195 pounds--a healthy weight for a 6’ 2” tall man. The extra weight he gained during his hospital stay was due to an accumulation of body fluids related to his treatment and linked to organ failure. However, this group chose to distort the facts to suit their agenda, which is very disturbing indeed.
Dr. Atkins had suffered from a heart condition called cardiomyopathy--which is a disease of the heart muscle caused in his case by a viral infection and was totally unrelated to his diet. He spoke openly about his condition and did a lot of research, publishing his findings to help others with this condition.
4. Carrying on the amazing work of your husband today, you head up The Robert C. Atkins Foundation where quite literally millions upon millions of dollars are being invested in those research facilities who are willing to test the Atkins low-carb diet in the battle against obesity and the twin epidemic of obesity and diabetes. How does the Atkins Foundation go about determining who gets these generous endowments and when can we expect to see the fruits of those dollars produce scientific proof of what most of us who are livin' la vida low-carb already know?
Well, many types of studies are being funded by the foundation, not just low-carb diet studies. The foundation accepts proposals from any serious non-profit organization wishing to pursue questions still needing answers in nutrition, metabolism, childhood obesity/diabetes, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, cardiovascular disease to name only a few, along with numerous advocacy and community projects.
The selection process is based on how well the study is designed, the importance of the questions being asked, the amount of funding being requested, and, very important, how we see the findings being put into practice. My goal is to impact childhood obesity and diabetes in my lifetime along with contributing to the science that shows the benefits of low carbohydrate food choices on many other diseases.
If such clear evidence is on the table that a low-carbohydrate plan can bring A1C levels down to "normal" while vastly lowering triglycerides, raising HDL "good" cholesterol, and normalizing blood sugars sometimes without the use of any prescription drugs or insulin, then why does the American Diabetes Association (ADA) continue to overlook the Atkins diet as a viable option for taking on this preventable disease? What is it going to take to convince diabetics to stop eating the ADA-recommended high-carb, low-fat diet and turn to low-carb as the lifestyle change they need to finally bring their condition under control?
As they say, the proof is in the pudding. And Dr. Atkins proved over and over again in his 40 years of clinical practice that the controlled-carbohydrate program is without question the correct one for the prevention and treatment of obesity and Type II diabetes. However, whenever he tried to bring his findings to the attention of the medical establishment, they were shot down for lack of supporting research studies.
Nevermind the fact that the low-fat proponents who dismissed his findings had no research to back up their theories. We now have an overwhelming amount of research which supports carbohydrate restriction as the number one therapy in the prevention and treatment of Type II diabetes. Yet they still choose to look the other way.
These organizations, the AMA and ADA, obviously have their heads in the sand when they continue to ignore the mounting scientific evidence on the impact of a controlled-carb diet on obesity and Type 2 diabetes. There is also the concern that many experts are influenced by strong lobbying groups such as the food industry and pharmaceutical giants.
Bobby would often tell me of patients who were able to get off their medications and better control their blood sugars within days of starting his program. But the tide is turning, especially on a grassroots level, as more and more people try low-carb and do well. I certainly believe that the "powers-that-be" will have to come to their collective senses and be forced to address the immeasurable damage done by the low-fat dogma.
6. I know it breaks your heart to see childhood obesity and obesity-related diseases afflicting children at record levels over the past decade. But you came across a small glimmer of hope last year when a class of 5th grade kids from a Florida elementary school did something quite extraordinary--they refused to sell sugary candy as a fundraising avenue for their field trip to Washington, D.C. because they said it was too unhealthy. WOW, now that's a shocker in this day and age! When you heard about the bold stand against sugar of these courageous students, what did you do to help them out and have you come across any other examples of similar actions taken by students elsewhere?
As heartbreaking as it is to see the devastating effects of childhood obesity, it is equally heartening to see the ability of children to change things. When I heard about the children in Florida not having enough funds to take their field trip because they chose not to sell sugary snacks, I met with the children and of course funded the trip.
This was not my first experience with the ability of children to create change. Surely, the greatest example of the power of youth to create change is an extraordinary Canadian group called Free the Children. It was started in 1995 by two brothers, Craig and Marc Kielberger, both barely in their teens. It has since grown into an international movement of children helping children that has improved the lives of over a million children in 40 countries.
They’ve built over 400 schools to date, provided much needed clean water and medical supplies and set up supporting community women’s groups. In 1998, they started Leaders Today, a leadership institute that empowers and inspires over 250,000 youth every year around the world to become actively involved in volunteerism to help those in need and to make the world a better place.
The Robert C. & Veronica Atkins Foundation joined with Free the Children to create a program called Life in Action, which has already been implemented in 120 Canadian schools. It’s about educating children in the basics of nutrition, the importance of good wholesome, nutritious food and the avoidance of nutrient-deficient foods and sugary snacks. It also encourages regular physical activity in creative ways.
I’ve visited some of these schools and spent time with the children and it’s just incredible to see the enthusiasm with which they have embraced this, and their eagerness to pass on their knowledge to family and friends. We are working on bringing this program into U.S. schools as well.
7. I had the privilege of meeting you for the first time in January 2006 in Brooklyn, New York at the Nutritional & Metabolic Aspects Of Carbohydrate Restriction conference and was able to personally thank you on behalf of your wonderful husband for the Atkins diet. In January 2004, I weighed 410 pounds and my health was on the verge of collapse had I not done something about it as soon as possible.
Today, I am 190 pounds lighter and no longer taking the three prescription medications for high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and breathing I was on at the time. With literally tens or even hundreds of thousands of other Jimmy Moores out there living healthy for perhaps the first time in their entire lives because of the Atkins diet, why isn't the Atkins low-carb nutritional approach being recommended alongside the high-carb, low-fat diet by government and health organizations? What can those of us who have been so dramatically changed for the better by the Atkins diet do to convince these people in positions of power over health policy in America that low-carb should be given equal treatment?
Well, I don’t believe there’s anyone out there who could say you’ve not done your share--and certainly what we need more than anything are more Jimmy Moores! Your own story of dramatic weight loss and return to health following the low-carb approach is something that Dr. Atkins would have relished.
Unfortunately, it takes time to turn the tide of popular thinking. The slick marketing tools employed by the food companies ensures that the low-fat dogma remains ingrained in people’s consciousness, and of course that takes time to reverse.
However, we are seeing some very positive policy changes take place, such as the removal of unhealthy snacks from school vending machines and healthier school cafeteria lunches being served. We have Mayor Bloomberg, Arnold Schwarzenegger and former President Bill Clinton, among others, all of whom appear to be committed to following through on children’s health issues in various ways.
While we are making strides, the low-fat mentality however is still quite pervasive. For example, I would love to see a return to the day when schools will again start serving full-fat nutritious milk to children instead of the tasteless, blue-tinted low-fat substance that passes for milk and is so popular with school authorities. I doubt children are overweight because of drinking whole milk!
I am fully committed to doing everything I can to educate people with the facts and to further Dr. Atkins legacy. And to that end, my new web site launched just recently. My site will feature many low-carb recipes--including favorites of mine and Bobby’s--all tasty, nutritious and easy to prepare. It also has a section on family nutrition.
I’m very excited to be working with Jackie Eberstein, who was one of Dr. Atkins closest colleagues, to provide a source of accurate and up-to-date information for the public and professionals alike on the low-carb approach, research and complementary medicine. Jackie Eberstein’s web site just recently launched as well. Jackie is the consummate expert on all things Atkins.
8. That recent JAMA study out of Stanford University in March 2007 showing the Atkins diet was the best among four popular diets for weight loss and improved health after one year certainly gave a huge shot in the arm to the life's work of your husband as interest in the low-carb approach has been rekindled. Do you see anything else coming up on the horizon in the next year or so from the realm of research, a new book, or even from the entertainment industry that could help continue the rebirth of the Atkins diet?
Yes, that study was a wonderful validation of Dr. Atkins' work and I feel certain it will spur many more. Certainly, it lends credence to all of the studies funded to date by the Atkins Foundation which showed similar results.
Many of the initial studies funded by the Foundation have been completed and the results published. For a listing of articles already available, readers can look on the Atkins Foundation’s web site. Several of our investigators will be publishing their findings in the coming year. There is a large two-year NIH study comparing the Atkins diet with a low-fat diet and the results of that should be available this coming year as well.
Also, an independent filmmaker named CJ Hunt is finishing a documentary called The Perfect Human Diet which chronicles the evolution of our dietary habits which should be a fascinating account of our eating habits and how they have changed.
9. Despite the constant negativity that is hurled against the Atkins diet, the fact is it has left an indelible impression on our society about how people perceive carbohydrates, especially nutritionally bankrupt ones such as sugar, high fructose corn syrup, white flour, potatoes, rice, pasta, processed foods, and fast food. In the perfect world, though, what would Veronica Atkins like to see happen with all the invaluable information that was provided by Dr. Atkins in his books? Do you think future society will one day look back at all the needless criticism about the Atkins low-carb diet and shake their heads in disappointment?
Well, Dr. Atkins upset a lot of apple carts in his time! The bread, pasta, fast food and soft drinks industries lost millions because of him. He challenged the proclamations of the FDA, the AMA, ADA, and others--and in so doing incurred their wrath. However, his commitment paid off and I read recently that more than 44% of people in the U.S. are eating less carbs.
I’m so optimistic about all that is happening at the moment in the area of health--the emerging science on the safety and health benefits of the Atkins approach and the recognition that in the midst of an obesity epidemic, low-fat is not the answer. The World Wide Web of course will continue to have an enormous impact on people’s ability to access and exchange information. We now have so many wonderful low-carb web sites and blogs, like your Livin' La Vida Low-Carb blog, which provide a forum for intelligent discussion and the dissemination of accurate and truthful information.
10. THANK YOU, Mrs. Atkins, for taking just a few moments of your time to spend with me and my readers today about the wonderful world of livin' la vida low-carb. You are an amazing and gracious ambassador for the low-carb lifestyle and we in the low-carb community want you to know how much we love and appreciate what you are doing to help continue the fanastic legacy of that incredible man you called husband, Dr. Robert C. Atkins. Do you have any final words of encouragement or advice to share with my readers who are already following or even thinking about going on the Atkins diet?
For anyone thinking about starting the low-carb approach, the most important advice I would give them is to read two of Dr. Atkins’ most important books. First, start with Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution and when you’re close to your goal weight, then read Atkins for Life. While I realize that in today’s world of instantaneous access to information, taking the time to read a book might be considered passé, these are no ordinary books and you will find yourself referring to them again and again.
There’s a wealth of knowledge contained within those pages plus they’re written in Dr. Atkins inimitable style so it’s never boring. And, please remember--it’s a lifestyle, not a diet.
Thank you so much Jimmy for all that you’ve done and continue to do for the health and well-being of humanity and for being such an ardent supporter of my husband and his work.
WOW! Thanks for your awe-inspiring responses to my questions, Mrs. Atkins. I am so happy to share your amazing memories about the man who was so instrumental in changing my life and the lives of many of my readers forever. God bless you for keeping the spirit of the late great Dr. Robert "Bobby" C. Atkins alive and well.
