I have received many letters asking about the Atkins Diet. To many people it does appear that cutting out carbohydrates is an easier option than eating less food generally. Instead of carbohydrates being used for the body’s fuel, body fat is used for this purpose. The long-term risks of this strategy are not known at the moment but the Atkins Diet does not provide the body with the balanced package of food that it needs and people on this diet have been known to have raised cholesterol levels. By not eating carbohydrates, the body is not receiving B vitamins which are important for energy, nerve, and muscle functions. Women should be especially careful on this diet, as it does not provide sufficient folic acid. With little fruit and vegetables permitted, the body does not receive the correct level of vitamins which keep the immune system functioning in order to fight disease nor is there sufficient fibre which can lead to constipation. The Atkins Diet puts the body into a process known as Ketosis, which can be a sign of starvation. Whilst it may be tempting to follow this crash diet as a quick fix, there is no substitute for a simple low fat, balanced diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables for making you feel wonderfully fresh and full of energy. Many people following the Atkins Diet feel awful and have bad breath. As with all crash diets, you eventually have to return to a normal diet as the diet is only a short-term solution. And what happens then? Email me for my healthy eating guide at [email protected] for a long-term solution.
Join me In My Weekly Task
Eat Oil-Rich Fish at Least Once a Week
Why? This is something to do to help your heart stay healthy. Oily fish contains omega-3 fatty acids that have been shown to help prevent disease by thinning the blood.
How? Have a sandwich or salad containing mackerel, pilchards, trout, or salmon. Cod liver oil capsules are a good alternative if you don’t eat fish.
Recipe of the Week
Mexican Pasta Salad
(All my recipes are low fat and can be enjoyed by the whole family)
Serves 6
Ingredients
340 g rotini or other spiral pasta
3 tomatoes, seeded and diced
370 g frozen sweet corn, thawed
3 carrots, shredded
60 g red onion, chopped
11/2 tbsp. Dijon mustard
11/2 tbsp. (23 g) lime juice
11/2 tbsp. jalapeño pepper, seeded and minced
11/4 tsp. chilli powder
11/4 tsp. ground cumin
24 g fresh cilantro, chopped
Method
Cook pasta in boiling salted water 8-10 minutes or until al dente. Drain and transfer pasta to a large bowl. Add next 4 ingredients and toss. Combine remaining ingredients, except cilantro, in a jar with a tight-fitting lid. Shake vigorously. Pour dressing over pasta. Add fresh cilantro and toss thoroughly. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Weight Watch
Men vs. Women In Weight Loss
As a woman, have you tried losing weight with your husband, but find that he loses his extra kilos faster than you do? Even if you both use the same weight-loss program, men almost always lose weight faster than women do. So, don’t get discouraged. While women may lose weight more slowly than men, keeping the weight off is just as hard for both.
Ask Alva
My wife and I have been trying for a baby for three months and I am concerned about my fertility. Could you recommend a healthy diet to boost my fertility? Ahmed
It is early days to be worried but you can do a lot these days to boost your fertility as so much research has been carried out in this area. Make sure that you are eating a healthy diet and take plenty of exercise to boost your circulation. Send to [email protected] for a free copy of my Healthy Eating Guide. Smoking is not good for sperm. Take a good daily supplement to give you added vitamins and minerals. A lack of vitamin C causes sperm to clump, thereby reducing their mobility whilst Vitamin E helps bind sperm to the female eggs. Deficiency in selenium can lead to reduced sperm count but zinc is vital for male reproductive maintenance. Alva
