I would like to start Atkins but I'm a bit confused. I have read his book many times and have even tried the plan before, but now I'm really serious about losing weight. I have been food combining and only eating natural products, but...

I do not eat any dairy products. I really do not want to go back to eating cheese, butter and bacon. I use Veganaise, not mayo. I now use rice milk which I may have to change, but to what? Maybe soy or almond? I think they have sugar in them. Any suggestions? I use only soy cheeses. Are these ok? I eat only natural products. No white flours or sugars.

I hope someone else can help me with these issues. My self and my husband really need to lose weight, but I do not want to go back to eating the things we have already successfully given up and do not miss.

Thanks!

Hello wannabe! Congratulations on being willing to commit to a new way of life.

You've read several books on LC and understand the principles. The important thing is to ensure you are getting adequate protein, keep your calories at 10-12 x your body weight and keeping your carbs at a level that you lose weight at.

Dairy or dairy substitutes are not essential to following low carb plans. Do an overview of how many carbs you are taking in a day in the form of grains, natural sweetreners and substitutes for dairy and you will probaly realize that that is where the carbs are.

Most substitutes for natural products - and I take the Neanderthin stance on what natural means: "Could I eat this if I were naked with a sharp stick on the savanna?" - are very high in carbohydrates. This goes for low-fat, vegan and although somewhat less but still up there, low-carb.

I eat mostly fresh proteins, anything from pork to prawns - no bacon or deli meats - fresh low-carb vegetables, make my own mayonnaise and the occasional LC dessert - and have never felt better in my life.

Karen

Speaking of mayonnaise ... it contains no dairy ingredients. It does contain eggs or at least egg yolks. Like Karen, I make my own, with fresh eggs, lemon juice and organic canola oil.

Beware the soy cheese and veggie slices ... some of those do contain cassein protein from cow-milk. Their only virtue is that they're LACTOSE-free, not dairy-free. Some brands also contain hydrogenated oil, so read the labels carefully.

Doreen

I no dairy too.

Eggs
All fresh unprocessed meats, poultry and fish (you can eat processed if you like)
All fresh non-starch veggies
Olive oil, Canola oil, Almond oil, Avocado oil, Peanut oil...healthy oils (monounsat if you like).
Butter is 100% FAT - it contains NO lactose and NO milk sugar -eat up.
Canned tuna or seafood (watch the salt here)
Hellmans Mayo or make your own.


Hungry yet?
N

Welcome and Congratulations on chosing this WOE.
All of the soy and nut milks that I've found has some form of sweetener in them. Rice milk has them (rice syrup) and it's high in Carbs (grain) This week I gave up dairy. I also eat organic, unprocessed foods, veggies everyday and protien. BTW, I've seen soy presses at http://www.realgoods.com to make your own soy milk. And Nat told me about coconut milk, which is quite tasty and it has no sweeteners.
I agree with Karen. (LOL about being naked with a stick in the Savanah! ) This WOE can be done by going back to basics and keeping it simple. Best of luck to your new journey. Let me know what you find out about the dairy substitutes.

http://www.realgoods.com/shop/shop2...0&kw=soy%20milk
If this works it'll take you right to the soy milk maker.