I’m definitely not trying to lose weight right now. There is a baby girl growing inside of me, and I am doing as much as I can to gain the appropriate amount of weight by eating wholesome foods packed with nutrients to support her growth and development. But, in the back of my mind I am thinking about the future. I’m thinking about what I’m going to do differently to get the baby weight off. I was less than ten pounds from my pre-pregnancy weight when I got pregnant this second time around.
Thanks to Mom Central, I had an opportunity to try a few products from Atkins. I’ve never tried a weight loss program and I was really curious about how these types of programs work, which is why I signed up to test out their products. I’ve always read that diet is key to weight loss and exercise is important for maintenance. When I was in college, I used a weight-loss program that was solely diet-based. I actually lost every pound I set out to lose. I maintained the weight lost by exercising. If you’re unfamiliar with the program (as I was), here is a bit more information from the site:
The Atkins Nutritional Approach focuses on a healthy diet with reduced levels of refined carbohydrates and refined sugars and encourages the consumption of lean protein, fiber, fruits, vegetables and good fats. Backed by research and consumer success stories, this approach allows the body to burn more fat and work more efficiently while helping people feel less hungry, more satisfied and more energetic.
I have to admit that while I steer away from refined carbs and sugars and opt for whole grains, I’m not great about getting enough protein. Part of that is due to the fact that I don’t eat any red meat, and I’m not particularly fond of chicken or turkey. So I like the basic premise behind the diet. I also like the fact that you don’t have to buy the products (like some diets), in order to use the system. While I can’t attest to whether or not I’ve lost weight with the program (obviously I’m gaining and not losing), I will tell you a little about how the products taste.
The first product I tried was the Penne Pasta. We always buy whole grain pasta which usually contains seven grams of protein and six grams of fiber. For comparison, the Atkins version contains eleven grams of protein and eighteen grams of fiber. I was really impressed, to be honest. I honestly don’t know what makes it so high in protein except that the semolina pasta is enriched. My husband made an arrabiata sauce with ground turkey breast and it was really good. I honestly would never have known I was eating Atkins pasta.
The second product I tried was the All Purpose Baking Mix. I was really excited to try this out because I love to bake. According to the package, you can make pancakes, biscuits, muffins, cookies, and breads. I decided to make it easy and use the recipe on the back for pancakes. The main ingredients in this mix are wheat gluten, soy flour, and wheat bran. One serving packs twenty grams of protein and six grams of fiber. Unfortunately, I was not crazy about this product. It had a grainy taste and texture and, well, I like my pancakes to taste a little on the unhealthy side.
Overall, I think that if you’re trying to lose weight and increase the amount of protein and fiber you’re consuming, you could try these products as an alternative. I think they’d be great for people who are truly vegans. To celebrate the launch of these new products, Atkins has announced an online recipe contest where you can share your own recipe featuring the All Purpose Baking Mix or Penne Pasta and win great prizes. Recipes can be submitted to the site by September 30, 2009.
Out of curiosity, have any of you successfully lost weight with this program? I’d love to hear your experiences!
I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Atkins and received samples to facilitate my candid review. In addition, Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.
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It’s just not necessary to follow any program. It is as simple as knowing your BMR and calories vs. calories out.