About Melissa Anderson Expertise I have a Bachelor`s degree in biochemistry, researched metabolism and endocrinology for four years, and am currently attending medical school. Ask me anything and everything relating to Atkins and other low-carb diet plans!
Experience I've been on Atkins since 2001 and I'm still going strong!
Education/Credentials Professionally, I have a Bachelor's degree in biochemistry, researched metabolism and endocrinology for four years, and am currently attending medical school.
Question 1.50,M,235lbs
2.Eating normal but low cal under 1500
3.Exercise walk regularly
4 No medical issues
Melissa
I am overweight,and even if I drasticly reduce calories,I only have success in weight loss if I cut out the carbs.
I have noticed that toast,pastries,and especially potatoes give me gas and bloating.I carry most of my weight in my belly-it expands like a balloon after a meal with carbs eg. a sub on white bread. Is this carbohydrate intolerance?
I can go without the potatoes and switch to multi grain(?) bread,but how do I get over my craving for dessert?
Today I did great,but had two oreo cookies.
Also,is there a connection between hypothyroidism and carbohydrate intolerance? My doctor is considering putting me on synthroid as I have all of the symptoms.
Would the synthroid combined with a low carb diet help get the pounds off?
BTW I get tons of exercise-I cant do anymore.
Thanks!
Answer Carl,
Sounds like you could have a mild form of carbohydrate intolerance. For weight loss, I'd recommend stopping all carbs for six months or so, then gradually re-introducing multigrain, whole wheat products one at a time. Lose potatoes forever-they have the nutritional value of a gallon of Kool Aid.
When it comes to dessert, my favorite recipe by far is Atkins no bake cheesecake (try looking for multiple variations on it at www.recipezaar.com). It's ridiculously easy to make. It's also pretty easy to find very low carb ice cream. Sugar free baked goods can be found at Super Walmart or online but many do contain some white flour which might upset your stomach.
However... I don't think you have thyroid problems. Thyroid hormone regulates the speed of your metabolism, and it sounds to me like you've eaten so little and exercised so much that you've forced your metabolism to slow down to compensate. Before starting a drug that you might never be able to stop, try increasing your calories to 2,000. Make sure the entire increase comes from protein. Give it a month and see if your symptoms resolve.
If you really do have hypothyroidism, then I have extremely bad news for you. Hypothyroidism causes weight gain, hyperthyroidism causes weight loss... so it seems that if you're hypothyroid, then taking Synthroid would cause the weight to come off. Unfortunately it does NOT help with weight loss at all. Losing weight while hypothyroid is impossible, and taking Synthroid will at least make it possible, but the weight loss is still extremely difficult. Try going high-protein, very low carb, zero wheat/potato/rice, 2000 calories, high exercise for a month and see what it does for you.
