Expert: Tanya Zilberter, PhD - 5/19/2005

Question
Hello-

I have been struggling for about 6 years to get back into shape (after birth of my first plus a traumatic car accident including partial paralysis).  I exercise almost daily but my problem is my 'diet'.  I have cut out all sugar, flour, potatoes (i.e. white foods), etc. for over a year now and have not lost a single pound.  I do a loose Atkins/South Beach - some days carbs are <10 some days <50.  I feel I need some carbs (complex) because I exercise a lot.  One thing I notice is that on this type of 'diet' I consume too many calories some days.  I also have a very slow metabolism and have been constipated for a few years now (normal for me is once a month!).  I have been put on all types of meds/lax/enemas/etc. and they don't regulate me at all - they are a quick fix.  I think if I could get past the regularity issue I'd feel a lot better and not look so bloated.  Any advice on how to lose weight on a ketogenic/low carb diet (BTW, I've never been able to get those sticks to show purple in 2 years - even after days of days/weeks of <10 carbs) and any advice on regulating myself?  I do take psyllium husks 3x day as well as Zelnorm.  Sigh... any help would be greatly appreciated.  My dr. threw up her hands and sent me to a dietician who says I'm eating fine - just add more calcium.

Answer
Hello,

Some of the signs tell me that you need to put your effort into more strict a system.

For example, I don't believe in the Atkins /SBD compilation. Atkins is too vague to me as it is: since it doesn't control proteins and fats, nobody can tell how many carb grams get into your bloodstream because almost 50% of protein converts into glucose and goes into the blood.

SBD is no diet at all, it's just a (successful, yes) attempt to remove a small _part_ of junk food from American tables.

Your bloating clearly tells that you take in too much carbohydrates, however little you think it is.

Since you insure sufficient amounts of fibers, maybe your constipation can be eased by adding more good fats, e.g., olive oil. Also, things like garlic, hot pepper, soy beans, and nuts can help.

I tell you what. Why wouldn't you take a look at our program, see how we approach the problem, how we calculate, and how successful it is. The URL is bantadiet.com

Of course, you'll have questions - please don't hesitate asking me as many as you wish.

Hope this helps,

Tanya Zilberter, PhD