Getting Started with Low Carb

If you are just starting out or would like more information about a low carb lifestyle, here is a list of links and reading materials for you to check out.  This is by no means all inclusive, but it's a great place to start!

E-books:

• Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution

• Eat Fat Get Thin by Barry Groves

Specifically for diabetics:

• Dr. Bernstein's Diabetes Solution. A Complete Guide to Achieving Normal Blood Sugars.

(Recommended for all diabetics)

• Latest study from the University of Birmingham recommending a low carb diet for diabetics.

Recommended low carb books:

(Most are available on Amazon or half.com. Also be sure to check your local library to see if they are available for checkout)

• Why We Get Fat: And What to Do About It by Gary Taubes

• Good Calories Bad Calories by Gary Taubes

• Wheat Belly: Lose the Wheat, Lose the Weight, and Find Your Path Back To Health by Davis MD, William

• The New Atkins for a New You: The Ultimate Diet for Shedding Weight and Feeling Great

• Protein Power & Protein Power Life Plan by Drs. Mike & Mary Eades

• Grain Brain: The Surprising Truth about Wheat, Carbs, and Sugar-Your Brain's Silent Killers by David Perlmutter

• Eat Fat Get Thin by Barry Groves

• Natural Health & Weight Loss by Barry Groves

• Trick & Treat by Barry Groves

•The Diet Cure or The Mood Cure by Julia Ross

• Sugar Nation by Jeff O'Connell 

• Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution (see above)*

Websites & Blogs:

• Atkins

• Dr. Bernstein Diabetes Solution

• Dr Briffa (Canadian Low Carb Doctor and Author)

• Sweden's Diet Doctor

• Protein Power author Dr Eades' blog

• Fat Head Blog  

• Glycemic Index blog

• Dr. Davis' Wheat Belly blog

• Wifezilla's Way

Great Recipe Sites:

• The Low Carb Dish! website

• Genaw (Linda Sue's recipes and recipe reviews)

• Modern Savage Living (Low carb and paleo recipes along with lifestyle articles)

• All Day Long I Dream About Food

Fantastic Facebook Groups:

• The Low Carb Dish! (Open public group for sharing recipes. Large membership. Very active. Tightly moderated to ensure good low carb information and the most success) 

• Hardcore Healthy Living (Closed group filled with self-professed nerds and geeks following low carb and/or paleo lifestyles. Warning: adult humor)

Movies and Lectures:

Fat Head Movie
Cereal Killers
Sugar: The Bitter Truth
Why We Get Fat
What if Fat Doesn't Make You Fat

*Note: The new Atkins plan allows wheat and other questionable ingredients. The new Atkins plan appears to be more about pushing their branded highly-processed, pre-packaged foods than great health. Stick to old school Atkins for best results.

The exploding kidney myth and ketoacidosis

One of the common myths about low carb is that it can cause kidney damage. This is not true. If your kidneys are healthy, low carb will not damage them. In fact, studies are starting to show helps repair damage to the small blood vessels in the kidneys.

 Unfortunately, people in the health care profession have not kept up with the latest research. Doctors, nurses and nutritionist throw out the "low carb causes kidney damage" line while ignoring the actual science. I have also noticed that a scary amount of nurses do not even know the difference between ketosis (a benign condition where your body is fueled by ketones instead of glucose) and ketoacidosis (a dangerous condition including high ketone levels AND high blood sugar, found in uncontrolled diabetes).

 If your health care professional doesn't know the difference between the two, or is trying to scare you by saying low carb will make your kidneys "asplode", you may need to educate them or find a different health care provider. Now, I don't expect people to just take my word for all this. See below for articles concerning ketosis and kidney issues. Read them over and decide for yourself.

•  Reversing Kidney Disease Study   
• The Difference Between Ketosis and Ketoacidosis 
• Clearing up Kidney Confusion 
• Myths About the Atkins Diet 
• Low Carb Myths