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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
What if I have sweet tooth?
Can I eat fruit on a HPLC diet?
What are the dangers of a HPLC diet?
Can I subtract the fiber content from the total carbohydrate count?
Can I eat bacon?
Can I have alcohol?
What about salads?
Can I really eat as much as I want?
What about exercise?
What about sugar substitutes?
A billion Chinese can't be wrong, or can they?
OK, this sounds interesting, where does a new person begin on a HPLC diet?
How do you know if you are in ketosis?
What if my doctor does not believe in a HPLC diet?
Answers to FAQs:
What if I have sweet tooth?
A high protein/low carbohydrate (HPLC) diet will restrict your sweets. However, due to the popularity of this diet, manufacturers have produced numerous low carb chocolates, jellybeans, chips, and other previously taboo foods. Additionally, I have met with food distributors who are currently bringing to market new low carb breads, pancakes, and pasta.
Can I eat fruit on a HPLC diet?
Yes, but you must limit the quantity. Initially, these will mostly be off-limits, since one grapefruit has about 22 grams of carbohydrates. However, as you progress you can move to low carb fruits such as strawberries or blueberries.
What are the dangers of a HPLC diet?
Some believe that the high amount of proteins can put additional stress on the kidneys. However, the proponents agree that abnormal kidneys do have trouble digesting proteins, but it is unclear whether excess protein in the diet triggers this affect. Consumer Reports wrote "if your kidneys are on good shape, we doubt that you'll harm yourself by using the Atkins diet…" (June 2002, pg. 31) Still, to be safe it probably would be a good idea to have a thorough check up before embarking on any diet and/or exercise plan.
Can I subtract the fiber content from the total carbohydrate count?
Yes, most agree that the fiber content counted on the total carbohydrate portion of a nutritional label can be subtracted from your daily carb count, since it is indigestible and does not play a part in raising your insulin level. For instance, a half of cup boiled and drained spinach has about 3.4 grams of carbohydrates. It also has 2.2 grams of fiber. The net carb count would be only 1.2 grams.
Can I eat bacon?
The Atkins plan allows you to eat fat as source of food. Bacon certainly fits into that category. However, other regimens prescribe a leaner approach to meats, such as the Protein Power plan. Whatever plan you choose, be mindful that being on a HPLC diet does not give you carte blanche to eat foods that are low in carbs and might contain other ingredients that may be harmful to you.
Can I have alcohol?
Alcohol digest before everything else. Therefore, it will not throw you out of ketosis, but merely delay it. Most of the plans allow for alcohol in moderate amounts.
What about salads?
Salads are carbs. But in the carb world, those are good carbs. If you have only 20 grams of carbs to spend a day, I highly suggest spending them a good spinach salad.
Can I really eat as much as I want?
You can eat until you feel full, as long as it is mostly protein and fats. You will no longer have to count calories, but rather you will have to count carbs. For instance you can have as much steak as you want, just without any baked potatoes.
What about exercise?
Yes, yes, and more yes. It should be a must in any diet strategy. However, depending on your health condition and age, please consult your physician before designing an exercise routine.
What about sugar substitutes?
It's a carb world out there. It is very difficult to dodge carbs without a diet soda or sugar substitute. Many low carb protein foods (bars, shakes, etc.) now must list the total carbohydrates, including sugar substitutes such as sugar alcohols. They will most likely also list the effective carb count, which is the total carbs less any substitutes. Generally, most can consume this without any significant rise in insulin levels. However, every "body" is different and these may be off limits to you as well. As a general guideline, use these products in moderation. (See Sucralose.)
A billion Chinese can't be wrong, or can they?
Most people assume that the Chinese eat little protein and a lot of rice and vegetables, and don't have heart disease. According to the 2002 Heart and Stroke Statistical Update published by the American Heart Association, males and females ages 35-74 had a higher incidence of death from cardiovascular disease per capita in China (rural and urban) then the United States (about 11% for males and 50% for females). Deaths from strokes were over 5 times greater in China. However, deaths from coronary heart disease were about half as great in China. Therefore, to say the Chinese have less heart disease then Americans, would not be entirely true.
OK, this sounds interesting, where does a new person begin on a HPLC diet?
Go through the selection of books that provide a detailed description of their diet plan (this web site only skims the surface) and pick one or two that makes sense to your life style. Get a physical by your doctor. Organize an exercise program. Pick up a carb count book of foods. Plan your goals, and begin. (Check our new section: an HPLC diet in 5 easy steps.)
How do you know if you are in ketosis?
You can purchase inexpensive ketostixs at most drug stores. This measures the level of ketones in your urine. As you burn fat, your body produces ketones as a by product. Therefore, in ketosis, your body burns fat and produces ketones, and trace amounts can be measured in your urine. However, ketones will also show up in your urine after digesting fat from your diet. The ketostix can't tell the difference between ingested fat, and body fat burned (ketosis). A false positive for ketosis can occur if you've eaten a large amount of fat in your diet.
What if my doctor does not believe in a HPLC diet?
The majority of practicing doctors are of the low calorie/low fat/high fiber traditional school. Expect some resistance. However, if your overall is health good and there is no danger of you going on a HPLC diet, then the choice is yours to make.
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