Wheat

A food staple that looks pretty too.

Those who have resolved to lose weight in the New Year, will be seeing far less of it, particularly those who have opted for one of the low carb weight loss plans.

I've always found the Atkins diet particularly effective for shedding unwanted pounds.    While low calorie diets may be effective, I rarely manage to stick with them for more than a few days.    The allotted calories don’t last the whole day and freebie foods like celery and tea really don’t appease my hunger.    Atkins lets me have an omelet for breakfast and cream in my coffee. What’s not to like?  Steak and salad for dinner works for me too.   I never felt hungry on a low carb diet.   Eventually, however, I would start craving bread and pasta. 

In the sixties, when I tried the Atkins diet for the first time, there weren't many products to help satisfy those cravings.  Nowadays, there are so many available online that it’s difficult to make a choice.    I like low carb pita bread, which can be stuffed with my favorite proteins and greens to produce a satisfying sandwich.   The diet really reduces my sweet cravings, but there are a number of low carb dessert products available, if the urge strikes.   Low carb may not work for everyone, but I know a lot of people who swear by it.

This year, I have no plans to start a diet.  I looked at the scales last fall and decided that I couldn't wait any longer.  I’m really happy to report that I've shed a little more than twenty pounds and now I’m going to focus on maintaining my loss.  If you’re just starting, however, know that I’m cheering you on.