If you know me, you know I am a big proponent of ‘all foods can fit into a healthy diet’. Idon’t believe in restricting yourself to achieve your health goals – never having a slice of pizza, a piece of cake, a glass of wine ever again? Who could live like that? (Maybe a small percentage of the population can, but I know a large majority cannot – and both are okay).
Of course, we want to work towards a diet in which 80% of it is nutritious, minimally processed foods that provide us with fuel, fullness and the nutrients our body needs for health, but the body is well equipped to handle small indulgences here and there when we are getting that 80%.
It’s icing on the cake when I come across products that I can use and recommend that provide a better treat food option (include no added sugar, high in contain fibre and protein, etc.). When I decide to partner with a product, it has to be something that I would consume myself, recommend to my clients, and that I approve of, and I have to say that I am very impressed with Today’s Atkins portfolio of products.
Why I like Atkins® products
Atkins products satisfy cravings and help you stay on track, without added sugar, and with the added bonus of having protein and fibre. Another plus is there are so many options for treats and protein bars to choose from, and they are really delicious (my husband also approved).Atkins products can fit within many different eating patterns, such as a general healthy diet where someone wants a more nutritious alternative to a chocolate bar, or Atkins products can be incorporated into a low carb lifestyle to help you stay on track.
Examples of Atkins® products
Atkins Protein Bars: Providing protein, fiber and the taste you love in a protein bar. Atkins Protein Bars are a delicious, convenient and nutritious way to add more protein into your day and can be incorporated into a low carb lifestyle. They contain a Net Atkins Count™ of 2-4g, 1-2g of sugar and 11-18g of protein per serving, depending on the flavour.
Atkins Endulge Treats & Bars: You can have your sweets and eat them too! Atkins Endulge Treats and Bars can be incorporated into a low carb lifestyle. Made from ingredients like caramel, nuts, and peanut butter, these treats will satisfy your cravings, without added sugar. They contain a Net Atkins Count™ of 2-3g and 1-2g of sugar per serving, depending on the flavour.
Atkins Ready-to-Drink Shakes: Atkins protein shakes, which come in chocolaty and vanilla flavours are absolutely delicious. Filled with important vitamins and minerals, rich and creamy Atkins Shakes can be incorporated into a low carb lifestyle. Containing a Net Atkins count of 1g, 1g of sugar and 15g of protein.
Most people want to enjoy treats
I have worked with enough clients to know that restricting and never enjoying treat foods always backfires in the end. They either restrict, restrict, restrict, and then binge (and feel guilty which leads to demotivation and ‘falling off track’), or they just find it too overwhelming to give up everything they enjoy, so instead they ‘give up’ on eating healthy and end up eating whatever they want until they ‘start over Monday’, or ‘start over when things settle down’.
“Hello ‘all or nothing’ mentality, it’s nice to meet you but you’re not good for having a healthy relationship with food so we need to break-up.” – something everyone should say
As just one example, I had an older diabetic client, who wasn’t really given much education on what to eat and what not to eat. Plus, he was pretty set in his ways when it came to eating the foods that bring him joy (aka his wife’s baked goods).
No matter how much I tried to explain what eating that piece of cake might do to his blood sugars, low and behold when we reviewed his food journals each session, there would be cake (or some type of baked good), multiple times per week. I mean, once a month enjoying his wife’s baked goods wouldn’t be a huge deal, but we had to find something that he enjoyed that he could consume more frequently without as much impact to his blood sugar.
Basically – he did not want to live a life without something to satisfy his sweet tooth. That’s when I recommended Atkins® products to him, which are delicious and taste like a treat, but have no added sugar and can fit into a low carb lifestyle. That’s what I call a great compromise.
Atkins products can be purchased at Amazon.ca/atkins or in the pharmacy section at Canadian grocers and Drug Stores. The @AtkinsNurtritionals account is also a great resource for low-carb living resources and recipes.
