Veggie Blog

When people begin the Atkins program they are often tempted by the many low-carb products on the market: snack bars, baking mixes, pasta and bread substitutes. The old version of this post argued that you should use them sparingly and build your plan on fresh foods instead. That advice holds up, but a few of the supporting claims do not, so I have rewritten the post.

What does an unprocessed Atkins plate look like?

Atkins’ own plan is built on foods such as vegetables, meat, fish, eggs, natural cheeses and, in later phases, fruit and whole grains. The old post said that the center of the plan is fresh vegetables and fresh meat, with natural cheeses, some fruit and, in time, whole unprocessed grains, and no packaged meats, canned vegetables or instant foods. Atkins says that in its Pre-Maintenance phase you still take 12 to 15 grams of net carbs a day from foundation vegetables, and that you add foods such as legumes, fruit and whole grains one at a time. Atkins has renamed some of its plans, but the approach is still built around whole foods. Our guide to Atkins diet foods and how to plan lists them.

Are low-carb packaged foods a problem?

The old post said that these products are technically allowed, can help in a pinch with cravings, but are chemically processed, can trigger carbohydrate cravings in some people and may have hidden carb counts. The last point is the one that holds up best. According to the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center, “net carbs” is a term invented by food companies, and neither the FDA nor the American Diabetes Association endorses it. Read the total carbohydrate line, the fiber and the sugar alcohols. Some people find that sweet low-carb foods make them want more, which is worth noticing for yourself, although I did not find a study that proves it. For better snacks, see low-carb snack ideas.

Is bacon a problem?

The old post said that many Atkins dieters eat bacon daily, and that bacon contains sodium nitrite, which is known to cause cancer. The real concern is wider than one chemical. The World Health Organization classifies processed meat (meat that has been salted, cured, fermented or smoked, such as bacon, ham and sausage) as Group 1, carcinogenic to humans, because there is sufficient evidence that it causes colorectal cancer. The WHO says the risk increases with the amount eaten, and that it could not name a safe level. Red meat is classed as Group 2A, probably carcinogenic. The WHO also says meat can be part of a healthy diet and that many national guidelines recommend limiting processed and red meat. So a low-carb plan built on fish, eggs, poultry, vegetables, nuts and olive oil is a better choice than one built on daily bacon. See the WHO questions and answers on red and processed meat.

Are raw foods always more nutritious?

The old post said raw, whole foods contain more vitamins and nutrients than processed ones and that manufactured foods may contain chemical additives. As a rule, fresh foods have fewer additives and less added salt and sugar, and that is the real argument. But “processed” covers a wide range: frozen vegetables and plain canned fish are processed and can be good options. What matters is the label.

What if weight loss stalls?

The old post says to check whether low-carb processed foods are adding hidden carbs, to focus on the foods in the Atkins pyramid and to shop the outer edges of the store. This is sensible, and our post on overcoming plateaus on the Atkins diet has more ideas. If cravings are the problem, read carbohydrate cravings and the Atkins diet.

Can you still use packaged foods?

Yes, in moderation. The old post admits that busy people may use canned soup or canned vegetables from time to time. Check salt, sugar and added carbohydrates, and keep most of your meals simple.

Detox your body in 7 days with internal cleansers

Awareness is one important tool for staying free from illness and disease. With medical costs so high today, it is very expensive to get sick. For this reason, many people are now looking for ways to stay healthy. But the more important question is whether they are ready to make real changes in their lives.

Staying healthy means eating the right kinds of food in the right amounts, avoiding vices like smoking and heavy drinking and, most importantly, living your life to the fullest. If you can keep up with all of these things, you give yourself the best chance of a healthy, illness-free lifestyle.

Your body is exposed to many unwanted substances through the food and drinks that you take in, and even the environment that you live in adds to this load. Normally your liver, kidneys and other organs process and remove these substances very efficiently. Detox products are based on the idea that toxins inside the body build up when this natural process is overwhelmed, although there is little scientific evidence that this happens in healthy people.

Detox diets are very well known nowadays, and many of them involve various herbs and supplements. Others prefer a gentler way to detox your body: a diet that supports the body’s own detox process. Your body removes waste through your skin, lungs, liver, intestines and kidneys, and the lymphatic system also plays a part.

But before starting any detox diet or program, it is wise to consult your doctor first, both to be safe and to get a proper assessment of your present health. This is especially important if you are pregnant, take medication or have a chronic illness.

Some detox programs claim that “toxicity symptoms” get worse during the first days of a cleanse because toxins are being released in large quantities. There is no good evidence for this. Feeling unwell during a cleanse is more likely due to changes in your diet, fibre or caffeine intake. If symptoms are severe or do not pass, stop and see a doctor.

If you are looking for a simple way to support your digestion, one option is an internal body cleanser. These products are marketed as cleansing your internal organs in just seven days.

A typical seven-day cleanser comes in caplet form or in fibre packets, and consists of natural fibre and herbs. Some users say they feel lighter and more energetic after the seven days, or even after the first day. Such reports are personal experiences rather than proof that the product removes toxins; the extra fibre mainly acts on the bowels.

Price is not the most important factor when choosing a detox body cleanser. Check the ingredients and how well your body tolerates them.

Detox body cleansers are easy to use. Since they are made from herbs and fibre, they are usually mild, but herbal laxatives can cause cramps or diarrhoea and can interact with medicines, so read the label carefully.

Detox body cleansers are not hard to find. You can buy them in many drugstores and in online stores. If you decide to try a seven-day cleanse, follow the directions, drink plenty of water, and remember that a balanced diet does more for your health in the long run than any cleanse.

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If you live in a city, finding a yoga class is easy. Finding one that suits you takes a little more thought. Studios, gyms, community centers and adult education programs all offer classes, and they vary widely in pace, style and quality. The best way to begin is to learn the basic postures with a teacher who can correct you and show you how to use props. This guide lists what to look for.

Why start with a class?

A teacher can watch your alignment and adjust a pose before a bad habit forms. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health notes that yoga is generally safe for healthy people when done properly, and that learning it alone without supervision has been associated with a higher risk of injury. Sprains and strains are the most common injuries. So a class, even a single introductory one, is a sensible first step. Many studios offer a free trial or a discounted first week. If you cannot get to a class, our guide to learning yoga online explains how to pick a reliable video or website.

What do you want from yoga?

Start by defining your goals. If you want a gentle approach with attention to alignment, look for a class that uses props such as blocks, straps and blankets. Iyengar-based classes are known for this focus. If you want to reduce stress, look for a class that includes breathing and meditation. If you want a more demanding workout, a flowing style such as Ashtanga or Vinyasa may suit you better, though these are harder for beginners. Our overview of yoga postures and styles describes the main styles, and the post on yoga as a lifestyle looks at why so many people take it up.

How do you judge the teacher?

Ask about the instructor’s training and experience. In the United States there is no single national license for yoga teachers, although a number of yoga schools and traditions run their own teacher training programs. Many studios list the credentials of their teachers. Ask how long they have taught, whether they have taught beginners, and whether they are comfortable adapting poses for injuries. A good teacher will ask about your health before the first class and will welcome questions. If you are pregnant, older or have a medical condition, NCCIH recommends talking with your health care provider and telling the instructor so that poses can be changed.

How do you judge the space?

Look for a room that is clean, roomy and well ventilated. Props, sticky mats, straps, blocks and blankets are a good sign. Ideally the room is quiet, but that may not be the case in a gym, where classes may compete with music and weights. Think also about practical points: how many people are in the class, so that the teacher can see everyone, and how far you have to travel. A class that is easy to reach is one you will keep going to.

Which classes should beginners avoid?

NCCIH advises newcomers to avoid extreme practices such as headstands, shoulder stands, the lotus position and forceful breathing. It also warns that hot yoga has special risks related to overheating and dehydration. Look for a class marked beginner, basic or gentle. Before your first session, read our notes on warming up and listening to your body, and keep the basic yoga postures page open for reference.

What if you do not like the first class?

Try another. Teachers differ a great deal, and the first class you take is a sample, not a verdict. After two or three visits you will know whether the style, the teacher and the room suit you. For more background on the evidence and on safety, see the NCCIH page on yoga effectiveness and safety.

The Path of Yoga by Georg Feuerstein is for readers who have discovered yoga through a class or video and are beginning to wonder what lies behind the poses. Feuerstein was a respected scholar of yoga, and this accessible book explores the wider tradition: its history, different schools, philosophical questions and spiritual practices.

What does the book cover?

The publisher describes a broad introduction to yoga postures, diet, breathing, meditation, mantras, Kundalini and other aspects of the Indian yoga tradition. It also includes translated passages from traditional writings. Rather than presenting a single modern routine as the whole of yoga, the book gives readers a framework for understanding why practices vary so much across schools.

Why is history important when learning yoga?

Walk into several studios and you may find very different experiences: a vigorous movement class, long-held positions, a quiet meditation session or a philosophy discussion. Knowing something about yoga’s history helps explain why these styles do not all share the same emphasis. Feuerstein’s approach can give readers vocabulary and context without requiring a prior academic background.

Is it suitable for beginners?

Yes, especially thoughtful beginners who want to learn beyond the mat. It is not designed simply as a photographic exercise manual, so readers looking for a daily sequence of poses may want a practical class alongside it. The publisher presents the book as a concise introduction to principles and practices rather than a complete teacher-training text.

What should you know about health claims?

Physical yoga is often discussed in terms of flexibility, balance and well-being. The NCCIH summary of yoga describes physical postures, breathing and meditation as common elements of contemporary practice, while noting that styles differ in intensity. Those modern health discussions are a separate question from the philosophical claims encountered in classical texts. Neither should be confused with a guarantee of medical benefit.

Is the book still in print?

Yes. Shambhala Publications lists a paperback edition of The Path of Yoga: An Essential Guide to Its Principles and Practices. This makes it a stronger recommendation than a title that can only be found in uncertain second-hand listings.

Related on Veggie-Blog: What Is Yoga? and Tantric Yoga and the Wisdom Goddesses.

Book: The Path of Yoga by Georg Feuerstein
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Sexy Yoga by Ellen Barrett belongs to a particular era of wellness publishing, when yoga-inspired routines were often marketed with bold promises about body confidence and sexual pleasure. The book presents postures, movement and breathing as ways to feel more comfortable in the body and more connected to a partner. Its subject is intimacy, but the useful question for today’s reader is whether its approach feels respectful, realistic and practical.

What does Sexy Yoga contain?

The book’s full subtitle is 40 Poses for Mind-Blowing Sex and Greater Intimacy. The original description presents a series of asanas, or yoga postures, organised around flexibility, breathing, focus and sensual awareness. The publisher’s promotional language suggests dramatic improvements in sexual performance. Those promises should be understood as marketing, not established medical outcomes.

Who might enjoy the approach?

The book may appeal to adults who already like yoga and want to explore body awareness, relaxation and communication in the context of a relationship. Movement can be a shared experience, but partners do not need to be flexible or able to perform difficult postures to feel close. Comfort, choice and consent matter far more than attempting the most photogenic stretch.

Can yoga improve intimacy?

Yoga can offer an opportunity to slow down, move with awareness and pay attention to breathing. Some people find that helpful for stress or self-confidence. It would be misleading, however, to promise that a specific pose will treat sexual dysfunction or guarantee better sex. Persistent pain, concerns about sexual function or distress in a relationship deserve individual attention from a qualified clinician or therapist.

How should readers approach the routines?

Begin with accessible movements, respect each person’s range of motion and avoid stretches that cause pain. The NCCIH overview of yoga emphasizes that yoga is generally safe when practised appropriately, but strains and sprains are possible. A gentle class may be a better foundation than following an ambitious routine from an unfamiliar book.

Can you still buy this book?

Sexy Yoga is an older title, and current listings are chiefly second-hand copies. Stock varies by seller.

Book: Sexy Yoga by Ellen Barrett
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