Food Choice Test and John's Successful Transformation into a Vegetarian

**Make the right choice**

Assuming equivalent consumption, which of the following food pairs will have a smaller impact on blood sugar?

1. Breakfast

a. Dried plums or plums

b. Yogurt or farmhouse cheese

c. Whole wheat toast or croissants

d. An orange or orange juice

e. Oatmeal porridge or oatmeal paste

f. Outer layer of wheat bran or corn bran

8. Skim milk or whole milk

2. Lunch

a. Pea soup or tomato soup

b. Thin, crisp biscuits made from rye bread or stone-ground flour.

c. Derby cabbage salad sold in kimchi or delicatessens

d. A fruit cocktail or a red orange

e. Roasted green beans or lentils

f. Cheddar cheese or full-fat ice cream

3. Dinner

a. Tender green beans and chestnuts or tender green beans and water chestnuts

b. Eggplant or carrot

c. Snow peas or green peas

d. Sweet potato or pumpkin

e. wine or beer

4. Snacks

a. Peanuts or walnuts

b. Roasted pumpkin seeds or roasted soybeans

C. Dried apricots or raisins

d. Rice flour cake or popcorn

**Answer**

1. Breakfast

a. Plums b. Farmhouse cheese c. Whole wheat toast d. An orange e. Oatmeal f. Outer layer of wheat bran g. Whole milk

2. Lunch

a. Tomato soup b. Rye bread c. Pickles d. Oranges e. Piper f. Cheddar cheese

3. Dinner

a. Young green beans and water chestnuts b. Eggplant c. Snow peas d. Pumpkin e. Wine (preferably dry wine)

4. Snacks

a. Walnuts b. Roasted pumpkin seeds c. Dried apricots d. Popcorn

**A glimmer of hope has appeared.**

John Troy, a vegetarian, once worried that living the Atkins way would rob him of his religious faith. But what he regained was health and something just as important as his faith: inner peace.

As a vegetarian, I always eat dairy-okra or vegan food, sometimes with a little fish. I've been going in and out of that lifestyle for almost 20 years. I run a company that sells natural foods.

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Like many in this field, I am part of the New Age food culture, which connects the spirit with food. I also believe that eating meat can cause health problems as one gets older.

Sometimes a vegetarian diet works for me, but as I get older, I'm gradually gaining weight. I've been eating a lot of pasta and other grains, as well as honey and soy.

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When I was around 50, vegetarianism no longer worked for me; my metabolism changed.

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My health suddenly deteriorated. My osteoarthritis worsened, my blood pressure rose, and I began experiencing chest pain. I suffered from sleep apnea-sometimes as many as eight times a night. It would occur every time I went to bed. I also had to endure the torment of depression.

I rely on medication to maintain my health, but there seems to be no hope for a full recovery. The doctor says arthritis is incurable and will only get worse.

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To make matters worse, the medication I was taking to control my arthritis caused me to develop ulcers. At the same time, the doctor treating my sleep apnea wanted me to use a monitor while I slept.

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At that time, I was building a new house and had to make sure that wheelchairs could move around in all the rooms-I thought I would be using a wheelchair soon.

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Honestly, I think it would be best to die now, otherwise, in such terrible physical condition, I simply cannot enjoy life.

In terms of diet, my initial approach to dealing with my health crisis was to stop eating all fat. Unfortunately, that did not do me any good and actually caused me to gain weight.

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Because I feel constantly hungry, my weight keeps increasing. I can't stay up overnight without eating something from the refrigerator. I forced myself to start walking, but even that didn't help.

Five years ago, I realized I had become dependent on sugar and gradually moved away from vegan diets.

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Friends in the natural food community suggested I look into Atkins' approach, but I objected because I love animals and I'm not a violent person. I prefer to enjoy inner peace rather than abandon this belief.

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I've consciously reduced the sugar content in my food. Just three years ago, I read *Dr. Atkins' New Diet Revolution*, which brought about a significant change in my life. I understand life!

Adopting the Atkins method was difficult at first, but the weight loss phase really worked for me. My crazy cravings for sweets disappeared completely.

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The endless leg cramps I used to suffer from are now a thing of the past. Previously, when I lay in bed at night, I would feel nerve spasms in my legs that radiated throughout my body.

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After receiving Atkins therapy, the spasms were replaced by a sense of peace, and I never had a relapse.

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Inner peace is a state of being found in all religious beliefs and meditations.

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My motivation for becoming a vegetarian was the pursuit of peace of mind and body, and I achieved this by adopting the Atkins method.

In the first few months after starting the Atkins method, my symptoms gradually disappeared. Under my doctor's supervision, I weaned off the medications and now rely on nutritional supplements instead. It took me two and a half years to lose weight.

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Even now, I keep my sugar intake at a very low level. I feel different if I eat more than 50 grams of sugar a day.

A year and a half ago, the doctor performed an MRI on me, and my arthritis was completely cured. A year ago, I also bought gymnastics equipment and started regular gymnastics exercises.

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I persisted in seeing the doctor, and his questions changed from "Are you still eating those strange foods?" to "You have to keep doing it no matter what, because it's working for you."

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My blood pressure is normal now, I sleep very soundly, and I even look younger and feel younger than I did 10 years ago!

As an entrepreneur, I've also become younger. I have more energy to dedicate to my business, which in turn gives me more energy to travel. I develop new products for various natural food companies. My company makes low-sugar spicy condiments and a variety of sauces.

It's been a pleasure to combine my interest in food with my appreciation for this new lifestyle. It's my duty to share my experience with those struggling with a sweet tooth and seeking a healthy and peaceful life.

**John's Reasons for Success**

◎Master the science: By understanding why and how the Atkins method works, you can outmaneuver those who challenge your lifestyle.

◎Focus on the clean food you can eat right now, rather than what you've given up.

Atkins Sugar Balance Value: 50

Age: 63

Height: 1.91 meters

Weight before receiving Atkins therapy: 127 kg

Weight after receiving Atkins therapy: 85 kg

Weight loss: 42 kg

Date of initiation of Atkins therapy: November 1999