Pre-moving to Maine, I was seeing a doctor and sticking to a modified Atkins. No whites - no flour, sugar, bread, potato (white), pasta, etc. I could have unlimited fresh fruit and vegetables. Also included yogurt (unsweetened), cottage cheese, 12 oz of protein daily. I averaged a loss of three lbs/week. And despite eating eggs and red meat daily, my cholesterol dropped from over to 200 to 150. Whole grains were allowed in small quantities - oatmeal, fresh corn, etc - but only when I had to have some or go nuts.

For me, bread, chips, pasta and pizza are comfort foods. When I am down or stressed, I inhale huge quantities. It triggers a "full" high and equal low which triggers eating more carbs. Then I am off and running.