Hi there and welcome....
You do have lots of questions...I agree with Mischa...Atkins apparently works very well for insulin resistance...
As for the calories...just eat until satisfied...no need to stuff yourself trying to get you calories up to where you thinkthey should be...I tried to increase my calories, and gained a bit...so have cut them back again...whatever works for you
I am a strong believer in Atkins...did it years ago and lost a great amount of weight...but as with all of us, strayed from the path and here I am again.
There are many, many recipes here...the mock mashed potatoes, yummm. Pizza quiche...again...yum...
I don't know what the price of groceries is in your area...I live in Canada...but Atkins relies on meat, eggs, cheese, fish...salads and low carb veggies...
I have trouble digesting meat, so have to force myself to eat it, but live on many of the other recipes.
Hope you find what you need...and feel free to visit my journal...
Take care