We are actually told to eat all the foods we had to stay far away from for so long. I started just 6 1/2 weeks ago, 17.5 lbs down and wont know total inches until May 4th (Im waiting a month). I feel better than I have in 20 years, more alert, more energy. I have heard so many negatives from so many people when I say Im eating the Atkins way. Could care less what people think, it works for me. Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, low fat diets, done alot of them, they all suck, was hungry all the time. Im never really hungry now, cravings are few and far between and I really feel in control. Thats not to say the first three days werent hell but when number four rolled around it was awesome. Try hard for two weeks, give yourself that much time and your fear may just dissappear. Good Luck!