I am starting Induction all over again. I have been low-crabing for 5 years on and off and was doing great till a couple months ago when I went off the diet and gained 13 lbs.

What I find hard is to create a varied and interesting menu plan for the Induction phase.

Also I am a bit confused, is it okay to sustitute low-carb bars and shakes for meals/snacks when you get sick of meat and eggs all the time? Seems to me most calories should come from fresh foods rather than processed/bottled etc. products even if they are low-carb.

Also is it okay to have the Atkins Endulgence candy bars (label claims only 2 grams effective carb count, minus the Sugar Alcohols) as a bi or tri-weekly treat while on Induction?
Or should these be avoided all togetehr until on Ongoing Weight Loss?

Thanks so much for the advice!

Hi Kendra,

I just started up again too, and I have been LCing off and on for a while.

Most people agree that for at least the 2 weeks of Induction you should avoid the LC shakes and bars. They can mess up the "start" of the Atkins plan.

After that it is a YMMV (Your Mileage May Vary) Kind of thing. I've heard around forum that there can be "hidden carbs" in the bars. I know that when I eat them regularly they slow me down, or even stall me. When I've got a "Can't be beat" craving for sweet, I'll have a third or a half bar--that seems to work for me. But when I find myself having them 3 or 4 times a week, then my weight loss stops or stalls.

I completely avoid the "Endulgence" Bars. I tried them several times and I'm such a chocolate addict that I can't stop with half a bar--sometimes I can't stop with one. Confession time, I guess Once I had 4 Endulgence Bars and I ate all four

Try meat and cheese rolls; celery w/cream cheese; chicken or tuna salad w/pork rinds (even if you don't like them, you don't really taste them under the good stuff but they do satisfy the urge to crunch ). I eat lots of salads on Induction: Lettuce and chicken, Lettuce and Tuna, Lettuce and cut up steak or pork-chop. Try rolling meat, tuna salad, etc. in salad for that "sandwich-roll" effect.

I hope some of the suggestions help a little

Thanks so much for your help and advice.