Hi all!

I've been researching Atkins for a couple weeks now, and today was my first day on induction! As a former sugar addict who has lived on fresh fruits and vegetables for the last 5 years, I feel a bit funny eating all this meat and fatty stuff. Well, hopefully this diet will work! My weight has always fluctutated 20-30 lbs despite my supposedly "healthy" lifestyle. I am really encouraged to read all of your success stories!

I have a few questions for all of you about induction foods: (sorry, this is kind of long, but I couldn't find the answers anywhere else)

1. I know that the point of Atkins is to reduce cravings and to teach us that we do not need refined sugars and high carbs in our diets. However, are there any allowed desserts or sweet things that we can eat in induction? The book was a little vague about what was allowed, and I read on other threads that you guys don't think the shakes are a good idea.

So... my question is about the following foods:

* Sugar-free jello. It's only got 1g of carbs. Is that allowed? Atkins' book says gelatin is allowed, but what about jello?

* Is whipped cream allowed? It is absolutely my favorite dessert in the whole world, and if this was allowed, I would be so happy...

* What about other desserts? All those low-carb recipes for cheesecake and stuff sounds so yummy. Are they only for OWL and not for induction?

2. Are pork rinds allowed? They sound absolutely disgusting to me, but I find myself continuously hungry even after eating tons of meat and eggs and cream cheese.

3. Back to the whipped cream.... for OWL, is it allowed only in small quantities or in any quantity? Carb count is low... and as I mentioned before, you would really make my day if you tell me that this is an "allowed" food!

4. Are foods with aspartame to be avoided completely, even in OWL?

Thank you all!! I really appreciate it. You guys give great advice and support each other, and I am so glad to have found this forum!

--runnerlady

Hello Hello Hello!

1. Jello and whipping cream: You should avoid Jello brand because of aspertame, you can get Jolly Rancher sugar free that are made with splenda. I don't like the green ones though. Whipping cream should be limited, do not add sugar. Some people mix their up with Splenda. My opinion is that you should avoid all sweet treets during induction to retrain your taste buds and break all sugar and carb addictions. It's tough at first but it is worth it. Shakes aren't bad if they are low carb ones, but just as a snack or an accompaniment to breakfast once in a while, don't use them as a meal replacement.

Save the low carb recipes for after induction. Some people, like me have a problem with even low carb treats in that they can't have just one. Wait until you have broken your carb addiction and then try a small one like the famous mock danish recipe in our recipes section. If it makes you want more and more, then you know it will be a problem for you.

2. Pork rinds that don't have added sugars are allowed. Watch out for the salt content, too much salt makes some people retain water.

If you are still hungry, try eating several small meals a day, and adding extra fats like butter to your green veggies, and olive oil to your salad. You are getting 20 grams of carbs from good green veggies aren't you?

3. Cream has what??? 12 carbs a cup? You can check at fitday. Cream is still limited to 3 oz. I think check book or atkinscenter for details.

If something tastes too good to you, and you can't limit it, you may have an addiction to it, which can only be cured by avoiding those foods.

4. Aspertame is to be avoided as well as partially hydrogenated trans-fatty acids because of known and suspected health risks associated with the use of them. Aspertame has been word of mouth claimed to slow or stall weight loss. Trans fatty acids are found in margarines and many processed foods like bars. Avoid at all costs.

I wish you the best of luck!

Beth

Hi Runnerlady,
I wanted to add in a few days your continous hunger should be gone, and some of your desire for sweets will probably go with it.

I would encourage you to eat natural foods and have meals of protein and vegetables. These will fill you up and ward off cravings.

Also, when I'm in losing mode I drink a lot more water, over 3 liters a day.