I'm new to the low carb dieting, but I recall reading somewhere that during Induction of Atkins you shouldn't eat any of the meats containing sodium nitrate. Is this true? I've tried to find pepperoni and salami, but they all have sodium nitrate. So does the bacon. Any help would really be appreciated since these are some of the things that I would love to be able to enjoy.
Also, I was a serious soda drinker prior to this. I'm drinking strictly water now and have been since I started a little over a week ago, but is it okay to have caffiene free diet coke or dr. pepper? I wouldn't mind just having a little every once in a while to kick the craving for carbonation.