Hey all, ive been lurking here for a while but havent done much posting. This is going to be my 6th week of LCing... And its going okay.. ive had about a 13 pound loss. And im enjoying the lifestyle thus far.

ANYWAY, twice this week ive gone out to dinner and had chicken salads.. however.. I CHEATED and had "crispy" chicken salads... once at IHOP(surprisingly excellent salad and it was huge) and once at Red Robin. Now besides that, ive been stickin to the LC. Now i dont think ive lost this week, but thats OK. I had 2 very enjoyable dinners out.

So i just was wondering.. like how big of a cheat is this? Is it better to just have a real "cheat" than do this like dodging game?...

Someone knock some sense into me! please....I know this isnt the worst thing i could do, but i could have gotten a grilled chicken salad...

but getting breaded feels like sticking to the LC even though im cheating..... So........ okay

I dunno this is kinda random topic, BUT... i just needed to share.. I dont want 2 crispy chicken salads to turn into chicken strips and then chicken sandwiches, and then... im NO Longer LCing!

Hey there

I wouldn't feel too guilty about it- I have had KFC and other breaded meat a couple of times in my 10 weeks on this WOE and- 40 lbs lost as of this morning!

However- eating stuff like that will probably slow down your weight loss, and you have to be careful not to let it lead to- horrors- a chicken sandwich!! I find the trick is to not feel guilty about what you have eaten, but realize there are consequences to your actions- like slower weight loss.

Judging by what I've read in the book and from other LCers stories, 13 pounds is very little weight loss for six weeks. Folks in your bracket tend to lose around 15-20 in the first couple Induction weeks. Even I lost about ten pounds in my first two weeks. You may want to take a look at your habits and make sure you're getting enough water, not taking in too much salt, etc.

Also, a huge salad is not good for an Atkins dieter, because even vegetables carry a small amount of carbs that really add up when you pile it all into a salad bowl. Plus your dressing may have sugar, corn syrup, milk, or several other high-carb ingredients. Restaraunt salads aren't quite the foolproof choice, unfortunately. And when you add breaded chicken, it's not unlikely that you'll switch your body back to it's original glucose-burning metabolism.

I would recommend going back to Induction for a few days to clear out all those carbs, then you might want to re-read the "fine print" about some ingredients Atkins recommends avoiding.

Good luck and keep us posted!

Yes, i think you have a very good point...

Thanks for the advice!

I think your weight loss is great and dont think you should have lost more...no one can guage what is the normal amt of weight loss for you. I've only lost 15lbs so far and I've been on this since June. Whatever you're doing is working for you. When your weight loss slows down or stops then yes you will need to reevaulate your eating habits but a big CONGRaTS on what you've accomplished thus far.

I also disagree about your weight loss being slow. I've been on Atkins for 74 days and have only lost 7 pounds (with NO cheats whatsoever) BUT....the inches are coming off very nicely. It's not all about the scale. I have finally learned that as I slid nicely into my jeans last night for the first time this year.

Just make your choices wisely for your own body. If you feel the breaded is going to slow you down--next time eat the grilled and see if you happen to lose more when choosing that kind.

Good luck!
"T"

My personal mantra is "I will not obsess over every carb, this is a WOE not a crash diet."

I live at college, dining hall food is not always helpful. Every single thing the other day was breaded. Chicken, eggplant, chicken wings, it was like a conspiracy. I ate it anyway, cause I had to! I had had a good day otherwise, and didn't obsess.

Despite the inevitable trip-ups, I still feel that i'm reaping the full benefits of this lifestyle, my clothes are getting looser, my attention and energy levels are nice and steady, my sleep schedule is regular (till midterms). It depends on your plan... If you're adhering strictly to Atkins induction or something, that was not a good idea. If you're like me, just trying to do the best I can (and suceeding nicely, albeit slowly), chalk it up to experience or a momentary lapse in willpower and hop back on. Do NOT get caught up in the Guilt-coaster! Not worth it :|

I eat breaded chicken all the time ( fried chicken, nuggets, fingers, wings, etc...). On the days I chose to eat it I watch the rest of my carbs pretty close ( I norrmally eat between 40-50 a day).
So don't worry about it hidees13, you didn't cheat :-)

I don't think you are losing slowly at all, I think you are doing a great job!!!!
I also dont think a big salad is any problem either. I have two medium salads every day, and I believe that is by far fine for induction on atkins!! Watch what you put on it, (no croutons) but tomatoes, mushrooms, shredded cheese, broc. etc... are acceptable!!!
Good luck, you are doing great!!!

Heidi
Ps....hey ATKINS05, we have the same salad thingy!!!!!!!!

thanks to everyone. thats what i love about this place. brightens my day!

The breading would have added a few grams of carbs, and I personally would try not to make a habit of it... but it's not the end of the world.

It's easy to obsess over every little carb, but it's also easy to start down the slope... for ME, anyway, a little here, a little there, and I'm on a free-for-all before I know what hit me.

I agree about being aware but not obsessive about your breaded chicken adventure. I also agree about some of the finer points being a help or a hindrance for me sometimes.

If you really love chicken salad (who doesn't?), I make a wicked good fried chicken salad (or chicken nuggets) with our old reliable pork rinds as breading. My kids say these are the best chicken nuggets in the world, which is high praise coming from a 5 & 6 year old.

I also love non-breaded cubed chicken breast sauteed in some pesto and thrown on some great spinach or lettuce---yum! I top it with some homemade croutons made with LC bread cubes, olive oil, and Greek seasoning.
Hang in there!

Hey Lucky..

those are some great ideas.. I need to try the pork rinds breading method. I like salads but anything on the salad makes it such a treat. And what a great idea making croutons with low carb bread...

thanks!

Just a little info. I do not know about the crispy chicken strips, since IHOP states on the website they don't carry that information but I emailed them.

Someone mentioned breaded KFC.
So here is the count on 1 breaded crispy breast at KFC: 19 g carbs.

And here a Crispy Ranch Bacon Salad ~ MickyD's,(altho not as big as IHOPS):

20 G for the salad and 4 for *1 packet of dressing, so say 24 G carb.

Now the ingredients in these breadings are scarey lol

Here's the list for the Chicken at McDonald's:

Crispy Chicken Breast Filet: Boneless skinless chicken breast filet with rib meat containing up to 19.5% of a solution of water, seasoning (salt, spices and spice extractive), sodium phosphates. Battered and breaded with wheat flour, water, modified corn starch, salt, spice, dried egg white, wheat gluten, and leavening (sodium acid pyrophosphate, sodium bicarbonate, monocalcium phosphate). Breading set in vegetable oil. Cooked in partially hydrogenated vegetable oils, (may contain partially hydrogenated soybean oil and/or partially hydrogenated corn oil and/or partially hydrogenated canola oil and/or cottonseed oil and/or sunflower oil and/or corn oil). TBHQ and citric acid added to help preserve freshness. Dimethylpolysiloxane added as an anti-foaming agent

i am starting back today on strict induction, yesterday i just didnt feel good... i was eating to much carbs.. I was sticking with all low carb foods (minus the breaded chicken) but eating to much of it..

so far today, scrambled eggs, 2 sausage pattys and ice water....