Atkins is a high fat diet. You need the fat. It's where energy comes form, whre satisfaction (being full) comes from,a nd what tells your body it's ok to lose weight.
As for the sticks, a dark color could mean dehydration. Sausages are extreamly high in salts, and could of dehydrated you somewhat. Don't bother trying to shoot for a darker color. As long as there is any color change, you are in ketosis.
My suggestion would be to cut out the processed salty foods, or at least cut way down on them. I know you don't normally eat them. Start eating higher fat as well. Many lose fastest on induction wehn thier calories from fat are around 70% of the total.
www.fitday.com is a good way to keep track of this. Everyone has a different level of fat they lose best on, but you should be shooting for at least 60% of calories from fat.
Ways to increase that (I eat alot of skinless chicken breast as well because it's cheap) is with oils. Use olive oil on salads and on veggies, use butter on veggies as well. Try adding salmon in place of the tuna from time to time. It is very high in heart healthy fats. It also has less problems associated with mucury poisoning. Eat an avacado or 1/2 of one as a snack, it's another heart healthy fat source. Suppliment with flax, fish, or coconut oil.
Atkins states outright in his book and on his web site that a low fat version of his plan will not work. If you absolutely can't stomach the fat, then maybe look into one of the lower fat more moderate carb plans such as south beach, the zone, or protien power (it's only slightly higher in carbs then Atkins).