Hi there. I'm doing the Zone diet at the moment, but I'd like to cut back a little more on my carbs. I was thinking of giving Atkins a go, but I was wondering if I could make a few changes while in the induction phase. I can't bring myself to eat a lot of the fatty stuff, and I've never really eaten that many eggs. Would it hurt if I used egg subsitute, and low fat cheese in the fritattas and such? I'm fine with eating boiled eggs because that's only a couple, but for the big stuff I'd like to use egg substitute. Thoughts?

I hate eggs so I didn't eat them and had no problems with this diet. Why bother with fritattas at all? There are plenty of low-carb foods -- just eat something else that you like. You aren't going to stick with this long term if you are trying to force yourself to eat things you don't like.

Atkins is a high-fat diet. In fact, the more fat you eat, the more weight you will lose. Missie is right about low-fat stuff having more carbs – the extra carbs come from added sugar! Stay away from low-fat if you want to do Atkins.

On the other hand, if you're interested in low-carb AND low-fat, you might look into the South Beach Diet. I hear it is a low-fat version of Atkins.

Thanks for the input. Don't get me wrong, I'm not about to eat something I don't like. I actually love fritattas because they hold in the fridge for a couple of days and reheat great. I do like eggs so there isn't a problem there either. I was just wondering if I could use egg substitute. I know a lot of low fat foods are high in carbs, and I tend to say away from them.

TX,

As a past Zoner and current Atkins follower, have you considered dropping a block of carbs and adding a block of fat? That should help lower your carbs to Atkins maint. level--a very heathy place to be!

I beleive that there is nothing more heaty than the Zone diet with ultra refined fish oil supplements. It's just a bit too labor intensive for me.

I found that the appetite suppression with Atkins was most helpful; on the other hand, I was often slightly hungry on the Zone, despite eating 90% veggies and fruits as carbs (4 block system).

HTH

my only advice on the low fat part is my own experience. I too did a pretty low fat to start with and found I was very tired! my energy didn't increase untill I increased my fat. I also found My skin totally dried out and I had to drink a ton of water!!

I found it best to slowly start introducing fat into my diet and I started to feel good immediatly!! now I don't even count the fat anymore I just stick to the diet and feel good ( and have tons more energy)

anyway I would seriously consider this and read the atkins book and see why he says you need the fat!!

good luck

Well, I got most of my fats from good sources, Butter Olive oil, dressings, avocado's, cheddar cheese.

I have never been one for greasy/fatty meat and it worked fine fo rme, I'm below goal.
Good Luck Kathy

Txang72,Fat is the about the only way to keep your calories up on Atkins!

Look through the Best of forum or do some searches and you will find a lot of information there.
I believe one link is ..Confused and scared to eat Fat,

There is so much information here that members have researched for us for the last few years, you just need to do a little searching. When I have some more time I will come back and paste a few threads in for you!
Good Luck!

If you modify the Atkins plan by cutting fats, you are really just using a regular old low-calorie plan. The physiology of Atkins works because of the fat levels and when that changes, you really aren't on Atkins. I do think that you need to do whatever type eating plan works for you....... But you really won't benefit from Atkins while cutting the fats. Just look for fat you like to eat and stay away from foods you do not like.

Orchid

Thanks to everyone for their advice! I think I'm just gonna dive in and start the induction this Sunday. I'll be attempting to follow the sample menu plan from the Atkins website because well.........since it's pretty much just there for the following! My only alteration would be eating fish because Lent just happens to start next week, and I give up all meat except fish for Lent.

Make it a fatty fish like salmon!!!

If you aren't interested in high fat Atkins, then you could try the South Beach Diet (SBD...I always thought that stood for silent but deadly, oh well!!!). SB is a lower fat version of Atkins (with a few more modifications, apparently).

I read a bit about SB, but I think I'm gonna go with Atkins and see what happens. Oh, I LOVE Salmon..........BUT I can't eat it every day for the next six weeks! I can't eat anything everyday for six weeks! I usually eat a variety of fish during Lent, so I'm thinking it won't be a problem during Induction and then moving into phase 2. We shall see.

Okay, I've done it. Day one of induction is upon me. I thought of waiting until Sunday or Monday, but of course there's no time like the present! Went out this morning and bought the Atkins shake mix and baking mix and have been following the induction menu (well, I've only had breakfast, but I'm having lunch and dinner from the menu as well.)

Suppliments. What's recommended? Can I take a regular multi-vitamin? I'm not to concerned with fish oil because I only eat fish during Lent.

For the first 2 weeks you might want ot stay away from shakes, bars, and baked items and stick with just the foods found on the induction list of ok foods. It's different for everyone, but more lose better that way.

Take a regular multivitamin, just make sure there are no added starches, sugars and so on. Weather or not to use iron depends on how much you get form your diet. Calcium, magnesium and pottasium amay also be needed. After tha tit's jsut what you feel you need or want to try