What in the name of God is a nitrate? Why do we need to avoid them on Atkins? And how do you know if your meat is cured in them? I have a stick of pepperoni w/ no carbs and nitrate is not listed, is it safe to eat a few slices? Also why is sodium intake imporatant?

This is my understanding on it. Atkins is more than just loosing weight. It is a diet for life. A way to improve our overall health. Many of the things in his book are just good health advise and not all relate directly to loosing weight.
Now the Sodium will cause you to retain water so its best to keep you sodium levels down.
The Nitrates, I believe you find that under sodium-nitrate. Is a food preservative and is just not good for you. Studies linking it to cancer, that kind of stuff.
Unfortunately Nitrate free bacon is very expensive and hard to find, so most of us just get the kind that has it anyway.

Its long suspected of causing stomach cancer. http://www.cspinet.org/reports/food.htm Good enough reason for me....Cindy

Ok now that I know what is it...how do you know if the meat is cured withit or not? I have a stick of peperroni that says nitrite but not nitrate is that the same thing?

Hiya Ozzy...
You should avoid Nitrates and Nitrites...both linked to certain cancer types.

Many here eat bacon from the grocery store...which has it. But they all limit this intake greatly just to be safe.

You can also try to find alternative products to use that do not have it, if possible.

Not sure if it can cause a stall or not...perhaps those more informed on this topic could help with that?

Pepperoni: Check to be sure that that pepperoni has NO SUGAR too...If none...then you should be able to eat it.

Sodium: (Salt)...RDA is set at 2400mg...it would be great if you could keep an eye on it and make sure you don't pass that mark...as it can cause water retention and thus stall weight loss...and make you feel bloated and yucky!

Good luck and best wishes;
Jake

Click on that link on my last post,scroll down , it tells you about it.... Cindy