I recently started Atkins and am coming up to the end of the induction phase tomorrow. Can someone post the list of foods you're supposed to add back into your diet each week? I only have a couple more pounds to go but it would be helpful.

Sounds like a trip to the library or drugstore to check out Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution is in order for you, Jordan! Borrowing the book is FREE and the mass market paperback is around $5-6. Worth EVERY penny, too!

Jimmy, I am a big fan of yours. I have read your entire blog and I own your book. I have now joined your forum and believe that you are an excellent teacher; howver, if you respond only with references to buy the books, you are doing your forum posters a disservice. Yes, by all means refer to the books, but please also consider posting a sample list in answer to questions like this.


OWL involves very slowly adding carbs back into your diet by 5 grams at a time. You stay at each level for a while to see how your body reacts.
In Dr. Atkins' New Diet Revolution, he listed the following as a few suggestions:

ALmonds - 15 for 4 grams
Walnuts - 1 oz for 4 grams
Asparagus - 6 spears for 5 gr.
mushrooms - 10 small for 4 gr
cooked tomato - .5 c. for 5 gr.

There are many sources at there that provide food info such as grams per serving size. Good luck.

Good point, Eva!

Here are my suggestions: eat more non-starchy veggies (green leafy are the best, especially my favorite--SPINACH LEAVES!!!), nuts like almonds and macadamias, seeds, some cheese, in the weeks after Induction. Then transition as the weight loss comes off to adding some low-glycemic fruits such as blueberries, strawberries, and melons.

The key is to keep the variety in your low-carb diet so you're never bored. If you ever have a question about a specific food, then don't hesitate to ask. We're all here to help!

Although, Eva, I do think it is important for people who are new to Atkins to at least read his book to know what he wrote about this diet. People who actually study what Dr. Atkins prescribed are often shocked by what they see...in a good way. That's why it is important for people to READ THE BOOK!

Now that's a Livin LaVida LowCarb answer!

Ooooh, I forgot about that ladder, sjm! GREAT REMINDER and PERFECT for this discussion.

Still finding my way with this forum thing, Liz, so we'll get there.

THANKS Taoschick! I couldn't agree more which is why I responded the way I did initially. You cannot underestimate the importance of getting good education as the foundation of your low-carb lifestyle. What better way than by reading the books by the heros of this way of eating--Atkins, Eades, Banting, Sears, Agatston, etc.

Taoschick and Jimmy:

That has been my favorite aspect of livin' la vida low carb, the control, the power to know what foods do to my body and then act accordingly. People always say, how do you stay so disciplined? It's not that, it's just that I feel bad when I eat certain things, and I'm vain! I'm in this to feel good!

Whew, you guys have certainly inspired me to get my Atkins books back out, dust them off and have another read. I had forgotten how valuable "all" the info they contain is. Again Jimmy, I am sooooo glad you started this forum and think it will be a beacon for many existing and future LC'rs. I have long been an avid reader and fan of your blog but this is amazing. Charles, I find your input very interesting and informative and look forward to more of it in the future as well. Pat

Charles, you and I have got to be long lost brothers or something because I LOVE your perspective, man. You are DEAD ON about the discipline...if I had any of that, then I wouldn't have ever gotten to 410 pounds!

I've blogged about this subject before stating that it's not about having willpower, but rather a steadfast resolve to make better choices than I ever have before. Like you said, livin' la vida low-carb makes you FEEL good and that's because it is just about as healthy as you can eat.

I was just on the radio earlier today for an interview with a local station about my weight loss story and the host was talking about how he ate all these fat free foods like fat-free cheese, skim milk, etc. and I told him how unhealthy it was to eat that way. The silence after I said that was deafening! LOL! I then explained why and he started to realize fat is not your enemy. Progress...one person at a time.

THANKS Patricia! That's why I'm here and I hope to be "here" for a very long time.

Hey Jimmie:

I didn't see your reply -- I definitely don't have discipline. I certainly do not leave my table feeling like, oh, I want some more food. I'm sure I eat fewer calories at a lower weight, but I can tell you that I'm not very conscious of it. Give me some grilled steak, some vegetables sauteed in olive oil, some good seasonings, and I'm there! Not to mention, a small bowl of Breyers Carb Smart Butter Pecan ice cream immediately after.

The best part is, I have no shame!!!!!!