A few Atkins Questions - Low Carb Discussion Forum

Kristy25

Sep 15 2007, 8:15am

Hi,

I have a few questions about Atkins Induction but don't have a book yet. However I have read on the website about it and was wondering if it was 20 Net Carbs or just 20 carbs in total? Also wondering if Diet Coke was a no-no on Induction?

I was also wondering if someone could tell me how to get the Net Carbs, as I have no idea how to do it

Thanks

Low Carb Discussion Forum

LindaSue

Sep 15 2007, 10:34am

According to the Atkins books and website, you can subtract the fiber and count net carbs. I would not subtract sugar alcohols, or at least not during induction. To calculate net carbs you subtract the fiber grams from the total carbs for whatever food you're eating. Either look on the package or you can look up just about any food on the USDA site.

If you don't have any problems with aspartame or caffeine, diet Coke should be fine.

Fitlanta

Sep 15 2007, 11:21am

Kristy, it's going to depend on how you individually react to foods, but I want to add that I only subtract fiber from vegetables. I don't subtract fiber in non-vegetables.

CindySue54

Sep 15 2007, 12:47pm

Agreeing with the above....but will also add my theory. A part of induction, to me, is getting over the need for sweet and to "reset" your taste buds. So, to me, limiting all sweet foods, even those with artificial sweeteners (AS) is a good thing. If you can't eliminate, at least limit.

There are many people who are sensitive to the sweet taste almost as much as the actual sugar. Many of us show insulin spikes with AS, even tho there is no sugar there....and this in turn can lead to a drop in blood sugar, which can lead to hunger and cravings.

But, even if you're not sensitive, eliminating the sweet taste is a good thing. Most of us are desensitized to sweet taste and foods that are overly sweet are not sweet enough or "normal" to us. Getting rid of the taste for a while allows your taste buds to "reset" and act more normal, so when you do have something sweet a "normal" sweetness is enough.

Jimmy Moore

Sep 15 2007, 12:51pm

I've drank diet sodas from day one and have NEVER had an issue with them. But that was just me. As for the net carbs question, that's all I've ever counted, but you might want to be careful when you first begin. Keep it to 20g of TRUE carbs until your body adjusts to burning fat for fuel. GREAT QUESTIONS, Kristy!

Kristy25

Sep 16 2007, 2:18am

Thanks Everyone for your help.......again

I can't wait to get my Atkins book off Ebay. I think I am going to stick with the Diet Coke for now but limit it a little like CindySue suggested and try to drink at least 2 big bottles of water a day.

Jimmy Moore

Sep 16 2007, 12:52pm

Try to get the diet sodas with Splenda in them and NOT aspartame if you can.

gettinitright

Sep 16 2007, 1:04pm

Hi Everyone,

I have a quick question for the group. I am starting my second week of Induction. Things are going great, but I am having mild headaches.

I am drinking about 12 8-ounce glasses of water a day, taking a good multivitamin, and by my calculations am eating enough calories each day (between 2000 and 2500).

I have also cut out any processed meats that have nitrites, since they seem to trigger migraines in my situation.

Thanks!

Jimmy Moore

Sep 16 2007, 1:42pm

Hey gettinitright, I had those when I first started on Atkins back in 2004, too. The headaches are a good sign that you are coming off of caffeine and sugar--I know it sucks right now, but you're doing your body good in the long term.

The headaches should subside within a month at the most. HANG IN THERE!

gettinitright

Sep 16 2007, 2:53pm

So my body is basically going through a process of detoxification, as it was?

And my body is in shock since it is no longer getting refined carbs, (aka white crap).

Ok, I think I can handle that. A little Tylenol chaser with my meals has been helping.

Thanks!

Evainemage1

Sep 16 2007, 2:59pm

getitright, One other consideration is if you have significantly dropped your caffeine intake? It is easy when you first drop sugar from your diet to also reduce caffeine, since sweetened teas and coffee and soda and chocolate are not drunk anymore. Just a thought.

Iggykatt

Sep 16 2007, 3:40pm

QUOTE (Kristy25 @ Sep 15 2007, 06:15 AM)

Hi,

I have a few questions about Atkins Induction but don't have a book yet. However I have read on the website about it and was wondering if it was 20 Net Carbs or just 20 carbs in total? Also wondering if Diet Coke was a no-no on Induction?

I was also wondering if someone could tell me how to get the Net Carbs, as I have no idea how to do it

Thanks

I have been following Atkins for more than a year and I do the Net Carb and total carb thing. Let me explain...when it comes to vegetables I do the Net Carb thing. Ii am literally a rabbit and I always eat more vegetables then is recommended. I know a person can't get fat off lettuce. That is the only time I do the Net carbs...with everything else...a carb is a carb and I counted them towards my total.

I was a full sugar Coca Cola addict (look at my before picture and I have the evil red can sitting in front of me...I could drink a 12-pack in a day) so giving up my sodas was hard. I drink the diet sodas along with my water. I don't count them as my water intake. So I am literally floating by the end of the day because of all the water and soda I consume. The best sodas I have found is Coke Zero and Diet Sunkist (I wrote on my blog about the fights the kids and I were having over this stuff). You can also use Crystal Light and Sugar Free Kool Aid...the grape flavor rocks my socks!

Just pay attention to how your body reacts to certain foods. What may not cause a stall in some people may just stall you. Once you get used to this WOE...you will pretty much know what you can and cannot tolerate. It will become second nature!

gettinitright

Sep 16 2007, 4:00pm

Evainemage1, that was a good idea. I looked at my caffeine intake, and so far, I am drinking the same amount I was (mostly tea and coffee).

I am beginning to think the headaches (they aren't hideous), are a sign that my body is adjusting metabolically to this WOE and reduced processed carbs. They seem to be easing up with time--a little better each day.

I am planning to keep chugging along with Induction, and watching the weight continue to drop and my headaches lessen.