A Question for Atkins Experts re: Inductions and Veggies and Other Things

[BethR]

Hi All! (Karyn, Tracy! )

I have been getting all of my Atkins information from the web site, but sometimes it confusees me.
When I read the "Rules of Induction" it says no more than 3 cups of salad greens (loosely packed) per day. You can substitute 1 cup for 1 cup of veggies from the acceptable list.

Now when am reading the info, it says that you are limited to 20 carbs a day "most of which will come from veggies from the acceptable list." Now if I count my 3 cups of salad greens - it is 1.5 grams of carbs. Or even if I have a cup of tomatoes, it is a few more. But no where near 20 grams total. And when you read the menu for the first week of induction, it mentions salad - but does not give the measured sizes: http://atkins.com/Archive/2001/12/14-373858.html

ALSO, on the rules for Induction, it says NO NUTS. But in the recipe for the first day of induction it gives a recipe for Zucchini Nut bread. One of the ingredients is 1 cup of ground almonds.

Also it lists as a snack a low carb shake of one kind or another and sucrolose jello (where do you get this). Where does THIS fit in? I saw no mention of anything like that on the Acceptable list. (and if we are allowed these shakes, can anyone recommend good ones?)

I am confused. I am doing ok so far, but I am still confused when I read this stuff.

 

[scarlett873]

i'm confused about some things too...i've gathered info mainly from the website and friends also on the program...

one of my favorite things is jello...and if i can have sugar free jello during induction, i would be a much happier person!!

 

[Meriweather]

MY DH insists on his sf jello everyday!!
That's what keeps him on track. He would have quit if he couldn't have it.
He just started week 5 and is down 23 pounds!

 

[BethR]

Originally posted by Meriweather
MY DH insists on his sf jello everyday!!
That's what keeps him on track. He would have quit if he couldn't have it.
He just started week 5 and is down 23 pounds!

Sounds like he is having success eating his SF jello! What kind do you get? Do you get this "sucrulose" kind? Or just use the usual aspartame kind?

 

[Luvinit]

I will try and help...I don't think that induction is "black" and "white"...I think there are guidelines...and that is why there is sooooo much contridiction.

1st...No nuts...means you can't eat nuts out of the palm of your hand....the reciepe calls for 1 cup of really chopped nuts...and You are only allowed one muffin...so how many nuts are you really eating??? Now...I really think Macidamania nuts are okay FOR ME!!! I know it doesn't prevent me from being in ketosis. But everyone is different.

Beth...remember something...EVERYTHING you eat....unless it is pure beef, chicken, or Fish has Carbs. I know not everything lists it...but that is why you are ALLOWED 20 carbs...You don't have to HIT 20 carbs...my thought is the less carbs...the better.

So that being said...Salad...you are allowed 3 cups or 2 cups with an acceptable veggie. Thats it. only for 2 weeks...the idea is to PURGE your body of carbs. If I remember correctly...you shouldn't eat tomatoes on induction either. I know its on the "list". But you have to remember the idea of induction is to stay away from carbs by eating alot of protein and fat. I guess it depends on how "strict" you want to do induction. Remember Everyone is different!!...lol

Jello....You can have SF jello on Induction....I was and so was DH able to eat it with FULL FAT Reddi Whip. Yes Real Whip cream...not Cool Whip...This had no affect on ketosis...for a lot of people. Everyone is different....

NOW FOR A REAL TREAT on induction....Wovenwonder (jody)...when we were all doing Alex's Induction (PM me if you want the rules...but its not fun!!). She told us about a Rootbeer float. Rootbeer and HEAVY WHIPPING CREAM. Just about a tablesoon or so...I didn't like that much. Now you go get diet rite soda...(made with splenda)...in whatever flavors you like...You can use orange too, and make creamsicles. Add the heavy whipping cream...I swear on my kids...the rootbeer one....got me through induction!!!

My advice....do what YOU think is right...get the Ketosticks, after 3 or 4 days...you should see some pink on them...if you do...they you are doing induction right...(they may or maynot get darker). Once you see pink...then add the tomatoes one night..check the stick again the next night..if you are still pink..then tomatoes are okay for you.

EVERYBODY is Different!!!

Hope this helps...sorry its sooo long. I know how hard induction can be the first time around....Just stick it out..Pm me if you need to .!!!

{{{{{hugs}}}}

Tracy

 

[Meriweather]

Originally posted by BethR
Sounds like he is having success eating his SF jello! What kind do you get? Do you get this "sucrulose" kind? Or just use the usual aspartame kind?

I just get the Jell-o brand.
We live in a small town, so not a lot of choices.

He is now also REALLY enjoying his Carbolite bars

 

[dizneegirl]

Don't snack on nuts, if you can avoid them, in the first few weeks of induction.

The biggest thought behind those first 2 weeks is getting your body reset to use fat as fuel, rather than glucose. The closest you can stick to meats and acceptable veggies, the better... you're trying to wean yourself away from sweets, and stop the blood sugar peaks and valleys.

Does that mean you can never have nuts, sweets, etc., again? No. But for the first two weeks, you CAN live without them.

Fewer carbs are NOT better for you. You should come as close as you can to getting those 20 carbs... you'll feel better, and generally even lose better if you're eating the right foods, in the right amounts. Stick to the acceptable foods list as best you can. You can certainly eat more than 3 cups of salad, if you're sticking to the 20 carb limit, and you're hungry for more. Salad isn't going to make you fat. Really.

Be sure you're counting carbs in EVERYTHING. Eggs have carbs. Cream has carbs. Splenda has carbs. Coffee has carbs. Vanilla extract, spices and herbs have carbs. If your bacon or sausage has sugar as an ingredient, even if the package says 0g, it has carbs.

If you've got to go the sweet route... try the heavy cream in your favorite soda. The fat will help satisfy you while the taste satifies your sweet tooth. Don't buy Redi Whip... it contains sugar. Make your own whipped cream with some heavy cream, a little Splenda and vanilla extract, or some sugar-free DaVinci syrup in your favorite flavor (no carbs!)... sugar-free and much better for you. Doesn't take but a few minutes to whip up.

You'll do much better if you can avoid shakes, bars, sugar-free candy, etc. If you do have to resort to using them, read the labels carefully. EAS makes some pretty good low-carb ready-to-drink shakes, available at WalMart and other stores, with 2 effective carb grams (though, make sure you get the low-carb ones!)

You can eat regular sugar-free jello, if that's all you can find. Dr. Atkins recommended staying away from aspartame for health reasons, mainly. It's also easy to make your own aspartame-free jello, in any flavor you'd like...

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Lowcarb Creamy Jello:

zap 1 cup water in the microwave
stir in 2 packets Knox Gelatine (0 carbs)
stir in 1 packet KoolAid (many great flavors, pink lemonade is my favorite - 0 carbs)
add 2 cups cool water

<sweeten to taste>

stir in 1/3 cup DaVinci Vanilla Syrup (0 carbs)
stir in 1/4 tsp Stevia (liquid or powder or 1 cup equivalent sweetener, 0 carbs)
stir in 2/3 cup heavy cream (4 carbs)
cool 2 hrs, mix up again (cream tends to rise to the top)

This makes 4 cups of creamy jello and best of all, NO ASPARTAME.

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Soda Jello

1/4 cup water
1 pkt. unflavored gelatin
12 oz. diet soda

Put water in a small saucepan. Sprinkle gelatin over top, and let sit until gelatin is dissolved, and no dry spots are visible. Heat over low, stirring constantly until gelatin is thoroughly dissolved (about 3 min.). Remove from heat and stir in 12 oz. of diet soda. Pour into small bowl(s), and cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate until set.

I've done this with cola and added a little DaVinci chocolate... fizzy chocolate jello! I've also done it with root beer... add a little whipped cream, and you've got a jello root beer float!

The flavor settles to the bottom a little if you put it all in one bowl... a stir about half way through would probably take care of it. Or try setting it in individual servings.

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Low Carb Jell-O

zap 1 cup water in the microwave
stir in 2 packets Knox Gelatin (0 carbs)
stir in 1 packet Kool-Aid (lots of great flavors)
add 2 cups cool water
add Splenda or other sweetner to taste (if you use DaVinci replace some of the cool water with it - i.e. 1 1/2 cups cool water to 1/2 cup DaVinci, and so on...)

Chill as usual and ENJOY!

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Homemade GUMMI worms
2 small boxes (4 servings each) of Jello
4 envelopes Knox (or other) gelatine
1/2 cup water

Combine the 2 pkgs of Jello (sugar free), 4 pkgs of gelatin powder and the water in a pot on the stove and dissolve it over medium heat. Once it is completely dissolved (usually only takes a couple of minutes) you pour the liquid onto a dinner plate and refrigerate it for 20 minutes. That is all the time it needs to gel. Then you take it out and slice it into whatever shape you want.

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Here's another suggestion...

Use 5 Tablespoons of Knox unflavored gelatin and added one packet of unsweetened Kool Aid and some Splenda.

Mix this in a 1 cup measuring cup, and add enough hot water to fill the cup (just under 1 full cup of water). Put it in the microwave until it disolved.

Pour into those cute little Jello jelly bean molds. They just pop out and you'll have a whole tupperware container to much on.

The gelatin is high in protein, no carbs and has some fiber in it!
It's easy to sit there an eat a bunch of those "jelly beans"

OR - you can use Kool Aid powder, without any sugar, to make SOUR GUMMIES!

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[Kabuli1]

Oh, and uh, one more thing, when Tracy said "Rootbeer" - she did mean DIET ROOT BEER!

I figured you knew that, but I thought I'd mention it.

Karyn