Atkins Induction Question - Sugar and Counting Carbs

[BethR]

Is it ok to have bacon or ham or salad dressings with sugar in them if we count the carbs? I am NOT finding any bacon that is NOT cured with sugar. Can I still have it if I count the carbs listed on the label? How about salad dressings?

I don't care for mayo, but like Miracle Whip. Can I use that and count the appropriate carbs?

Oh also, the European Salad mix that I have has 2 cups listed as 1 carb. Do I count that too?

Sorry to seem so stupid, but I am really trying to do this correctly.

THANKS!

 

[Kabuli1]

No Sugar!!!

Now, my bacon says sugar on the label - but it also says 0 carbs, I guess I would count it as 1 carb/slice. But I'm certainly not going to eat a lot of it, or even every day.

But no Miracle Whip!!!! If you ask really nicely someone here will tell you how to make mayo taste like Miracle Whip using Splenda. You are on your first day - it's best not to try to "work the system" to get things you arent supposed to have.

Those carbs you are allowed should be "good" carbs (like your salad) and SUGAR isn't!!!! Yes, your salad mix counts in the daily carbs you need to keep track of.

You don't need sugar - and you don't need miracle whip - look in the low carb recipes above - there might be a "miracle whip" recipe there.

You can do this! No question is stupid, keep asking!

Karyn

 

[Rhonda]

I have a slightly different opinion. I agree that you should stay away from sugar as much as you can, but sometimes you will get it anyway - like in the bacon or ham. It's obviously better if you can find meat without sugar, but if you can't then just be sure to count the carbs.

Most salad dressings have a little sugar/carbs in them. Miracle Whip is just like those. I read an interview with Dr. Atkins once, where he said "a carb is a carb". You can waste your 20 daily carbs on one thing with sugar in it, or you can have a bunch of vegetables! Obviously the veggies are much healthier, but if you want the Miracle Whip, then have it! It's your choice, but be sure to count the carbs!

But, if you can make your own dressing with Mayo and Splenda - that's even better! You'll have more carbs then to use on veggies!

 

[BethR]

Thanks for your opinions Ladies!

Anyone want to be the tie breaker?

 

[Luvinit]

I am with Karyn (Kabuli1) here...NO mircle Whip. And not to keep disagreeing with you Rhonda...BUT a Carb is NOT a Carb...there are dietery fiber Carbs and sugar alcohols too both which react differently on the blood sugar. You can have dietery fiber carbs on induction but NO sugar alcohols.

Miracle Whip has sugar in it...this is not allowed on induction so I would stay away from it for at least the next two weeks.

Tracy

 

[karebear1]

It is only the first 2 weeks where you have to be really strict with what you eat on induction. If you want to have the maximum benefit from low carbing, then please, follow Dr. Atkins strict guidleines of ok foods for induction and don't vary from it. You can do it for 2 weeks!!! I KNOW YOU CAN!

 

[BethR]

Thanks again for your thoughts everyone. Miracle Whip is not the real issue for me right now, it really is the bacon and deli meats and sausages and salad dressings that have sugar as an ingredient , but when you read the nutritional facts, there are no carbs and no sugar. (It must be a very miniscule amount of sugar - but IS an ingredient.)

THAT is what I am confused about.

 

[dizneegirl]

Kahns and Kroger both have no-sugar-added bacon.

Deli meats and sausages are harder... if you absolutely cannot find no sugar added, count the carbs, but don't make them the mainstay of your diet.

As far as salad dressings... stick with the absolute lowest carb dressings you can find. Hidden Valley Ranch and full fat Blue Cheese (I love Ken's Steak House!) are probably your best bets. Stay away from sugar-laden Italian, Thousand Island, French, etc. - unless you make your own sugar-free low carb version.

Between Miracle Whip and mayo... stick to the mayo - a little lemon juice and Splenda will make it taste a lot like Miracle Whip.

Definitely count carbs in everything... veggies, cream, cheese, eggs, spices/seasonings/extracts... it all adds up.

As far as "a carb is a carb"... you want to avoid those carbs that raise your blood sugar level as much as you can... sugar carbs are the worst of those. Carbs from veggies are MUCH better for you than sugar carbs or carbs from refined flours. A carb is NOT a carb.

 

[BethR]

Thanks Dizneegirl!

I was looking at dressings yesterday, and I thought that Hidden Valley Ranch (my dressing of choice ) had carbs or sugars listed on the nutritional label. I will have to take a look again.

Thanks for the tips on the bacon. We don't have Kroger around here, but we do have Kahn's brand meats in our stores.