Just bought Atkins Book. Now what?

[sha_lyn]

OK I am finally ready to forget the misinformation I have been given about Atkins and read it for myself. From scanning the book it looks like the people I know on Atkins either don't have the book (and go by rumor), or they don't like the vegetables and the whole grains/better carbs that are on the diet. I know from listening to them and watching them eat that they are the "lb of bacon and cheese and dozen eggs a day and no veggies at all" type of eaters that are giving the wrong impression of the diet.


OK so my point is...

What do I need to know that isn't in the book?
What are the little things that you guys have learned along the way?

What are the easiest places to eat out at?


I plan to start the diet around Monday or so. I hope to have enough time to get far enough in the book to do so by then.

 

[septbride2002]

Nice long post and it go deleted.

Congrats on reading the book and discovering the truth behind Atkins. I am not on the Atkins plan but I am on a Protein plan.
Here are some tidbits:

1) Find a daily supplement with Calcium in it.

2) Stock up on carb friend veggies.

3) Stock up on individually wrapped chicken breast, fish, and hamburgers.

4) No fast food is out as long as you remove the buns. Hardees and subway and have Atkins friendly menus.

5) Check out this website for list on foods to have at the house.

http://www.atkinsfriends.com/

~Amanda

 

[LisaTx]

Welcome, sha_lyn.

The bacon, cheese and eggs helped get me through induction. I think there's a place for them, but I wouldn't eat like that all of the time. Sounds like you've already got a good grasp of that. I try to stay away from the bacon more now because of the high salt content.

My biggest tip would be to stay away from all of the new low carb products and stick to whole foods that you cook yourself. We grill a bunch of meat every weekend then reheat during the week as necessary. The low carb candy, bars, muffins etc. taste great, but it causes a stall in many people. I just tell myself they will all still be there when I get to my goal weight. Right now I'm more interested in losing.

I also try to keep things very simple. Almost without fail, when I get fancy with a new recipe, I'll gain. I eat a lot of grilled chicken, salad, and yogurt.

I can find something at almost any sit down restaurant. Chicken, steak, a bunless burger, fajitas with no tortillas, salads. If it comes with potatoes I ask to sub a small salad and have never been refused. Ask the waiter not to bring bread or chips to your table or put them way across the table by the kids.

Fast food I would get a bacon cheeseburger or grilled chicken with no bread. Most any place will make it that way for you. Salads are good but you really have to watch the salad dressings. Many, especially the low fat ones, are loaded with sugar and carbs. A lot of places like McDonald's marinade their chicken in sugar so beware of that if it causes cravings for you.

For breakfast I get a McDonalds sauge mcmuffin with egg no bun. Who would have ever though one could eat this way and lose weight? I love it!

We're always around when you have questions. Good Luck!

 

[nativetxn]

Welcome to WISH Sha_lyn. You have received some excellent advice already.

Read the book carefully, it will explain things much better than we can.

You will see that you are encouraged to eat a limited amount of vegetables even on induction and after induction you can increase that amount.

The true villains to keep your eye on are refined carbohydrates. White flour and sugar are the killers on this way of eating. They provide no real nutrition at all.

I have found that I don't miss bread or sugar at all. Haven't had them since 1/9/03. WOW! It's been almost a year already, doesn't seem possible.

Good luck with this and visit us often. We are always here for you if you have questions or need support.

 

[sha_lyn]

I decided to start cutting back on carbs on Sat. I thought this might help avoid the headaches once I start induction.


Sat I had (in addition to what is on the induction) one piece low cab bread and one very small piece of bread at Longhorns. I probably had 5 cups of veggies, most of it being iceberg lettuce in a Subway's Salad.

Today I had 1 piece of low carb (4 grams) bread at breakfast and I did eat 4 cups of veggies instead of 3 (3 cup salad, one of cooked).

Just from cutting back on carbs these 2 days I lost 1.2 lbs.

I think eating out will actually be easier then eating in. I will continue to fix a high carb side at home for the rest of the family, at least until we run out of what we have on hand.

thanks everyone for the works of encouragement.

 

[Otto's Doll]

T.G.I.Fridays and Ruby Tuesdays both have a low carb menu, and the food is very good. I also order steak (you can get bleu cheese steak or steak and mushrooms at a lot of places) a lot, and have asked for a salad in place of side dishes. Most places will do that with no charge. Buffalo wings can be eaten, as long as they are not breaded. There are some good recipes on the healthy eating thread as well.
Atkins is the easiest thing I have ever done, and it works.. plus the way I feel is amazing! That alone is worth it, never mind the 30lbs I have lost!