Starting Atkins, a few questions

[elgerber]

Hello everyone, this is my first post on this board. My dh and I started Atkins yesterday. Neither of us has very much weight to lose, 10-15 pounds, but we want to try it for the health factor. We are sugar and carb addicts. So far we both feel pretty cruddy, but I have been reading that seems to be pretty normal. I have a couple of questions though, first is about net carbs. From what I have read, it is total carbs, minus fiber and sugar alcohol? Do we use the net carb as the count? Also, I have read alot about the Atkins muffin and baking mixes. Are these allowed during induction, or only after that???

Thanks.

Erika

 

[minniecarousel]

Stay away from the muffin/bread mixes during induction. You've got it right about the net carbs. Most of the bars and prepared foods will say right on the package what the net carbs are. Be careful with these things - some people end up eating too many bars & it throws them off-track.

Good luck!

 

[DoeWDW]

Erika, welcome to the WISH board!!

Those yucky feelings will be gone soon - just hang in there for a few more days!

It's great that you and DH are doing Atkins together - so much easier when you are eating the same things!!

You've got the right idea about net carbs. Total carbs - fiber and sugar alcohols = net carbs. During induction you should stick to 20 net carbs per day or less. However, during induction, you probably should avoid eating sugar alcohols. Even after induction, too many sugar alcohols seem to stall peoples' weight loss.

Focus on eating your proteins and veggies for now. Basic is good! Try not to rely on bars, bake mixes, etc if you can help it. They should be an occasional thing down the road.

Best wishes to you and your DH! Keep us posted on how things are going!

P.S. I have a friend living in Bemidji (hope I spelled that right! )

 

[elgerber]

Thank you. How about caffeine, is it an absolute no? I can give up my Coke, but I love ice tea with sweet and lo. I haven't had one in two days, except the decaf I made at home. I love to get Ice tea when out and about, but I know they don't serve decaf.

Thanks again!!

Erika

 

[dyingtodisney]

I agree with staying off all the bars, mixes, shakes during induction . A friend of mine read an article from a guy that had no "low carb" goodies they advertise and stuck with just the meat, cheese, and veggies and then a year later did induction with all the stuff with sugar alcohols, even though is carb intake was the same he lost a lost slower the second time around.