I too suggest the Taubes book Good Calories, Bad Calories especially if you're taking a university course in nutrition (it's quite a scientific book).

I have never understood the Atkins strict rule against caffeine. I've read several editions of the Atkins diet and it's never been explained to my satisfaction.

I don't actually follow Atkins myself - I came to low carb via Gary Taubes and I try to keep my carbs very low (20-35g) most of the time. Since I don't claim to be an Atkins adherent, I'm free to do as I choose, and I do use caffeine (not huge amounts). From what I've seen on these boards & some other ones I follow a large proportion of Atkins followers don't give up caffeine and they're still successful.

Recent studies saying that coffee may reduce risk of diabetes & some cancers (it's a powerful antioxidant) help me be more convinced that unsubstantiated recommendations against caffeine are maybe not-so-right (not just Atkins -- lots and lots of diet books recommend dropping caffeine).

In the end, in my opinion, the only way that you really make any diet successful long term is to adapt it to what you can live with happily. You can only make yourself suffer for your weight for so long -- the permanent approach will have to be something you enjoy.

I may have to give that one a look. As for coffee, the only thing I can see is that it causes some people to crave carbs (from what I've read). For myself, it is not causing any cravings. I did try it with Splenda and cream, but found when I done that something didn't feel right. I felt the same way I did when I was actually hungry and needed something sweet to get rid of that "oh crap my suger level is low" type of feeling. So, I keep it black...which I've adjusted to quite well.

The headaches are gone...must've been due to cold/lack of sleep because I slept well last night and I'm no longer stuffed up. The weightloss is slowing (as expected), but I'm still very happy. I lost 15lbs in first 10 days, but only 1lb in the last 2 days. Still, that's 16lbs in 12 days!

I started on the treadmill again this morning, so I'll see how much that will affect my progress. Honestly, I feel great...no serious cravings. When I do get a craving, I'll slowly eat a dozen almonds or perhaps a small piece of cheese. I do have to learn to spread out my veggie intake...basically, I end up eating them twice a day...lunch and supper.

After my two weeks, I'm definitely staying on the induction phase for another week or two (or three) before moving on. Plus, that'll give me time to read the next portion of the book...lol.

One more question though...I know there are others who experience lack of appetite. Should you force yourself to eat even if you're not hungry? For example, for breakfast I usually eat a 3-egg omellette mixed with some red/green/yellow peppers, a slice of ham and topped with a slice of cheese. If I eat that at 8:30am, I could go until 5 or 6pm without eating again. I simply don't feel hungry. For that period in between, should I force-feed myself? Even if it's something small...I know that "starvation" diets usually have the opposite effect and I don't want to mess things up by unintentionally starving myself (even though I'm not hungry).

Thanks again everyone!!

I hope you get an answer to this cause I would like to know too as this new med I'm on is causing my appetite to decrease. But, then again, prednisone is kinda counter acting it by putting on fluid! lol! oh well! But, I would like to know if you need to eat throughout the day to keep losing weight on this!

I thought I read somewhere that you were supposed to eat every five hours regardless of hunger, even if it's just a small protein/fat snack. I don't recall if that's 'official' (i.e. from the book) or just general advice, however. Keeping your metabolism going generally means feeding it, though, so I'd stick to a snacking schedule, even if you're not hungry.

I just read that section in the book. Dr. A says to go no more than 6 hours without eating, he does not say to space your meals 6 hours apart. I interpret this to mean have a little nosh (as my people would say) a piece of cheese, some beef jerkey or whatever so your metabolism doesn't go into screensaver mode.

Thanks ladies...once again, my hunch was right...lol.

On a side note, I picked up some ketone strips to try out. It looks like I'm "moderate"...good thing, I guess...

moderate is great! you are doing great Jason!

Well, I am doing good I guess, I am eating about every three hours....just not a lot but I'm trying...its really hard when you have no appetite. I haven't gone past five hours though.

For coffee...check out HEAVY whipping cream....Trader Joe's has an organic one that has 0 carbs (still..do not go overboard!) and Da Vinci and Target both carry coffee syrups that have 0 carbs as well....i personally think Da Vinci is better...I gave up all but my morning coffee and it hasn"t seemed to affect me!! Good luck!

Instead of making another thread, I may as well keep any questions I have in my own personal thread. Anyway, I have a buddy visiting this evening and he wants to head out for a few drinks at a bar. It's been a few years since i seen him, and I really want to join him for drinks, but don't want to hinder my progress.

How bad would having a few (6 or so...depending on my mood) drinks of Bacardi and Diet Coke be? I know your body burns alcohol for energy prior to burning carbs or fat. Really, that's not a big deal...but, will it knock me out of ketosis and set me back a few days?

Thanks again...

Hi this is what I found but i'm not sure if Aspartame affects your diet like mine (stalls) but Diet Coke contains it but here is the info I got online, i'm not saying this is 100% accurate but probably close:

Food Item: Bacardi & Diet Coke
Food Quantity: average serving
Carbs: 0g
Dietary Fiber: 0g
Net Carbs: 0g

The drinking of rum & Diet Coke is not terrible, but of course verboten on Atkins' proper

I find the real hazard is not so much the alcohol, but how it can lead to snacking on salty chips, bread, pretzels, etc. when one's resolve gets weakened, heh!

I am actually not sure if it will knock you out of ketosis. Hmm. My guess is no, but that it would slow your weight loss in burning off the alcohol. For how long and to what effect...?

Thanks for the input...well, I behaved myself (in both contexts...lol) and was DD. only downside is I did overdo the diet coke. I drank about 4 glasses...no Bacardi though...

Good for you, Jason! That shows you are really fully committed to reaching your goal. You are doing so great! I'm sure once you have reached your goal weight, you will be able to have some drinks here and there, even if it's not part of the Atkins plan really. Because once you are where you want to be, it's okay if you stall, or even gain back a pound or two (as long as you go low-carb for the next several days to lose that weight and stay in balance.)

I'm going to do a happy dance when you reach your goal - I will be so happy for you!

Hey Jason....You are doing GREAT!

I actually never force myself to eat if I'm not hungry...but by the same token, I always feed myself when I AM hungry. Also, if I'm having a non-hungry kinda day...I make sure to add butter, etc. to what I do eat. I didn't really feel like eating much lunch today so I just steamed some spinach...but put butter and feta cheese on it...so made sure I got calories and fat. I'll make it up at dinner, I'm sure, because I'm going to walk to the store in the snow...which will probably make me hungry.

But I never force myself to eat...I think it would just make me feel sick. Plus, I kinda believe your body knows when it needs food/fuel. But if I had a day where I was hungry every 2 hours, I would feed it snacks every 2 hours...figuring my body needed it.

I also agree with BerkshireGrl up above. I don't really like alcohol but my worry would be that I would sorta lose my judgment if I did drink...and would go off-plan. It would make me tend to throw caution to the wind...and kinda live for the moment. Then I'd regret it the next day.

deena