That was my understanding as well. That you can have 3 cups of veggies per day and there's a list of veggies that you can only have 1 cup of. It's good to know that you can have SF jello while on induction though....yummy! Is it the canned whip cream you can have...not cool whip?

not likely. I'm sure the canned whip cream has sugar added. Probably whip it yourself with some splenda or stevia. As far as fasting the second day, there probably isn't much point to that. For me I usually go into ketosis by the morning of the third day anyway. So if I want to go into it stronger and faster I might fast the first day. But it certainly isn't necessary. I've been on and off this diet so many times, that sometimes I just want a jump start to get me away from the cravings sooner. Once I'm really in ketosis I'm pretty good about staying there. It is the getting there that is sometimes hard.

Regarding Dr. Atkins list. You don't have to go by that. Just count your carbs and keep them under 20 a day. This is minus the fiber. That list is only to let you know which are higher in carbs and which are lower in the veggy kingdom.

Something else that is interesting. Certain vegetables have more carbs depending on whether they are raw or cooked. I guess raw, they have more fiber (undigestible matter) than when they are cooked or something like that. You can also subtract the grams of fiber from the grams of carbs.

The other thing you should be very aware of in the early stages of Atkins is your potassium levels. You might get leg cramps, charley horses at night while sleeping. If that happens, you need more potassium. If not, you are probably ok.

see this site is full of good advice.. i was getting KILLER leg cramps last night.. so.. i cant believe i dont know this.. (being a nurse and all) but what low carb foods have increased potassium? i know potato's (skins) and bananas do.. but.. what else? cause if i have any more leg cramps like last night ill eat a banana.. ill DO IT.. i really will.. (okay.. im kidding.)..

Mommie

First let me welcome you

I just want to pipe up here and say that sf jello is NOT allowed on induction. Reason being, is it has aspartame in it. Artificial sweeteners are a no no.

Some of us can tolerate it without a sugar spike and some can't. My advice would be to stick to the plan "by the book" for the first 2 weeks. Then you will know that you are doing it right. After that, tweek it to your liking and your preferances. You will not know if it effects you until you try it, but personally I wouldnt want to try it in the first 2 weeks, when you are going to have (most likely) large numbers drop from the scale. Hey, its only 2 weeks...right?

Cravings will be gone (usually) after about the 3rd day....if not, you are not getting enough fat and protein in your day.

Just remember, everyone does what works for them. Its not going to hurt to go by the book for the first 2 weeks, and find your own way.

Thats just my opinion.

Thank you for all the responses. I have the new revelation book (I think that's the correct title). Yesterday, my first day, I messed up BY MISTAKE THOUGH. I ate imitation crab meat thinking it was okay and after eating it realized it has 16 carbs (see my first day and already messed up thread). So, I guess today is day one (again).

ditto what Robin says. He says in the book that if you are following atkins to NOT CHEAT. Cheating, ecspecially in the beginning, will just lead to disaster.

The cup of veggies is the ACCEPTED vegetables...for induction that means no green beans, carrots, peas, etc.

Glad you got the book, I've lost mine and am going batty since I read it about every month

Best of luck, I bet you'll do awesome!!

Lacey

What is a string bean? I don't think I've ever seen one.

String bean is another name for a green bean.

Potassium pills only have about 3 % of the "recommended daily allowance" in them. Therefore you can take a potassium pill without worrying about it becoming toxic. Potassium is a mineral you can get too much of which is why they make the pills in such small doses.

I'm not sure what foods have potassium, other than bananas and potatoes, which are not Atkins friendly. Maybe brocolli? Not real sure though. I would just buy some potassium pills and take one or two for the leg cramps.

My blood doctor (I don't know what you call them) says you won't get enough from a potassium pill to make it worthwhile. I have to take supplements because of the damage to my small intestine from the Celiac disease. It takes 3-5 years to heal and I've only been on the special diet for 10 months. He told me not to bother with this one but to eat foods high in potassium instead.

Nuts are high in potassium.

Also spinach, pumpkin, brussel sprouts (yuck), romaine lettuce, cauliflower, green beans, broccoli, avocado, chicken, fish, turkey, canned salmon and tuna, celery, tomatoes which are all allowed on Induction according to the book.

Fair sources of potassium include dill pickles, pork, lamb, ham, beef. Sardines do too, but I'm not about to eat them - that's too much like cat food.

Good suggestions. I didn't know all that. The pills have always helped me get rid of the leg cramps though. Not that I have them all the time, usually just at the beginning of Atkins when you are losing so much water and electrolytes along with it.

yeppers.. your right..

I had a salad with tuna yesterday for lunch and had no leg cramps last night.. guess i should just start incorporating some tuna in my diet

Thanks

Mommie