Getting Started with the Atkins Diet

Begin the Atkins diet with the idea that you will be enjoying three or more meals daily. You can take four or five smaller meals or add a few low carbohydrate snacks. Do what works best for you and your family.

In the induction phase of the Atkins diet you can eat as much as you want from the foods allowed. Calories are not the factor with the Atkins diet. Consume as much as you want of fats and proteins.

You are allowed twenty (20) grams of carbohydrates per day during the two week induction period. Use the most of your carbohydrate grams with vegetables from the accepted list. Be careful with your daily intake of cheese. Although cheese is an acceptable food, it does have a small amount of carbohydrates.

Meats, eggs and tofu are much better choices and don't contain carbohydrate grams. Check the labels on deli meats, wieners, brats and hot dogs, because most of them also contain carbohydrates that will add to your daily total.

Your goal at the Atkins induction phase is to help your body break the addiction to sugar and carbohydrates, and you will become less hungry. The combined proteins and fats, or vegetables combined with a protein, will make you feel full and satisfied longer.

A good way to help with cravings is to have foods on hand, ready to eat. Prepared diced vegetables, boiled eggs, fried bacon, and browned ground beef, are all good foods to keep refrigerated for quick meals. Just a few macadamia nuts, or walnuts make a good protein snack that needs no refrigeration.

Avoid fruit, bread, pasta, grains and starchy vegetables during the induction phase. Read the labels of gravies, sauces, and salad dressings, even if they claim to be "carbohydrate free."

Since fluids are needed to help your body burn fat, be sure to drink 6 to 8 glasses of water, in addition to any low carbohydrate drinks you may want each day. The fluids will keep your body hydrated and help you avoid constipation.

You need to keep a balance of carbohydrates, proteins and fats, for the most successful weight loss. The Atkins diet will give you an enjoyable dieting experience that gives real results.