Top 5 Reasons You Have Constipation on Atkins

Atkins is a proven weight loss diet that WILL help you lose weight while eating healthy proteins, healthy fats and vitamin-rich vegetables. The only problem is that many low carb dieters suffer from constipation because they simply did not follow the low carb diet rules.

You Skipped the 15 Foundation Carbs

The New Atkins diet program suggests eating 15 of the 20 daily carbs as foundation vegetables. Spinach, dark leafed lettuce and other high fiber vegetables are perfect for those first two weeks. These vegetables are high in fiber, which helps keep bowel movements regular.

You Skipped Your Water Log

Water is important on every weight loss diet and the Atkins low carb diet is no different. When the body switches to ketosis, fat can be flushed out of the body during urination. Drinking more water means passing more fat and keeping the bowel moving. The minimum water intake on the Atkins low carb diet is 64 ounces per day, but a better target is ½ your body weight. If you weight 220-pounds, try to drink 110 ounces. As you lose weight, your body will need less water to adjust accordingly.

You Chose the Wrong Vegetables

When choosing the vegetables for your 15 foundation carbs, check the fiber content. High fiber vegetables should make up the majority of those 15 foundation carbs. The Atkins diet plan is all about changing the way you view food with the added bonus of weight loss. Fiber rich vegetables include spinach and most green, leafy vegetables.

You Ate Too Much Cheese

During the Induction phase of the Atkins low carb diet you are allowed 4 ounces of cheese per day. Some people do not consume 4 ounces of cheese a week before starting Atkins low carb diet. Cheese can bind up the bowels making it hard to pass waste - constipation.

You Ate Too Little Food

After the first week on the Induction phase of the Atkins low carb diet you may feel much less hungry than you did just one week before. Just because you are not hungry does not mean you cannot eat. Three meals a day plus two to three snacks are ideal. Each meal and snack should include fat, protein and carbohydrates from foundation carbs - high fiber vegetables.

The Atkins low carb diet is one way to lose that extra weight you packed on over the years. Many people find they lose 15 pounds within the first two weeks and 50 or more within 6 months. One of the common reasons people stop following the Atkins low carb diet is constipation. Read through these causes of Atkins constipation and make sure you aren't causing your own weight loss demise.