A Rundown on Atkins Induction

I thought I'd do a quick Atkins induction rundown, I have included the basic rules and food lists in a manner that is friendly for us Aussie's and metric users as well, I will most likely add to this. Let me know what you think and if there is anything else you would like to see here. :)

Rules

A maximum of 20g of carbohydrates a day, not including fibre. The carbohydrates are to come from mostly non starchy salad and vegetables. Avoid low carb frakenfoods like the plague, by frankenfoods I mean low carb processed foods like Atkins bars and the like. Stick with fresh foods as much as you can.

Regarding low carb salad and vegetables. In the 72 version you were allowed 2 salads a day consisting of less than 1 cup full of loosely packed salad greens, cucumber and radish. In later versions it became 3 cups of salad OR 2 cups of salad plus 3/4 cup of veggies a day which later changed again to 3 cups of salad or 2 cups of salad plus 1 cup of veggies. All salad and veggies have to be in the induction food list. From what I can tell on their web site (I do not have their latest book) it has now changed again to 12-15g a day of salad and veggies.

Personally, I just ate whatever green low carb veggies I could fit into my 20g allowance, certainly didn't do me any harm and I find this ensures you get more than enough potassium and the like, I always suggest this to other people as well. By choosing very low carb veggies I was able to fit heaps in, much more than those cup rules would allow. The reason I think Atkins sets a limit of 3/4 to 1 cup is because that includes more moderate carb veggies like pumpkin which are on the induction lists where as if you just stick with the very low carb ones you can get more bang for your buck, so to speak. So, up to you... you could always start off with the cup rule then change to counting once your in ketosis.

Also remember a lot of vegetables cook down significantly so when measuring always measure when raw to get accurate carbohydrate counts.

You can eat liberal amounts of fresh meats, poultry, fish, shell fish as well as pure fats, oils and mayonnaise. No need to remove skin or fat from meat/poultry/seafood.

No fruits, grains, legumes and starchy vegetables.

No nuts, seeds or dairy other than cream, cheese and butter.

Eat either 3 meals per day or 6 small meals per day. Eat until your full but not stuffed. Do not go longer then 6 hours without food. If not hungry then eat a small low carbohydrate snack from foods in the induction list.

No foods or drinks sweetened with aspartame (951) are allowed. Saccharin and sucralose (splenda) are allowed and are to be counted as 1 gram per packet (two teaspoons), I assume stevia is okay but I don't know for fact.

Avoid caffeinated beverages. Decaffeinated coffee or tea are allowed but coffee substitutes are not allowed. Alcoholic beverages are not allowed during induction at all.

Eat only what is on the induction lists below and also read labels. If eating out be wary of hidden carbohydrates in dressings, gravies and sauces.

You can make your own salad dressings consisting of oil, vinegar or lemon juice and herbs. However avoid balsamic vinegar as it contains sugar. Store bought dressings are okay if no sugar has been added but you must follow the rule of no more than 2 carbs per tablespoon.

Avoid cooking with polyunsaturated oils instead, replace with more stable oils such as saturated fats for high heat cooking and mono saturated for low to moderate heat. Avoid margarine and replace with butter.

In the 2002 copy of DANDR, Atkins states: " I cannot stress strongly enough that trying to do a low-fat version of Atkins will interfere with fat burning and derail your weight loss".

 

Induction Lists

 

Eat Liberally

All unprocessed meats and poultry are allowed but only four ounces (112grams) of organ meats are allowed each day as they contain carbohydrates plus other nutrients can be quite concentrated in them.

Processed meats such as bacon, ham, hot dogs, salami, sausages and others may be cured with sugar as well as including fillers and other undesirable ingredients (flours, soy, MSG etc). Also avoid meats and fish cured with nitrates which are very unhealthy.

All shellfish are allowed but oysters and mussels contain carbs so they are limited to four ounces (112g) a day. The same limitations with organs apply here as well.

All eggs.

Dairy

Cheese:

Three to four ounces (84-112g) of the following cheeses are allowed:

Salad Vegetables

2 to 3 cups or 12-15g for ALL vegetables per day, see rules above for more information.

Herbs

Allowed herbs during induction are:

Beverages

Allowed beverages, keep in mind american tablespoons are 15ml not 20ml.

- clear broth/bouillon/stock but you need to check the label to be safe. Home made would be much, much better!

- club soda (which I think is carbonated water with minerals?), non caffeinated diet soda sweetened with splenda. Essence flavoured seltzer that must not contain aspartame or calories

- decaffeinated coffee or tea, herbal tea (without added barley and fruit sugars).

- heavy or light cream within a maximum of 2 to 3 tablespoons (american) per day.

- lemon or lime juice; limit to 2 -3 tablespoons (american). Atkins says they contain 2.8 grams per ounce (28ml).

- water, mineral water and spring water.

 

Other related articles:

Atkins Induction Recipes

Before You Begin

Summary on Atkins diet as well as info on other low carb diets

 

 

 

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