[AbraroLib]

For most of you, a complex carb(pasta, bread, rice, etc) would be your weakness but mine is fruit. I was just wondering how much of an difference it would make if i cut out carbs but also kept fruit...


Thanks,

-Bignac1

[sauppyshurb]

A huge difference... because fruits are mostly carbohydrate. There's very little protein and no fat. The only fruits we are allowed are avocado, olives and tomatoes.

Carbs are in grains, but they are also in fruits and vegetables. That's why veggies are limited and fruits/grains/starches/sweets are eliminated.

Once you go to OWL you can have 1/4 cup of berries or canteloupe as your extra 5 net grams of carb per day.

Here's a link to the P2 (OWL) foods:

http://www.atkins.com/Program/FourPh...FoodsList.aspx

Whole fruits are found in P3 (Pre-Maintenance). You'll reach this phase when you have about 10# left to go. Here is the list for that phase:

http://www.atkins.com/Program/FourPh...FoodsList.aspx

You'll find whole fruits, beans, starchy vegetables like potatoes and whole grains on this list.

There is no list for P4... because it is the same as P3. You just keep eating the same as you did in P3 to get you to goal.

Tril

[Queuerriptota]

You'll never get into ketosis while eating fruit and it won't be "Atkins".
Even the South Beach Diet, which is more liberal with carbs like legumes, doesn't let you have fruit until phase 2. And then they only give you about ONE a day.

You'll have to forgo the fruit if you want to lose weight doing Atkins. During Ongoing Weight Loss you can have very small amounts. Doesn't sound like it would be nearly enough for a fruit addict. Check your carb counter for the number of carbs in fruit. I think apples have about 17+ carbs. Ok, melon has less and berries. But I suspect you have other fruits in mind...

[sauppyshurb]

Fruit isn't out forever... that's important to remember. Later on in the late stage of OWL you can add it back. You'll get berries and melon earlier, too, if you choose to add those.

If living without fruit really an issue for you, then fruit could be your "trigger" food... and going without it for a bit will give you control over it. Just because most nutritional advice says fruit is healthy for you, it doesn't mean it can't contribute to weight gain. The same advice would tell you that whole grains and starchy vegetables are healthy... but WE know they contribute to OUR weight gain.

Personally, I miss bananas and ice cream... but if I have to trade those for life at goal weight, I will. Sometimes we have to make hard choices to have what we really want.

Tril

[Queuerriptota]

You're a wise woman, Tril.

[sauppyshurb]

Thanks, Bat... it's not wisdom, I don't think, it's just personal experience! But it does really help to think in terms of trading one desire for another, when the two are at odds with each other (food vs. weight). You just have to ask yourself... which do I want MORE?

[tipokotap]

Bignac1 -

I was totally SHOCKED to see that my carb counter says a 1" slice of a standard watermelon has 34.6 carbs (about the same as 1/8 of a large pepperoni Pizza Hut pizza) and diced, only 1/2 cup (you know how measly a 1/2 cup of watermelon cubes is) has 5.4! It just seems like a light, refreshing not heavily sweet side or healthy dessert...it must be all water and sugar! We might as well eat two or so popsicles!

It's also HARD to eat just a satisfying portion, as 5 carbs is just a section or two of grapefruit, 1/8 cup of a diced apple, etc. Better not to start ... who can eat just an apple slice and be satisfied?

Later on, in OWL, 2 oz of sliced strawberries with a Tbsp of whipping cream and a dash of Splenda is heaven on earth!

Hope the fruit is not a barrier to your success...after a couple of weeks, the things you once thought you could NEVER do without (me=bread) no longer are important.

Good luck!

Toni