[u8MmZFmF]

Any large change in diet will make you feel "unusual" until your body adapts. As long as you keep eating your veggies this diet is great in the long run. I've been on this diet for 5 years now (mostly OWL and maintenance now). I make my living with my head and things are going very well. I was dizzy before because of blood sugar problems.

Of course anyone can do things in a crazy way (on this diet for instance eating lots of pork rinds (full of trans fats) and not eating veggies (to go almost total lack of carb and no fiber). This would likely make you unhealthy and certainly give you constipation.

[stutnerman]

Does going on atkins effected anyone's thoughts, brain processes or educational standards? even their ability to focus???

I've heard that atkins 'starves your brain'? is this true? if so how long will it take to 'starve my brain' --NOT that i want it too..


...keep in mind today is my day 2 of atkins.

[NvrNoNowX]

I second what Bluehex said. If you're going to do Atkins, you really must read the book. At least read Atkins Essentials.

The people who warn you that you are going to "starve your brain" are referring to the fact that some of your organs--notably your brain and heart, have difficulty metabolizing fat and prefer to metabolize carbohydrates, so you need to take in some carbs. The heart will actually burn protein also, including its own muscle. So be sure you get enough carbohydrates.

On Atkins, you should never go below 15 grams of carbohydrates (carbs) per day. This should be in the form of at least 12 carbs of vegetables and in addition, 3 to 8 carbs in the form of cream, cheese and other acceptable foods, for a total of 20 carbs on Induction. After Induction, you gradually increase your carbs.

[VipInoLo]

I could swear the book says that each serving of artificial sweetener is counted as a carb.

Also I try to eat a lot of spinach and broccoli, and one serving of shiitakes because they have 6 grams of fiber per serving. At the same time the book says only three cups of vegetables. I've just been eating whatever vegetables fall within my 20 grams. I'd be happy to eat more spinach though.

[VipInoLo]

Well I was counting those because I drink some coffee.

Also, I feel really upset right now. I went to Taco Bell and ordered a Taco Salad, no nacho chips or strips, no salsa, no beans, just meat, tomatoes, lettuce, sour cream and cheese. I mixed it with spinach I had at home. I check their nutritional info and THEIR GROUND BEEF HAS SUGAR. I mean... who would think ground BEEF would have sugar mixed in? I already had to start over yesterday because I realized some of my salad dressing has sugar in it(I went today to the store and couldn't find ANY that didn't). Now I have to start over AGAIN for the second time in four days because GROUND BEEF has sugar.

I'm really, really upset.

EDIT: Sorry if this belonged in a new or different thread, I try not to start new threads if I don't have to and I was really upset last night about this. If you want me to delete this and move it I will. (this edit is being made the next morning)

[NvrNoNowX]

Hi Rev9,

Hang in there! It takes some time to get accustomed to which restaurants are best for low carb foods. I can usually find something low carb at hamburger places, steak houses, seafood and even Italian restaurants. But Mexican restaurants, even fast food ones like Taco Bell, are a whole other thing. Almost everything has rice, beans or flour. And they do add sugar to an assortment of things you wouldn't expect.

You might not need to start over though. Just eat your normal Induction foods and keep on truckin'.

[VipInoLo]

I was hoping it wouldn't mess me up too bad, but I got really depressed badly after I found out. When I was on Atkins before I sometimes ate at Chinese places, eating the meat products, but most of them had sugar. I wouldn't do that now, back then I guess I didn't care or didn't think it would be a big deal. But even then I was losing some weight, so I guess the 3 grams in the ground beef might not hurt me too bad.

Part of why it bothered me is because it was the second time since Friday I'd messed up like that. Really who would expect ground beef to have sugar in it, you know? It's amazing when you discover just how much added sugar is in stuff.

[VipInoLo]

The first time I did it I went through some withdrawal, but I've been fine this time. My constant indigestion has gone away and I feel great.

Edit: Today I've had around 21 cups of water. 17 total carbs. That includes carbs from eggs at breakfast, bleu cheese salad dressing, and sugar free diet soda(which I limit myself to 4 cups of or less a day, each cup counting as a carb). Other carbs came from spinach and shiitake mushrooms. 3 servings of cheese.

Does this sound about right?