Monday, April 27, 2009

Atkins Diet Rules Of Induction

Atkins Diet Rules Of Induction

The induction phase of the Atkins Diet must be followed EXACTLY to ensure success. I cannot stress this enough, if the induction phase which is designed to introduce your body to the Atkins program is not followed correctly it will not work for you and you will see no weight loss. With that said, here are the ten rules you must follow during the first induction phase:

1. Eat three regular size meals each day or four to five smaller meals, but DO NOT skip meals. Skipping meals causes more blood sugar changes; do not go longer than six waking hours without eating.

2. Eat liberal portions of combinations containing combinations of fat and protein in the form of poultry, fish, shellfish, eggs, and red meats as well as pure natural fats found in like olive oil, safflower, sunflower and other similar vegetable oils.

3. During the early induction phase you must eat less than 20 grams of carbohydrates per day in the form of salad greens and other vegetables. This is important to setting your body up for the rest of the Atkins Diet program.

4. You must stay away TOTALLY from fruit, bread, pasta, grains, starchy vegetables and dairy products other than cheese, cream or butter. Do not eat nuts or seeds during the first two weeks, or any foods that combine protein and carbs such as kidney beans and other legumes.

5. Eat nothing that is not listed on the Atkins Diet acceptable foods list. Do not rationalize and say "just one taste won't hurt", this can ruin your chances of success with the Atkins Diet.

6. Adjust the quantity of food that you eat to suit your individual appetite especially as your appetite decreases. When you are hungry eat just enough to satisfy you, do not gorge and overstuff yourself. When you are not hungry eat a small low carb snack to go with your nutritional supplements.

7. Never assume that a food is low carb, read the labels and check the carb count on every package or use the Atkins Diet carb counter.

8. You may eat out as often as you wish but watch out for hidden carbs that can be in gravies, sauces, and dressings.

9. Avoid foods and diet drinks sweetened with aspartame, use sucralose or saccharin instead and count each packet of one of these as one gram of carbs.

10. Avoid coffee, tea, and soft drinks containing excessive caffeine which has been shown to cause low blood sugar, which can make your body crave sugar. In addition Drink 8-10 glasses of water each day to hydrate your body and avoid constipation and flush out the byproducts of burning fat.

Some of the foods you may eat liberally during the induction phase include :

All fish including tuna, salmon, sole, trout, flounder, sardines, and herring.
All fowl including chicken, turkey, duck, goose, quail, and pheasant.
All shellfish including oysters, mussels, lobster, clams, squid, prawns, and crabmeat.
All meat including beef, pork, lamb, bacon, veal, ham, and venison.
All eggs including scambled, fried, poached, soft-boiled, hard-boiled, deviled and omelets.

Atkins Diet Rules Of Induction

Friday, April 24, 2009

Atkins Menu Ideas

Atkins Menu Ideas


The following menu ideas are taken from Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution and are representative of the type and quantity of food eaten during the various phases of the diet.

Induction Menu

Breakfast

* Eggs, scrambled or fried, with bacon, ham, or Canadian bacon
* Decaffeinated coffee or tea

Lunch

* Bacon cheeseburger, no bun
* Small tossed salad
* Seltzer water

Dinner

* Shrimp cocktail with mustard and mayonnaise
* Clear consommé
* Steak, roast, chops, fish or fowl
* Tossed salad
* Diet Jello with a spoonful of whipped cream (unsweetened or artificially sweetened)

Constant Weight Loss Menu

Breakfast

* Cheese omelet
* 3 ounces of tomato juice
* Bran Crispbread (amount containing 2 grams of carbohydrate)
* Decaffeinated coffee or tea

Lunch

* Chef's salad with ham, cheese, chicken, egg and oil and vinegar dressing
* Iced herbal tea

Dinner

* Seafood salad
* Poached salmon
* 2/3 cup of vegetables
* 1/2 cup of strawberries (in heavy, unsweetened cream)

Maintenance Menu

Breakfast

* Cheese and spinach omelet
* 1/2 cantaloupe
* Bran Crispbread (amount containing 4 grams of carbohydrate) with butter
* Decaffeinated coffee or tea

Lunch

* Roast chicken
* 2/3 cups of vegetables
* Green salad with creamy garlic dressing
* Club soda

Dinner

* French onion soup
* Salad with tomatoes, onions and carrots with any no-carbohydrate dressing
* 1 cup vegetables
* 1/2 small baked potato with sour cream and chives
* Lightly breaded veal chops
* 1 cup fresh fruit compote
* Glass of dry wine

Atkins Menu Ideas

Atkins Diet Works Better. Why?

Atkins Diet Works Better. Why?


This is the next question that comes in every newbie’s mind.

There are certain reasons Atkins diet works more assertively compared to other diet plans:

* Atkins Diet allows the people to eat variety of meat, fish and vegetables
Hunger is the major reason for the failure of most weight loss plans and programs because of the limit of foods. Nevertheless, Atkins Nutritional Approach™ allows the people to eat a vast variety of meat and fish and salads and vegetables prepared in the most appetizing, healthy and varied manner. So, you have not to cut your slices of taste.

* Atkins Diet mobilizes more fat to use as energy
This diet mobilizes more fat to use as energy than any diet you have ever come across. Therefore, you have not to count calories every time whenever and whatever you eat.

* Atkins Diet encourages the lipolysis
Carbohydrate, in the form of glucose, is used to burn as the first fuel to provide energy to the body. Atkins suggests that by reducing our intake of carbohydrates drastically, our body use fat as first fuel regardless of the carbohydrates. This process is known as lipolysis. The supposed result: weight loss.

* Atkins Diet avoid food intolerances
Some diets in many diet plans may be a cause of allergies and other problems because of food intolerances. Food intolerances stresses the metabolism, thus you find yourself unable in preferred weight loss. By following the Atkins Nutritional Approach™, you can avoid this crisis by lessening that which stresses your body, as it tells you about your food intolerances.
* Atkins Diet bring down the insulin levels
Sometimes you discover that despite being regular in your weight loss plans and exercises, still you have not loosed even a single pound. If you are at that stage, it means that you have a metabolic disorder and because of eating too many refined carbohydrates, insulin has closed the trap. In that case, Atkins Nutritional Approach™ helps you to bring down your insulin levels and take control of your weight.

* Atkins Diet corrects the basic factor that controls obesity
Atkins works because it corrects the basic factor that controls obesity and health-risk factors. That factor is extreme levels of insulin, an essential hormone that rules the basic mechanism of lay on fat. Atkins Nutritional Approach™ defeats this problem by conducting its triple program--a controlled carbohydrate eating plan, exercise and nutritional supplementation.

* Atkins Diet makes you feel energized
Atkins not only offers you the pleasure of healthy yet tasty eating but it also makes you feel just energized and wholehearted. When you are full of energy, you find yourself more apt to exercise, which will also help you cut inches from your measurements.

These are not the last of Atkins propriety, more many reasons you would discover while going on the Atkins Diet plan, so the Atkins approaches as the center of health planning for a long and dynamic life. Why are waiting, join it today.

Atkins Diet Works Better. Why?

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Atkins Diet - How to Start?

Atkins Diet - How to Start?


Atkins Nutritional Approach™ works in four main phases, which lays out eating plan in combination with vitamins, mineral supplements, and regular workout. This approach targets on balancing the body’s nutrition and improving energy level thus, laying a necessary foundation for lifetime better health.

Get ready to make it a reality by following ten simple steps. All ten steps should be followed strictly.

Step 1: Take the measurements of body parts
Start a to measure the success by taking the measurements of chest, waist, hips, upper arms and thighs, and write down them. After couple of weeks on Atkins, these measurements would be a reference to encourage you by showing the slash in measurement.

Step 2: Blood Sugar Symptom Questionnaire
Fill the Blood Sugar Symptom Questionnaire. It would make you feel better after few weeks on Atkins when the same questionnaire would measure your efforts.

Step 3: Start an exercise plan
If not actively doing any exercise then its time to start an exercise plan. Different exercise plans could be followed like a half hour of brisk walking to start with for at least four times a week. This combined with Atkins Diet give quick results. Exercising even for little time proves highly efficient rather than staying completely inactive.

Step 4: Buy recommended nutritional supplements
It is important to buy good enough supplies of the recommended nutritional supplements with the Atkins Diet.

Step 5: Stock place with food for Atkins
Stock whatever place, you look for food with healthy and protein rich food like salads, chicken, eggs, turkey etc. that would keep you on the right path of Atkins approach.

Step 6: Take out food not allowed by Atkins
Take out all the foods, which you should not eat or cannot eat when on Atkins, as it would only give temptation.

Step 7: Having an accomplice
Try to find someone also doing Atkins just like you, as having an accomplice in crime always make it successful. The other person would support or motivate you when you stray from the path and you would do conversely for them.

Step 8: Get both house and workplace ready for Atkins
Get everyone in your house and workplace ready for the changes coming in your eating habits. When following Atkins, it would be best to prepare your food yourself.

Step 9: Family member’s support
Take your family member’s support for being determined on your way of Atkins.

Step 10: Lipolysis testing strips
Also, buy some lipolysis testing strips to get record of your lipolysis level.

For starting on Atkins following these steps are important, also start a journal to record your goals and your gradual movements towards it so you could see your achievements. Have a recipe box with different recipes of dishes with low carbohydrates, also store all the articles and information available about Atkins and cut down the trips to supermarkets.

Atkins Diet - How to Start?

Atkins Diet food lists of the induction phase

Atkins Diet food lists of the induction phase

Foods are based on the induction phase of Atkins Diet. For the carb foods, limiting the contributions of 20 grams of net carbs.
Protein Foods
Most protein foods like meat, seafood and eggs that have little or no carbs. However, there are to consider. Find Protein Foods on a Low Carb Diet for more details.

Vegetables
Most the carbs in the diet of vegetables. It is important the carbs of vegetables that you eat. 12-15 grams per day (no fiber) should be vegetables. Low Carb Vegetable List.

Cheese
Most cheese is less than one gram of carbs per ounce, but check the labels, as some more. Atkins allowed 3-4 ounces per day during the induction. Cream cheese included, but not specifically with the cottage cheese, farmers, cheese or other cheese.

Fats and oils
The people on the Atkins diet caution, not to try a version with low-fat food. Enough fat is necessary for the success of the diet. Atkins recommends eating a natural balance of fat and transfat for all. Here are some said Atkins of fats and oils:
* Eat a lot of fish with cold water and other foods containing omega-3-fatty acids (when pregnant, but not with the FDA guidelines on consume fish).
* Olive oil, especially marked extra blank or empty, should be highlighted.
* For the stove, canola, peanut, grape seed oil and, especially if cold "or" expeller pressed. "
* Avoid corn, soybean, safflower, sunflower and olive oil, except in small quantities and not heated (they have large amounts of omega-6 fatty acids from fat). Once again, cold-or expeller-pressed oils are recommended.
* The choice of mayonnaise, light mayonnaise chooses full employment, preferably with the guidelines for the oils.
* When selecting the vinaigrette, the same rules should apply, and monitor sugar added.
* Butter and other sources of soaked fatty acids (for example coconut) are acceptable, but must be consumed again in balance with other fats.
* Do not use margarine unless transfat.

Beverages
Water is the favorite drink far. Atkins recommends 8 glasses a day 8 oz. If you are hungry, and it is not meals, try drinking water first - you might need. Carbonated water or mineral water without sugar, with flavors is OK.

Do not drink beverages with sugar in it, including juice and cider. Herbal teas, coffee or tea is a good choice, even if some people are alcohol caffeine (Do you have the experience to see if it solves the need or slowed weight). Clear soups are usually low carbs (but, as always, to read the labels).

Special additional duty Foods
Small quantities of food the following day can be added (with carbs):
  • 2-3 tablespoons lemon juice or lime
  • 2-3 tablespoons of cream or one ounce sour cream
  • 10-20 olives
  • Half a small lawyer
  • Controlled-carb foods, such as the low-carb snack bars
Extra Fiber
Atkins recommends psyllium (the main ingredient in Metamucil ® fiber and others) and linseed flour for more fiber.

Sugar substitute
Atkins prefers sucralose (Splenda ®). Small amounts of saccharin (as well as Sweet N Low ®) are acceptable. Note the powder of these substances added carbs, 1 g / always packed. Where liquid (not Carb) sources, sucralose (Splenda ®)

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Meal Plans Atkins Diet Part#4

Lifetime Maintenance Phase

The meal plans here contain no more than 75 grams of net carbs per day and are designed to help you preserve your healthy body.

Option One

Breakfast
* Two scrambled eggs
* One slice of whole grain toast
* One grilled medium tomato

Lunch
* Swedish meatballs
* Spaghetti squash
* Small tossed green salad

Dinner
* Steak
* Sautéed vegetables
* One dinner roll

Snack
* Slices of vegetables with hummus

Option Two

Breakfast
* Two slices of whole grain French toast
* One quarter of a cantaloupe

Lunch
* Tomato soup
* Poached salmon salad

Dinner
* Spicy sausages
* Roasted vegetables
* Three ounces of brown rice

Snack
* Mocha hazelnut ice-cream

You can of course alter any of these meal plans to better suit your lifestyle and that of your family; just keep in mind the carb limits. The important key is planning, which gives you a greater shot at success. If you like to cook you can even get creative and develop your own series of Atkins recipes and meal plans!

Lifetime Maintenance Phase

Monday, April 20, 2009

Meal Plans Atkins Diet Part#3

Pre-maintenance Phase

The sample meals here include no more than 60 grams of net carbs per day – all that is allowed in this phase.

Option One

Breakfast
* Two turkey sausages
* Scrambled eggs
* One slice of whole grain bread

Lunch
* Seafood salad
* Handful of strawberries with cream

Dinner
* Roasted vegetable salad
* Poached peaches

Snack
* Two small chocolate brownies

Option Two

Breakfast
* Once slice of whole grain French toast
* Ricotta cheese
* Half a grilled peach

Lunch
* Beef salad
* Six ounces of mixed berries

Dinner
* Roast chicken
* Baked spinach
* Small tossed salad with celery-seed dressing

Snack
* Butter pecan ice-cream

Pre-maintenance Phase

Friday, April 17, 2009

Meal Plans Atkins Diet Part#2

Continuing Weight Loss Phase

The sample meals here include no more than 45 grams of net carbs per day – all that is allowed during this phase. Keep in mind that your own Critical Carbohydrate level for losing weight may be higher or lower than this number.

Option One

Breakfast
* Two eggs with smoked salmon and goat cheese
* Handful of raspberries

Lunch
* Greek salad
* Six-ounce can of tuna

Dinner
* New England clam chowder
* Grilled lobster with butter
* Green beans

Snack
* Olives and cheese cubes

Option Two

Breakfast
* Two egg omelet with cheese
* Three strips of bacon
* One small tomato

Lunch
* Dr. Atkins' Fromago Burgers
* Tomato and cucumber salad

Dinner
* Cod with hollandaise sauce
* Broccoli florets
* Small slice of baked cheesecake

Snack
* Two peanut butter cookies

Continuing Weight Loss Phase

Meal Plans Atkins Diet Part#1

Two Week Induction Phase


These meal plans contain no more than 20 grams of net carbs per day – all that is allowed during this phase. The salads and greens mentioned here and in any phase are to be dressed only with oils and vinegar unless otherwise noted.

Option One

Breakfast
* Two egg omelet with cheese
* Three strips of bacon
* Two slices of tomato

Lunch
* Chicken salad on one roll
* Small tossed green salad

Dinner
* Greek salad
* Leg of lamb
* Small serving of green beans

Snack
* Gouda cheese and olives

Option Two

Breakfast
* Bacon and onion omelet
* Sautéed mushrooms

Lunch
* Sliced roast pork
* Horseradish cream
* Small tossed green salad

Dinner
* Egg dumpling soup
* Green beans and artichokes

Snack
* Guacamole with endive spears

Two Week Induction Phase

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Atkins Diet Meal Plan - Sample Menu

Atkins Diet Meal Plan - Sample Menu


Induction

Breakfast:
Southwestern omelet with tomato, avocado and ham

Lunch:
Caesar salad with grilled chicken

Dinner:
Roasted Asparagus
Mixed green salad with lemon vinaigrette
Gelatin dessert made with sucralose

Snack:
Celery stuffed with herb cream cheese

Continuing Weight Loss

Breakfast:
Two poached eggs over Fried Green Tomatoes
Two strips of nitrate-free bacon

Lunch:
Grilled turkey burger with pepper-jack cheese and green salsa
Creamy Red Cabbage Slaw

Dinner:
Cajun Pork Chops
Sautéed Kale with Red-Pepper Dressing
Spicy Country Atkins "Cornbread"

Snack:
Spiced pumpkin seeds

Pre-Maintenance

Breakfast:
Belgian Waffles with Sugar Free Pancake Syrup and strawberries

Lunch:
Almost black bean soup
Ham and cheese-filled tortilla

Dinner:
Roasted Salmon with Macadamia-Cilantro Crust
Cauliflower-Leek Puree
Arugula, radish and cucumber salad
Ginger Flan with blueberries

Snack:
Two Chocolate Truffles


Lifetime Maintenance

Breakfast:
Two slices cranberry-orange loaf
Ricotta-cheese omelet

Lunch:
Vegetable soup
Crab salad over mixed greens

Dinner:
Herb Roasted Chicken with Lemon
Wild rice with mushrooms
Bibb lettuce and watercress salad with French dressing
Molten chocolate cakes

Snack:
Cantaloupe with limejuice

Atkins Diet Meal Plan - Sample Menu

Meal Plans for Atkins Diet

Meal Plans for Atkins Diet


Atkins diet is one of the popular weight loss diets. Here are some meal plans for Atkins diet that can help you as a guideline to get started.
Atkins diet is a low-carbohydrate, high-protein diet plan, which can help to lose weight naturally. Before we understand in detail about Atkins diet plan, it is necessary to know about the effects of obesity and how Atkins diet helps in losing excess body weight. Obesity is a very common problem in children and adults. It is caused mainly by unhealthy dietary habits and sedentary lifestyle. It can give rise to a number of health problems including hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, sleep apnea and certain orthopedic problems. Therefore, it is very essential to lose excess weight and maintain a healthy body. There are various methods of weight loss such as weight loss pills, surgery, exercises and specific weight loss diets. Atkins diet plan is one of the most effective weight loss diet plans.

What is Atkins diet?

Atkins diet plan recommends consumption of a low carb, high protein diet. It is considered as one of the most controversial diet plans. Atkins diet was launched by Dr. Robert Atkins in the 1960s. It is a multi-phased program, which can help to lose excess weight and maintain healthy body. It is also effective in preventing various health problems and maintaining good health. How does Atkins diet help to lose weight? Our body generates energy required for body processing by burning carbohydrates and fats. When intake of carbohydrates is decreased, then our body gets energy by burning more fats as fuel. This process is called as lipolysis. Once carbohydrate intake is reduced to less than 40 grams per day, your body will start burning fats efficiently. Your cravings for carbohydrates are minimized. Due to fat burning, ketones are released through urine and breath. This process is known as ketosis. High-protein foods in Atkins diet can help stabilize the blood sugar levels. Thus, our body loses excess weight through lipolysis and ketosis.

Meal Plans for Atkins Diet

There are four phases in Atkins diet such as induction, continuing weight loss (OWL), premaintenance and maintenance. In the induction phase of Atkins diet, consumption of carbohydrates is strictly restricted to 20 grams per day for at least 14 days. You can have only salads and nonstarchy vegetables like broccoli and lettuce. You can have protein rich foods such as meat, eggs, fish, shellfish and chicken. This phase induces certain changes in your body chemistry, leading to lipolysis and ketosis. Induction phase stabilizes the blood sugar levels and breaks your food cravings.

In the OWL stage, you can gradually increase the intake of carbohydrates from 20-25 grams in the first week, 30 grams in the next week and increase 5 grams weekly. Carbohydrates should be taken in the form of nutritious and fiber-rich foods. Then, reduce 5 grams of carbohydrates from your daily intake to continue moderate, sustained weight loss. In the premaintenance stage, the rate of weight loss is slower. Healthy body weight is maintained by increasing daily intake of carbohydrates by 10 grams. Maintenance phase is the last stage in Atkins diet. Once you have reduced your weight to the wanted levels, you need to maintain the appropriate weight. In the maintenance phase, you can choose various Atkins diet foods with restricted amounts of carbohydrates.

Atkins diet plan involves consumption of more proteins and fats such as eggs, fish, meat and cheese; and limited intake of refined or processed carbs or high-carb foods such as bread, pasta, cereal, very sweet fruits, starchy vegetables and high-sugar foods such as desserts. The most preferred foods in Atkins diet plan are eggs, cheese (cheddar, Swiss, Parmesan and mozzarella), meats (ham, bacon, beef etc.), fowl (chicken, turkey, duck etc.), fish and shellfish (trout, salmon, tuna, shrimp etc.), vegetables such as squash and peas and fats and oils like olive oil, butter and vegetable oil. You can have beverages like herbal tea, club soda, diet soda and one or two cups of tea or coffee.

Here are some sample meal plans for Atkins diet, which can guide you for starting with Atkins diet.

Atkins Diet Meal Plan #1

Breakfast: Omelet made from 3 eggs, ¼ cup of cream and 2 teaspoons of spinach and feta, ½ ham steak and decaffeinated tea or coffee

Lunch: Salami and cream cheese roll-ups and 2 cups of salad greens

Dinner: Creamy almond chicken, 1 cup salad greens, 1 cup broccoli and 1 teaspoon dressing of choice

Atkins Diet Meal Plan #2

Breakfast: 3 soft or hard boiled eggs (You can chop them lightly and mix with 1 teaspoon fresh butter, 1 teaspoon cream and 1 teaspoon fresh herbs of choice), 4 turkey sausages and decaffeinated tea or coffee

Lunch: Chef salad (ham and turkey strips, grated cheese and chopped eggs with 2 cup salad greens) and 2 teaspoons dressing

Dinner: Lamb roasted in mint and rosemary sprigs, 1 cup cauliflower with cream and butter, 1 cup salad greens and 1 teaspoon dressing of choice

Atkins Diet Meal Plan #3

Breakfast: Two poached eggs over fried green tomatoes and 2 strips of nitrate-free bacon

Lunch: Grilled turkey burger with pepper-jack cheese, green salsa and red cabbage slaw

Dinner: Sautéed kale with red pepper dressing and spice pumpkin seeds

Atkins Diet Meal Plan #4

Breakfast: Whitefish salad and 2 tomato slices

Lunch: Spinach, ham and cheese omelet and mixed green salad

Dinner: Herb-roasted chicken with lemon, buttered green beans on Panna Cotta

Advantages of Atkins Diet Plan

Atkins diet causes significant weight loss in a natural way by burning body fats. High protein foods recommended in Atkins diet can help to maintain constant blood sugar levels. You are able to avoid inter-meal diets, as you won’t feel hungry in between the meals. Atkins diet also improves overall health, because most of the toxins in the body are removed with fat burning. Atkins diet plan can help to increase the levels of HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol), which can minimize the risk of atherosclerosis.

Before you opt for Atkins diet plans, it is necessary to consult the doctor/dietitian. Regular exercises along with Atkins diet are significantly beneficial for quick weight loss. Atkins diet is not recommended for people with diabetes and kidney disorder, and during pregnancy.

Meal Plans for Atkins Diet

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Atkins protein diet principles

Atkins protein diet principles


The basic premise of the Atkins protein Diet is that calories don't matter - a revolutionary and refreshing concept for anyone who has tried unsuccessfully to lose weight by tediously counting the calories in every bite of food. While severely restricting consume carbohydrate-rich foods, the Atkins Diet encourages unlimited consumption of foods containing protein and fat.

Dr. Atkins' recommendations are based on his belief that diets high in sugar and refined carbohydrates increase produce insulin, a hormone covered by the pancreas. Insulin simplifies the storage of calories as fat. When less carbohydrates are consumed, less insulin is covered, resulting in less fat storage. In addition, the lack of available dietary carbohydrate (the body's preferred source of fuel) forces the body to burn stored fat as energy, a condition Dr. Atkins refers to as Benign Dietary Ketosis (BDK).

Even a small amount of carbohydrate in the diet will prevent Benign Dietary Ketosis, preventing weight loss in individuals on the Atkins Diet. As a result, Atkins dieters are encouraged to test their urine for the presence of ketones (fat-like compounds produced during ketosis) using Lipolysis Testing Strips. If the dieter is in a state of ketosis, he/she will excrete ketones in his/her urine, and the Lipolysis Testing Strip will turn purple. If the Lipolysis Testing Strip does not turn purple, the dieter must restrict his/her carbohydrate intake further to induce BDK.

The Atkins protein Diet is divided into four phases: Induction, Ongoing Weight Loss, Premaintenance, and Maintenance.

During the Induction phase (the first 14 days of the diet), carbohydrate intake is limited to no more than 20 grams per day. No fruit, bread, grains, starchy vegetables, or dairy products (except cheese, cream and butter) are allowed during this phase.

During the Constant Weight Loss phase, dieters experiment with various levels of carbohydrate consumption until they determine the most liberal carbohydrate intake that allows them to continue to lose weight. Dieters are encouraged to maintain this level of carbohydrate intake until their weight loss goals are met.

During the Premaintenance and Maintenance phases, dieters control the carbohydrate consumption that allows them to maintain their weight. To prevent regaining weight, dieters must stick to this level of carbohydrate consumption, perhaps for the rest of their lives.

According to Dr. Atkins, most people must limit their carbohydrate intake to no more than 60 grams per day to keep lost weight off. (Note: The dietary recommendations issued by various organizations, including the United States Department of Agriculture, the National Institutes of Health, and the American Heart Association, encourage a daily carbohydrate intake of around 300 grams.)

In addition to the dietary restrictions discussed above, Dr. Atkins recommends regular exercise and nutritional supplementation as part of his weight loss program.

Atkins protein diet principles

Thursday, April 9, 2009

How to survive the Atkins Diet Induction period

How to survive the Atkins Diet Induction period


Many people have tried the Atkins Diet thinking that it's going to be easy to lose weight, but if you're not careful you could sabotage your weight loss before you've even begun! Here are a few tips to get you through those first tough few weeks.

Instructions
Step1
First, read the book! Once you get your head around why you must remove most carbs for a little while it will be easier to make the right food choices! Also there are helpful recipes in the book and that will give you a jumping off point in case you are unsure of what to eat.
Step2
Family support is critical, but you cannot expect the whole family to do this diet with you! Kids especially are going to need lots of healthy carbs that you won't be able to have for a while, so get used to saying 'No thanks' every time your darling little ones offer that piece of fruit or sweet treat! But this is a great opportunity to remove some of the not so good foods from the house...the candy, potato chips, and other high fat processed junk food. Seek out healthy alternatives and you might even find something you can all enjoy together!
Step3
Try and keep snacks handy in the fridge. Raw vegetables (as long as you stay within the diet guideline limits) with salad dressing are good, but remember to check the dressing label! Many salad dressings are loaded with sugar and that will sabotage your diet! Chicken drumsticks are a great snack...cook them up and eat them cold or reheat them. And string cheese is one of my favorites! Great to eat on the go!
Step4
Don't be afraid to try new food combinations, just stay within the guidelines. And try recipes! Some great ones can be found in the websites below.

How to survive the Atkins Diet Induction period

Dr Atkins Diet Plan - Induction Phase

Dr Atkins Diet Plan - Induction Phase


Dr Atkins Diet Plan - Day 1

Breakfast
1½ slices Zucchini Nut Bread
2 ounces cream cheese

Lunch
Broiled cheeseburger
Large mixed green salad with two tomato slices

Dinner
Cajun Pork Chops
Sautéed kale with garlic

Snacks
Controlled carb vanilla shake


Dr Atkins Diet Plan - Day 2

Breakfast
Two scrambled eggs
Two turkey sausages

Lunch
Greek salad made with Romaine lettuce, half a tomato, feta cheese, olives and dill vinaigrette
Small can of tuna

Dinner
Veal Piccata
Sautéed spinach
Gelatin dessert made with sucralose, topped with whipped cream

Snacks
Controlled carb strawberry shake

Dr Atkins Diet Plan - Day 3

Breakfast
Crustless Quiche
Two tomato slices

Lunch
Chicken salad served over chopped cucumber, radishes and watercress

Dinner
Maple Mustard-Glazed Salmon
Sautéed broccoli with red pepper
Small green salad with vinaigrette

Snacks
10 to 20 olives


Dr Atkin Diet Plan - Day 4

Breakfast
Smoked salmon and cream cheese rollups
Two hard-boiled eggs

Lunch
Homemade Chicken Soup

Dinner
Broiled steak
Lightly Spicy Turnip "Fries"
Arugula and Boston lettuce salad

Snacks
Turkey, Romaine lettuce and mayonnaise rollup

Dr Atkins Diet Plan - Day 5
Breakfast
Western omelet with green salsa

Lunch
Vegetable broth with shredded white radish
Shrimp salad over greens

Dinner
Turkey Cutlets with Green Peppercorn Sauce
Cauliflower-Leek Puree
Gelatin dessert made with sucralose, topped with whipped cream

Snacks
1 ounce Swiss cheese


Dr Atkins Diet Plan - Day 6
Breakfast
2 ounces melted mozzarella cheese with Two Bran-a-Crisp crackers

Lunch
Salad with blue-cheese dressing

Dinner
Pork burgers
Creamy Red Cabbage Slaw
Broiled portobello mushrooms with sesame oil

Snacks
Mocha granita


Dr Atkins Diet Plan - Day 7

Breakfast
Whitefish salad
Two tomato slices

Lunch
Ham, spinach and cheese omelet
Mixed green salad

Dinner
Herb Roasted Chicken with Lemon
Buttered green beans
Panna Cotta

Snacks
Celery stuffed with Roasted Garlic and Vegetable Dip

Dr Atkins Diet Plan - Induction Phase

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Can I drink alcohol on the Atkins diet?

Can I drink alcohol on the Atkins diet?



After induction, you can see if it effects your loss to drink a limited amount of alcohol - but drink it sparingly, only on special occasions, etc. Essentially all hard liquors are fine, as long as you mix them with low-carb mixers like diet Coke or club soda. A limited amount of dry red wine is okay for most people, and when it comes to beer, Miller Lite (3 grams/carbs) is a good choice.

Atkins Diet Phase III - The Pre Maintenance Phase

Atkins Diet Phase III - The Pre Maintenance Phase



Once you are within 5-10 lbs of your ideal weight, you will need to begin the Pre-Maintenance phase of the Atkins Diet. Pre-Maintenance slows your weight loss in preparation for Lifetime Maintenance. Find your Critical Carbohydrate Level for Maintaining (CCLM) in much the same way you found your CCLL. Each week, increase your daily carb count by 10 grams. If, after an increase, you find that you are gaining or are not losing and you are not yet at your goal weight, you need to back down to the previous level. The line between gaining, maintaining and losing is fine and it may take several weeks to find your CCLM

Don’t rush to lose those last few pounds. By adding new foods slowly, one at a time, you give yourself the chance to discover the impact of various foods on your body. Pre-Maintenance is the period in which you learn what your metabolism can handle and what sends you screaming off the wagon. If you have very high metabolic resistance, you may never be able to tolerate whole grains, legumes, or starchy vegetables.

Pre-Maintenance rules are not carved in stone. Rather than adding carbohydrate foods in increments of 10 grams each week, you could allow yourself a 20-gram carbohydrate treat a few times a week. Have half a peach with breakfast or a few slices of roasted sweet potato with dinner. Some people will opt to have a standard-sized, sugar-free alcoholic beverage such as a glass of wine or a scotch and soda. You could also choose to spread your carbs over the course of the week, having very low carbs for a few days before a special dinner out.

This phase of Atkins is the hardest one of all, because you need to learn to control your portions and your appetite. Once you begin to eat more carbohydrates, you will go out of lipolysis. When you are out of lipolysis, you will again be subject to cravings. You’re learning the eating skills that will serve you well for the rest of your life. You can help control your appetite by not skipping meals and by not eating carbohydrates without protein and fat to slow the rush of glucose into your bloodstream.

It’s important to choose from the lower-glycemic index foods to prevent cravings. Some good choices are:

• Sweet Potatoes
• Brown Rice
• Legumes
• Oatmeal (not instant)
• Whole Grain Breads and Pastas

A good test for which grain products are acceptable for this phase is this: If you have to chew the grains with your molars to grind them up to swallow them (Like good, grainy bread, brown and wild rice pilaf, kasha, etc.), it’s good to eat.

Atkins Diet Phase 3

Atkins Diet Phase IV - The Lifetime Maintenance

Atkins Diet Phase IV - The Lifetime Maintenance


When you reach your goal weight, you will officially be in phase four: Lifetime Maintenance. Congratulations! As you move into this next phase of Atkinsdiet, you must remember to ease into your Maintenance rule very slowly. Always keep in mind that even though you may eat a wider variety of foods than you did during the other phases of the diet, you cannot fall back into your old eating habits. Don’t make the mistake of losing the weight only to gain it back by eating the way you used to.

Lifetime maintenance is simply a matter of following your Critical Carbohydrate Level for Maintenance. You learned how many and what type of carbohydrates your metabolism can handle during Pre-Maintenance. You may now add more foods to your plan except of sugar. Follow your CCLM and you will maintain your new weight within 2 or 3 pounds. There is a natural change of around 3 pounds due to hormonal variations in your body. Most people will be able to eat around 90 grams of carbs per day and say their weight.

You also must overcome your previous bad habits and learn how to deal with stress. Keeping your weight loss is as much a mental challenge as a physical one. It’s important to eat right even when you’re stressed. By realizing that you tend to reach for sugary or starchy foods for comfort and then making the correct food choices can actually lessen the impact of stress on your body. Similarly, you'll need to learn coping strategies for holidays, as well as knowing how to order what you need at restaurants. By making weight control a constant priority in your life, you can continue your success.

Atkins Diet Phase 4

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Induction Phase of the Atkins Diet - What You Need to Know

Induction Phase of the Atkins Diet - What You Need to Know


The induction phase is the first and one of the most important steps to having a successful diet experience
on the Atkins diet. The first phase introduces the new dieter to the list of acceptable foods and the basic rules of the diet. It is very important for the person to study and know what types of food are acceptable in this phase of the diet before going to the grocery store to buy food.

In this phase it is important to eat at least three balanced meals per day. These meals can be broken down into a larger number of smaller meals if cravings occur between meals. Carbohydrate cravings are very common and sometimes overwhelming during this phase of the diet. To minimize these cravings, the body must be kept satisfied with proteins and the allowable vegetables.

These foods can be consumed in large quantities to control carbohydrate cravings. Note the Atkins diet is not based on caloric intake but rather carbohydrate consumption. The grams of carbohydrates need to be monitored very closely to make sure they remain within the limits. At least twelve to fifteen of each day's allotted carbohydrate intake should come from the vegetables allowed in the diet, because the fiber in the vegetables is vital in keeping intestinal health during the diet.

No pasta, grains, bread, or starchy vegetables are allowed in the induction phase. Some of these foods are reintroduced in limited parts in later phases. Beans although a good source of protein, contain more than the allowable amount of carbohydrate for the induction phase.

Induction Phase of the Atkins Diet