Diario de aakarras, 16 feb. 10

I completely understand. There is so much conflicting information. People mean well, but they often volunteer inaccurate advice, IMHO. When I tried to eat as many carbs as they said I HAD to eat, no weight loss and I was stuffed. It was too much food for me. Now I just do exactly what Dr. Atkins instructs to do in his book. I consume no more than 20 net carbs each day, and I don't try to get a certain amount. I also avoid sugar like the devil, and drink lots of water. My suggestion: Just do as the Dr. instructs in his book, follow his rules precisely - use his book as your bible.  

You need to adjust your calories on your own. You have to use RDI and calorie calculators as guidelines. Maybe start at 1500 a day for a week and see what happens. You can also have high and low days. One day eat 1200, another 1500, and so on. What works for one, doesn't always work for another. So make a plan and see what happens and adjust. In the end, all diets come back to the same thing (you have to burn off more than you take in). Also, if you don't exercise and can, start. It can make a big difference. Good luck! 

ok thanks guys.. and my other issue is the 20 carbs daily.. do I have to/should I get exactly 20? or does it matter at all as long as i get the 3 cups of veggies in daily? 

I disagree. As Dr. Atkins instructs, do not worry about counting calories. However, the Atkins diet is not a license to pig out & gorge yourself, but the only thing you need to count is net carbs. Keep them below 20. And try to get as many of those 20 as you can from vegetables. Don't eat when you're not hungry & stop eating when you're full, but do not worry about counting calories. Eat until your satisfied and whenever you are hungry (but don't overeat by eating when you're not really hungry). Your question about the 3 cups of veggies / 20 carbs was one I also asked in the beginning. People would say "Don't eat more than 20 carbs per day", and "Eat 20 carbs/day", which essentially is saying "Eat exactly 20 carbs/day." Crazy, huh? Everyone seems to have their own interpretation. But the truth is just do what the Dr. says in his book. Be sure not to go over 20 net carbs. Eat veggies (good carbs), fat, & protien every day. Do not consume sugar or anything else that is not on the accepted food list for Induction (since you're just starting). Drink lots of water (at least 64oz) every day. Take a good iron-free multi-vitamin every day also. Exercise is a big plus.  

Here is my list of priorities. 1) 12-15 NET carbs from veggies 2) 20 NET carbs 3) Never be hungry-eat if hungry, especially fat 4) Drink 1/2 my body weight in ounces of water. 5) Never go under 1500 calories, don't go over 2200 very often. The 20 NET carbs when you are using "cups" is a problem. Get a scale and weigh your veggies. That is much more accurate, and you can see more easily how various veggies weigh on your totals. I.E. an ounce of onions is 2.5 NET carbs. If you include the higher-carb veggies you will get to your goals faster.  

I would also recommend eating lots of avocados and mushrooms or else ask your doctor for Potassium supplements as you will run short of this mineral in your blood really quickly on long-term induction, or short-term for that matter as we get a lot from fruit. Ask how much to take, or go to the Atkins.com site and see what is recommended there. Muscle cramps may appear in your legs too - lack of the potassium may contribute, but Calicium is also needed. I would recommend Tums sugar free, no more than 9 tablets a day maximum is allowed. Other Calcium supplements may be very constipating. Magnesium is needed too. Vit D is highly recommended and is often the vitamin we most lack. Stevia may increase muscle cramps, be careful to not use to much of this natural non-sugar sweetener. I get cramps from it. Iron may be needed by women who are before menopause, if they have heavy periods. Omega 3 - 3 capsules a day maximum will lower the risk of high cholesterol. EVOO - Extra Virgin Olive Oil, or any Olive Oil for that matter will also be very good for one's cholesterol as are almonds. Just some other foods/suppplements that are important for us on Atkins as we are missing especially the Potassium so commonly found in fruit like bananas...