Is anything wrong with consuming 0 carbs? I'm in the induction phase of Atkins.

Well if you eat 0 carbohydrate you aren't following atkins. Even in the begining phase of the original atkins publications people are allowed to eat eggs, which are not 0 carbohydrate.

There is nothing wrong with eating zero carbs.

But that's not Atkin's induction or any other phase. On induction, you are supposed to eat 1-2 cups of veg/salad, which, of course, has some carbs.

Getting to zero carbs is really pretty difficult, since carbs are hiding everywhere (like the kidnappers my mother-in-law is constantly warning us about). Eggs, cheese, half n half, Splenda packets, lunch meats, sausage all have some carbs.

If you are truly doing Atkins, be sure to eat your veggies.

I understand that up to 20g of carbs are allowed, but is that amount a requirement? Hence my question about 0 carbs.

Maybe the absence of veggies is what's messing me up. I think I've only lost 1 lb in 2 weeks. Not arguing with you ... it's just that I didn't get the impression from the Atkins book that veggies were a requirement. Only that they're permitted. ??

Post a typical days menu.

Are you entering all this into a nutritional program like fitday or MyP.L.A.N? What do your percentages look like?

You make a good point here. It's like with the dairy allotment, the plan says something along the lines of, "...up to x amount..." etc. Of course, I always went way over that. I went under on some things, and over on others.

Meanwhile, I just wanted to say that I 'get' what you're saying. Not everything appears to be a 'requirement'.

Thing is - I'd always suggest starting up a new plan pretty much as written, and sticking to it for awhile. Wish I'd done that in the first place. I'm assuming the authors of such plans have had very good success rates with the plan as written, and that there's good reason for the various allotments of food items.

After spinning my wheels several times on Atkins, I finally decided to take a really good look at the Rules of Induction and make sure I was following every single one of them. Well, lo and behold - the thing works.

And here I was thinking, "Atkins doesn't work for me..." It wasn't the plan, it was me.

Why not learn the plan, and get really good at it? Master it.

Meanwwhile, I don't think there's anything wrong with 0 carbs or 'close to zero' - just that I wouldn't recommend this as a starting point. Try a published plan first, and get good at it. Give it several weeks, and check in with the book once in awhile to see how well you're following it.

Is there a reason for the 0-carb attempt in induction? Are you thinking, "Well, I can do this plan better?" or is it certain foods on the induction phase that you don't like? Too much fuss and hassle? Or do you think that perhaps 0-carb might mean faster weight loss?

Unless you are purely eating non processed meat I don't see how you can be zero carbs?

I don't think Dr Atkins mentions anything about zero carbs during induction or anywhere in the book (but I may be wrong!?) Induction is up to 20g carbs per day, including one cup salad and veggies.

hold on, hold on....
in his 1973 book which was his first, he DID mention 0 carb because he only allowed 1 cup of lettuce/salad or 3 olives or 2 pickles as the vegetable a day which he said would be less than 5 carbs.. he was shooting for 0 carb.. and i do believe that the term "zero carb" was in his first book when he mentioned insulin resistant people who could not lose no matter what...

check the book, i think i'm right.



if you don't want to eat vegetables, you don't have to.
there are many, many, many of us that don't bother with vegetables because the body doesn't need them.

Doesn't lettuce, olives and pickles all have carbs? Or was it just a term to infer 'very low carbs'?

I have the newer version so can't check the book, so I apologise if I was wrong.

In the 72 version he does mention the small amount of carbs in the veg's as being almost like no carbs have been eaten. He also says that after the first week you should start moving up the carb levels...it does seem that many people do not follow the 72 version to the letter though and there are definitely different LC plans available if it doesn't suit you. Ultimately if you are following a plan...you should try to follow the plan or find another one that you prefer...We are all individuals, and what works for one may not work or be to the liking of another.

It must be expected that if you are on a plan and do not follow it, you may not get the results that the plan says you will achieve, equally it is also difficult to follow a plan to the letter and not achieve what it says you will achieve. For some LC means under 20 grams net carbs others total carbs and still some work on VLC.

Citrus states it well, pick a plan, follow it, see how it works for you, then you can make an informed decision. It has been a real long learning curve for me, with a few brick walls that were in the way, relearning to eat is a challenge but a very rewarding thing.

I wish you success in your journey
Scotiagirl

I think 0 carbs more guarantees weight loss rather than makes it faster.

I've been following the Atkins plan as it is in the book. I only eat foods in the allowed list. It talks about allowed amounts and allowed foods, but doesn't say that a certain amount of carbs are a requirement. I haven't seen anywhere that it says carbs are a requirement at all. So, I don't understand why ppl feel that I'm not following Atkins. Where in the book did they read that carbs are required?

The only thing I haven't been following in induction is the 8 8 oz glasses of water. I've been drinking a lot of water -- certainly more than I'm used to -- but I don't think I've reached the required amount yet. I suppose that's what's keeping me from losing weight?

That's what I've been eating. Non-processed meat and fish.
"Up to" indicates one has a choice, and in the context Atkins mentions it, indicates that it's allowed. Doesn't say it's a requirement.

I've been following it almost to the letter (that is, to the letter except for the water consumption, and I highly doubt that that's what's keeping me from losing because I was on Atkins a few years ago successfully and didn't consume so much water). I don't have the '72 book. I have the improved one. Well, I have lost a pound. But, is that success?

I seem to be highly resistant, that's why I'm aiming for 0 carbs.



How interesting!