Atkins Support Group

dittiepe

Lite salt? What is lite salt?
Salt substitute is made with potassium instead of sodium, but I never knew there was a combo.

SugarBaby1987

I am almost a week into induction. I am pretty sure that I am in ketosis as I am exhibiting nearly all of the symptoms that I have read about (but I don't have the strips). My appetite is pretty under control, but I feel fatigued. Very fatigued. I got eight hours of sleep last night, but I still feel like I need to take a nap right now. Any suggestions

It might mean you need to salt your food! Sodium depletion is a side effect of induction because your body is using ketosis as a diuretic! As your excess water weight is released so is your chemistry altered. I use lite salt because is has sodium with potasium. You will feel better if you mix a tsp into some warm water and glug it down! Or you can just make some bullion cube broth and drink that.

I didn't know lite salt had potassium in it!! I should get some... I've been really worried about my potassium levels- I'm not even getting half of what I should be according to MFP and I have a history of arryhthmias that I don't want to aggravate. I was thinking of a supplement, but salt with it already in there sounds good as well.

Be careful with some brands of Lite salt. Dextrose is added as an ingredient. Morton lite salt claims that the amount they add in their Lite Salt is so small it won't cause harm, but i've read about quite a few people the low carb forums that say it does effect them. Just be careful.

TAMMY_76

may i join i start induction tomorrow and need lots of advise thanks

Dee830pgh

Thanks so much for starting this topic! I am new to MFP, and three days into the Induction Phase. I feel that I finally have found the right plan for me. I've read all your posts, and appreciate all the ideas, advice and encouragement you've all expressed.

I look forward to being part of a great group - as the Beatles said - "I get by with a little help from my friends".

deathcab87

I just started induction and I'm so relieved to have found this thread, thanks so much for starting it!

I'll definitely be checking and posting here regularly

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE

Z

Alyx128

I am almost a week into induction. I am pretty sure that I am in ketosis as I am exhibiting nearly all of the symptoms that I have read about (but I don't have the strips). My appetite is pretty under control, but I feel fatigued. Very fatigued. I got eight hours of sleep last night, but I still feel like I need to take a nap right now. Any suggestions

It might mean you need to salt your food! Sodium depletion is a side effect of induction because your body is using ketosis as a diuretic! As your excess water weight is released so is your chemistry altered. I use lite salt because is has sodium with potasium. You will feel better if you mix a tsp into some warm water and glug it down! Or you can just make some bullion cube broth and drink that.

I have looked at my sodium and potassium for the past 7 days. My sodium is close to what MFP recommends (2,500) usually between 250-500 mg short. My potassium on the other hand is about half of what MFP recommends. Do I need to consume even more sodium than what MFP recommends during ketosis? Is it possible that the low potassium is causing the fatigue? If so, what do I do about it? Should I take a supplement? Where do I get lite salt.? I know I have a lot of questions thanks for all of your help?

parshath

Hey all- just wanted to tell ya about my splenda experience. I lost 8 pounds in induction and stayed there for a week. Some folks on the Atkins Bulletin Board suspected it could be due to artificial sweetner. I enjoyed: sugarless gum, sugarless Jello, Mio beverage enhancer...I think that's it. Well I cut out the Jello and Mio and the gum to 3 slices a day and in 2 days I've lost 2 pounds!! I was told that even at zero carbs, some bodies treat Splenda and the like as sugar, anyway, that's why you limit it to 3 svgs. Lucky me that my body is so on the job. Boooo! I really like the Mio sweet tea, but I guess plain water is good, too.

You might try a different artificial sweetener and see if that works better for you. Truvia is supposed to be pretty good and better for you than Splenda. Not sure how many pre-packaged items are out there for sale that use it, but you can buy some packets and add it, plus lemon or lime juice to your water for a low cal drink.

Recent research (cited from a magazine that I cannot remember) suggests that small amounts of the insulin hormone is released from a sweet taste in anticipation of sweet food or drink, regardless of sweetener. Various tests suggest that aspartame does affect insulin levels in a similar way sugar does, while splenda, stevia, and possibly other sweeteners may not have such a profound effects. My understanding of insulin is to remove sugar and excess nutrients from the bloodstream, and store them inside muscles and fat cells. If there is little insulin, then there will be less fat being stored, also little insulin may work very well with amino acids in opening muscle tissue and increasing lean muscle mass.

Of course do what you find works best, this is just some info I ran into that might help us over a hurdle if someone else finds these issues.

parshath

I'm sold on the low carb idea, it makes sense to me at least. I have failed Atkins induction more times than I can remember, and have found the Primal/Paleo diet advertised on marksdailyapple.com to be easier to follow, with similar perks to Atkins. Atkins advocates tell me you will lose weight slower on a Primal diet, but I find it significantly more sustainable and am losing weight at a remarkable rate, in comparison to MFP's guided recommendations anyways.

kittrelle

I'm sold on the low carb idea, it makes sense to me at least. I have failed Atkins induction more times than I can remember, and have found the Primal/Paleo diet advertised on marksdailyapple.com to be easier to follow, with similar perks to Atkins. Atkins advocates tell me you will lose weight slower on a Primal diet, but I find it significantly more sustainable and am losing weight at a remarkable rate, in comparison to MFP's guided recommendations anyways.

Good for you! I debated the Paleo/Atkins routes with myself, but really the shunning and/or limiting of eggs and dairy scared me away. I LOVE the fact that you can have so many veggies and fruits, though!! I need to lose a lot of weight, though, so I went with Atkins for quick results, and more control which my carb cravin self needs.

SueInAz

I'm sold on the low carb idea, it makes sense to me at least. I have failed Atkins induction more times than I can remember, and have found the Primal/Paleo diet advertised on marksdailyapple.com to be easier to follow, with similar perks to Atkins. Atkins advocates tell me you will lose weight slower on a Primal diet, but I find it significantly more sustainable and am losing weight at a remarkable rate, in comparison to MFP's guided recommendations anyways.

It's really all about finding what works best for each of us. Nothing wrong with losing weight a little more slowly if you find it a better option for you. Good luck!

bron_89

I have to start induction again I went 3 days with absolutely no troubles and had entered ketosis but then on Saturday night I was at an engagement party where I hardly knew anyone and everyone was drinking so I got really drunk to get rid of the awkwardness (silly, i know). I haven't had alcohol all year so it was definitely a one off. Then Sunday morning I was still at my friends house and they made breakfast and I stuffed up again there too because I was still a bit drunk, then today I ate rice and butter chicken cos I felt like a failure! I can feel I have gained weight but hopefully it comes off just as fast once I get back into it. Atkins seems like the best thing for me to lose weight! I just have to learn how to deal with saying 'no' in social situations.

dittiepe

I have to start induction again I went 3 days with absolutely no troubles and had entered ketosis but then on Saturday night I was at an engagement party where I hardly knew anyone and everyone was drinking so I got really drunk to get rid of the awkwardness (silly, i know). I haven't had alcohol all year so it was definitely a one off. Then Sunday morning I was still at my friends house and they made breakfast and I stuffed up again there too because I was still a bit drunk, then today I ate rice and butter chicken cos I felt like a failure! I can feel I have gained weight but hopefully it comes off just as fast once I get back into it. Atkins seems like the best thing for me to lose weight! I just have to learn how to deal with saying 'no' in social situations.

You might be retaining due to the alcohol and possibly a load of sodium. Just jump back onto induction and forget about the weekend. It's a learning process, and thankfully Atkins is forgiving

lockef

I have to start induction again I went 3 days with absolutely no troubles and had entered ketosis but then on Saturday night I was at an engagement party where I hardly knew anyone and everyone was drinking so I got really drunk to get rid of the awkwardness (silly, i know). I haven't had alcohol all year so it was definitely a one off. Then Sunday morning I was still at my friends house and they made breakfast and I stuffed up again there too because I was still a bit drunk, then today I ate rice and butter chicken cos I felt like a failure! I can feel I have gained weight but hopefully it comes off just as fast once I get back into it. Atkins seems like the best thing for me to lose weight! I just have to learn how to deal with saying 'no' in social situations.

Don't feel bad. I carbed up on pancakes and waffles yesterday morning, and had pizza with cheesy bread for late lunch/dinner. If you work out, you'll have your glycogen stores filled up and ready to go. If not, don't worry too much about it. You (We) probably gained some weight, but a lot of it is just water.

Thankfully our bodies aren't so sensitive to just a couple days of eating. Just because you're on low carb, doesn't mean you can't live your life and indulge every once in awhile. Just got to make sure to get back on track.

pork_belly

I have to start induction again I went 3 days with absolutely no troubles and had entered ketosis but then on Saturday night I was at an engagement party where I hardly knew anyone and everyone was drinking so I got really drunk to get rid of the awkwardness (silly, i know).

I've read that using IF (intermittent fasting) can work as a substitute for induction.

bron_89

Thanks for the support You're all very helpful! I'll just get back into it tomorrow morning.
@pork_belly - I've tried intermittent fasting, it's not for me unfortunately. Triggers binges. Even today i thought to myself "I'll fast today and It'll make up for the weekend..." i only lasted a few hours and then I was eating leftovers which I wouldn't have touched if I had just gone back into induction and eaten protein/fat.

katberz

I restarted induction today after going on holiday and eating off plan. The good thing is I don't really crave carbs anymore unless I let myself get ravenously hungry so I'm feeling quite optimistic.

TAMMY_76

hi guys i got a quick question..can you use metamucil to up your fiber on atkins..i got the sugar free kind

dittiepe

hi guys i got a quick question..can you use metamucil to up your fiber on atkins..i got the sugar free kind

Yes you can

TAMMY_76

hi guys i got a quick question..can you use metamucil to up your fiber on atkins..i got the sugar free kind

Yes you can

thank you so much :flowerforyou:

LaJauna

I'm sold on the low carb idea, it makes sense to me at least. I have failed Atkins induction more times than I can remember, and have found the Primal/Paleo diet advertised on marksdailyapple.com to be easier to follow, with similar perks to Atkins. Atkins advocates tell me you will lose weight slower on a Primal diet, but I find it significantly more sustainable and am losing weight at a remarkable rate, in comparison to MFP's guided recommendations anyways.

Good for you! I debated the Paleo/Atkins routes with myself, but really the shunning and/or limiting of eggs and dairy scared me away. I LOVE the fact that you can have so many veggies and fruits, though!! I need to lose a lot of weight, though, so I went with Atkins for quick results, and more control which my carb cravin self needs.

I am debating the no dairy part of Paleo/primal. I love cheeses and cream in my coffee. I probably would lose faster if I could let go of those, but for now I am happy with my dairy....

LaJauna

I am almost a week into induction. I am pretty sure that I am in ketosis as I am exhibiting nearly all of the symptoms that I have read about (but I don't have the strips). My appetite is pretty under control, but I feel fatigued. Very fatigued. I got eight hours of sleep last night, but I still feel like I need to take a nap right now. Any suggestions

It might mean you need to salt your food! Sodium depletion is a side effect of induction because your body is using ketosis as a diuretic! As your excess water weight is released so is your chemistry altered. I use lite salt because is has sodium with potasium. You will feel better if you mix a tsp into some warm water and glug it down! Or you can just make some bullion cube broth and drink that.

I have looked at my sodium and potassium for the past 7 days. My sodium is close to what MFP recommends (2,500) usually between 250-500 mg short. My potassium on the other hand is about half of what MFP recommends. Do I need to consume even more sodium than what MFP recommends during ketosis? Is it possible that the low potassium is causing the fatigue? If so, what do I do about it? Should I take a supplement? Where do I get lite salt.? I know I have a lot of questions thanks for all of your help?

That is why I use lite salt. It is high in potassium but still had some sodium.

parshath

I'm sold on the low carb idea, it makes sense to me at least. I have failed Atkins induction more times than I can remember, and have found the Primal/Paleo diet advertised on marksdailyapple.com to be easier to follow, with similar perks to Atkins. Atkins advocates tell me you will lose weight slower on a Primal diet, but I find it significantly more sustainable and am losing weight at a remarkable rate, in comparison to MFP's guided recommendations anyways.

Good for you! I debated the Paleo/Atkins routes with myself, but really the shunning and/or limiting of eggs and dairy scared me away. I LOVE the fact that you can have so many veggies and fruits, though!! I need to lose a lot of weight, though, so I went with Atkins for quick results, and more control which my carb cravin self needs.

I am debating the no dairy part of Paleo/primal. I love cheeses and cream in my coffee. I probably would lose faster if I could let go of those, but for now I am happy with my dairy....

No dairy would be better than any at all, but I decided to keep cheese, cream, and the occasional yogurt around. I lean to heavy cream (whipping or better) and aged cheese. I've read they are more tolerable and easier to digest, especially the cheese. I don't feel hindered by it but who knows, might cause a plateau down the road. Face that challenge if I run into it.

deathcab87

Good morning everyone!

I have a question I'm hoping someone on here can resolve - am I ok to drink unsweetended Soya Milk as part of my net carbs during Induction? I'm praying you say yes as I don't think I can't function without it

Oh and anyone else on here from Scotland or the UK?

Z

katberz

I have a question I'm hoping someone on here can resolve - am I ok to drink unsweetended Soya Milk as part of my net carbs during Induction? I'm praying you say yes as I don't think I can't function without it

Oh and anyone else on here from Scotland or the UK?

I'm pretty sure you're not supposed to have soya milk (even if unsweetened) but I haven't got the book to hand so will have to double check. Also, I'm in East Midlands.

kittrelle

hi guys i got a quick question..can you use metamucil to up your fiber on atkins..i got the sugar free kind

Yes you can

So glad you answered this. I'm not as 'regular' as I was Pre-Atkins. What kind of metamucil? I see Dr. Atkins recommends psyllium husks- that sounds really nasty- is it available as pill? I made the mistake of buying Metamucil Clear and Natural Inulin Fiber- little did I know that Inulin is the same thing that I can't cope with in Fiber One bars or anything else...one hour after a dose I feel like someone is blowing my tummy up with a huge balloon. What do most of you take? Does it effect carb count??

SueInAz

hi guys i got a quick question..can you use metamucil to up your fiber on atkins..i got the sugar free kind

Yes you can

So glad you answered this. I'm not as 'regular' as I was Pre-Atkins. What kind of metamucil? I see Dr. Atkins recommends psyllium husks- that sounds really nasty- is it available as pill? I made the mistake of buying Metamucil Clear and Natural Inulin Fiber- little did I know that Inulin is the same thing that I can't cope with in Fiber One bars or anything else...one hour after a dose I feel like someone is blowing my tummy up with a huge balloon. What do most of you take? Does it effect carb count??

Have you tried eating the Muffin in a Minute (MIM) on a daily basis? You can find the recipe on the Atkins site and it's sooo versatile! It's made with flax meal, which has plenty of fiber, as well as Omega-3s. I don't have this issue myself but I know a few people who swear it's the reason they stay regular. I personally think it's much better to take care of this problem, if you can, by eating the right foods as opposed to taking a supplement.

CarolAmanda

Just saying Hello! I'm an active lurker on this thread. I'm not following Atkins, but am working to lower my carbs and up my protein. I love all the info everyone is sharing here.

Carol

kittrelle

hi guys i got a quick question..can you use metamucil to up your fiber on atkins..i got the sugar free kind

Yes you can

So glad you answered this. I'm not as 'regular' as I was Pre-Atkins. What kind of metamucil? I see Dr. Atkins recommends psyllium husks- that sounds really nasty- is it available as pill? I made the mistake of buying Metamucil Clear and Natural Inulin Fiber- little did I know that Inulin is the same thing that I can't cope with in Fiber One bars or anything else...one hour after a dose I feel like someone is blowing my tummy up with a huge balloon. What do most of you take? Does it effect carb count??

Have you tried eating the Muffin in a Minute (MIM) on a daily basis? You can find the recipe on the Atkins site and it's sooo versatile! It's made with flax meal, which has plenty of fiber, as well as Omega-3s. I don't have this issue myself but I know a few people who swear it's the reason they stay regular. I personally think it's much better to take care of this problem, if you can, by eating the right foods as opposed to taking a supplement.

I'll all for the right foods doing the job as well, but I'm in induction! no meal of any kind for me, even flax.

cobylea

What do you Atkins followers suggest eating before working out? Before I would have some carbs to give me energy but that's a no go...

katberz

Just double checked on the soya milk - it's not on the allowed foods list. Once you get to the nuts/seeds rung of OWL you could use almond milk or wait til the legumes rung for soya milk.

I don't actually eat anything before a workout and I feel ok, though to be fair I'm not exactly running marathons lol.