I agree, at first, going low carb was harder than I expected, especially since I have a busy schedule. But, it did get easier as it was a lifestyle change for me. Stick with it. You'll see results.

It was my doctor that suggested I should eat low carb. It's been the only way I can lose weight or maintain a healthy weight with exercise. I used the Atkins method as a way to figure out how many carbs my body can handle.

The hardest part for me was learning what foods to eat and how to cook low carb. I didn't have any cravings like some people experience, which is surprising considering I grew up eating PB&J's, cereal, pasta, fast food, and where potatoes and corn were the only veggies in existence. Thank God I didn't have cravings! I've made lots of specialty requests at my local grocery store for low carb options, which has helped a lot. The produce selection here is terrible.

I still struggle on my super busy days when I have to eat out. A Jimmy John's Unwich is the only low carb fast food option around here and I can only stand to eat so many of them. But, everyone has good days and bad days.

I'm past the induction phase, but feel free to add me as a friend to view my diary.

I snacked on a lot of pickles, pickle wraps and bell pepper slices with dip during induction. Cold shrimp in a snack bag is an easy item to bring with too. I love shrimp plain, but Old Bay seasoning or garlic butter sauce for dipping works well if you like to add flavor.

At least induction is only two weeks. Phase 2 is way easier for snacking. My favorite low carb snacks are almonds, light string cheese, cottage cheese with fresh ground pepper, low carb protein powder, berries, pickles and pickles wrapped in cheese and ham. I love my chocolate truffle protein powder mixed with almond milk. It tastes like I'm drinking Swiss Miss!

I've noticed my office's cafeteria adds a lot of cooking oil when they make my scrambled eggs, which adds a lot of unhealthy fat. Flour-less egg bake made on Sundays or scrambled eggs in the microwave are cheap, quick and easy options for breakfast at work.

I take in a couple of olives (I like the blue-cheese stuffed olives), and of course cut celery (it's a foundation vegetable) with with a couple of tbs of blue cheese dressing to dip it in.

You'll find, though, that you won't have the urge to snack as often. Because carbs get absorbed into the blood more quickly, your stomach tends to empty out quicker, leading to those hunger pangs between meals. Because lipids take longer to digest, that doesn't happen. This week, and when I was on Atkins before, it was the norm for me, rather than feeling like I really needed a snack, to find myself fixing a meal even though I wasn't really all that hungry, but darn it, it's time to eat, and if I don't do it now I won't be able to for the next 5 hours!

You can also make yourself a muffin in a minute. Yummy, fiber-filled, and filling (sorry, I don't have the recipe on hand, but you can google it!).

Finally, I'd recommend going to the Atkins site and perusing the induction info. There are lots of helps there.

Best of success to you!

Peace,
Tom

Hey, good luck! I am starting back on atkins after a couple of months eating a more paleo diet. I found it didnt agree with my stomach so much so back to what works for me.
Its hard getting into the routine, but as long as you are organised you will be laughing. Honestly thats the only advice you need - BE ORGANISED! : ) Getting caught out is what leads to failure!

I didn't do Paleo and mostly low carb but I have determined that I really need a true induction 2 week. I have been drinking wine and eating some carbs that are not helping me. I want to lose 7-10 lbs and should be able to accomplish this. good luck to you and I'm going back full fledge tomorrow ;-)

There are lots of great suggestions above. I love having jalapeno cheese sticks around. Also, I found that if I microwave a deli slice of muenster cheese for like 1:25 (I'm sure this varies depending on the type of microwave) it peels right off the plate and gets crispy after it cools. Full fat ricotta cheese is awesome too.

I just noticed everything I suggested is some type of cheese. Heh.