[ValidRouge]

Here are my thoughts.

One of the things about Atkins and it's induction phase is that it really can be considered an elimination diet. The induction phase is where you cut a lot of foods out of your diet. If it was just a matter of 20 carbs, then the plan would have said limit 20 carbs. Because Dr. Atkins specifies the TYPES of carbohydrates, it makes sense that there is a reason for it.

One of the reasons, and for me it has become one of the MOST IMPORTANT reasons, is that by eliminating food groups from our diet and then add them back in slowly and in a prescribed order (and amount) that we then have the ability to investigate which foods we might have intolerance to. It is NOT only about weight loss. As you make your diet spartan and then add these foods back, you are going to be able for the first time in your life to determine which foods cause blood sugar instability, bowel problems, swelling, heart burn/indigestion. I was AMAZED at what certain foods will do to my body and MY SANITY. Weight loss, while VERY important to me, has become secondary to my physical and emotional health.

I hope that every member of this board gets the opportunity to feel that way. To be healthy, and to be free of cravings and blood sugar swings, food allergies , etc.