HELP!!! Really confused about what I can eat??!!!

[Wallbank1982]

Hi everyone,

I started Atkins 2 weeks ago, but have 2 blips within this time. I don't know if I'm in ketosis or not (prob not as I am soooo tired) but haven't managed to track down any ketostixs yet (I live in the UK).

My question is - I really don't know what I can and can't eat. . . . .

I've been eating ham - but just realised that it has nitrites in and they are not allowed? Right??

I've been eating loads of Hellman's mayonaise, but now I find out that has sugar in it, so can't eat that?? Right??

Can I have Bovril as a gravy??

What sweetners can I have in sofe drinks? Can I have any form of coke, pepsi, other soda's?

Can I have bacon?? What about the nitrite's in this??

Can I have any other herbs other than those listed in the book??

Spices without sugar content??

Is cold herb tea allowed?? Or any fruit/herb tea's???

PLEASE HELP!!!!!

Thanks,

[Elizellen]

Originally Posted by Wallbank1982

Hi everyone,

Hi Welcome to our international ADBB family

I don't know if I'm in ketosis or not (prob not as I am soooo tired) but haven't managed to track down any ketostixs yet (I live in the UK).

You should be able to buy them at Boots or a similar chemist - usually you need to ask for them as they will not be on the display shelves. I never saw any change in their colour so I don't bother with them. Look for the other signs of ketosis as detailed in the Atkins Diet FAQ forum instead.
http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.c...g-ketosis.html (What are the physical signs of being in ketosis?)

I've been eating ham - but just realised that it has nitrites in and they are not allowed? Right??

Dr Atkins told is to try to avoid meats cured with nitrites, but many of us cannot find ham without it, so just don't go mad on quantities.

I've been eating loads of Hellman's mayonaise, but now I find out that has sugar in it, so can't eat that?? Right??

Yes - going strictly by the book, it has added sugar so should not be used. Again some of us do use mayo with added sugar without problems, but even in UK there are some brands without sugar. Tracklements is one, Waitrose sell one with no sugar (can't remember the brand name) and I imagine most of the 'better' supermarkets will also sell some. They will be more expensive than own brand mayo and Hellmans though.

Can I have Bovril as a gravy??

I never had gravy even before Atkins so am not sure - check the label for its ingredients to help you decide.

What sweetners can I have in soft drinks? Can I have any form of coke, pepsi, other soda's?

Aspartame is in all the main brand soft drinks so should be avoided according to DANDR. Also you need to avoid caffeine, which most colas have I think. I found that Tesco sell a Diet ginger ale which is sucralose sweetened, so would be OK.
You need to limit your servings of sweetener to 3 in a day, so that would mean up to 24 fluid ounces if you take them all in soft drinks.

Can I have bacon?? What about the nitrite's in this??

Same as for ham (above)

Can I have any other herbs other than those listed in the book?? Spices without sugar content??

Yes - in small amounts, and count their carbs.

Is cold herb tea allowed?? Or any fruit/herb tea's???

From DANDR "Allowed Beverages" list

herb tea (without barley or any fruit sugar added)

But remember your maximum 'allowance' of 3 servings of sweetener

Another thing to watch for is that outside USA most nutrition labels don't count fibre as being a carbohydrate at all (it is listed in a different section of the label) so in UK 'total carbs' does not include fibre grams and means the same as being 'net carbs' in USA.

[liv]

It is a bit of an adjustment for sure. But you'll figure it out. Basically what you can eat is lot of whole foods. For many of us that is a transition because we are so into processes foods.
Real meats, fish, poultry. Plain non starchy veggies. Those are the basic things.
Ham also may have sugars or dextrose in it - so it is not the greatest.

Good luck.
And welcome. You're doing fine just keep working it.

[tankgirlwa]

I really like ham but I can never find any without sugars in it! Before atkins it never occoured to me how much sugars get "sneaked" into meats!

[DSK]

Hey Wallbank
Welcome

I found my butchers the best place for bacon - they do a bacon that is cured on site and has nothing added to it the same goes for all my meat.

I also use Hellmans Mayo - Not sure about Bovril as I have never used it and I have not had gravy since I started as I can't stand thin gravy! I have been using stock cubes found in the Asda with their organic range for stock in Cottage Pie (Cauli mash)/Chillis etc

Hope this helps

[Wallbank1982]

Thanks guys, I think I have more of an idea now!! I've made homemade mayo, (olive oil, vegetable oil, tsp dijon mustard, egg yolks) a garlic cheese and mayo dip (goes great with celery in front of the tv!!), and also have cut ham out (for now!!).

I've now cut out caffeine (mayne just one Tassimo a day!!) and am drinking a little fruit tea (but not counting it in my water allowance!!).

Thanks DSK for your advice about stock cubes!! I will try those!!

Also, I have been using Retardex oral spray as a breath freshener. . . . . Ingredients: Aqua, Aroma, Sodium Chlorite, Glycerin, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Bicarbonate, Menthol, Saccharin, Methylparaben, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Benzoate. Is this ok?? Do I need to coun this in my sweetener allowance? And am I better with mouthwash??

Thanks everyone - this site is a god-send for me!!!

Rachel

[liv]

Glycerin (I think) and saccharin are sweeteners so you have to count it.
I am not sure it they add sweeteners to mouthwash. But you would not swallow it though right?