What is the induction flu?

[Elleth Faewen]

I'm three days into the diet and I feel so bad. Why?

During the Induction Phase of the Atkins Diet members have been known to complain of symptoms such as weakness, nausea, headaches, and dizziness -- to mention a few.

After starting the Induction phase, members should know that these symptoms are very common. Many people go through this anywhere from the first three days to the first 2 weeks. They blame the diet for making them feel awful; decide it's "unhealthy" and then they quit.

In reality, the symptoms are withdrawal from sugar. Sugar acts like a drug in the system and on brain function. Make no mistake about it -- you will go through some form of withdrawal when you remove it from your diet. How severe the symptoms depends on the person and how much sugar you were routinely consuming in a day (and remember, the body considers white flour, bleached rice, etc. the same as a sugar.)

We encourage our members to do a "clean" Induction. Induction is designed to switch your body from burning carbohydrates for energy to burning primarily fat for energy. Fat burning helps control your appetite. Withdrawal symptoms caused by food addictions may occur but will subside within a few days. By the end of the first week most people find that they have more energy and feel better.

Hang in there! As bad as they seem, experiencing withdrawal symptoms is really good news. DANDR says that the more severe your symptoms, the more you stand to gain from abandoning the food that is causing them. Induction will just be the first step of a natural progression to your permanent way of healthy eating.