For those who have moved up the rungs

[ShannonM]

I skimmed the FAQ but didn't see this topic listed (but maybe it's there and I missed it). This question is for those on Atkins who are further up the ladder than Induction or extended induction.

Do the appetite-suppressing properties of Atkins remain even after the body is out of ketosis (which is what I understand happens as you gradually start adding carbs back into your diet)?

[not2late]

Originally Posted by ShannonM

I skimmed the FAQ but didn't see this topic listed (but maybe it's there and I missed it). This question is for those on Atkins who are further up the ladder than Induction or extended induction.

Do the appetite-suppressing properties of Atkins remain even after the body is out of ketosis (which is what I understand happens as you gradually start adding carbs back into your diet)?

You remain in ketosis/lipolysis (fat burning mode) as long as you haven't exceeded your Critical Carbohydrate Losing Level (CCLL). Dr. Atkins said you might not register on those ketostix once you are above 50 net carbs daily. But you still will have the physical signs of ketosis and can still be losing weight. That's why we occasionally have a person post a "Nah Nah I ate way over 20 net carbs and I still lost weight!" thread. Meh...if that person bothered to read the chapters after Chapter 11 in the book, he/she would have realized that only a very few people need to remain at Induction level carbs in order to lose weight. In fact, the vast majority of us can lose weight above Induction level carbs.

When you move to OWL and Pre-Maintenance, the appetite suppression is still dependent on ketosis/lipolysis, but it might be affected by foods that mess up your body's blood sugar control. The foods vary person to person. 2Big gets cravings from celery(!); we had one ADBB member who got cravings from broccoli; I can't eat cantaloupe or any food that combines eggplant and tomatoes without wanting to eat the entire house (copper plumbing and roofing material). Other foods are nuts, some grains, some fruits. Again, this is all dependent on your body's reaction to these foods. That's why OWL and Pre-Maintenance are very important phases---you learn about your body and you begin to tailor Atkins into your very own eating plan.

In the OWL forum there are stickies about OWLing and the Rules of OWL. One of the most important rules of OWL is if any food brings back symptoms of blood sugar instability, drop it from your menu. Failing to drop it from your menu can lead to weight loss problems because you might begin overeating legal foods or non-legal foods.

[sadie147]

I found in maintenance the appetite suppression of ketosis is gone however I also have learned through my atkins how to control portions, my trigger foods as megs mentioned (flax can set me off if i eat it without a protein), foods i tend to go over board with such as nuts, peanut butter, the difference between hunger and thirst etc. This is why I also think OWL is so important in order to be successful for life on this woe. I belive there's more to successful losses and maintenance of weight loss on Atkins than just the appetite suppression, it's also learning about yourself, your weaknesses and your eating patterns that have caused you issues in the past and how to learn to deal with them and get beyond them.

[ShannonM]

I remember being confused when I read this part of the book. Thanks for the explanations.

[ValidRouge]

Shannon,

While on induction I (and others here) had that deep, deep appetite suppression. I felt like I just absolutely could *NOT* eat. When I transitioned into the vegetable rung, I found that I had to eat my vegetables first just to get them in. As I moved through the other rungs, that deep appetite suppression lessened. I still don't find myself wanting to snack too much at all, but I don't have the deep appetite suppression of induction. So, I do have to be aware of my portions at meal time.

I hope that helps answer your question.

[ShannonM]

It does, thanks. I have exactly two days' experience on Induction (shouldn't have jumped ship so soon) and I remember hardly wanting to eat at all. Working up the courage to give this thing another shot...

[ValidRouge]

Yeah, that's part of induction. With time, even in extended induction I think that deep appetite suppression lessens somewhat.

I like to suggest that people eat their veggies first in order to make sure they get them in. They are so important because of the nutrients and fiber in them. One other thing that you might want to try is making sure that the veggies you are eating are the most nutrient dense. On the salad list, pick vegetables OTHER than lettuce. Lettuce has very little nutritional value or fiber.

With as little as you have to lose, after your two weeks go ahead and add MORE veggies and then move through the other rungs and add back foods to see how your body reacts. This is how you'll learn what foods you can tolerate and how many carbs you can eat in a day and continue to lose weight. Check out the Ongoing Weight Loss forum and read the stickies in there, so that you know what to expect.

[2big4mysize]

the appetite suppression is a function of the deepness of your ketosis. and actually we are always in ketosis which Dr Atkins defines as the burning of fats for fuel since about 50% of our maintnenance cals will be coming from fats. However as the degree of ketosis lightens the appetite suppression side effect lightens as not2late said.

in your DANDR Dr Atkins even talka about it in the premaintnenance section.
Becuase we have sopent months practicing our portion control, learning what foods in the various rungs trigger us, and feeding only our hunger we have learned valubel tools to help us continue our eating control all the way to goal.

[Maerow]

I find myself craving more and hungrier as soon as I start adding in more carbs. *shrug* When I cut them back, I had less of an appetite. But the veggies are good for you...but I want to snack snack snack after I have them. Bah.

[boonie stomper]

Regardless of the rung you are on, if you overeat your carbs beyond your CCLL, you are at risk of suffering the return of uncontrolled appetite and cravings. The level of carbs needed to knock one out of ketosis varies for different individuals, but is consistently increased for a given person when they exercise a lot that day versus when they are idle.