It's time to give it a go.

[pj7]

Over the last few weeks I have been "testing" a low carb style of eating just to see if it was something I could mentally handle. Up until now I'd say a majority of my caloric intake has been from carbohydrates, seriously.
After reading The Book that belong to a coworker and doing more studies online I find myself a bit confused on some things and a bit more clarified on others. I plan on starting the induction phase within the next few days (I need to do some shopping first) and finally feel that I will be mentally able to handle it. But here is where my confusion comes in.

I know that I am only allowed to eat the foods on the "acceptable Foods List", the obviousness of that is legible. But when I take a gandering eye at the sample menues for induction I am seeing plenty of things that are not on the list. Also, when I browse this forums menu section I see still more things that are not on the list. And some of you guys/gals have gotten quite creative might I add! Those recipes you have given sound better than the unhealthier counterparts.
So on induction can I really snack on Sugar Free Jello, Sugar Free Pudding, and the other so called "induction safe" recipes that contain ingredients that are not on the official Allowable foods list? Don't get me wrong, I can live on sauted beef with broccoli or grilled chicken and spinich salads, but all the other stuff I see mentioned are like icing on the cake!

[ValidRouge]

hi pj, welcome to the Atkins lifestle and ADBB.

The sugar free jello is allowed. Most of the Jello brand gelatin is made with aspartame. You can read in the book that Dr. A doesn't recommend consuming aspartame because it stalls some people. You can purchase your own Knox brand unflavored gelatin and then make your own. Top it off with REAL whipped cream. Sucralose (aka Splenda), Saccharine and Stevia are some of the acceptable sweetners you can use.

Sugar free pudding has starch in it I think...so I would stay away from that during induction.

Do you have any other specific items that have you confused?

Keep in mind that if you can make it through the first two weeks without "sweet treats" then you'll be better off. I just know firsthand (and still struggle with it) that just because something is not sweetened with real sugar, that our bodies don't react in some of the same ways with artificial sweetners.

Definitely stay away from the Atkins (or any other brand) bars and shakes.

[pj7]

It was mainly all the "induction safe" recipes that included ingredients not on the allowable foods list, off hand I can not think of anything in particular.
Why do you say to stay away from the shakes and bars? I tried the EAS Carb Advantage shake recently and found it to be a rather tasteful snack for the days when I was running short on time and needed something in my belly. It only had 2 carbohydrates or so, I think it touted "one impact carb" but after subtracting the fiber from the carbohydrates I came up with 2.

[Elizellen]

I agree with you that is is confusing to see menus listed in the Atkins books that are obviously NOT induction-legal acording to the ingredients, and on this board we advise people to avoid those suspect foods and stick to the allowed list when checking ingredients of foods to decide whether to include them in our menus.
The Atkins way of eating is based on using real food rather than chemical alternatives, so try to make your own 'convenience foods' rather than buying heavily processed ones even if someone (manufacturer) tells you on the pack it IS allowed.
Look at the list of ingredients for any foods and make your own decision before eating it.
Remember it is in the commercial interest of a food manufacturer to have a 'suitable for induction' label on them, even if someone following Dr Atkins rules in DANDR can see at a glance that they are not.
So use your own judgement and check the list of ingredients. If they have milk, nuts, seeds, fruit, soya, starch or grains in them, they are NOT induction-legal. If you want to use them why not wait till you reach the level/rung of Ongoing Weightloss (OWL) in which they DO become allowed to see how they affect your body?
If you are unsure about some ingredients you can list them on ADBB and ask for opinions about any particular food item - some ingredients I cant even pronounce let alone know what they are made of, so you won't be alone in not knowing!!
On ADBB we have seen many people posting that the shakes and bars seem to stop their weightloss progress, so you would be giving your body the best chance at losing weight by avoiding them.
Until recently the Atkins company website even had a page devoted to answering people's questions about using the bars and shakes where they advised 'If they cause your weightloss to stall you should restrict them or consider dropping them from your menus'!!

[sallyseachange]

Ditto what Elizellen and Joy have said.
Avoid anything not on the induction allowed list while in induction. Avoid very processed foods. Don't have more than three portions of sweetner per day (the permitted kinds: splenda, saccarin, stevia). Avoid aspartame. Avoid hydrogenated fats (trans fats). Drink masses and masses of water (nice and cold is better for weight loss - the body uses more energy to heat it and this makes a surprising difference). Exercise as much as you're comfortable with, increasing gradually.

Last but not leastl... eat only to feed your hunger, no more.
Enjoy the wonderful real foods you are allowed.

[SandyL2002]

Welcome to the board.. My advice is try not to eat the Sugar Free Jello.. It makes me want to eat more.. Try to eat pure things...not lunch meat in packages.. If you cleanse your body with the pure stuff it will feel better I only on occassion eat deli meat and if I do I get something Like Boar's Head...

My next advice is to Plan..always have a plan for the week..If you know you are going somewhere out to eat know ahead what you can order... There is a little joke in here that I always have situations that I have to deal with..which is true.. and I have made it through them cause I planned ahead.