Caffeine and Induction?

[ShannonK]

I know that Dr. Atkins does not want us to use caffeine. Actually, I realize it is against the rules. However, I also know that some of us don't give that up, eh?

I was thinking about following "all" the rules this time around. Can anyone share with me what caffeine withdrawal is like? I am restarting tomorrow and I am going to give up the caffeine, too. That is pretty serious business for me!

Particularly, how long does it take??

[Ann Louise]

I'm a coffee hound. I cannot and will not give up my high-test coffee. Decaf? Why bother?

If you decide to give up the liquid gold, I recommend that you not go cold turkey. You'll get really nasty headaches. Ease your way off slowly, maybe mix your regular with decaf, until you are completely on decaf or no coffee at all.

[*KatNip*]

Im teeter-totting about this. i went almost 3 weeks with some awesome gourmet decaf, and seriously, you can't tell the difference, but I think that's only cuz it's a bold french roast. If you take the caffinated one and decaf and taste one after the other, then YES you can tell a difference, but when it's ur first drink in the AM, can't really tell. At least I couldn't and II'm a huge coffee fan.....my dad drinks atleast 5 cups a day, hot or cold weather so i have been drinking it for a loooooooong time lol.

Anyway enough about that. I cant attest to the fact that it CAN stall you or prevent tyou from losing at the rate you could be. I started off by drinking black tea in the morning instead of coffee, it has alot less caffeine, but still enough to prevent the headaches, then just one day I gave it up. NOW, I'm back to drinking the tea.... and yesterday I had a small cup of coffee. *sigh* so it's ahard decision, but I think you can have it after induction if I'm correct. So 2 weeks wouldn't be toolong IMO.

[NoDef]

Here's how I got off caffeine without the withdrawals. Go to the supermarket and get you some no-dose or the store brand caffeine tablets works the same. This is 200mg of caffeine per tablet. These are fairly inexpensive. For the first 2 days I took one tablet morning and one in the afternoon. Day 3-4 I took 1 tablet morning and 1/2 afternoon. Day 5 I took 1/2 morning 1/2 afternoon. Day 6 1/2 morning and 1/4 afternoon Day 7 1/4 morning and 1/4 afternoon. Day 8 1/4 morning and Day 9 nothing. This is not a science so you can tweak it if needed, but it will keep the headaches away. I know this is still putting you on caffeine for a week, but at least your not down with headaches. This allowed me to quit drinking soft drinks and switch to water immediately without the withdrawals. It's been a year now since I've done this and I'm still 100% water for my beverages.

[ShannonK]

Great tips! I sure do hate to give it up. To prepare, I gave up diet coke about a week ago. I was down to one at lunch anyway and I switched to water with gas. Yesterday, I had one little cup in the morning. We will see how this goes today.

[Big Daz]

I was a real caffeine addict before I began Atkins. I would have at least 5 strong filter coffees a day, as well as cups of tea!

I went cold turkey and got headaches on day one, milder headaches on day 2 and after that it was plain sailing. My body could also have been reacting against the drop in sugar levels too.

I say go cold turkey, don't do Atkins half heartedly!

[ShannonK]

I agree with you. I am doing Atkins all the way, by the book. Did you have any issues with alcohol? I enjoy a glass of wine (or two) several nights a week. I know that I cannot have that now until the later rungs...

I already have a caffeine head-ache now. Hopefully, tomorrow will be better as you say!

[Big Daz]

I was never a big drinker so cutting out alcohol wasn't an issue for me. I will probably skip that rung when I get to it anyway.

Just get yourself some headache tablets and drink lots of water today. Those pesky headaches won't last for long. Your body is going into big shock now as you are denying it all the junk it is used to. I am sure it will settle down soon enough when your blood sugar stabilises.

Good luck!!

[Chef Kevin]

i wrote about it in the addictions section. 4 days of torture.
2 days were really bad, like migraine bad.

But I have been free of it for a couple months.

I figure if it causes that much pain when you stop it has to be bad for you.

I don't miss it now at all and my blood sugar is more stable. It was worth it.

[Outback Jess]

Keep us posted on your detox there Shannon. You will be feeling better in a week, with cold turkey or you can dial it back slowly and get there in a couple of weeks. Keep us informed