# We started the Atkins diet **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 25, 2002, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-started-the-atkins-diet/138673 "2002-11-25T15:09:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2002, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-started-the-atkins-diet/138673/21 "2002-11-25T17:59:57Z")
:eek: Yikes, wait a minute! Why is Crystal Light okay, but Kool-Aid isn’t? It’s just a spoonful of powder stirred up into a gallon jug of water. ---
**Author:** ![mcms\_cricket](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@mcms\_cricket](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mcms_cricket)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2002, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-started-the-atkins-diet/138673/22 "2002-11-25T18:04:05Z")
Yeah, what JJim said. (oh boy, and lots of others on preview) While you’re in induction, you must follow the [The Rules of Induction](http://atkinscenter.com/Archive/2001/12/15-325810.html) EXACTLY - you cannot eat anything that is not on the list of .[acceptable foods](http://atkinscenter.com/Archive/2001/12/15-464579.html) , (regardless of how many carbs you have left for the day) - that means NO alcohol, NO sugar (refined or natural - i.e. no fruit), NO products made with flour or any kind of grains. None of that! If it’s not on the list, you can’t have it. Period. If you follow the induction rules exactly, then you will go into ketosis within about 48 hours, and the cravings will go away. If you’re allergic to seafood, then yeah, I can see that perhaps tuna salad ain’t gonna do it for you. But I’ll bet the recipe would work for chicked salad too! We have Dukes Mayonnaise! We must be in the same area of the South (I’m in SC) Cricket ---
**Author:** ![porcupine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ac91a4/32.png) [@porcupine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/porcupine)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2002, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-started-the-atkins-diet/138673/23 "2002-11-25T18:05:17Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Libertarian \* > \*\*Thanks, Porc. Gah. Maybe we should read the book first. \*\* I think this is a really good idea. The writing style leaves something to be desired, since a lot of it is written like an ad. But it will probably answer a lot of the questions you might have along the way, espcially when you are just learning the plan. Another place to check out (ignore the horrible page design - there is a lot of good information there) is [http://www.grossweb.com/asdlc/faq.htm](http://www.grossweb.com/asdlc/faq.htm) - it’s the FAQ for the low-carb unmoderated usenet group alt.support.diet.low-carb. ---
**Author:** ![mcms\_cricket](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@mcms\_cricket](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mcms_cricket)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2002, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-started-the-atkins-diet/138673/24 "2002-11-25T18:09:25Z")
Definitely read the book. Also, the Atkins Web site has a lot of good information to get you started. Mr. Cricket and I used the Web site first, before we read the book. It’s at [http://www.atkinscenter.com](http://www.atkinscenter.com). Also, what Ivylass said about the cookie was only partially right - in later stages of the diet you do add more carbs, including some flour/grains type carbs. However, while you’re in the induction phase of the diet, you can’t have any flour/grain products at all (I think I just said that, didn’t I?? oops). As for the kool-aid/Crystal Lite - As long as it’s with Splenda, it’s allowed, but I think that while you’re in induction, you stil have to include it in your carb. count. (I think it’s roughly one packet of Splenda=one carb.). Cricket ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2002, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-started-the-atkins-diet/138673/25 "2002-11-25T18:10:57Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Libertarian \* > \*\*:eek: Yikes, wait a minute! Why is Crystal Light okay, but Kool-Aid isn’t? It’s just a spoonful of powder stirred up into a gallon jug of water. \*\* Cuz I don’t like Kool-Aid. 😃 Seriously…good luck on the Atkins! ---
**Author:** ![mcms\_cricket](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@mcms\_cricket](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mcms_cricket)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2002, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-started-the-atkins-diet/138673/26 "2002-11-25T18:11:25Z")
Oh, and one more thing - another Web site with some good information is the [Low Carb. Friends](http://www.atkinsfriends.com/) . There are some interesting recipes and a message board as well Cricket ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2002, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-started-the-atkins-diet/138673/27 "2002-11-25T18:13:28Z")
I was giving you suggestions on other low carb drinks, **Lib.**. But don’t forget to drink water too. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2002, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-started-the-atkins-diet/138673/28 "2002-11-25T18:17:36Z")
Have you not read the book? I highly recommend you do. And don’t forget to chug water. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2002, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-started-the-atkins-diet/138673/29 "2002-11-25T18:17:48Z")
Oy. I think maybe we need to back up and punt. I might be killing us here, knowing just enough to be dangerous. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2002, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-started-the-atkins-diet/138673/30 "2002-11-25T18:21:35Z")
Good luck! I had great luck on it - until I went back to the eating patterns (mostly beer and chocolate) that made me fat in the first place. None-the-less, I think you’ll see some success and be pleased with it. ---
**Author:** ![ResIpsaLoquitor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b3f665/32.png) [@ResIpsaLoquitor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ResIpsaLoquitor)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2002, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-started-the-atkins-diet/138673/31 "2002-11-25T19:06:11Z")
Just some words of encouragement: my girlfriend is a little over a week into Atkins. She’s lost 11 pounds so far and her clothes are becoming a lot looser. Ahem. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2002, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-started-the-atkins-diet/138673/32 "2002-11-25T19:10:08Z")
Well, I called Edlyn and relayed to her some of the comments in this thread. We obviously don’t know what we’re doing. She’s going to stop on her way home and pick up a copy of the book. We’ll read it, and restart next week. After thinking it over, I think that’s the right thing to do. Now, I’m going to eat the other half of that cookie. ---
**Author:** ![mcms\_cricket](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@mcms\_cricket](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mcms_cricket)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2002, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-started-the-atkins-diet/138673/33 "2002-11-25T19:57:44Z")
If you’re going to start all over again - I reccomend eating a couple of cookies! When Mr. Cricket and I made the decision to start Atkins, we decided to start on a Monday - then we went wild and crazy all weekend - Ben & Jerry’s, Wine, potatoes, BREAD - you name it. Made it a bit easier to give it all up on Monday morning! Cricket ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2002, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-started-the-atkins-diet/138673/34 "2002-11-25T20:06:05Z")
I did the same a few weeks ago - had a Sunday of total carb indulgence and back on low-carb for Monday. The bizarre thing was that by the Wednesday I’d lost another three pounds. ---
**Author:** ![Anonymous\_Coward](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/94ad74/32.png) [@Anonymous\_Coward](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anonymous_Coward)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2002, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-started-the-atkins-diet/138673/35 "2002-11-25T20:13:05Z")
I just discovered Cavalier chocolate bars last night. Only 1.6 g of sugars / bar (over 20 grams of malitol though). They are imported from Belgium, and are the best low-carb chocolate I’ve had since I started Atkins this past April. Sooo good, it’s hard to stop at just one (which is why I got fat in the first place I suppose :)). The good part of malitol is that it is self-limiting. Overindulge and you’ll be spending the next day on the crapper. Funny story about Ketosticks. My friend went to the drugstore to pick some up, where they are kept behind the counter. When she asked the pharmacist for them, the pharmacist flipped out on her! He looked in her basket, saw she was buying cheese and meat and started on the evils of Atkins and how she was hurting her body. He refused to sell her the Ketosticks. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![rubes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b782af/32.png) [@rubes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rubes)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2002, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-started-the-atkins-diet/138673/36 "2002-11-25T20:22:20Z")
Hold it, hold it right now. **Khadaji** , are you saying that beer isn’t good for the diet? ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2002, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-started-the-atkins-diet/138673/37 "2002-11-25T20:56:01Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Anonymous Coward \* > \*\* > Funny story about Ketosticks. My friend went to the drugstore to pick some up, where they are kept behind the counter. When she asked the pharmacist for them, the pharmacist flipped out on her! He looked in her basket, saw she was buying cheese and meat and started on the evils of Atkins and how she was hurting her body. He refused to sell her the Ketosticks. :rolleyes: \*\* I believe you can find a Horrible Customer Service Stories rant in the Pit to share this in. What a buffoon the pharmacist was! What would have happened if a guy wearing no wedding ring came in and tried to buy condoms? ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2002, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-started-the-atkins-diet/138673/38 "2002-11-25T21:10:40Z")
I have to ask-what do most doctors have to say about it? ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2002, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-started-the-atkins-diet/138673/39 "2002-11-25T21:21:51Z")
I don’t know about most, but here’s a story about a recent study done by doctors at [Duke University](http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2002-11-18-adkins_x.htm). ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2002, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-started-the-atkins-diet/138673/40 "2002-11-25T21:24:17Z")
For your convencience, here is what Duke’s Dr. Eric Westman said: > [@](#): > > After six months, the people on the Atkins diet had lost an average of 31 pounds, compared with 20 pounds on the AHA diet, and more people stuck with the Atkins regimen. > > Total cholesterol fell slightly in both groups. However, those on the Atkins diet had an 11% increase in HDL, the good cholesterol, and a 49% drop in triglycerides. On the AHA diet, HDL was unchanged, and triglycerides dropped 22%. High triglycerides may raise the risk of heart disease. > > While the volunteers’ total amounts of LDL, the bad cholesterol, did not change much on either diet, there was evidence that it had shifted to a form that may be less likely to clog the arteries. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-started-the-atkins-diet/138673.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-started-the-atkins-diet/138673.md?page=3)