Why only 340g salad?

[ant_london]

Why do you think Dr Atkins limits salad vegetables to only 340g a day during Induction? That's no where near 20g carbs (100g lettuce is just 1.9g, and that's total carbs, not net carbs).

Thanks guys.

P.S. I'm new but I love this site. I also like it in some posts where you're almost telling each other off for doing something wrong. Crazy, but it shows we're looking out for each other and that's good. And, it's so great to see so many know Atkins right down to the smallest detail. I think it's a great eating plan and it's nice to know I really am not alone, although it can feel like that.

[Isabeau]

Re: Why only 340g salad?

In my opinion, the veggie restrictions (3 cups veggies as per the acceptable food lists for induction) is, to quote Dr. Atkins "...it's purpose is to induce weight loss by changing your body's chemistry so that you will achieve, perhaps for the first time in your life, lipolysis and the companion process of ketosis..."He also goes on to say that the Induction phase is to "demonstrate to you that even you can lose weight while eating luxuriously. But it must be followed precisely for success! If you do it at all incorrectly you may prevent weight loss and end up saying, 'Here is another weight loss plan that didn't work'."

So basically, his plan gives you the biggest bang for your buck, so to speak. If you eat only 3 cups of lettuce per day, of course your carbs will be very low. However, if you eat one cup of veggies from the 'other acceptable vegetable list', your carbs will be a little higher. It's true, it's difficult to go over 20g carbs following the rules of induction. It's part of his plan so that almost everyone will experience success during that two week period. The first food group increased when moving to OWL is veggies! Remember, induction is only a minimum of two weeks!

[ant_london]

Re: Why only 340g salad?

Hi Isabeau. Thanks for that. Am I right in thinking, as long as you're in lipolysis, there is no question you're succeeding at Atkins? I know you don't have to be in it, but, if you are, is everything going well? For example, you could be eating 1000000000000g of lettuce (lol) but if the strips test purple, carry on? Thanks

[Isabeau]

Re: Why only 340g salad?

No, that's not true. That's where calories count. You can't take in more calories then you're expending, lipolysis or not.

[ant_london]

Re: Why only 340g salad?

If you want to lose weight, granted. But, by being in lipolysis does it show you that you're doing all that Atkins sets out through the Induction? Basically, I am watching my calories but with talk about certain things causing weight stalls and not being allowed enough vegetables I was just wondering, as long as I am in lipolysis does it at least tell me that everything is ok, i.e. that sweeteners, amount of veg etc is not a problem. As long as I am in lipolysis (though I know this isn't necessary) and not eating more calories than I expend, I will lose weight?

[mama26]

Re: Why only 340g salad?

This is my second time with Atkins. The first time I did it 3 years ago after my second baby, I stalled after 4 weeks, even though I was still in Ketosis. But I think (although I do not by any means claim to be an expert) that if you are still in Ketosis, you can change whatever caused you to stall and immediately resume the weight loss. (at least that's what happened with me) I hope that helps. Good luck.

[ant_london]

Re: Why only 340g salad?

Ouch. So, it looks like ketosis is no sure way of knowing you're stall-free? I know you can tell if you're stalling by obviously losing weight but as my weight loss is very small it's hard for me to know what's going on, lol.

[ant_london]

Re: Why only 340g salad?

P.S. Thanks for the post!

[Elizellen]

Re: Why only 340g salad?

Ouch. So, it looks like ketosis is no sure way of knowing you're stall-free? I know you can tell if you're stalling by obviously losing weight but as my weight loss is very small it's hard for me to know what's going on, lol.

Yes - ketosis means that you have ketones in your urine and that you are burning fat, but if you eat too much fat and therefore too many calories you would not lose weight.
I have never 'shown' on the ketostix but have lost weight steadily for the last 2 plus years!!
How much weight are you looking to lose Ant? It helps people to help you if you add to your signature some indication of your start/current/goal weight along with your height and gender.

As to your question about stalling - a stall is officially 4 weeks of no weight or inches lost. We recommend here that everyone takes measurements every so often so that even if the weight is not shifting you can identify body shape changes as an assurance that the plan is working!!

You would be amazed at the number of members who post that they have lost no weight but gone down in clothes size!

[Elizellen]

Re: Why only 340g salad?

Why do you think Dr Atkins limits salad vegetables to only 340g a day during Induction? That's no where near 20g carbs (100g lettuce is just 1.9g, and that's total carbs, not net carbs).

Actually Ant - Dr Atkins didnt tell us to have 340 grams of veggies a day - he said 3 cups of them!!

The Americans measure for cooking using special little measures that hold different amounts of liquid : 1 cup = 8 fluid ounces, 1/2 cup = 4 fluid ounces and so on. Dont ask why they dont just put the foods on scales like everyone else in the world - it is one of the mysteries of life! LOL

Some books have translated this into grams (some more accurately than others so be careful) but if you want to work by weight you really need to find out how many grams of each vegetable would fit into one of these measuring cups.

This is really fiddly as each veg weighs different per cup. So one cup of lettuce is a lot lighter that one cup of cherry tomatoes - and of course there will be airspaces with the bulkier veggies to account for.

An accurate method to find out exactly how much of any food equals one cup is to use the 'water displacement' method (like Archimedes did in the bath). Put some water into a large measuring jug and note what amount of water is in it in mls.

Then add the food till the liquid has risen to a point that is 237 mls higher up the scale. You have added one US measuring cup's worth of veggies to your water. Then drain it off and let it dry and then weigh it. Make a note of that weight so you have a record of how much of that veg is one cup.

Do the same with every veg and before too long you will know how much weight of each veg you like to use equals one cup.

You can buy these sets of measuring cups at most large supermarket chains - I have seen them at Tesco and Asda but I imagine the other big ones also have them.

A set of measuring spoons is also handy when on Atkins which the same shops sell.

If you dont want to mess about with cups etc then you can use various databases which have the gram equivalents for many foods but as far as I know they are all US orientated so may not have some 'UK' foods.
Here is a link to one that you can download on to your computer for daily use
http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/foodcom...k/16-1w205.pdf
It also lists carbs per measure which is handy for meal planning.

[not2late]

Re: Why only 340g salad?

Also, "salad" isn't just lettuce. The "salad" vegetable list includes cucumbers, peppers, celery, endive, fennel, radishes, mushrooms, etc. See the Induction Acceptable foods list for the complete vegetable lists---yes "lists" because depending on how you allot your vegetables you can have broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus, and other such veggies too.