Stupid Question

[Lynds]

Obviously I'm a newbie... with a stupid question..... After lurking in other posts, I think I may be doing this wrong.
I don't have the book yet, but will hopefully be getting it on the weekend (payday)

I have been following the "pocket sized list" of acceptable foods. SO.. the question is.... Do I eat as much as I want of the "acceptable foods" , and the 2-3 cups of veggies as listed + 20 carbs? Or does this stuff make up my carbs?

If its on top, I'm a loser as I've been only eating the meat & veggies & water...

Could some one please add some clarification for me... I get quite confused as to adding up carbs with calories etc etc... I'm better with serving sizes on packages... at least at this stage.

Thanks
Lynds

[Elizellen]

Re: Stupid Question

The 20 net carbs include everything you eat, Lynds.

Also we are supposed to count one ounce of cheese as one carb, so there are 3-4 carbs if you eat the maximum amount allowed.

Btw - eggs have carbs too (.6 for one egg)

[Lynds]

Re: Stupid Question

Thanks Elizellen... So are meats counted as carbs too? Are they truly "free" foods, or should I be counting them within my 20? I'm really quite lost on this part of it.
Thanks
Lyndsay

[Wanabmrsbateman]

Re: Stupid Question

Hi lynds,

Everything you put into your mouth pretty much has carbs, with the exception to water ,etc. You can set up a free account with www.fitday.com and record the foods you have eaten and automatically add up the cals, fats, carbs, and proteins for you. Make sure your staying within the 65% fat/30% protein/5% carbs ratio to keep you on track. Hope this helps, good luck!

[Moochiecat]

Re: Stupid Question

Here's a link to a sticky that will help you understand what www.fitday can do for you. It's a really helpful tool that will show you where you are with your foods each day.

Hang in there until you get your book...it sounds like you've got the general idea and the book will explain it best for you.
We get the majority of our carbs from vegetables, eggs, cheese. Anything that you eat needs to be counted. Most meats don't have carbs, so in essence they are a 'free' food, but you do need to have those 3 cups of veggies a day of course.

Take some time to read through all the sticky's in this forum, check out the FAQ's and you'll no doubt find some good stuff in there to tide you over till you get the book.

[2big4mysize]

Re: Stupid Question

there are very few mats that contain carbohydrates and fats are carb free.

We pick some veggies from that list not to exceed the daily veggie limt in cups and the daily carb limit at 20, and some fats and some proteins to make up our menu for the day. you can eat under 20 net carbs but you can't eat over and be doing it right.

You eat only as much (not as much as you want) of those foods as it takes to satisfy your hunger when you ar eaitng and stop. Not hungry wait up to 6 hrs before you have to eat. hungry andyou ate 2 yrs ago eat again that is the good thing about Atkins when ever you are hungry you eat.

But learn what your hunger feels like and don't mistake it with boredom nor thirst ( they are sidebyside controlled inthe brain andsometimes thrist comes out as hunger so drink water and wait 20 min to see if it really is hunger hunger will not go away with water).

Once your appetite suppression side effect of Atkins induction eating kicks in you will be able to use that as a wonderful tool tolearn calorie control theough carb control which is what Atkins is all about.

Happy low carbing.