Veggies.. . Really?

[frankenspine]

I know the rules of induction state we should eat three cups of salad or two cups and one cup of brocolli. But I'm not a big fan. How important is it really?
I can see it for avoiding constipation and getting minerals, but I find it really hard to work it in without doing it in one lump sum during my evening meal.

Has anyone successefuly done induction on a super high potency mulit and psylium husk capsules?

[not2late]

Re: Veggies.. . Really?

I know the rules of induction state we should eat three cups of salad or two cups and one cup of brocolli. But I'm not a big fan. How important is it really?
I can see it for avoiding constipation and getting minerals, but I find it really hard to work it in without doing it in one lump sum during my evening meal.

Has anyone successefuly done induction on a super high potency mulit and psylium husk capsules?

It's important enough that Dr. Atkins wrote that the majority of our daily carbs are to be from vegetables.

As for a "super high potency vitamin", well, the thing about vitamin supplements is that they are supplements. They aren't replacements. They only contain what the manunfacturer puts into them. So if the manufacturer decides that 100 mg of calcium is enough for a person eating an average American diet, that is all the calcium that will be in the vitamin. The other drawback with vitamin supplements is that some of the vitamins aren't in a form that the body can immediately use. In fact, one of the criticisms about vitamin supplements is that a good percentage of them aren't even absorbed by our bodies for use.

The vitamins in vegetables aren't like this. They are usually in a form our bodies can readily use.

As for psyllium husks----it's the same thing a "supplement", not a replacement. Moreover if you don't drink enough water, psyllium will actually "block you up" if you know what I mean.

Do you have a set of standard cooking measuring cups? If you do, I suggest that you measure the vegetables and see what exactly 1 cup looks like. What I've found is that many people think a cup of lettuce looks like those gigantic mounds of greenery served at many restaurants.

Also, incorporating the veggies throughout the day isn't that difficult. For example, for breakfast, instead of having a scrambled egg, have an omelette with mushrooms, sweet peppers, or whatever Induction veggie you like. For lunch, have lettuce rolls--use a large lettuce leaf as a wrap for meat and cheese or use in place of a tortilla for a fajita like dish. Or use veggies as dipping vehicles: cucumbers, celery, sweet peppers, jicama, etc. can be used to scoop up things like egg salad, chicken salad or tuna salad. Then for supper, you have a veggie side dish with your protein and fat.

Try to work these vegetables into your meals because they are healthy for you and because as you progress through Atkins, you'll be eating more vegetables. In fact, the average person on OWL or Pre-Maintenance Phase eats more than the 5 daily servings of vegetables recommended by the USDA. That always busts the myth that Atkins is a meat, egg and cheese diet, doesn't it?

[Alexa]

Re: Veggies.. . Really?

I totally agree with Not2Late. I can't imagine doing this diet without all the veggies. As you say, you would get constipated (the husks make that sooo much worse in my experience). Also, there just wouldn't be much on your plate without them in my experience, as well as the nutrients angle.

Try experiementing with veggies, cooked differently, or raw, or new things to you. Veg needn't be the over boiled dull limp veggies so many people think of. Butter, oils and mayo, cream in cooking can also make a big difference.

[Momma2threegirls]

Re: Veggies.. . Really?

I struggled too intially - but eating them is very important! (as the others have said) Also your taste buds really start to change with this WOE and I found experimenting with new veggies I have never eaten great. I really like Chayote. Cauliflower is very versatile and on the opposite - I have learned that I really dislike turnips.

[liv]

Re: Veggies.. . Really?

So many cool things that you can do with veggies. This is the time to learn and experiment. Veggies are going to part of your new healthy eating style. They are nutritious and are safe to eat on any diet that you may be on. So start trying new things. As Erika says you never know till you given it a go.
How about jicama? Tried it? I like it raw.
Or a nice veggie soup with a cauliflower base. (Cook cauliflower mixed with some celery and a bit of onion (later you can add a bit of carrot) in some chicken stock. Put in blender and add some cream and spices. It is lovely.

[frankenspine]

Re: Veggies.. . Really?

Thanks for all the feedback, guys. You're awesome. I'm convinced.

It's just difficult to break the habit I guess. I haven't eaten breakfast or lunch regularly in over. . . uh 30 years. Wow! Really?! I hadn't thought about that before. Geez, that is not healthy. My diet since junior high school has been atrocious. No breakfast, no lunch, at least three pots of coffee (including Starbucks Vintis with three shots of espresso). Then a big Italian or fast food dinner; spaghetti, pizza, McDonald's, etc. I don't have anything against vegetables-- always been a fan of the salad bar. I've just never actively sought them out.

So I guess I can start making some crockpot disses with veggies in it. Thanks for all the suggestions. I'm a little concerned with blue cheese and other dressings I'm finding in grocery stores. Or more aptly put, not finding. EVERYTHING has SUGAR in it. I'm so frustrated with trying to find sugar free mayonaise that I've all but given up on tuna or egg salads.

Any suggestions? Should I make my own oil and vingegar salad dressings?

[Luvs2lose]

Re: Veggies.. . Really?

Just a note to Frankenspine about salad dressings. Try the Marie's brand in the refrigerated section. Their blue cheese dressing has NO sugar and it is really good. HTH.

Corinna