Induction and calorie counting

[WildflowerMama]

Hi all! New here but not new to atkins.

I've done Atkins in the past but found I had a really hard time loosing if I didn't watch calories as well.

I know Atkins doesn't advocate calorie counting but instead he says "calories do matter".

For me, they really matter. I just don't loose unless I watch my calories.

So, my question is heavy cream vs. half and half.

I know technically heavy cream is what we're supposed to use but, the calorie difference between heavy cream and half and half is significant. While the carb difference is minimal.

Is there a reason half and half can't be used in place of heavy cream as long as the carbs are counted?
I don't use a tremendous amount of it - about 3 oz a day.

If The Daily Plate is correct, 3oz of half and half is 120 calories and 3 carbs vs 300 calories and 2 carbs for the heavy cream.

[atkinsgal08]

Re: Induction and calorie counting

>> Is there a reason half and half can't be used in place of heavy cream as long as the carbs are counted?>>

1/2 and 1/2 isn't legal on Induction.

>>about 3 oz a day.>>

The limit is 2-3 Tbs.

Heavy cream is preferred ... and legal for Induction.

[WildflowerMama]

Re: Induction and calorie counting

Hi,
Thank you for the response

I just went back and looked at my book and in the induction section it says that 3 oz of unsweetened heavy cream are allowed under "special category foods".

It also has a carb counter in the back and lists 1oz of heavy cream as having .8 carbs and 1 oz of half and half as having 1 carb.

So, there is only a .2 carb difference but, the calorie difference is significant.

I know I've been around a long time and when people start asking if they can cheat on induction, it get irritating. Please know I'm not trying to cheat or wriggle my way out of following the rules. I'm just trying to understand why heavy cream would be allowed when half and half isn't and really the carb difference is so insignificant. In 3oz, it's less than 1 carb difference - .6 carbs to be exact - yet the calorie difference is significant. And unfortunately, I'm one that can't ignore calories

[Georgiana]

Re: Induction and calorie counting

To the OP:

What is your current weight (height would be useful too) and how many kcal do you need to eat to lose weight?

Did you see your doctor for a checkup before starting Atkins? Are you on any medication?

[WildflowerMama]

Re: Induction and calorie counting

Hi Georgiana,
I'm 5'7.5" inches and currently 174lbs. My starting weight was 185lbs. I was down to 162 a couple months ago but in May, I was diagnosed with melanoma and threw myself a pity party. The weight crept back up.

Since the melanoma thing, I've seen many, many doctors. Have had a ton of blood work, lots of complete check ups etc....

Now, I'm in great health. I don't take any medication but I do take some supplements (multi, cal/mag, omega 3, aspirin)

In order for me to loose weight, I need to stay in the 1200 - 1500 range. I tried everything to loose the weight and it just wouldn't come off until I started watching calories. I started that in January of this year and by May, I had lost 20+ lbs. I lost weight easily without being hungry on 1400/day.

[atkinsgal08]

Re: Induction and calorie counting

>>just went back and looked at my book and in the induction section it says that 3 oz of unsweetened heavy cream are allowed under "special category foods".>>

That's a typo, I've been told.

If you look under Beverages (also in the Induction chapter), you'll see where it says:

"cream (heavy or light); limit to two to three tablespoons a day;"

That is the correct amount.

>>'m just trying to understand why heavy cream would be allowed when half and half isn't and really the carb difference is so insignificant.>>

Half and half is made with milk, which isn't an allowed food on Induction.

For more information on this, check out:

http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/forums/atkins-diet-14-day-induction/81772-still-confused-about-cream-instead-milk.html#

Of course, no one will be coming to your house to see if you're using cream or 1/2 and 1/2!

[Georgiana]

Re: Induction and calorie counting

Re: cream

What do you plan to use cream for? Do you need it on a daily basis?

Some people dilute heavy cream (with a bit of water) and use that instead of heavy cream. Or you could use light cream...

[WildflowerMama]

Re: Induction and calorie counting

Thanks for the responses!
I use the half and half in my morning coffee and then I have a coffee in the afternoon as well.

A typo? Hmmm, I wish they'd clarify that then.....

[Elizellen]

Re: Induction and calorie counting

A typo? Hmmm, I wish they'd clarify that then.....

No - not a typo in DANDR as far as I know.
It is listed among the few extra items that Dr Atkins considered could be added in moderation as an occasional menu item, but which could cause problems with weightloss in some people. It is in the 'Special Category' list of induction foods.

[Georgiana]

Re: Induction and calorie counting

No - not a typo in DANDR as far as I know.

It is a typo according to Colette Heimowitz (who worked with Dr. Atkins, for those who never heard of her name before). She mentioned this not only on Atkins.com, but also in an interview she gave back in 2002. The limit on cream should be 3 tbsp.

[chinadoll]

Re: Induction and calorie counting

Wildflower, I am in the same boat as you. So, for Induction I stick to the heavy cream because of the purpose of Induction--to break the sugar bonds, get your fat high, get your body "primed" to lose so to speak. Then I switch to 1/2 and 1/2 later during Rung 2. The calorie savings IS significant and I have to watch mine same as you. Bottom line is the difference is probably minimal if your quantities are very low, but if you are drinking 4-6 cups of java a day the amounts (and the carbs in the 1/2 and 1/2) add up, so for Induction I would stick to the cream.

[WildflowerMama]

Re: Induction and calorie counting

Thank you Chinadoll! That makes absolute sense to me. Switched to heavy cream. Mmmm! I adore heavy cream!

As far as it being a typo that it should be 3 tbl as opposed to 3 oz - I have googled until my eyes are ready to bleed and I can't find any official statement from Atkins that this is incorrect. In fact, their website still lists 3 oz heavy cream in the special foods category:
How to Start

As part of your daily 20 grams of net carbs, you can also have the following – every day:

• Up to 4 ounces of cheese
• 10 to 20 olives - they make a great quick snack
• Half an avocado
• An ounce of sour cream or 3 ounces of unsweetened cream in your coffee
• Up to 3 tablespoons lemon or lime juice
• One to two servings of Atkins bars or shakes. Check the packaging to see which ones are right for Induction (less than 5 grams of net carbs).

[Georgiana]

Re: Induction and calorie counting

Thank you Chinadoll! That makes absolute sense to me. Switched to heavy cream. Mmmm! I adore heavy cream!

As far as it being a typo that it should be 3 tbl as opposed to 3 oz - I have googled until my eyes are ready to bleed and I can't find any official statement from Atkins that this is incorrect. In fact, their website still lists 3 oz heavy cream in the special foods category:
How to Start

Someone will correct me if I am wrong, but I think the 3 oz are only allowed according to Atkins.com if you swap some cheese for cream. But then they also have beets on the Acceptable Foods List so........

[WildflowerMama]

Re: Induction and calorie counting

Someone will correct me if I am wrong, but I think the 3 oz are only allowed according to Atkins.com if you swap some cheese for cream. But then they also have beets on the Acceptable Foods List so........

I think you're correct. The way I'm reading it is that you're to get your 20 carbs from primarily veggies.

And then in addition you can have either the heavy cream, or the cheese, or the 1/2 avocado etc....

To me, just reading between the lines here, what this is saying is that if you get 20 carbs from veggies, essentially, you'll subtract the fiber which will leave enough carbs for you to have the cheese or heavy cream etc...


Oh wait - going back it says to limit your carbs from veggies to 12 - 15 which allows room for the cream or the 1/2 avocado or the cheese etc... so it looks like the cream is allowed but, only if you limit your carbs in other ways.

[Georgiana]

Re: Induction and calorie counting

I think you're correct. The way I'm reading it is that you're to get your 20 carbs from primarily veggies.

And then in addition you can have either the heavy cream, or the cheese, or the 1/2 avocado etc....

I would get the acceptable foods list from DANDR, not from Atkins.com.

As for cream... even if you go with 3 oz, that amount might stall or slow down your weight loss, especially when consumed on a daily basis. So if you plan to use 3 oz of cream in your coffee, it's a bad idea.

To me, just reading between the lines here, what this is saying is that if you get 20 carbs from veggies, essentially, you'll subtract the fiber which will leave enough carbs for you to have the cheese or heavy cream etc...

We are only counting net carbs on Atkins. So you do not need to get 20 g total carbohydrate from veggies; you can get more or less than that, depending on what veggies you choose to eat. Aim for 20 net carbs, with over half of them coming from vegetables.