Not much appetite. Help!

[segue]

I am on day 4 of my induction and I don't have much of an appetite. Saturday I spent the afternoon cooking what I knew would be acceptable foods and that I would enjoy, but they don't sound good now. I have been sticking to acceptable food and eating well below the 20 grams of carbs, but I am concerned I am just not eating enough.

Yesterday for example:
Breakfast: four breakfast sausages and herbal tea (cold)

Lunch: one fried egg with a little bit of fresh onion and one slice of cheddar cheese

Afternoon: 5 black olives

Dinner: homemade vegetable soup with some sausage mixed in (the broth is what sounded the best). I ate about a cup and a half.

I had to force myself to eat all of that. I simply wasn't hungry, but know I need to eat. I was wondering if I am simply going through a beginning hump, clearing out my cravings for carbs and diet coke.

Definitely open to advice.

[kellyf48]

Re: Not much appetite. Help!

I am on day 14 and I feel the same. I actually forgot to eat yesterday and believe me when i say I don't forget to eat!

[BriteWingz]

Re: Not much appetite. Help!

I think this is pretty common, once you're in ketosis and burning fat, your signal for food is not so strong. Your body has tapped into a fuel source, and while you still need to eat (and you really need to stay as close to 20 carbs as you can), your appetite, and sometimes even interest in food at all, dwindle. Get out and get some exercise, and things will balance out. But do be sure to eat enough, as you don't want your body to think you're starving it of good nutrition. You really need to get those two cups of salad greens into your menu, plus another cup of whatever veggie you like. That will bring your carb count up to a more acceptable level, keep your digestion moving, and keep the furnace burning. Good luck!

[Georgiana]

Re: Not much appetite. Help!

20 grams of carbs

That should be net carbs... and by undereating your net carbs by much you are likely undereating your vegetables and cheating yourself of nutrition.

four breakfast sausages

Did you check the ingredients?

Lunch: one fried egg with a little bit of fresh onion and one slice of cheddar cheese

I'd starve on this!

And yes, you are undereating... and you are not eating enough vegetables. If you don't change things, you will probably end up slowing down your metabolism and making weight loss more difficult.

I had to force myself to eat all of that. I simply wasn't hungry

Eat more nutritionally/calorie-dense food then, so that you don't have to eat a large volume to consume enough calories.

How much water are you drinking in a day?

[Georgiana]

Re: Not much appetite. Help!

You really need to get those two cups of salad greens into your menu

One does not need to eat two cups of "salad greens". The first list of vegetables in DANDR is "salad vegetables" and it doesn't have only "salad greens", but also things like peppers, mushrooms, fennel, radishes, etc.

[BriteWingz]

Re: Not much appetite. Help!

I'm sorry, but I just don't see peppers on the induction list. But yes, salad vegetables, not "greens". My mistake

[Georgiana]

Re: Not much appetite. Help!

I just don't see peppers on the induction list

Which book do you have?

[BriteWingz]

Re: Not much appetite. Help!

LOL, I have to admit that I groaned when I realized I had to go back upstairs and double check, but I have the issue originally written in 1992 and revised in 2002. I have read it, several times, (honest!) but because my computer is downstairs, I kept a list of "induction legal" foods on my computer so I wouldn't have to keep running upstairs. Apparently, where ever the list originated, it wasn't the 2002 issue, because now I clearly see peppers on page 125, as well as the egg all over my face;-) I have to say I'm relieved, as I ADORE peppers, and had them on my first day of induction, and thought I'd blown it. I'm going to have to edit this list on my computer accordingly! <VBG> Sorry about that, next time I'll double check my source.

Does that mean at some point prior to the 2002 issue peppers *weren't* allowed on induction and were added, or that were they subsequently dropped?

[Georgiana]

Re: Not much appetite. Help!

Does that mean at some point prior to the 2002 issue peppers *weren't* allowed on induction and were added, or that were they subsequently dropped?

No... the person who made that list you have probably just forgot to add peppers there.

Peppers were always allowed. Even in the 1972 plan, they were allowed after the first week.

I have to admit that I groaned when I realized I had to go back upstairs and double check

You can count that as exercise.

[BriteWingz]

Re: Not much appetite. Help!

You can count that as exercise.

Thanks, I think I will;-)

[atkinsgal08]

Re: Not much appetite. Help!

You can print:

https://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/forums/atkins-low-carb-dieting-faqs/6781-what-foods-can-eaten-induction.html

[BriteWingz]

Re: Not much appetite. Help!

You can print:

https://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard....induction.html

Thank you

[SkinnyBohoB1tch]

Re: Not much appetite. Help!

i am on day seven and have NO APPETITE AT ALL! I love it! I am SO free from cravings i feel like i could go years without eating! I just eat small spoonfulls of cream cheese, sugarless peanut butter, and bits of veggies right now.

[atkinsgal08]

Re: Not much appetite. Help!

Peanut butter isn't allowed on Induction though.

[segue]

Re: Not much appetite. Help!

I totally appreciate all the input. It is also fun to read the dialogue back and forth (on the peppers especially). Feedback is so helpful. It encourages me to stick to the plan. THANKS..

I KNOW I am not eating enough. I usually love ground beef, but not since I started induction. It's weird. So last night I was DETERMINED to actually eat a proper meal. I had a dinner salad (just mixed greens) and then I made chicken enchilada filling (totally induction approved)...grilled chicken, green chilis, and cheddar melted on top. I made enough for dinner and leftovers for today. It was yummy and I had protein and veggies to boot. I still don't feel my appetite surging, but I am making an effort to eat. Forcing food in me when I am not hungry almost makes me gag, so I am trying to make the most appealing meals as I can.

I definitely don't want to SLOW down my metabolism.

As for water, that is easy for me. I drink at least 4 liters a day. I also have a couple of glasses of herbal tea (cold) with my meals. I enjoy drinking water.

Is diarrhea an early side effect? I am having tummy troubles every night so far this week. (TMI?)