Questions

[Mutantmom]

Ok, I've decided to move into OWL (only took me 9 years to do so...)

Q. I have been eating a considerably low amount of net carbs to date (lower than 10 daily). I am adding Iceberg Lettuce (3 cups = 2g net carbs) and 3tbsp ranch dressing (2g net carbs) which still keeps my net carbs WAY WAY WAY under 20g. Do I consider this rung 1 or do I have to get up to 25g to be on rung 1?

Q. I know I can only add one food per rung (and should only eat it 3x a week) is it ok to add the Ranch dressing (I've not used any sauces in the past two weeks at all) as well or should I keep it at just dry lettuce?

Q. If my net carbs are still considerably lower than 20 and I'm on rung 1 can I add rungs and if I do what foods (beyond what is outlined on the ladder) would I add?

Thanks,
mutantmom

[atkinsgal08]

Re: Questions

I think you should add something more than 3 cups of lettuce.

I would choose a more nutritionally dense vegetable from the Induction food list.

>>Do I consider this rung 1 or do I have to get up to 25g to be on rung 1?>>

The thinking by some on this board is that yes, you would consider it to be Rung 1.

[Mutantmom]

Re: Questions

I think you should add something more than 3 cups of lettuce.

I would choose a more nutritionally dense vegetable from the Induction food list.

>>Do I consider this rung 1 or do I have to get up to 25g to be on rung 1?>>

The thinking by some on this board is that yes, you would consider it to be Rung 1.

We are only supposed to add one food per week, I am craving Iceberg lettuce like crazy so it seems the logical move. I can also get volume here which might be important as well.

I can (for the first time in my life) able to say I am on rung 1 of OWL...

[Georgiana]

Re: Questions

I am adding Iceberg Lettuce (3 cups = 2g net carbs) and 3tbsp ranch dressing (2g net carbs)

OWL Rung 1 is an extra 5 net carbs of vegetables, not 2 net carbs of vegetables and 2 net carbs of dressing.

So you can add 3 cups of iceberg lettuce... and eat an extra 3 net carbs of more nutritious vegetables, too.

I know I can only add one food per rung

You can add more than one food per rung.

is it ok to add the Ranch dressing

Yes.

Q. If my net carbs are still considerably lower than 20 and I'm on rung 1 can I add rungs and if I do what foods (beyond what is outlined on the ladder) would I add?

I'm confused... what rungs are you asking if you can add on Rung 1?

[Elizellen]

Re: Questions

I would choose a more nutritionally dense vegetable from the Induction food list.

I agree - also 5 net carbs of lettuce is such a huge amount too! 13 cups I think

>>Do I consider this rung 1 or do I have to get up to 25g to be on rung 1?>>
The thinking by some on this board is that yes, you would consider it to be Rung 1.

Actually according to DANDR it is perfectly correct!

[nat11]

Re: Questions

"Actually according to DANDR it is perfectly correct!"

Actually, according to DANDR, during the first week on OWL we should also increase our daily carb intake from 20 to 25.

[atkinsgal08]

Re: Questions

Chapter 14:

"During the first week on OWL, increase your daily carb intake from the 20 grams a day on Induction to 25 grams a day-going up one level."

And we all understand that Dr. Atkins is referring to "net" carbs.

[Mutantmom]

Re: Questions

"Actually according to DANDR it is perfectly correct!"

Actually, according to DANDR, during the first week on OWL we should also increase our daily carb intake from 20 to 25.

Atkins states this in all of his books (so far) which is why I was hung up on the 25grams and rung 1...but I understand the number does not really matter, adding more carbs is moving on regardless...

[nat11]

Re: Questions

"lower than 10 daily"

What vegetables did you have during Induction?

If you want lettuce, I would suggest adding green leaf lettuce. It is more nutritious.

[atkinsgal08]

Re: Questions

>>I understand the number does not really matter,>>

I think it does matter.

If someone is eating 5 net carbs on "Induction", I don't think they're doing Induction properly, so adding another 5 net carbs and calling it OWL doesn't seem to me to be what Dr. Atkins intended.

I believe Dr. Atkins intended Induction to be 20 net carbs and OWL Rung 1 to be 25, etc.

[nat11]

Re: Questions

"adding more carbs is moving on regardless"

It is a step forward...

[nat11]

Re: Questions

"Atkins states this in all of his books (so far)"

I hope he won't change this in his future books.

[Mutantmom]

Re: Questions

>>I understand the number does not really matter,>>

I think it does matter.

If someone is eating 5 net carbs on "Induction", I don't think they're doing Induction properly, so adding another 5 net carbs and calling it OWL doesn't seem to me to be what Dr. Atkins intended.

I believe Dr. Atkins intended Induction to be 20 net carbs and OWL Rung 1 to be 25, etc.

Actually, I have not read (and I'm on the 3rd book) anyplace where Dr. Atkins states that we have to be at 20g of net carbs in induction, several times in the '92 book he ranges between 10-20 grams and in this later one I am reading it is 15-20g and he states in the '92 version that 20 net grams are simply based on his accounting that almost everybody will lose at that level. If I am only eating 5 net grams I am doing induction just as if I was eating 20, I believe the range is 0-20. He even references a man that did all meat for an entire year in the beginning of the '02 book so he never states that one has to be at 20g to do the 'diet right'. He also has the Fat Fast which is not 20g of carbs...so there is a range. If your CCL is say 15, I doubt Dr. Atkins would state you have to eat 20g to do the diet right...

I think I'm well within the acceptable range, I'm not at 0, but I'm not at 20 either, I am adding induction veggies which places me on rung 1, now I have quite a bit of room on rung one and like before, I will only move on if I experience a 'honest' stall or if I get bored with the foods I am eating (I have a very large range of meats ).

I'm really confident about moving in this direction, I want to thank all of you for your input...I don't think I would have moved on without all of you.

mutantmom

[nat11]

Re: Questions

"Chapter 14:"

Thank you for quoting that, atkinsgal08. I never have my book handy.

[2big4mysize]

Re: Questions

Ok, I've decided to move into OWL (only took me 9 years to do so...)

Q. I have been eating a considerably low amount of net carbs to date (lower than 10 daily). I am adding Iceberg Lettuce (3 cups = 2g net carbs) and 3tbsp ranch dressing (2g net carbs) which still keeps my net carbs WAY WAY WAY under 20g. Do I consider this rung 1 or do I have to get up to 25g to be on rung 1?

Q. I know I can only add one food per rung (and should only eat it 3x a week) is it ok to add the Ranch dressing (I've not used any sauces in the past two weeks at all) as well or should I keep it at just dry lettuce?

Q. If my net carbs are still considerably lower than 20 and I'm on rung 1 can I add rungs and if I do what foods (beyond what is outlined on the ladder) would I add?

Thanks,
mutantmom

Chapter 14:

"During the first week on OWL, increase your daily carb intake from the 20 grams a day on Induction to 25 grams a day-going up one level."

And we all understand that Dr. Atkins is referring to "net" carbs.

if one reads the paragraph right above that quoted sentance one sees Dr Atkins saying very clearly "each week, you'll incrementally increase the quantity of carbohydrates you eat beyond the salad and one cup serving of vegetables allowed during induction. These increments should be measured roughly 5 grams daily of carbohydrates, representing what I call one "level"."

so if one did not eat induction at 20 then one does not go to 25 for week one of OWL level one. 5 more grams per level is what he says