The Atkins alternative is a great life-style change approach. I dislike calling it the “Atkins Diet” because I dislike the word diet. Like many people I simply associate that word with being deprived and hungry. It doesn’t have to be that way with the Atkins approach. In 2005 I lost 20 pounds using Atkins with some simple life-style changes and diet modifications. Unfortunately, due to work, family and just life in general, I didn’t stick to it afterward and will be returning to the same eating patterns after the Holiday season.
Snacks can be a big issue on any diet and Atkins is no exception. For many people, snacks are necessary to help us through to the next meal. Most diets recommend them so your blood sugar isn’t adversely affected as well. Below are a list of snacks that are Atkins friendly. I’ve used them in the past and they will be gracing my shopping list in just a few weeks. All these snacks can be easily prepared over the weekend and packaged into small baggies. You can also put a few of the non-refrigerated ones directly in your purse, car, or briefcase so you’ll always have them handy.
1. Cheeses: Various block cheeses can be purchased and cut into 1 ounce serving size portions. Each ounce equals about 1 carb and 3 for a snack can hold you over very well.
2. Nuts: Nuts are a holiday favorite and most people have leftovers afterward. This isn’t one that has to be thrown out or go to waste. 2 tablespoons of pecans, almonds, or walnuts have between 2 and 3 carbs each and can satisfy the need to “crunch” on something. So for those that miss your potato chips, this can very helpful.
3. Vegetables: A full stalk of celery has just 1.5 carbs and you can even pair it up with a tablespoon of peanut butter for a mere 4.5 carbs in total. Thats a bit higher than you want to have during the first couple of weeks but it’s much better than falling away from your plans and shucking them out the window too. Black olives are a great snack and yield just 3 carbs for 10. Dill pickles work well too; one medium dill pickle is about 2.5 carbs.
4. Eggs: Hard boiled eggs are a great snack, fill you up, and are easily made and bagged for later. Each one has about .5 carbs.
5. Beef Jerky: Jerky is a great alternative while on Atkins. Most beef has little or no carb count. That doesn’t mean you can live off beef jerky while your on Atkins, just that it’s a great alternative if you happen to be at the gas station and the candy bars are calling your name.
One of my favorite snacks for the Atkins Diet is 1 hard boiled egg, 1 cube of cheese, 5 miniature dill pickles, and 5 black olives in each baggie. This baggie yields a total carb count of about 4 carbs and will easily hold you over between meals. I’m a huge pickle fan so if the taste and smell of dill pickles associated with the rest of my snack doesn’t offend me. If this isn’t the case for you, exclude the pickles and your carb count drops to about 3 for this snack.
Don’t forget while counting those carbs to stay at least 1 or 2 below your daily count. That way if you wake in the middle of the night and hear the your stomach talking to you, you’re still allowed a few 1 oz blocks of cheese. The milk content also helps some people fall back to sleep more easily.
I won’t say happy dieting, as I don’t believe those two words can be used synonymously. I will say good luck and happy eating we move together into healtier bodies and approach an exciting life-style change.
