The New Atkins low carb weight loss diet is full of exciting changes. Among those changes are a few tips and tricks that make following the Atkins low carb weight loss diet easier and less painful. Tips include how to prevent induction flu and a little support for good, old-fashioned caffeine.
Induction Flu is Caused by Lack of Salt
Since 1972 when the first version of the Atkins low carb diet was published, people have been fighting through the Induction flu because no one truly understood why the body was reacting to low carb dieting with flu-like symptoms. Scientists and researchers have finally found a solution or helpful treatment to make the symptoms far less overpowering.
A lack of salt in a low carb diet could be the cause of the flu-like symptoms during Atkins Induction. Drinking 8 ounces of full salt broth in the morning and evening will help fend off these symptoms. Make sure to check the label for added sugars that would cause an increase in carbohydrate content.
Do NOT Exercise for the First Two Weeks
Many new low carb dieters choose to stop following the Atkins low carb diet program because of fatigue during the first two weeks or the Induction phase. The human body has been using carbohydrate for fuel for at least (enter your age) years. It will take a bit of time to retrain the body to utilize fat stores instead. During the first two weeks of Atkins Induction, skip the exercise and just allow the fat burning process of ketosis to get settled. If you MUST exercise, choose a long walk.
Caffeine is a Good Thing
Previous versions of the Atkins low carb diet plan suggested dieters leave caffeine behind while following the plan. In the New Atkins low carb diet, caffeine is recognized for its fat burning properties. Caffeine has been proven to increase heart rate just enough to kick up fat burning. It is still important to drink caffeine in moderation due to the diuretic effects, but a cup of Joe in the morning is allowed on the New Atkins low carb diet.
Packets of Sweetener Count as 1 Carbohydrate
There has been a huge debate over whether a low carb dieter needs to count artificial sweeteners in the daily carb count. The final answer is YES. It is not the artificial sweetener the low carb dieter has to worry about on the Atkins low carb diet, it is the additives used to keep the sweetener in powder form. These additives account for the 1 carb.
There are liquid sweeteners like Stevia that have 0 carbohydrates. Sweet Leaf Stevia, which can be ordered online, actually comes in a variety of flavors like root beer and orange to flavor water and other beverages.
Pregnant Women and Children can Follow Atkins
Just because you find out you are pregnant in the middle of Induction does not mean you have to resort back to high carbohydrate eating. The Lifetime Maintenance stage of the New Atkins low carb diet is perfectly safe for pregnant women. On Lifetime Maintenance, dieters can consume 100 or more carbohydrates every day from healthy foods like sweet potatoes and starchy vegetables. Some pregnant women may find they feel better if they stick with Atkins throughout the pregnancy instead of jumping back to their old way of eating.
Children can also follow a low carb diet even if they have no weight to lose. Not every person who eats low carb is trying to shed 100 pounds or more. Some just prefer to eat natural foods that are not processed or bleached. Children should not go through the Induction phase of the Atkins low carb diet program and often require many more carbs than a dieter trying to lose weight.
The New Atkins low carb diet is an exciting way to lose weight. Dieters are given more information about the program, caffeine is now supported and salted broth can help ease the symptoms of Induction.
