flour question

[hissheep]

Are any of these flours safe on induction and why or why not:

soy
almond
flaxseed
wheat gluten
atkins bake mix

if they are said to be safe, which would you most likely use to not stall out?

Thanks

[srsmom]

Nope, not good for induction. If it is not on the list, don't eat it!

[Atkins_Nutritionist]

This is a very "political" question on this board. So, here is my objective answer to your question.

Everyone will tolerate different foods differently. However, some people can use small amounts of these flours and still lose weight. Others cannot and will have to wait until they move through the phases of the plan.

I will let you decide the answer to this question on your own.

On the one hand , I do not believe that flour should be used on Induction. Here's why, if you are consuming 20 grams of carbs while eating vegetables it is hard to include any other food without going over the carb limit set in Induction. If you are following a plan that helps you to sort through this and incorporates a low carb bread... (using one of the items mentioned)into the plan because it takes into account the nutrients and the plan works for you, then I would say it is ok.

On the otherhand, if you are following Induction and you just cannot live without 1 slice of bread (or other product that contains the items you mentioned) in the morning or otherwise, then I would say that you should use something that is healthier than white flour and lower in carbs so that you can stay as close to Induction as possible. However, this is not a license to eat 6 slices of bread/day. When introducing products or foods (ie any flour) that contain more carbs, portions need to be critically monitored.

So, what is your decision?

S

[hissheep]

thanks..that is probably the most unbiased answer I've gotten from anyone on that issue and glad you answered why.

That is what is so confusing to anyone on induction..what to eat and what not to eat..etc. and why.

[Atkins_Nutritionist]

I certainly understand. Glad to be of help.

[LindaSue]

I lost 50 pounds eating low carb without counting carbs or purposely doing a two week induction when I started. I've eaten some of those "flours" throughout my weight loss with no problems. I've also eaten fruit and nuts as well, but no real flour, bread, pasta, rice, potatoes, etc. I found that as long as I ate legal and used portion control, my weight loss was steady until I reached my goal weight about a year ago.

It's only since I've reached my goal that I began counting the carbs in what I eat each day. I do this partly for research/curiosity and also so that I can post the nutritional counts for my daily menus on my website. I was surprised to find that even while eating nuts and fruits (besides the usual berries, I enjoy things like fresh pineapple, melon, nectarines, kiwi, grapes and even the occasional half banana), I was consuming between 20-30 net carbs per day most days. So, it is possible to eat a wide range of delicious foods, including things like cheesecake, and still stay within a very low carb daily range. Check out the menus on my site and you'll see all the good things you can eat. Mind you, they may not strictly follow the induction/OWL rules as far as allowable foods, but it worked for me.

I should note that just because this worked for me, doesn't mean it will work for everyone. It's your choice how strictly you want to follow the stages of Atkins and only you will know what is right for your body. I just knew that, for myself, if I had to plan and count every little bite of food that I ate, I'd go nuts and would never stick to the plan.

[MAMZELLE]

I just want to help with a word on the overall philosophy of this diet, and most of all the "MINDSET" because that will get you the furthest with the best results. But I will first repeat the mantra someone quoted above from the BOOK written loud and clear: "IF IT ISN'T ON THE LIST THEN DON'T EAT IT". Quite simple. Actually, if that very clear statement can be understood, you can stop right here, and it's not necessary to even read any further.....but if you do....

Let me preface by very strongly saying and not disagreeing with any of the suggestions above: 'to each his own' and only you can decide how to go about this with the help of everyone, but my personal philosophy since this diet first evolved has been that I can certainly exist with giving ANYTHING up for only a mere two weeks out of my life.

I have never for the two weeks of the real strong and VITAL, initial induction said to myself ''but can I have this or can I have that". The diet is clearly outlined. [Again... just saying what helps ME, and not telling anyone else what to do].

Those things and that way of thinking was the first thing I had to change for ONLY TWO WEEKS at least, because our FIRST main objectives here are to change our way of eating, change and cleanup our metabolism, and especially that way of thinking or I would get nowhere. I'm only speaking of MY method and not criticizing anyone.... but it's the best possible way of getting through this with success.

Focus should be made on all the things we CAN eat and how to enhance and luxuriate them and put all of our energies into that, and for ONLY TWO WEEKS forget what we used to eat. A very small sacrifice and very LITTLE time that we are required to do that..... two weeks pass in the blink of an eye, which you will see. *smile*

Of COURSE you can try any of the above foods you've mentioned, but do you really want to experiment at the time that you want to give yourself the best possible chance and opportunity to turn your system totally around and set up your body and mind to the maximum loss the way the diet was 'designed' for you? And to see how your body reacts to it, done the way it should be done... and to now see which of even THESE induction foods might give you trouble for the long term future, without adding additional questionable ones to complicate and slow you down even moreso?

Sure, you can try 'anything' to see how it effects 'you' personally, but *I* personally wouldn't want to be experimenting at the onset, when first starting... and testing and messing with something that's been tried and true for 30 years, nor give myself any delays and opportunities to get 'stuck' with foods that should and HAVE become umportant to me in the past.....when it's only 2 weeks that I can easily cut them out..... and I repeat, it's only for two weeks, the buzzwords to keep repeating in one's head. :-)

If continuing induction, longer, and simply can't live without something, I would just wait and add 5 grams of that AFTER the two weeks and otherwise continue with the rest of induction, if continuing at that level is your choice.

There is SO MUCH one can eat during those two weeks, that it's a great time to actually experiment with the basic foods you will be eating for a lifetime *IF* that's your goal, and that's what we're all really here for.... for our HEALTH, not just to lose mere pounds, so that should be 'everyone's goal..... to turn our health around and our lives.

This is the perfect initial time period to take that challenge and start learning how to exist with those foods out of 'necessity' and use this as an opportunity to be imaginative and resourseful in using ONLY the ones on the list and seeing what you really CAN create with them, because it's setting up for the future and, induction is a great learning experience even within itself... therfore should be considered as positive instead of a negative. Consider it as a laboratory being at it's strictest level to learn for the future and how YOUR personal metabolism reacts to all this. Induction is a great tool.

USE it as that opportunity and make a game of it and a challenge to yourself, and don't worry about all the extras that might be even borderline..... but for you might ruin the clean, unadulterated transformation of your system.

It will take TIME for you to test the other foods/ingredients to see if those extra things 'work' for you because if you start experimenting and see that they don't, it will only add discouragment and you will think the actual diet doesn't work.... and what is going on in your MIND is the most important thing for endurance, and also always the most important thing in life.... so is certainly more important than any foods that we might have to give up just for those two weeks which is the hardest time of this diet, but goes so fast, and which you will find in only a few days.... you no longer even NEED! That's the magic here. :-) Just give it a chance and do it the most effective way.

So my message is.... give yourself every opportunity to get the FULL benefits and most maximum results possible without any testing of other foods in INDUCTION yet, which will most likely hinder what you are trying to do.... unless your body is drastically unlike the rest of ours, but just be aware that that is a gamble you will be taking.

The restrictions look frightening and impossible at first [we've all "Been There, Done That" :-( .....but just relax and ease into this because it is the most endurable diet that you will, or have ever been on, and don't worry about the things that you can't have to eat for only those mere two weeks, and be thankful for, and creative with, and have FUN with and enjoy and concentrate on ......at least just for now..... the ones that you CAN have! :-)

[MAMZELLE]

Like linda above [just read your post, hadn't read most of them till after adding mine, because Hissheep seemed a little distressed about the limitations]. I agree, and don't count nor weigh, nor plan my foods nor meals because the psychological feeling of 'freedom' for me is of the utmost importance, which is WHY I adapted this particular woe to
my way of lifestyle in the first place, so long ago. And portions take care of themselves along the line when the 'natural' appetite suppression starts kicking in.

With the food restrictions, which I CAN handle, [since trying to stay as close to this way of eating all my life, even when not on induction nor any formal 'level' of it] I don't want to also be restricted with portions, counts, weights, etc.... although I'm not a big 'meal' eater, and have always eaten many times per day [nibbling, and small portioned meals], and that is allowed, and I feel it's also much healthier than stuffing one's self all at once only 3 times per day.

I often have single food group at a time, because that's just what I happen to be in the mood for at that particular moment, and then stretch the rest out at various times when hungry... I could wake up and just feel like a hamburger, or lambchop instead of always, bacon/eggs, tuna, etc., then later a salad, eating only one thing at a time, according to my whim, which also makes the food more special when having and savoring it alone. That's totally individual, of course but the thing is, it's completely one's choice which is great about this, and compensates for the FOOD restrictions.... allowing us freedom in every other area.

[MaryMary]

Out of all the flours listed, soy is the only one I have tried, because for me soy is a protein source. I follow a structured low carb approach and have a 4 oz protein or equivalent serving at each meal. Soy is a 4 oz protein serving. I can use soy flour in the same way as I would tofu or soy beans.