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Are you having a problem with the LowCarbFriends Bulletin Board?
Please read our Frequently Asked Questions
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What
are sugar alcohols?
Read
Sugar Alcohols,
Glycerine and Low-Carbohydrate Diets article in
Netrition.com's online magazine.
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What
is Induction?
The Induction
diet is just a small part of the full Atkins diet, and Dr. Atkins
recommends using for the first two weeks of the diet. It's intended
to rid your body of all unnecessary carbohydrates, and put you
body into Ketosis. You also will lose weight the fastest during
this part of the diet. The Induction diet is two week of eating
less than 20 grams of carbohydrates a day. It is essential that
Vitamin supplements are used. For specifics, please refer to
Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution.
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What is
Ketosis?
Ketosis is
the term used when your body cannot fully metabolize fat due
to a lack of carbohydrates in your system. The unused portions
of the fat cells are called ketones, and are removed from the
body in the urine. Ketosis is a signal that you are breaking
down your fat cells.
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What is
Ketostix?
Ketosis sticks
are urine-testing strips that determine if you are in ketosis.
If they turn color (somewhere between pink and purple) you are
in Ketosis. The strips can be purchased at most drug stores,
one name brand is called Ketostix. You may need to ask the pharmacist.
The sticks were developed for testing Type 1 diabetics.
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What is a
stall?
A stall is
a term used when someone stops losing weight for an unusual length
of time.
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How much
water should I be drinking?
On any eating regimen, a minimum of 64 ounces, or
eight 8-ounce glasses, of water per day is the usual
recommendation. Many people, particularly women,
suffer from inadequate hydration, so it is important
to be diligent about drinking water throughout the
day. Water consumption will also help flush toxins
from your body and combat such problems as
constipation and bad breath. Note that coffee, tea and
diet sodas do not apply to the daily minimum.
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If the nutritional
info on a package says 0 carbs, is this true?
Not neccessarily.
Legally if a serving has less than .6 carbs, the packaging is
allowed to say 0 carbs. Always assume at least .6 carbs per serving.
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Can I
have caffeine?
Caffeine
stimulates an overproduction of insulin, which ultimately promotes
weight gain. The biggest need is to stop a caffeine addiction.
Once you go 2 weeks without caffeine, you may have it again as
long as you don't become dependent on it for energy.
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Can I drink
alcohol on the diet?
Here's the
problem with all alcoholic beverages, and the reason it is recommended
that you refrain from alcohol consumption on the diet: Alcohol,
whenever taken in, is the first fuel to burn. While that's going
on, your body will not burn fat. This does not stop weight loss,
it simply postpones it: since the alcohol does not store as glycogen,
you immediately get back into ketosis/lipolysis after the alcohol
is used up. Keep in mind that alcohol consumption may increase
yeast-related symptoms in some people, and interfere with weight
loss. If you must drink alcohol, wine is an acceptable addition
to levels beyond the Induction diet. If wine does not suit your
taste, straight liquor such as scotch, rye, vodka, and gin would
be appropriate, as long as the mixer is sugarless; this means
no juice, tonic water, or non-diet soda. Seltzer, diet tonic
and diet sodas are appropriate. Please note: if you have added
alcohol to your diet and suddenly stop losing weight, it would
be wise to discontinue your alcohol intake.
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Can a vegetarian
be on the Atkins Diet?
Animal proteins
are a vital component of the Atkins Diet and the diet cannot
be done as successfully without them. They contain many essential
fatty acids that cannot be found in any other sources. There
are patients, however, for whom we derive a modified ovo-lacto
vegetarian diet; they can eat eggs, cheese and tofu for their
protein (although it is usually necessary for a person to be
able to eat fish, in addition, for the diet to be enjoyable).
A vegan cannot be on the Atkins Diet. A pure vegan diet could
never be low enough in carbohydrates, because there are no plants
that are carbohydrate free.
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Can I have
cough syrup?
Most over-the-counter
suppressants and cough drops contain sugar, so be wary! These
can inhibit your weight loss. However, ask your pharmacist about
sugar-free, alcohol-free cough suppressants these are acceptable.
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Why do I
have bad breath?
Bad breath
is from the production of ketones as you burn body fat and is
a good sign that the diet is working. Ketone production is necessary
for continuing weight loss. To counteract the odor, you may increase
to a slightly higher carbohydrate level; however, this can slow
down weight loss. You may also use chlorophyll (must be sugarless),
eat more parsley and dark green, leafy vegetables, and be sure
that your water intake is at least 8 or more glasses daily (use
water, not another flavored beverage).
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What are
stats and what do the numbers ??/??/?? mean?
When someone
posts numbers in this fashion: 200/180/160, it means that their
beginning wieght was 200, thier current weight is 180 and their
goal weight is 160. BEGINNING LBS/CURRENT LBS/GOAL LBS.
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Resources
for some of our FAQ:
http://www.atkinsdiet.com
http://tom.cuy.net/atkins/faq.html |
