Question:
Need suggestions......

I have recently begun limiting my carb intake to less than 15g a day and since that time (a week and a half), I have had a very hard time reaching a calorie goal of at least 1000 cal a day. Any Atkins practicers out there that can give me some suggestions as to what I can eat that will help plus keep the carb count down below 20-25g? I have a very low carb tolerance level before I start craving them all the time. Currently I am only averaging about 500-600 cal a day and I know that that is way too low. I have about 45 pounds to goal. I am also exercising 3-4 days a week and want to add more days. Thanks in advance.    — Nicole L. (posted on July 13, 2004)

July 13, 2004
Try having a couple low carb EAS Advant Edge protein drinks that are premixed. They have 1gm impact carbs in them and they are 100 calories each and they also have 15gm of protein. I get mine at Sam's Club, they come in a case of 24 and I think they are about about $30. You can also get them at Osco Drug or GNC in four packs or individually. Be careful you do not want to eat too few calories that your body does not loose any of the pounds that you want to get rid of. Your body can end up thinking that your are starving it which is essentually what may happen with eating only 600-600 calories a day.
   — ChristineB

July 14, 2004
Welcome to my world. This is exactly the boat I am in. I don't ever get hungry, at 2 1/3 years post op. Cannot tolerate carbs or sugar alcohols, and need to keep my carbs below 20. I get between 400 and 700 calories/day.<br><br> I am interested to hear what people have to say on this one :)<br> Currently I have a diet of soy milk, Nectar and GlycerLean shakes and SF popsicles primarily, and a little bit of solid food, but can't tolerate too much.<br><br> I do get a lot of exercise.<br> I add my thanks to the heap :)
   — kultgirl

July 14, 2004
Hi there! I commend your efforts but feel compelled to tell you that your brain cannot survive on 15 grams of carbs per day. Within as little as 2 weeks you will become forgetful and it will grow steadily worse as time progresses. I've not only seen this in some of my patients working to get off the last few pounds but have also experienced it myself. Your brain must have carbs to function. Limiting yourself to only 15g a day is about the same as putting yourself on a very strict diet and we all know the dangers of that. We feel deprived and then we go nuts and eat everything that doesn't eat us first. Go for complex carbs such as fruits and veggies and supplement good quality protein - this will increase your calories too - and you'll make it. I hope I didn't hurt you feelings or offend you but it's all about balance - not about deprivation and I want you to be all that I know you can be!!!! Best wishes!
   — ronascott

July 16, 2004
Original poster here....I guess I should have clarified the carbs....I'm limiting myself to 15g of impact carbs, not carbs found in fruits and veggies. I no longer eat the processed carbs found in white sugar or flour. Sorry for the confusion.
   — Nicole L.

July 20, 2004
I frequently follow the Atkins Induction program. I know it is not something that I am going to do for the rest of my life and I try to limit the amount time I follow it. I have no problem getting my calories up to higher level. Here is an example of a day on Atkins for me: Breakfast: Protein powder mixed with SF Tang Snack: BBQ Pork Skins Lunch: Lettuce w/cheese, grilled chicken, boiled eggs and ranch dressing Snack: Pickle pinwheel (thick turkey slice spread with whipped cream cheese and a pickle rolled up inside) or a string cheese pinwheel (thick turkey slice spread with mayo and string cheese rolled up inside) Dinner: scrambled eggs with melted cheese on top with a side of bacon And sometimes I will drink another protein shake. I also eat SF Jello with a squirt of Reddi-whip on top. Hope that helps. Michelle :) 7/9/03 270/144/135
   — Michelle_S