The Atkins Diet isn't all about meat and dairy. You are actually required to eat vegetables on this plan. For starters, it is recommended that you eat 3 cups of salad vegetables per day. This includes lettuce, cucumbers, peppers, celery, etc. This is loosely packed, however, so don't push it. A cup of chopped cucumber isn't equal to a packed cup of thinly sliced cucumber. You can also have a cup a day of other vegetables such as broccoli, squash, eggplant, tomatoes, etc. Vegetables should be measured raw. If you really want to be precise, get a digital food scale and weigh your food. You might be eating more or less than you think.

Spices are generally ok, but lemon juice and cream are only allowed in small amounts while in induction. The most important part of induction is reading labels. You have to watch for hidden sugars, and count your carbs very carefully. You will eat very little convenience foods, rather mostly whole foods, while in this phase. We strongly recommend using eDiets to help you with this phase. There will be days that you open the refrigerator and only see cheesesticks and boiled eggs. eDiets will tell you that you have Creamy Scrambled Eggs with Avocado and Turkey. You'll never have refrigerator block again, and eDiets will do all the carb counting for you!

Ongoing Weight Loss
Once you've hit ketosis you can move along to the second phase of the Atkins Diet, called Ongoing Weight Loss (OWL).This basically follows the rules of ketosis, except you will increase your carbs slowly each week, in increments of 5 carbs a day, per week, until your weight loss slows, yet doesn't stop. Although you are losing weight quickly with Induction, you need to move along and learn to eat carbs again. You can't just start adding carbs, though. It is recommended that you add one type of food per week, such as vegetables, or berries.

You need to be cautious when adding foods back in so you will know which foods cause cravings, and which ones cause your weight loss to stall. Above all, avoid the naughty carbs like white flour and sugar. Again, eDiets will plan out meals for you and keep your food interesting. eDiets is Atkins approved, so you know you'll get a correct menu.

Pre-Maintenance
Once you've come within 5-10 pounds of your goal then it is time for the third phase of the Atkins Diet, otherwise known as Pre Maintenance. You'll do the same thing in this phase as you did in Phase 2, except that you will add 10 carbs per day instead of 5 carbs per day. You'll be losing a goal of less than a pound a week, and this will continue until you slide into goal weight.
Alternatively, you can instead have a couple of treats each week that equal to your increase in carbs per week, rather than spread it out on a daily basis. A glass of wine, a starch, or a piece of fruit, are popular choices. Don't forget - you are still on a diet, and you must be careful to not overdo it.

[Continue to part three of the Atkins Diet review -including sample menus!]