You're addicted. Unless you believe this addiction to be a good thing, why
would you NOT want to break this addiction? You know it's not good for you, and
only you can make the choice, no matter what people here tell you.

LCing since 12/01/03-
Me- 5'7" 265/219/140
& hubby- 6' 310/238/180

I have read that the reason for no nuts during Induction is that people
tend to eat way too many of them, and their carb counts skyrocket.  You're
keeping yourself in check, so I don't see any reason why you couldn't
continue what you're doing.

I just finished a can of diet Coke.  Doesn't seem to cause any problems for
me.  

Keep in mind, I don't consider Atkins to be an alternative religion, so
there will be a lot of people who will think that what I'm saying is
heresay.  ;)

I used to stress out over every little transgression.  Got just plain
frantic about it.  In the grand scheme of things, it's just not worth
freaking out about it.

Your mileage may vary, of course.

Carol

Interesting, I have drank Pepsi like a FISH for years and had absolutely NO
PROBLEMS stopping it cold turkey when I started induction.  I have yet to
have a drop of it.  I think it's all in your head, people are not really
addicted to caffine, they are just use to it.  If I can stop cold turkey
with no withdrawls, anyone can.

Try not to listen to our lovely friend "JC", she has MAJOR issues!  Nothing
but a troll with a miserable life.

The induction food list, through common sense, is there for the "I
don't want to count carbs" groups. Using Induction rules you will stay
under 20g a day--the goal. The second thing is Atkins says low-carb
foods seem to be the foods that people have the least allergies to. So
the list is relatively safe to avoid problem foods.

However, in my opinion, you can eat other foods. The trick is--are
they problem foods for *YOU*. Caffeine is a stimulant, but has also
been blamed for creating hunger. We are often addicted to that which
causes us problems--you may be allergic to a favorite food. Remove it
and something you've experienced for years goes away. It was actually
an allergy but you didn't connect it cause its been there forever. If
you use induction as a purge, staying strict to low carb, safe foods
you create a baseline. You can then add things in and see if they
affect you. Maybe one pepsi max a day doesn't affect but three do.
There are a lot of variables. You are able to control the amount of
nuts you eat. If you start breaking your limits you have to ask
yourself if there is something in your diet that is adding to your
cravings. They aren't always obvious things.

Because i drank tons of soda I gave up all caffeine for induction. I
didn't want to just switch from soda to coffee. It gave me headaches,
but it was over in a few days. I haven't had a need to add much back.
The most I've drank was about half a can in a day--but I really don't
care for the taste much. IF you run into problems you have to question
if these are helping or hurting you. Having something sweet and sugary
tasting may set off your mind & body the same way that the real stuff
would.

It is up to you.

DiGiTAL_ViNYL (no email)
350/314/Mar-315/200
Atkins since Jan 12, 2004
OWL-35 carbs/day (CCLL=?)

If I'm not mistaken, didn't an older version of the Atkins plan allow for nuts
and seeds during Induction? I think you should do whatever works for you;
therefore, if it makes you feel better, just say you're on "70's-style Atkins"
or whatever.

I was a purist during Induction, and had about the same amount of success as
those who adjusted slightly to fit their personal needs.

Just be aware of the nuts you're eating and try to be honest with yourself
about how much you're consuming, so if it turns out to be a problem you can
re-assess the situation and try cutting them out for awhile. (Maybe
substituting with another Induction-friendly snack for the workday hunger
attack.) Just count the carbs. :)

As for the Pepsi Max, the caffeine issue seems to be very much YMMV. If it's
not making you hungry or hurting your weight loss, I say enjoy. (I say it
fairly enviously, at that-- I used to be quite the coffee addict, and only
recently have allowed myself the occasional half-caff. Mmmmm.)

Piedlourde