
The Atkins diet is a low-carbohydrate diet created in the 1960s by Dr. Robert C. Atkins, a physician and cardiologist. The diet is split into four phases, with Phase 1, also known as Induction, being designed to jumpstart weight loss. During this phase, dieters focus on eating low-carb foods like meat, fish, eggs, cheese, fats, and low-carb vegetables. It is important to stick to the list of acceptable foods and keep daily net carb intake between 18-22 grams to ensure the body shifts from burning carbs to burning fat. This phase usually lasts for two weeks, but can be followed for longer if the individual has a lot of weight to lose.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Jump-start weight loss |
| Carbohydrate intake | 18-22 grams of net carbs |
| Carbohydrate sources | Salad and vegetables |
| Protein intake | 3 4-6 ounce servings each day |
| Fat intake | 3 tablespoons of added fat daily |
| Acceptable foods | Meat, fish, eggs, cheese, fats, and low-carb vegetables |
| Unacceptable foods | Carrots, apples, legumes |
| Duration | Until 15 pounds from the goal weight |
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What You'll Learn

Eat meat, fish, eggs, cheese, fats, and low-carb vegetables
Atkins Diet Phase 1, also known as the Induction phase, is focused on reducing carb consumption to kickstart your fat-burning metabolism. It is designed to jumpstart your weight loss. During this phase, you will significantly shift what you eat before settling into a more sustainable lifestyle.
During Phase 1, you should base your diet around meat, fish, eggs, cheese, fats, and low-carb vegetables. Meat is an excellent source of protein and no-carb source. You should aim for three 4-6 ounce servings of protein each day. Good meat options include beef, pork, lamb, chicken, and bacon. However, it is important to note that processed meat, bacon, and ham are cured with sugar, which will add to the carb count.
Fish is also a great source of healthy fats and protein, as well as vitamins D and B2, calcium, and minerals like iron and potassium. Fatty fish and seafood such as salmon, trout, sardines, and mackerel are recommended. Shellfish is another excellent source of protein, Omega-3 fatty acids, healthy fats, and minerals like zinc, copper, iron, and magnesium. However, oysters and mussels are higher in carbs, so limit them to about 4 ounces per day.
Eggs are another food group to focus on during Phase 1. They are packed with protein, vitamin A, and antioxidants. You can get creative with your eggs by adding acceptable vegetables and topping them with feta cheese and herbs. Cheese is also a recommended food during this phase, and you can have it with cucumber slices as a snack.
In addition to these food groups, you should also consume healthy fats. About 3 tablespoons of added fat are recommended daily. Two of these can be replaced with coffee or tea, and another 2 cups can be replaced with beef, chicken, or vegetable broth (not the low-sodium kind).
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Avoid foods like bread, potatoes, pasta, and fruit
The Atkins Diet is a low-carb diet that is designed to jumpstart weight loss by changing the way your body uses nutrients. During Phase 1, also known as the Induction phase, you will need to significantly reduce your daily net carb intake to an average of 20 grams (no less than 18 and no more than 22). This reduction in carbs will prompt your body to use fat for fuel, resulting in weight loss from this fat-burning metabolism.
To achieve this, it is important to avoid foods that are high in carbohydrates, such as bread, potatoes, pasta, and fruit. These foods are not part of the list of acceptable foods for Phase 1 of the Atkins Diet. Bread, potatoes, and pasta are all high-carbohydrate foods that can interfere with weight loss during this phase. Fruit, although a healthy food choice, also contains natural sugars and carbohydrates, which can impact your body's ability to burn fat as its primary energy source.
Instead of these foods, you should focus on eating from the list of acceptable foods for Phase 1, which includes leafy greens and other non-starchy vegetables. These will be your primary source of carbohydrates during the Induction phase. You can also consume protein, which plays a key role in weight loss and protects lean muscle mass. Aim for three 4-6 ounce servings of protein each day. In addition, consuming fat is essential in the Atkins Diet as it helps to heighten the flavour of foods and enables your body to absorb certain vitamins. Remember to always accompany a carb snack with either fat or protein.
The length of the Induction phase can vary depending on your weight loss goals. For some, Phase 1 may only last for the initial two weeks, after which you should see significant results. However, if you have a lot of weight to lose or prefer to lose weight quickly, you may safely follow this phase for longer. During this time, it is important to stick to the list of acceptable foods to ensure your body shifts from burning carbs to burning fat.
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Consume 3 servings of 4-6 ounces of protein daily
Atkins 20, Phase 1, also known as Induction, is designed to kickstart your weight loss. During this phase, it is important to shift what you eat by sticking to a list of acceptable foods. This will help your body shift from burning primarily carbs to burning primarily fat.
Protein plays a key role in weight loss and preserving lean muscle mass, ensuring that you only lose fat. A useful tip to follow on Atkins 20, Phase 1 is to consume three 4-6 ounce servings of protein each day. This can come from a variety of sources, including fish, shellfish, poultry, beef, pork, lamb, chicken, bacon, eggs, and plant-based sources like soy or beans. Fish is a great source of protein and is rich in healthy fats, vitamins D and B2, calcium, and minerals like iron and potassium. While all fish are acceptable low-carb foods for Phase 1, it is recommended to stick to a 4-6 ounce serving a couple of times a week. Similarly, shellfish is another great source of protein, but oysters and mussels are higher in carbs, so they should be limited to about 4 ounces per day.
It is important to note that consuming fat is also essential to the Atkins diet. Fat heightens the flavour of foods and enables your body to absorb certain vitamins. Therefore, it is recommended to always accompany a carb snack with either fat or protein. For example, have cucumber slices with a piece of cheese.
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$3.37

Drink 2-3 cups of broth to prevent keto flu symptoms
The Atkins Diet is a low-carbohydrate diet created in the 1960s by Dr. Robert C. Atkins. The diet involves eating delicious, filling, low-carb foods like meat, fish, eggs, cheese, fats, and low-carb vegetables. The first phase of the Atkins diet, also known as the induction phase, is designed to jump-start your weight loss. During this phase, it is important to stick to a list of acceptable foods and significantly drop your daily net carb intake to an average of 20 grams.
As your body adapts to a ketogenic diet like Atkins, a number of changes may occur, often referred to as the "keto flu." These changes include symptoms like headache and fatigue and are usually uncomfortable but not dangerous, and they subside after a week or two. Drinking 2-3 cups of broth during the induction phase can help minimize or prevent symptoms of the keto flu.
The keto flu is a common set of temporary side effects that often occur at the beginning of a very-low-carb diet. As your body begins to metabolize fat, ketones are created, which have a diuretic effect on your kidneys, causing them to process salt and water more quickly. This can lead to dehydration and an imbalance of electrolytes, resulting in symptoms such as constipation or cramping.
Drinking 2-3 cups of broth can help prevent or alleviate these symptoms because broth is a good source of electrolytes, which are important minerals like sodium, potassium, and magnesium. Additionally, the salt in the broth can help replace the salt lost due to the diuretic effect of ketones.
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Stay in this phase until 15 pounds from your goal weight
Phase 1 of the Atkins diet, also known as Induction, is designed to kickstart your weight loss. During this phase, you significantly shift what you eat before settling into a more sustainable lifestyle. It is important to stick to the list of acceptable foods during Phase 1 to help your body shift from burning primarily carbs to burning primarily fat. This phase usually lasts for two weeks, but you can safely follow it for longer if you have a lot of weight to lose or prefer to lose excess weight quickly.
During Induction, it is important to drop your daily net carb intake to an average of 20 grams (no less than 18 and no more than 22). At this intake level, your body will begin to burn fat as its primary energy source. The goal is to get your body adjusted to the fat-burning process so that you can slowly add more carbs to your diet. You will eat protein, fat, and above-ground vegetables. This means you will avoid all foods and beverages not listed as acceptable, including carrots, apples, and legumes.
You should stay in this phase until you are 15 pounds away from your goal weight. During this time, you can add nuts and seeds to your diet. You should also consume three 4-6 ounce servings of protein per day, as well as 3 tablespoons of added fat. Two of these can be replaced with coffee or tea, and another two cups can be replaced with broth.
Remember that the initial loss of water weight is normal but can lead to light-headedness. Drinking a cup or two of broth or bouillon during this phase can help minimize or prevent symptoms of the "keto flu," which is a common set of side effects that often occur at the beginning of a very-low-carb diet.
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Frequently asked questions
The Atkins diet is a low-carbohydrate diet that promotes weight loss. It consists of four phases, with the first phase being the most strict.
The first phase of the Atkins diet is called the ""Induction"" phase. It is designed to kickstart weight loss by restricting carbohydrate intake to 20 grams per day for two weeks.
During Phase 1, you should focus on eating high-fat, high-protein foods, and low-carb vegetables like leafy greens. You should also consume three servings of 4-6 ounces of protein per day.
During Phase 1, you should avoid sugar, refined grains (white bread, white rice, white pasta), fruit (except avocado, tomatoes, and olives), legumes, starchy vegetables, and low-fat dairy products.
The length of Phase 1 depends on your weight loss goals. It is recommended to stay in this phase for at least two weeks, but you can stay in it until you're close to your goal weight.











































