Diet Induction Phase Foods

Successful dieting requires changing life style choices and eating habits, which becomes especially difficult when you crave foods that contribute to weight gain rather than weight loss. The induction phase foods on low carbohydrate diets reduce cravings and get weight loss moving more quickly than simple calorie restriction. A relatively short time spent eating only induction phase foods transitions to an expanded list of approved foods in later phases of dieting.

Atkins

The Atkins' diet induction phase significantly limits carbohydrate intake to 20 grams per day consumed over three meals. You can have liberal combinations of fat and proteins, including poultry, fish, eggs and red meat. Add natural fats found in mayonnaise, butter, olive oil and other vegetable oils and 3 cups of vegetables--mostly salad greens. During the induction phase, consume no fruit, bread, pasta, grains or starchy vegetables like potatoes. Eat only cheese, cream or butter from the dairy category and no nuts or seeds. Do not eat carbohydrates, such as legumes, that contain both protein and carbohydrates. Add herbs and spices that contain no sugar to accent induction food taste. Beverages acceptable in the Atkins' induction phase include broth, club soda, decaffeinated coffee or tea, diet soda and water.

South Beach

Distribute the induction or Phase 1 foods on the South Beach diet over three meals and two snacks daily. Lean meat, low-fat dairy products and vegetables, including legumes, comprise the majority of induction phase foods in various combinations. Eat no bread, pasta, rice or high-carbohydrate vegetables, including potatoes, corn, carrots and beets during induction. Consume no alcohol, fruit or fruit juice. South Beach induction permits limited consumption of nuts and seeds, monounsaturated oils, mayonnaise, olives and salad dressing. Acceptable beverages include coffee and tea, diet sodas, milk with 1 percent or less fat, soy milk, tomato and vegetable juice.

4 Day Diet

The 4 Day Diet, developed by Dr. Ian Smith, includes several modules. Each module lasts four days. Phase 1 removes toxins from the body by consuming a module food plan of fruits, leafy greens, vegetables and low-fat dairy products. During induction, you eat no meat or fish and only small amounts of fat. Repeat the induction module in cycle with other 4 Day modules for additional weight loss. Experts commenting for "ABC News" expressed concern that this diet does nothing to change basic eating habits nor is the premise supported by science.