The Atkins diet is a weight loss plan that focuses on limiting the amount of carbohydrates you consume on a daily basis. According to the Harvard University School of Public Health, carbohydrates are converted to sugar during the digestion process. As a result, too many carbohydrates can negatively affect your blood sugar levels and cause you to gain weight. The induction period of the Atkins diet helps new dieters wean themselves off of carbohydrates and limits how much they can eat of certain foods, including sweets.
Natural Sugars
The Atkins diet urges dieters in the induction phase to only consume natural sugars and to do so in moderation. Natural sugars include brown sugar, sugar in the raw, turbinado sugar, cane syrup and unprocessed maple syrup. Note that refined table sugar and refined honey are not recommended.
Sugar Substitutes
According to Atkins.com, dieters in the induction phase can consume no more than three packets of sugar substitutes per day. In addition, the list of acceptable sugar substitutes is limited. It includes the following: Sweet 'N Low (saccharin), Splenda (sucralose), Truvia (stevia) and xylitol. The Atkins diet considers one packet of these sugar substitutes as one net carb.
Foundation Vegetables
Although vegetables may not seem like an especially sweet food group, many contain natural sugars that allow you to get your sugar fix, says Atkins.com. Recommended vegetables include single-serving sizes of celery, cucumber, fennel, peppers and radishes. Consider cutting bell peppers into strips and eating them as a sweet snack.
