Phase One of the Atkins Diet, better known as Induction, attempts to convert the body's energy expenditures from carbohydrates to fat. To accomplish this, dieters must restrict their net carb intake to 20g a day. This triggers the body to go into lipolysis, the process of switching from carb-energy to fat-energy. Because of the sudden restriction in instant energy, like sugars and complex carbohydrates, your body may shut down, experiencing several negative side effects. Fortunately, as the diet progresses, these side effects diminish, but crossing the initial hurdle of fatigue can deter many dieters from continuing the Atkins plan.
Atkins Flu
The Atkins website is well aware of the effects that many dieters experience. It refers to them collectively as the "Atkins flu." These symptoms include headaches, dizziness and fatigue. One cause is the imbalance of electrolytes such as potassium, sodium, magnesium and calcium, which help to conduct your heart's electrical impulses. Normally, fruits, sports drinks, dairy products and vegetables replenish these nutrients, but Phase One of the diet limits your intake to only a few servings of vegetables. The Atkins website recommends combating "flu-like" symptoms by drinking plenty of water and a few cups of clear, high-sodium soup.
Diarrhea, Constipation and Nausea
Because of the restriction of fruit, bran and whole grain, many dieters face digestive complications during the first two weeks of the Atkins Diet. According to the Mayo Clinic, the lack of fiber and essential nutrients provided by these carbohydrates can decrease the absorption of water from the bowels and the regularity of your digestive cycle, resulting in diarrhea or constipation. Nausea may occur as part of the digestive imbalance. To remedy this, Atkins participants should spend their 20g of net carbs on high-fiber vegetables and fruit. The diet allows you to subtract 1g of carbohydrate for every 1g of fiber to compute your net carb amount, so find foods that provide almost as much fiber as total carbs.
Muscle Cramping
The Atkins Diet requires users to maintain regular physical activity despite the restriction of carbohydrates. When the body is unable to burn fat or calories fast enough for energy, it may turn to glycogen and water in stored muscle mass instead. Muscle burning can result in severe cramping for dieters who strictly obey the diet while engaging in heavy exercise. You can reduce muscle cramping by getting plenty of water before and during exercise routines. Additionally, according to the Mayo Clinic, fit dieters who exercise an hour daily may be able to increase their net carb amount to account for the extra energy.
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