The Basics

Why go super low on carbs?

There's one main reason to cut carbs extremely low: to experience real ketosis by cleaning out all sugar from your system. You can then add in foods by trial and error and see how your body reacts.

Beginning the very low carb approach
The purpose of the very low carb approach is to show how real ketosis feels. Real ketosis means no appetite and excellent weight loss. Carbs must be very, very low (as close to zero as possible) in order to reach real ketosis. This state is what Dr. Atkins was talking about in Induction.

When we severely restrict carbs, our bodies, rather than using body fat for energy, will initially go to the glycogen in our livers for an energy. When that's used up (usually after about three days), it's like a flood gate is opened and our bodies give up a lot of extra water ... that's the 3-7 pound drop many people experience during the first few days of any very low carb plan. 

Kim-kins is a stricter version of Atkins Induction, developed by a low carber named Kimmer. The basics of this approach to weight loss are:

- < 20 carbs (no fiber subtraction)

- 70-90 g protein

- just enough fat to make your menus work

- absolutely no low carb treats and very limited cheese

Being this strict ensures a state of real ketosis, symptoms of which include strong appetite suppression and very rapid weight loss. This is a chance to see what it's like.
Warning - not everyone likes the feeling, even if you're losing weight very rapidly.
 
Eat as much as you like (while keeping under the recommended protein grams), drink as much as you like and absolutely use protein as a snack! Tuna salad, steak tips, chicken breast, hard-boiled or devilled eggs are all filling, nutritious options.

What to expect
For anyone who reaches Day 3 and hasn't lost any weight, you may be one of the few who needs to go five days in order to deplete your excess glycogen. When you see the rapid drop in weight loss (2+ lbs in a day) you'll know the glycogen is gone. You will lose even more if you're exercising. (You'll also achieve ketosis faster because your body is yanking the glycogen out of your liver.)

Keep in mind that your body converts body fat to fuel as a LAST resort. Your body always wants to take the easy route for energy, which is sugar (carbs). This is why when people first do Induction (or this approach), they feel tired, cranky, have cravings ... their brain is sending a strong message that it wants fuel, NOW.

Those who stick with Induction without caving in are rewarded with ketosis, weight loss and reduced appetite ... their bodies have successfully converted to burning body fat. People who 'relax' on weekends merely send their bodies back to square one and start the carb cravings all over again. These are also the people who 'feel better' after eating carbs and mistakenly think their bodies 'need them'. Wrong. Their bodies wanted sugar and they obliged ... vicious cycle.

How much to eat
Eat when you are hungry. Don't count calories, don't cut back on quantities ... EAT if you're hungry. Snack on more hard-boiled eggs, make an omelette, fry up a steak, throw some chicken pieces on the grill ... eat! The appetite suppression is coming, so don't cave in with a "taste" of carbs.

Liquids
Drink what your body tells you. People are often more thirsty in ketosis. Aim for 1000ml (~64oz), but don't force fluids.

Foods to eat and foods to avoid
Eat eggs until they ban you from the store. Eggs are an incredible in terms of nutrition. Skip the mustard and soy sauce in the beginning. If you can't, use the least amount possible. Use the fat you normally use for cooking - coconut oil is great for adding flavour. Initially, avoid "extra" fats like whipped cream, cheese or cream cheese because they tend to add up calories extremely quickly and often cause stalls in weight loss.

What to do afterwards
After the first week, you can decide what you want to do:

1) Continue on protein & naturally occurring fats until close to goal weight

2) Begin adding SMALL servings of very low carb veggies

3) Go to Atkins Induction

When you begin introducing carbs (like vegetables), take it slowly. Try a small salad at lunch, or a vegetable low on the glycemic index (like spinach or broccoli) with dinner. Slowly work your way up to however fast/slow you want to lose. If you keep your carbs extremely low, you'll stay in this state of no hunger and rapid weight loss. However, once closer to goal, it's advisable to begin adding in the vegetables slowly. If you want to keep the weight off, this must be maintainable as a way of life, not a quick-fix diet.

[Based on Kimmer's Experiment from the Meat and Eggers FAQ]