Atkins’ Diet Phase 3 — Pre-maintenance is preparation for the future on-going low carb diet. Weight-loss has been achieved and now needs to be maintained. Carbohydrate measurement now required is the Critical Carbohydrate Level for Maintenance (CCLM). This is the maximum number of carbohydrates you can eat each day without gaining weight.

Atkins’ Diet Phase 3 — Pre-maintenance : Still No Carbs

At this stage, dieters have found their personal CCLL and have almost reached their weight goal.  Carbohydrate intake should be maintained at this level for about a month. Once it is clear that weight is stable, an incremental increase of 10 grams weekly is suggested. If  weight is gained,  the 10 grams are dropped back. The dieter’s task is to find the CCLM.

Atkins Diet Phase 3 — Pre-maintenance : What Can You Eat?

Pre-maintenance phase has been introduced to train dieters and get them ready for low-carb living. This is achieved in phase four - Lifetime Maintenance. During this phase, ketosis diminishes until it disappears.  Carbohydrate control is still critical but some starch vegetables are allowed using CCLM. These include:

• carrots
• beets
• parsnips
• peas
• acorn squash
• yams

Whole-grain bread and forbidden carbs (a slice of pizza, a baked potatoe), are also allowed, but strictly monitored. The aim is to reach what Dr. Atkins called the Atkins’ Carbohydrate Equilibrium.

The fruits accepted in this phase are:

• ½ apple
• 11 cherries
• 1 peach
• 12 grapes
• ½ grapefruit
• 1/3 cup mango
• 1 kiwi
• 1 cup watermelon
• 1/3 cup mango

Each portion contains roughly 10 grams of net carbs. A glass of white wine or a light beer can be drunk in moderation.

This Pre-maintenance phase can cause difficulties to some dieters. Though their weight goal has been achieved, carbohydrate consumption is still to be monitored and controlled. However this is the ultimate philosophy of a diet. Is it to be a short term event or an adjustment of lifestyle. Those that have reached this point will have formed new eating habits and with a reduced appetite. To maintain their healthier state self control is essential.

If through a lapse, the ideal carbohydrate intake is surpassed, dieters should know that they are able to redress this mistake. Unlike the early stages of the Atkins’ diet — when carbs are to be divided among all daily servings — now the carbohydrate intake can be averaged per week.

How the carbohydrate intake is averaged per week in Atkins’ Diet Phase 3 — Pre-maintenance

Carbs are dropped out in favor of fats, proteins and fibers. Thus, the total intake of carbs per week won’t be more than the personal CCLL.

Finally, if correctly followed, this phase is crucial as it establishes the way Atkins’ dieters will eat for the rest of their lives.

Atkins Diet Phase 3 — Pre-maintenance