Sean, the carb counts in DANDR are not all correct. When I have a question about a carb count, I usually check the USDA. The main page is here:

http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/foodcomp/search/index.html

Plug in "tomato" and then choose from the long list "tomato, red, raw." According to them a 3 inch diameter (which is a pretty big tomato) has a net carb count (after deducting the fiber) of less than 5.

As for the salad dressing, my own approach is that if a serving has one or two carbs, I use it and just count the carbs.

__________________

No. As long as you're losing weight consistently, this shouldn't be a problem.

While tomatoes are not considered a food for Induction, if you are consistently losing weight while eating them, continue doing so.

There is a distinct difference between salad dressing and mayo. Salad dressings (such as Miracle Whip) do contain sugar. Mayo does not. Opt for the mayo. If you're speaking of salad dressings you use on salads, go with the full-fat dressings. Low fat dressings tend to replace fat with sugar. Do not use them.

In my humble opinion, ketostix are a waste of money, time, and energy. Since you are losing weight, you already know that you are in some state of ketosis. As long as you watch your carb intake and abstain from sugar -- in whatever form -- you will succeed and you really do not need a "color indicator" to tell you that.

Again...these are only my opinions.

__________________
April

The face of a child can say a lot -- especially the mouth part of the face.

My Blog

Hi Sean, welcome to LCE!!!!

I think everyone has pretty much answered your questions.

I have a question for you: Are you a guy? If so, you will probably lose more quickly than us women. Men are just lucky that way. Your body is responding VERY nicely to this lifestyle. Keep up the good work. I see you are from Canada. I hear that you guys are having some trouble getting LC stuff up there in the north. Try to find Carb Options products with the blue labels. They make zero carb dressings. But I use regular Ranch, Bleu Cheese and other creamy dressings and just watch how much I use. I find now that I don't need much dressing on my salads anymore. Also, ATkins has a "Honey Mustard" dressing out that is to die for. I had some today, it was REALLY GOOD!!!!!! Do you get any Atkins products up there? if so, try to find it!!!!!!!

__________________

Thanks for all the great answers everyone. Yes Barb I am a male. As far as low carb products go I really haven't looked around yet. I'm not big on processed foods. My biggest problems have been breads pasta rice and potatoes(I'm irish descent). I am a cook and so far I've being sticking to natural foods and avoiding processed stuff. I will start looking when I go shopping later this week. I went camping this week end and managed not to eat the high carb foods that were offered me. Except on Sat I had two hamburgers(no bun) and found out after the had 5.5 grams of carbs each. Well I didn't lose over the weekend but I didn't gain either. Thank again everyone for your support.

__________________
Sean
Atkins Aug.22/04
233.5/173/160 5'8"
Life is very good and can only
get better if I make the right choices.

http://www.lowcarbeating.com/photopo...a_challeng.jpg[/img]