It is supposed to happen within 3 or 4 days, but I never did get over cravings on Atkins (I gave up after 12 days of induction). I got control of cravings with another low/controlled carb plan (Carbohydrate Addicts Lifespan Program). Everyone is different and people find success with different plans.

What I found later and have also found helpful is Julie Ross's recommendations in The Diet Cure.

Hello,

I have lost about 20 lb.s on atkins. I found that it took a good month to get over those cravings. It was probably sooner, but I missed the rituals. What I do is, I know I have a sweet tooth, and frankly if I don't get to indulge it then I don't stick to diets. So at the beginning of the month I buy a treat bag from my favorite store (The Diabetic Depot) They have 1 carb hedgehogs that taste just like purdy's chocolates and these carmel pecan choc. bars with only .7 g of carbs for the whole thing!! They also have 0 carb brownies and 1 carb nanaimo bars. I get one sweet a day. I like mine after dinner. It sort of gives me incentive to be good all day. Unfortunately for me my metabolic resistance is high and that doesn't allow me to go much above 20g of carbs, so I havn't gone into breads and stuff. After your two weeks of induction though, you can add nuts and that helps. You'd be surprised how far 1 TBsp. of peanut butter can go to curbing your appetite. Good luck. It's hard at the start, but carbs are sugars and yes we are all addicted going in. Do a clean induction for 2 weeks then start shopping for substitutes or treats to get you through. I also love the Atkins creamy vanilla shakes (2g net). I stick mine in the freezer for 1.5 hrs. it gets nice and slushy with no blender. Good treat or I use mine for lunch after my running.

P.S. I weighed 173 at my heaviest and on atkins I went down to 153. I did a juice fast for 22 days and went down to 138. I have been back on low carb again for 2 weeks and I am down to 136lbs. I am close to my ideal weight of 120lbs. so it is coming off much slower. I am 5'3", 31 years old and female BTW.

Good Luck again,
Leanna

Hello,
We are just starting the diet as well. It is not our first trip down the low-carb road however, we are excited this time and hope to stick with it. As far as sugars are concerned, the best way to curve the cravings is to drown with water or drink a nice cold glass of Splenda sweetened Diet Rite. It works for us during the
2-week induction before we slowly introduce atkins friendly bars, shakes, and sweets. With a wide variety of new atkins friendly food such as candy bars, orange juice, milk, cereal, even tortillas and bread our real enemy is moderation. Just keep at it. Workout regularly and remember to take it one day at a time.
Positive attitude + discipline = success! You'll reach your goal, if you fall off the carb wagon don't blow what you have accomplished, get back on and don't look back. Here's to a long healthy life, we're all worth it!