Hi Marymeg7
You can easily start Atkins on the second stage (Ongoing Weight Loss) and eat as many or as few carbs as you're happy with. I personally would not go over 50g carb, but we're all different. Then again, I'm quite happy on 20g - 30g the whole time. However, with extra carbs you won't get the initial large rapid weight loss that you do with the Induction Phase.
The other thing to note is, as you increase your carb intake you should decrease the fat a little bit. Just be a little more careful in what fat you eat. In my case it would probably be less mayonnaise, use butter more sparingly, and butter the flat side of the Ryvita rather than filling the holes up!
:lol:
As for supplements - if you are eating fresh, unprocessed food and eating lots of green leafy vegetables, salads etc, you should have no need of supplements. Eating a few more carbs means you can have the lower-carb fruits as well, which adds to your nutrient intake. You'll get calcium from dairy and broccoli, I think. Iron from red meat, offal and green veg.
Personally, I take magnesium, which I find helps my blood pressure; any excess is excreted. Also Vitamin D3, 'cos I'm getting older, and no problems with that so far; and a multi-vitamin and mineral, 30-day course about twice a year. Apart from diabetes Type 2, osteoarthritis, slightly raised BP and obesity, I'm in very good health :wink:
Hope that helps.
Viv 8)