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Atkins Diet
Dr. Robert Atkins first wrote about the Atkins diet in the 1970s, in his book The New Diet Revolution. Over recent years, the Atkins diet plan has become one of the most popular diet plans – with Time Magazine naming it “The most popular diet program”.
Food manufacturers quickly formulated low-carb food products, but during 2004 the diet rapidly fell out of favor. However it will always remain a very useful diet for many people.
In response to the negative press some aspects of the Atkins program received, the people at Atkins have revamped their program for 2010 so that it lines up with a healthier way of eating called “The New Atkins for a New You.” See how it has changed below.
Original Atkins Diet
Atkins has four phases – all with a carefully controlled level of carbohydrate intake.
Phase 1
The restrictive induction phases lasts for a minimum of two weeks and calls for a maximum of 20 grams of carbohydrate intake (no starchy vegetables, fruits, grains, bread).
Weight loss on the Atkins diet is based on the process of Ketosis:
“First, the main source of energy for our bodies is carbohydrates. When we have fewer carbs in our body, it must look elsewhere for another source of energy. Next in line is stored body fat. So reducing carbs forces the body to burn fat. This process is called Ketosis. Secondly, carbs stimulate the creation of insulin. Insulin is what converts excess carbs to fat. So when you have less carbs you have less insulin and therefore create less new fat.”
Phase 2
The Ongoing Weight Loss phase involves adding more fibrous vegetables (carbohydrates) until the “Critical Carbohydrate Level for Losing” is reached. The small increases in carbohydrates are carefully managed on a week-by-week basis.
Phase 3 and 4
These phases are maintenance phases – where carbohydrate intake can be increased – but only until the point that weight is maintained (Critical Carbohydrate Level for Maintenance). Any food that may lead to weight gain should be avoided.
Atkins recommends choosing unrefined or unprocessed carbohydrates.
The New Atkins
The New Atkins For a New You is designed to reflect a greater emphasis on healthy, nutritionally dense foods along with portion control. Atkins has recently strengthened their online diet program and is in the process of making their services international.
The New Atkins for a New You differs from the original in the following ways:
- More of an emphasis on wholesome foods.
- Stresses the importance of healthy fats.
- More focused on nutrition from fresh vegetables, lean protein, fruits, and whole grains.
- More flexible to appeal to people with busy lifestyles.
- More emphasis on portion and Calorie control.
- Special attention given to those who are diabetic as well as vegetarians.
- More emphasis on being active and exercise.
Pros
- Many have experienced success following the Atkins Plan.
- Quick results can be experienced.
- Many restaurants have adopted low-carb options on their menus.
- The New Atkins has been adapted to a broader range of dieters with special dietary considerations.
- Many Atkins approved snacks are available in the grocery store.
Cons
- One of the most controversial issues with Atkins is that it is high-fat diet. Most government health agencies recommend no more than 30% fat in our diet – yet with Atkins you can easily consume more fat than this. However, the new Atkins has lined up with this percentage and recommends healthy fats.
- One must question how healthy the process of Ketosis is. In the short term it may have the desired effect – but in the long term? Some suggest that certain organs may be overworked to sustain the process of Ketosis.
- Promotion of their own line of processed meals and snacks.
Conclusion
Atkins has been very successful for many people and has resulted in not only significant weight loss – but also health improvement. Many people do find the diet demanding at first and need to make significant behavior modification to get the best out of Atkins. If you are thinking of beginning this diet, we strongly encourage you to research and read as much as possible before beginning the diet and consult with your health professional.
See Also:
Check here for healthy meat recipes.
I actually never try the Atkins diet but by hearing all this great stop it motivate me to try it out becuse its sound like a suitable diet to take.
The Atkins diet is increasingly respected in the medical community. Concerns about the adverse effects of ketosis years ago were over-blown. Wider acceptance in the medical/nutritional community is hampered by the relatively high intake of saturated fats on the Atkins program. Many think this may contribute to hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis), and eventually heart attacks and strokes. Nevertheless, I’ve seen the diet work in many people. And it often helps control glucose levels in overweight type 2 diabetics.
-Steve
http://AdvancedMediterraneanDiet.com/blog/
I am from the country where we eat bread and potatos every day. I start gaining weight after I got married. I wanted to show my husband how good I can cook .After a year he was send to Iraq and I wanted to look great when he come back. Time go by so fast and 10 months were behind us .So I had to use my last 2 months to do something with my 60 over pounds. Did research and I found Atkins Diet. First week I was angry all the time…I missed my bread and fried potatos
but reward was coming quickly at 5-6 pounds loss a week. When my honey come back and he didn’t recognize me (he walked right beside me…looking for me). I had to jump on him so he can see that this good looking girl it’s me! Thank you Atkins Diet!
I have used the Atkin’s diet now for 4 years. I lost 74 pounds and four dress sizes in 8 months. I agree with all of you that you have to stay away from fast foods and do your own prep and cooking. I also have had nothing but skeptical doctors tell me that I’m going to kill myself yet all of the tests they run come out fantastic. Most of the doctors shake their heads and say they don’t understand this. I have battled my weight since childhood and Atkins is the first diet I have ever been able to use successfully for the long term. This diet is not for everyone but it works for me and obviously there are many other people it works for too! The person who commented on Dr Atkin’s dying of heart problems because of his weight needs to understand just how difficult a weight problem can be and I take pity that Dr Atkins couldn’t successfully use his own plan to conquer his battle with weight. But I am grateful that his plan works for me when nothing else has ever worked so well! Thank You Dr Atkins.
I have used this diet very succesfully. I lost 21kg in 7 weeks and kept it off for 16 years. Did exercise tho. I go on the diet every now and again 2 control my weight. It takes more dedication as u get older. I think it works well 4 me.
This diet works. Read what it instructs you to do “to the nth-degree” & if you do not stray you will drop the weight. I’ve used it successfully for better than 7 years now and maintained my weight very well (lost about 35 lbs & kept it off). My blood work continues to amaze my doc who wanted me on bp & cholestrol meds 7 yrs ago but I went on this diet instead. By simply staying the heck away from simple (& bad) carbs like sodas, candy, & pasteries & with modest exercise, & maintaining a healthy diet with lots of fiber almost anyone can maintain the weight loss after you’ve lost it on this diet. Everyone in my family has experienced cardiovascular & sugar issues in their 40′s. I’m in my mid-50′s & still no sign of trouble. I place a lot of credit with the eating habits I got from the Atkins program in 2001. I works for me!
i went on this diet and lost 14 punds in a little less then a month and it was amazing i kept the weight off because i didnt want to put it back on it u immediatly start eating millions of carbs a day ur going to gain the weight back just like any other diet and if you are extremely obese then u need to slowly undergo this diet because obese people consume so many carbs a day their body may shut down with out them so take it slow. Teh atkins diet is great u just need willpower and motivation
i hate that diet i put on 26kilos its sucks dont go on it
I did this diet about 7 years ago. I only lasted two weeks and lost an amazing 10lbs. I didn’t go hungry, BUT I did feel sick, light headed and grumpy! I was craving toast and doughnuts and ate 5 in one go. The diet works but it makes you so miserable, so it depends on what you’d rather be, happy or thin?
I found the diet works great in the summer – salads are easy to prepare and appreciated in warm weather, and you will drink more water. I did this diet last year and lost almost 2 stone. BUT, as soon as I stopped, or even cheated for one day, I gained (up to 7lb in a day) which did come off immediately when I went back to it. Through the winter, the diet didn’t work at all (well, I didn’t lose weight), and I had awful achy muscles in my legs and no energy. Totally different to the summer.
It could be psychological, I guess.
I’m now on weight watchers, but I’m thinking about going back to atkin’s – it gets rid of a bloated tummy straight away, for one thing.
I almost died when I was on this diet and I have the BP readings to prove it. The American Heart Association does NOT recommend this diet due to the high fat and protein content.
i think the diet works but is so hard to stay on but i lost weight.
I have used the atkins diet for years to get rid of baby weight after childbirth. This diet if followed properly is very effective. If you already have no will power don’t even bother you have to really be dedicated! I have been able to go back to my pre-pregnancy weight of 115-120lbs. after each baby and maintain that weight for 5 years now…..
While I was serving in the military, many of us would go atkins. We never had any problems and gained lots of snergy. It is my opinion that a person should exercise during the diet. If you don’t, you could feel depressed because of all the extra oils that could be in your body, depending on which meets you intake.
What is the third word in the phrase “ruler dog garage seizure”?:
This diet worked well for me, but is difficult to maintain as a lifestyle. I have gone up and down several times using the Atkins diet. The effectiveness of the diet lessens each time I have gone on it. Kerry … you are the one who needs to do your research … Dr. Atkins died of a head injury and helped many diabetics with his diet. It has a great premise, just needs to be done with moderation … just like anything.
Dr Atkins died of head injuries from a fall Kerry.
how can’t I find out if THIs diet works.
It worked for me, but i didn’t have the willpower to do that all again when i gained all the weight back, plus more.
Total Wellness, I can assure you that this diet is NOT the healthiest of all the low carb diets. I think you need to work on your research skills a little more before you make claims like that. There are plenty of low carb diets that dont cut out essential food groups as the Atkins diet does. Wasn’t doctor Atkins himself obese when he died of heart problems? The diet didnt do his blood lipid/cholesterol, or his waist line much good did it?
The Atkins diet is one of the best and healthiest of all the low carb diets. Not only does weight just roll off of you.. but blood lipid/cholesterol will nose dive. I was a skeptic but after gaining 40 pounds in college and staying overweight half way through med school, i did the research, realized all the health benefits to maintaining a low grain/carb diet and the transformation began. I lost 50 pounds last year and have kept it off for over a year. Its easy if you can cook your own meals and avoid processed foods.
this diet worked for my mum she lost 4 dress sizes in 3 months and she is much happier now. she did suffer with a few side effects though ie head aches bad breath ect but i suppose if there is no pain then there is no gain
you spelt carbohydrates wrong in phase 1
this is a great diet . im not a fat lard anymore
Aktins worked for me twice, but when I met my goal weight, I stopped everything, diet/exercise. First time, started at 180, I regained the weight, -30 lbs +10, 2nd time -30 lbs +20. I believe it works but it is also my belief at 43, it is about a life style change of food portions, calories, and exercise. Good Luck!
this diet is a stupid diet and it does’nt work and it suchs and if will never use it agin
the atkins diet worked for me and made me extremely skinny. now i seem to think i am much cooler than i actually am.
I think that if we would just eat organic and all natural foods, not only will we lose weight, we will be healthy…… you can lose weight and still not be healthy. I did Atkins for 9 days and lost 6 pounds but I felt bad everyday. I had headaches, nausa, and constipation the whole time. It was easy to follow but it wasnt worth it for me. Fruits and veggies along with all natural products (only) are found at your grocery store. A little exercise helps too. Its not that expensive to eat what is healthy, its more expensive to feel bad and be on medicine.
atkins is good but you need a specific taste for certain foods, i personally follow the fruit and water diet, i have lost 8 pounds in 9 days, and that is no lie.
Atkins is too difficult to follow.