Atkins Diet
The low carb classic!
BACKGROUND
MMore than 30 years ago, Dr. Robert Atkins introduced his low-carb diet, now popularly known as the Atkins Diet. While this low-carb phenomenon has had critics over the years, there are still proponents who live by Dr. Atkins' dietary plan. Carbohydrates, Dr. Atkins says, belong in two categories: favorable and non-favorable. When you first begin the Atkins diet, you will cut your carbohydrates drastically and as you move through the four phases, gradually re-introduce favorable carbs. The Atkins Diet boasts that you'll be able to continue enjoying foods that most weight-loss methods reject. You'll start the Atkins Diet in the Induction phase, which is primarily intended for initial weight loss and removal of extraneous carbs. You'll only be allowed 20 grams of net carbs which come from non-starchy vegetables and salads. This phase can last 14 days, although some prefer to extend it to hurry weight loss. Next you'll move into the Ongoing Weight Loss Phase, a Pre-Maintenance and finally the Maintenance phase, which is the stage you reach when you met your weight loss goals.
PRO
- Atkins Diet allows you to eat many high calorie and high fat foods like meat and cheese
- Promotes eating plenty of fresh vegetables
- Many have had success losing weight on the Atkins Diet
CON
- Effort involved in calculating carbohydrate grams
- Long-term success with sticking to the Atkins Diet is questionable - Diets high in saturated fats have been linked to heart disease, certain cancers and diabetes
DIET and NUTRITION
By removing the extra carbs in your diet, and not reducing calories, Atkins allows you to enjoy flavorful favorites like steak, eggs, bacon, cream and butter. Atkins followers are directed to remove white bread, pasta and rice, baked goods and chips. Dr. Atkins' books and website provide a comprehensive list of Atkins-approved foods. You can also find scores of Atkins products like protein bars, cereal and drinks at your local grocery store.
EXERCISE
Exercise is a key component of the Atkins Diet. Even twenty minutes three times a week will reduce your risk for cardiovascular disease, but most experts agree its best to get 30 minutes of moderate activity 5-6 times a week. You are free to get in more exercise if you prefer while following the Atkins diet.
CONCLUSION
Atkins is often mislabeled as red meat and more red meat. While it's allowed, there are plenty of other lean protein sources to choose from. It's doubtful that most people will follow Atkins for life, but it may be OK if you’re looking for a plan to springboard you into weight loss just as long as you are willing to consider healthy choices after you’re done.
Common Misspellings
Atkin Diet, AtkinsDiet, Aktins, Atkns, Atkins Deit, Akins Diet, Adkins Diet, Atkins Low Carb Diet, Dr. Atkins Diet, The Atkins Diet, Adkins Advantage
Related Diets: Atkins Advantage, South Beach Diet, South Beach Diet Supercharged, Low-Carb Diet, The Ketogenic Diet
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Atkins- or low carb has put in fantastic shape. I feel better than when I ran 11 miles a day & worked at the gym for 3 hours. I could not keep that pace, just to maintain my weight. When my knee gave out I gained 25 pounds. With low carb I have lost 35 pounds in 4 months. Little did I know that pasta, chips, bread, torrtillas were making me physically ill. My stomach is flatter that when I was an exercise freak. Processed carbs make be bloated, my blood sugar rides a roller coaster that takes my mood go up and down. I was sleepy every day at 4:00. I have not feld deprived or suffered in any way on this diet. Due to my job, I eat at Chili's, Bj's, Black Angus, etc almost 3 x per week. I have broccoli almost every day, celery, salad and non starchy carbs everyday-instead of my daily bag of chips and chocolate bar. Why must I eat processed carbs to please people who think Atkins is just steak and cheese. I have a new lease on life. Before this way of life, my eyes twitched and I felt my vision was going when I was over exercising and eating white flour or corn products. Sugar free is my new way of life. I do not think pasta, bread, corn or corn syrup makes other ways of eating superior to Atkins. This plan saved my life!
first of all Dr Atkins wasn't that young he was in his 72 for hell sakes and this is for the guy that said he had head aches the first day ,,,your body is adjusting to having little to no sugar ,which we do not need .you have to stay with it ..
first of all i havent eaten sugar in a long time when ever i did cheat and i did eat sugar my body let me know i had messed up...i was sluggish and felt like crap..
I am just started induction phase and looking forward to it. weightwatchers and lowfat diets have failed me miserably.
Just started Atkins 5 days ago, already down 6 pounds. I PRAY Induction phase shows me at least a 10-12 pound loss. It is VERY difficult to find no carb things and variety. Im reeady to add back in some carbs! Guess we'll see.
I have tried this diet. It does make you feel full. It does take some weight off. But there is a severe disadvantage. The Atkins Diet gives you an overwhelming craving for cookies, cakes, fruits, and other sweet carbohydrates! Where as many other diets drive you insane with hunger because of portion control, the Atkins Diet torments you with a tremendous craving for sweet carbohydrates you never had before going on it!
I have read the book and I have lost the weight soooo easily. I understand now, my consciouness has been raised...FAT METABOLISM ROCKS! A diet of sugar and flour will undoubtedly shorten your life as will a low calorie/high exercise diet. If you can't get the ketosis happening then check your carbs are no more than 10 grams and eat a bit more fat/protein. This should kickstart fat mobilisation as recommended by Dr Atkins, may he rest in peace. If the good doctor can restrict 10 obese individuals to a high fat diet over a six week period which caused every one of them to LOSE weight, then you can to. DO IT.
I did Atkins about 6 years ago and dropped 30 lbs right away. I'm on my 5th day of induction and haven't lost any weight. I went into ketosis within a couple of days. A bit frustrated..plus this time I'm exercising. What is going on?
Actually, it's 130g of GLUCOSE a day that is needed, not carbs. The body is quite capable of making enough carbs to keep everything running through a process called gluconeogenesis. If not, everyone who is doing low carb would be chronically hypoglycemic and that's not the case.
I am back to Atkins - This time I am sticking to it - for life probably. I have always had good results but you are right - the minute you eat what you are not supposed to eat anyway, sugar, anything white, you gain it right back. You have to be soooo careful.
I felt like crap for the whole 6 months I was on Atkins!! I lost weight, but what good is losing weight, if you are a wreck? My hair started falling out, at first I had no energy and then out of nowhere, I couldn't sleep at all. After about 5 months, I had no desire to eat anything. 6 months on Atkins, made me a vegetarian for two years. The sight or thought of meat, made me want to puke.
At first, I loved this diet. You can eat a lot and still lose weight. After 3 months, I had lost 30 pounds. However, by this time I was so sick of meat and chicken that I actually would look at my plate and get sick. it got to where I didn't want to eat at all which is not healthy. Great diet if you can stick to it.
Well i started on the Atkins Diet on March 6, 06. I have done really well I was at a whopping 238.5 and now its 08 and I'm at 180 and its been a long road but if had not been for Atkins i couldn't have done it and i want to see 150.
I did Atkins and it has been the diet for me and i was a a whopping 238.5 and on Mar 06.06 i started it and now I'm at the lowest I've been in a long time yea 180 and i feel great and i will get to see that 150 weight I'm after soon and yes its with Atkins........
please i dont think you heve read the program correctly, you can have fruits and grains, just no in the first two stages, what is so hard to understand about that. you can use the diet as a start you add in the little things in portion control, that is all it takes
Andy has a point. A very undiplomatic one that is rather insulting to anyone in America, but still a valid point. The problem with the Atkins diet is that carbs are in a lot of things, including fruits, vegetables, Pulses, etc. The amount of carbs that you are allowed means your intake of all these good things is really limited. Our brains need a minimum of 130g of carbs a day to function correctly, and that’s JUST our brains, not our body. I’m not talking about processed junk like White bread, White Pasta, Cakes, Chips etc. I’m talking about Complex carbs like pulses, whole grains, vegetables etc. Everyone likes to argue that they are cutting out all this processed stuff and their Atkins diet is healthy, but we all have a certain amount of common sense, and does a diet that says “you can have as much butter as you like, hell sit on your butt and eat it out of the tub with a spoon, but you have to watch those fruits and vegetables, they have too many carbs, they’ll kill you in the long run” seem like a good idea? I hate to say it people, but grandma was right when she sat you down and said you had to finish all your greens before you got up from the table, not that half a dead cow on your plate. And before anyone says I’m wrong and I haven’t ready the books or I’m stupid, I would just like to say…I’ve been studying and researching my PHD on this diet for the last 3 years, IT’S DANGEROUS!!! Please don’t do it. A thin body is no measure for a healthy one.
Andy, it sounds like you have A LOT of problems if you come onto a diet review website to bash dieters and Americans. You don't gain the weight back if you follow the Atkins diet properly. I'm happy for you that you are so perfect, physically. Obviously, there is much to be desired in other departments if you have nothing better to do!
Uhmm, once you start eating carbs again you are going to gain the weight back extremely fast. And you all have energy? Its kind of sad to see all of you uneducated Amercians cutting vital nutrients and energy like carbohydrates out of your diet to lose some weight that you'll gain back unless you never consume carbohydrates again. And all you women who are on it.. noticed your periods slowing down, are you missing them? You need carbohydrates to maintain a normal menstrual cycle. You are also going to age prematurely.. and lose your sex drive.. This diet is actually increasing your risk of heart attack... and not excercising even? You all disgust me, how could you do this to your body? The american diet is a disgusting one. I excercise regularly, I eat properly, I'm at a perfect weight with a BMI of 19, I have perfect blood work, and best of all.. I EAT CARBOHYDRATES WITH EVERY SINGLE MEAL. Lazy fat Americans think they know everything..
I've been on atkins for over a month now and have so far lost near 15 pounds without exercising! the diet is amazing although i find it hard sometimes to eat things with no carbs. The trick to feeling good with this diet is not eating greasy fattening foods that are carb free. You may loose weight eating a pound of baccon a day but it wont make you feel any good. Lean proteins and lots of veggies is the only way to go!!
Two things that most people miss. First, Atkins is not a diet per se as much as a lifestyle change. In essence, think of it as being allergic to carbs - you're limited for life. Second, the biggest problem with the diet is other people- "You CANT eat that - have some nice canned fruit!" etc. Traditional diets have been hammered into everyone's mind, so they think they're helping - ah, well. It had worked wonders for me, no lie! Good luck, all
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