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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At 44 years of age, I was headed for the nursing home or cemetery, I'm not sure which. All doctors could do was give me more and more pills, and still my weight ballooned and my health declined. In answer to prayer, the Atkins diet changed my life. I am now 53 years old and continue to be in the best health of my life. Instead of debilitating migraines, chronic fatigue and obesity, my weight is good and I feel great every day. Mine and my husband's bloodwork have been declared "phenomenal" and "amazing" by doctors. I thank God for Dr. Atkins and his lifetime of trying to get the truth out to a world that is desperate for truth. I no longer beat a path to the doctor. Doctors can do great things, but they can't make you HEALTHTY. We restrict carbs and take supplements and ride horses and hike and go to the doctor once a year for checkups! Hooray! What a blessing the Atkins diet has been--God, through it, gave me my life back.
I have never done a diet that worked so well or made me feel better than Atkins does. After my first son was born I lost all 60 pounds in 5 months. During my second pregnancy, I had severe diabetes and packed on 85 pounds. After my second son's birth I went on Weight Watcher's, LA Weight Loss, and Jenny Craig, looking for results as good as Atkins. I wound up with awful clinical hypoglycemia, which my doctor told me to get off those diets, and get back to eating proteins and 5 meals a day, or I was headed for a stroke with my blood sugar problems. I am down 18 pounds since getting back on track. I will never, EVER choose another way of eating again. My blood sugar is under EXCELLENT control now (unless I forget to eat), and I have energy again. I can't believe I bothered trying anything else after knowing full well how great I have felt on Atkins. And to those who think I can't have nutritious food daily: I eat probably more salads and veggies and nutrient dense foods than 99% of the people who tell me how deficient my eating plan is. I've entered all ,my data into fitday.com. I am NOT deficient in ANYTHING. Atkins rocks.
This diet helped me lose 60 lbs in 6 months after having my baby. I did not exercise either. Though I do reccomend it for toning. I reccomend this diet to anyone who is looking to lose a lot of weight fast. The down-side is if you go off the diet after you have lost the weigth, you will gain it back and more. If you think of it as a lifestyle, not a diet, you will do fine.
In 2002 I was wheeled out of work by paramedics having suffered a heart attack due to obesity and high blood pressure. In one year the Atkins diet changed my life. I am healthy exersizing on a regular basis and eating great. There are so many books and shows with great Idea's and Recipe's to help and inspire your choices and variety. I reccomend "The Low Carb Comfort Food Cookbook" by Dr's Michael and Mary Eades I also record their cooking show. Trust me you will not run out of variety as some people think. Think of a favarite food like lasagna and google low carb lasagna recipe, or any favorite food.
I think this diet is BOGUS. Who would follow a diet that lacks so much nutrients?
I have been on the Atkins diet for 5 days, I have already lost 11 pounds, i'm amazed, I plan to stick with it as i have a further 20 pounds to loose, Atkins is great, I'm never hungry.
It is quite clear to me, that those people who believe this way of eating lacks nutrients have not done their research. We actually eat a much more balanced diet than low fat dieters. We get all our nutrients from veggies, dairy and real food. We don't eat all that processed junk. I don't know what kind of wonder nutrients that bread and potatoes are suppose to have, but believe me I can live without it. I have the blood work to prove it.
Well, I'm one of those always on a diet people. I did Atkins and lost weight but made the mistake of going off before I was done losing weight. My weight went up and so did all my numbers. I had a stroke last year at 52. My bllod pressure was extremely high and I had no symptoms. Because of my age my recovery was fast but my numbers are still high and I take meds. I am the type person that IS carb sensitive and I have gone back on Atkins. I am anxious to see the numbers go down. Please everyone know your numbers such as blood pressure, cholesterol & sugar. I had to have a stroke to open my eyes!
I have been following the atkins diet now for 8 days and have only lost 2 lbs(that's in the morning before I eat or drink) My urine shows ketones, I am confused why I'm not losing more weight. Any suggestions??
To: anonymous- loss 2 lbs. - have you done the Atkins before? I've heard after trying it more than once the weight loss tends to slow down
To both the "ano" people. Two pounds a week is good! That's what I lost this week, be thankful. It will take a while to get your body in ketosis, be patient. If we can all stick to it we'll lose together.
I helped my Son do Atkins for 3 mos. and he lost 60 lbs. Never felt better, and was eating all the time, A young guy like him had a hardy appitite (19) and no the meals were not at all boring, one just needs to be a little creative. Induction is very important people, the first 2 days are the roughest, (worst) but after that it is totally tolerable for the other 2 weeks. Then smooth sailing, you certainly get a boost of new confidense and extreme energy....A+A+A+A+ RECOMENDED!
I had always struggled with weight and at my biggest was over 320 pounds. I read a lot about Atkins and his diet and did the diet for two years. I lost 150 pounds and I'm the best looking I've ever been and the healthiest. My blood pressure and Cholesterol are in good check and I feel great. For the critics out there, the diet does include lots of veggies... but fruits were not aloud... especially fruit juice and I missed that as well as bread and pasta because I'm Italian! Now I'm back to eating pasta occasionally but a balanced, small portion meal and exercise keeps me in check. The diet really is not intended for someone with a few pounds to lose. I think its bad for some people because ketosis can deplete calcium, fat, and muscle and its important to realize that if you've only got a handful of pounds to lose, that you can send your body the wrong message and gain it all back. Even if you're really over weight, you can gain it all back and more....just like any diet. Be smart, love yourself, do good things. Think of food as nutrition and not yummy, tasty stuff that feels good to check and swallow. Think about how much our world has way too much appeal and foods decorate our lives, if you will, and tempt us. Pretend you live on a farm and what you eat is what you can grow from the earth and the animals that we eat to sustain our lives Shop on the outside lanes of the grocery store... everything in the middle lanes are processed and sweet foods and food with chemicals and preserves. The outside lanes of the store have veggies, meats, cheese.... the stuff you'd have available to you if you lived on a farm. THE MIDDLE LANES ARE EVIL...LOL. Anyway, just thought I would share my process of shopping. Again.... love yourself. Don't stop trying and love yourself more and more. Feel great and know you are beautiful.
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