Free Diet Information - Atkins Diet

Overview

The Atkins Diet is probably the most well known low-carb / high-protein diet. It first appeared back in the early 70’s. The Atkins Diet claims you can eat all the protein and fat that you care to and still lose weight. You just need to cut out the carbohydrates to become thin. It's all explained in: Dr Atkins New Diet Revolution, by Dr Robert C. Atkins.

Simple Introduction

When you first begin the Atkins Diet, you go on an Induction Phase – this is to put you into ketosis. You cut out almost all carbohydrates except for a few greens, but you can eat sour cream and steak and eggs. Many doctors say that ketosis is bad because it puts a strain on your kidneys and may be fatal.

After the first 2 weeks on the Atkins Diet, you are permitted to reintroduce a few carbohydrates into your diet - but very few. The diet states you add until you stop losing weight - that way you will know your limit in order to lose weight effectively.

In talking with people who have attempted the Atkins Diet, I found that many couldn’t even get through the induction phase because they didn’t feel well eating like that.

Also, while Dr. Atkins claims that your cholesterol will get better – there were several that had either no improvement or their numbers became worse.

Robert H. Eckel, MD, chair of the AHA's (American Heart Association's) Nutrition Committee, is unconvinced that Atkins Diet controls cholesterol in the long term and points out that the Atkins Diet has few published results and no long-term studies to back up his claims. "Our [major] concern is the high-fat content of the diet and its overall effect on the cardiovascular system," Eckel says.

Family Eating

While there are a few success stories with those using the Atkins Diet, many people find it becomes a very unfriendly diet if you need to feed a family, especially children.

Claims

You will lose weight fast. You can eat large amounts of protein and still lose weight. You eat very little sugar and white flour.

Drawbacks

Initial weight loss may be quite fast, but is not always sustainable. A ketosis-inducing diet may strain the kidneys. As many foods high in animal protein may also be high in saturated fat, your saturated fat intake may be too high for comfort.

Giving up or severely restricting potatoes, corn, bread, fruits and vegetables and much more for as long as it takes to lose the weight, is not a user-friendly diet plan.

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