What Is The Atkins Diet?

By: Kirsten Hawkins

The Atkins weight loss diet is based on one simple principle:
Your body burns both carbohydrates and fat for calories. If you
reduce the amounts of carbohydrates available, it will burn more
fat and you will lose weight. According to Atkins, calories are
unimportant. The key to losing weight is to restrict the
carbohydrates that you eat and force the body to turn to its
stored fat as an energy source. As proof of this, proponents of
the Atkins Diet point to the following facts derived from
research: * When the body doesn't have enough carbohydrate, it
will use ketenes derived from fat as energy. * You can eat more
food and lose more weight on a low carbohydrate diet than you
can on a low fat diet. * You crave less food when you eat fewer
carbohydrates. * By eating fewer carbohydrates, people tend to
eat fewer calories without counting them. * The greater the
difference between fat and carbohydrate, the greater the weight
loss. In short, if you restrict your intake of carbohydrates,
you will most likely also restrict your intake of calories. By
lowering your carbohydrate intake, you will encourage your body
to turn to fat for energy. The Atkins diet has provoked storms
of controversy since it was first published. The recommendation
to eat a high-protein, low-carbohydrate flew in the face of all
the dietary recommendations by established medical institutions.
The diet was denounced as unsafe, particularly if used as a
life-long weight maintenance plan. Over the past five to ten
years, there have been numerous studies that come down on both
sides of the equation, and Atkins last version of the diet
included the admission that calories do matter, and the advice
to 'eat only enough to satisfy hunger'. A typical menu for a
meal on the Atkins Diet might include: Portobello and Ricotta
Crostini Chicken Milanese over Spring Salad Lemon Vinaigrette
dressing Warm Lentils and Celery Raspberry Cheesecake in a Cup
The eating plan recommended by the Atkins diet contains very low
portions of carbohydrates, deriving the majority of
carbohydrates from vegetables high in fiber and low in carbs,
and unrestricted portions of proteins, including high fat
proteins like beef, pork and cheese. Follow up research on
people who have used the Atkins Diet to lose weight show a fast
initial weight loss that eventually levels off. The Atkins Diet
has four phases to account for it:

1. The Induction Phase, which restricts carbohydrates severely.

2. The OWL (Ongoing Weight Loss) Phase, in which you add in
limited carbs and tailor the eating plan to your tastes 3.
Pre-maintenance, with ten pounds or less to the target goal,
deliberately slows weight loss to begin adjusting the body to
after-weight-loss diet. 4. Lifetime Maintenance, a long-term
eating plan that emphasizes low carbohydrates and healthy,
long-term eating Who should use the Atkins Diet?

While the Atkins Diet seems on the surface to be directly
counter to what is recommended by most medical institutions,
many of the principles are actually the same. Unless you are
under the care of a physician for a chronic medical condition
like diabetes, high blood pressure or coronary problems, you can
use the Atkins Diet. Do pay attention to the portions
recommended in the menus and plans at http://www.atkins.com, despite
the reassurances that you can 'eat all you want and still lose
weight.'

About the author:
Kirsten Hawkins is a nutrition and health expert from Nashville,
TN. Visit http://www.popular-diets.com/ for more great
nutrition, well-being, and vitamin tips as well as reviews and
comments on popular diets.