What Is The Atkins Diet?

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Kirsten Hawkins

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Article Title: What Is The Atkins Diet?

Author: Kirsten Hawkins

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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.

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