RELATED SEARCHES
Sponsored Atkins Diet Results:
The Atkins Diet
By:
Published: August 17, 2006
The Atkins diet was created by Dr. Robert C. Atkins in his book Dr. Atkins' New Diet Revolution. The Atkins diet is a low carbohydrate, high protein diet plan. Dr. Atkins charges that excessive intake of carbohydrates prevents the body from burning fat effectively. This carbohydrate overload produces excessive amounts of insulin which causes diabetes and other health problems.
Dr. Atkins also believes that carbohydrates and insulin are responsible for weight gain and obesity in the United States.
The Atkins diet encourages consumption of high protein foods while drastically decreasing carbohydrate intake. Almost all carbohydrates are to be avoided or limited. Instead, the dieter is encouraged to eat unlimited amounts of high protein foods and fat such as butter, cheese, ham, bacon, chicken, steak and eggs. The first 2 weeks of the Atkins diet limits carbohydrate intake to 20 grams a day. During the leveling off phase and maintenance phase carbohydrate intake increases to 60 grams a day, however dieters are recommended to keep their carbohydrate intake anywhere between 0-60 grams a day.
Although the Atkins diet may cause rapid weight loss there are many disadvantages. The diet is nutritionally unbalanced and too high in protein, fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol. In reality, the Atkins diet is a low calorie diet that on average consists anywhere between 1,200-1,800 calories daily. This is very harmful because a high protein, low calorie diet can lead to heart disease and ketosis. Ketosis is when the body enters a fasting state and begins to burn stored fat reserves and muscle tissue for energy. This is very dangerous and causes headaches, bad breath, nausea, and fatigue. The Atkins diet is also low in calcium, magnesium, potassium, vitamin C, foliate, fruits, whole grains, and fiber.
There are also no published scientific studies to support the claims of the Atkins diet. On the contrary, many medical experts and organizations have publicly disagreed or condemned the diet. These organizations include the American Dietetic Association, the National Academy of Sciences, the American Cancer Association, the American Heart Association, the American Medical Association, and the American Kidney Fund.
The consensus is that the Atkins diet is a dangerous fad diet that shouldn't be followed by any person trying to lose weight. Instead, health professionals recommend following a well balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean means, healthy fats, and regular exercise.
Related Articles
The Atkins diet encourages consumption of high protein foods while drastically decreasing carbohydrate intake. Almost all carbohydrates are to be avoided or limited. Instead, the dieter is encouraged to eat unlimited amounts of high protein foods and fat such as butter, cheese, ham, bacon, chicken, steak and eggs. The first 2 weeks of the Atkins diet limits carbohydrate intake to 20 grams a day. During the leveling off phase and maintenance phase carbohydrate intake increases to 60 grams a day, however dieters are recommended to keep their carbohydrate intake anywhere between 0-60 grams a day.
Although the Atkins diet may cause rapid weight loss there are many disadvantages. The diet is nutritionally unbalanced and too high in protein, fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol. In reality, the Atkins diet is a low calorie diet that on average consists anywhere between 1,200-1,800 calories daily. This is very harmful because a high protein, low calorie diet can lead to heart disease and ketosis. Ketosis is when the body enters a fasting state and begins to burn stored fat reserves and muscle tissue for energy. This is very dangerous and causes headaches, bad breath, nausea, and fatigue. The Atkins diet is also low in calcium, magnesium, potassium, vitamin C, foliate, fruits, whole grains, and fiber.
There are also no published scientific studies to support the claims of the Atkins diet. On the contrary, many medical experts and organizations have publicly disagreed or condemned the diet. These organizations include the American Dietetic Association, the National Academy of Sciences, the American Cancer Association, the American Heart Association, the American Medical Association, and the American Kidney Fund.
The consensus is that the Atkins diet is a dangerous fad diet that shouldn't be followed by any person trying to lose weight. Instead, health professionals recommend following a well balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean means, healthy fats, and regular exercise.
Featured Atkins Diet Products: