The
Basic Premise
Begins with a 14-day Induction Diet in which daily carbohydrate intake
cannot exceed 20 grams. After the initial Induction phase, you have to
choose your Critical Carbohydrate Level for Losing based on your
"metabolic resistance". Finally, you determine your Critical
Carbohydrate Level for Maintenance once at your goal weight. Fat and
protein intake is unlimited.
How
A Person Can Lose Weight On This Diet
Calories eaten must be below calories needed to maintain weight (i.e.,
low calorie).
The higher fat and protein level of The Atkins Diet can provide more
satiety with meals and snacks. High carbohydrate food portions and
sweets are restricted, so blood sugar surges after a high carbohydrate
meal or sweet do not occur. This also helps control appetite.
Special Concerns
- People living
with diabetes, if taking insulin, are at risk of becoming
hypoglycemic if they do not eat appropriate carbohydrates.
-
People who
exercise regularly are at risk for poor energy levels and muscle
fatigue due to a low carbohydrate intake.
-
Individuals
with existing liver or kidney disease may be at risk due to the
unlimited protein intake.
-
The diet can
also be problematic for people with heart disease due to the high
intake of saturated fat.
-
High-protein
diets are known to increase urinary calcium losses. This adds to
the risk of osteoporosis, and is of special concern for women,
teens and the elderly.
-
May aggravate
existing gout, kidney stones, and gall bladder colic.
Alcohol
Intake
Not allowed during the Induction diet. After the Induction phase,
Atkins encourages individuals to refrain from alcohol while trying to
lose weight but states if you must drink have wine or straight liquor.
Claims
- A
low-carbohydrate diet allows you to "eat as many or more
calories as you were eating before starting the diet and still begin
losing pounds and inches."
-
Sugar and
refined carbohydrates are bad for your health, mental state,
energy level, figure, sex life, career prospects, digestion, blood
chemistry, and heart.
-
You can eat as
much fat and protein as you would like and still lose weight.
-
"If you've
been fat for very long, it's almost certain you have a disturbed
carbohydrate metabolism."
-
You must
significantly reduce dietary carbohydrate intake, thus causing the
body to burn your stored fat for energy.
-
Insulin is the
"single most significant determinant of your weight".
Pros
Recommends exercise in combination with diet for weight loss.
·Encourages individuals to get a medical evaluation before beginning
the diet.
Cons
- Unlimited
consumption of cheese, meat, eggs.
-
Unbalanced,
very limited food choices.
-
Advocates
ketosis during induction phase, which can cause fatigue, headache,
dizziness, insomnia, and irritability.
-
Can precipitate
gout in people with high uric acid levels.
-
Pregnant and
lactating women should not be in ketosis.
Truth
- Research has
shown that diets high in saturated fat can be detrimental to health
and increase the risk for heart disease, obesity, and some cancers.
-
No one single
food is "BAD" for your health, all foods can fit into a
diet when eaten in moderation.
-
Dietary
carbohydrate is important to preventing nutrition-related
diseases.
-
A
high-carbohydrate diet does not cause obesity; eating too many
calories and a low level of physical activity does!
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