Weight Loss
Nutrition > Weight Loss > Dieting > Diet Analysis > Atkins
Atkins Diet
This diet has been around since the 1970’s going in and out of popularity over the years. The diet is extremely low in carbohydrate and high in protein. For the first phase it restricts all carbohydrate foods to less than 20g per day (bread, cereal, pasta, rice, grains, fruit, juice, potatoes and sugar) and promotes any food that is high in protein (meat, chicken, fish, cheese, eggs) and high in fat (cream, oils, butter mayonnaise).
Once you have kick started the weight loss, the next phase then allows an increase in foods that are moderate in carbohydrates adding 5 grams to the diet each week, up to no more than 90 grams of carbohydrates in the maintenance phase.
Mr Atkins believes that any carbohydrate or sugar source creates a spike in blood glucose levels, hence increasing insulin production and fat storage. The low carbohydrate intake supposedly triggers the body to predominantly burn fats.
Comment
This diet is extremely bad if followed for longer than 2 weeks. It is very high in saturated fats, which are the fats that increase cholesterol levels, and cause problems with blood vessels and the heart. It is also extremely low in good carbohydrate foods, therefore particularly lacking in fibre and other essential nutrients needed for the body. Admittedly it may allow an immediate loss in weight; however, if you are looking for long term weight loss, this is quite dangerous to continue with in the long term.
