The Atkins Diet

Dr. Atkins revolutionalized the dieting world when he introduced the Atkins diet, it is a low-carb eating program.

The diet claims that you can lose weight on a high-fat, high-protein diet. It works on the premise that a healthy lifestyle requires a limited amount of simple carbohydrates, protein, exercise and proper portion control.

However the idea of giving up bread, chips and rice does not appeal to some of us.

The diet plan works on 4 general principles; weight loss, weight maintenance, good health and disease prevention. Today, the Atkins diet is the most popular, longstanding approach to weight loss in America. One of the reasons for this is the results people get in only a few weeks.

So it basicly says cut out the carbs ,no more than 20g a day and if you do this, you burn off your stored fat. However you need to drink a lot of water because it is hard on your kidneys.

Here is a Sample Menu:
Breakfast Scrambled eggs and bacon, decaf coffee or tea.
Lunch A Bacon cheeseburger, but no bun, no fries, with a salad.
Dinner steak, salad with dressing.

The Atkins Diet For:

Allowed to eat fat and protein.
Steady (and sometimes rapid) weight loss.
Reduces intake of sugars and processed grains.
Reduces appetite.
Life-time approach to dieting.
A ‘never be hungry’ approach to dieting.

The Atkins Diet: Against

Not ideal for vegetarians or vegans as it is a meat-heavy diet.
Linked to diseases such as osteoporosis and heart disease.
High in saturated fats and cholesterol.
Low in fibre.
Sometimes below the recommended daily values for several vitamins and minerals.

Like with all diets see your doctor before you start some diets are not suitable for everyone. Remember it might not be for you but there are a lot more out there.