
Developed by physician and cardiologist Dr. Robert Atkins in the 1970s, the Atkins Diet is an popular but controversial weight loss plan that dramatically restricts carbohydrate consumption and emphasizes increased consumption of protein, fat (including saturated fat), and leaf vegetables. While carbs are strictly measured on this plan, there is no calorie counting necessary. The idea behind Atkins is that when you drastically reduce carb-rich foods in your diet, your body enters a metabolic state of "ketosis" where it will start to burn fat for energy instead of carbs (in the form of glucose).
As background, when carbs enter your body, they quickly break down into glucose (sugar) in your bloodstream. To regulate blood sugar levels, your pancreas secretes insulin to help your cells absorb the excess sugar. Since your body can only absorbs a certain amount of the sugar, anything that is left over gets turned into fat. In addition to weight gain, extreme variations in blood sugar levels make your body crave more sugar (food) and, over time, can also potentially lead to diabetes.
The Atkins plan includes four main phases, during which the goal is to find your Atkins Carbyhydrate Equilibrium (ACE), or the daily amount of carbs you can consume without gaining or losing weight. Once reached, the plan works to ensure that you can maintain these healthy lifestyle improvements for life. You can get more details on Atkins at Atkins.com. You can purchase books on Amazon and food products at www.buyatkins.com. Food prices vary, but shakes are about $7 per 5-pack and bars are between $7-$9 per 5-pack. Dr. Atkins’ New Diet Revolution costs about $8 on Amazon.
We give the Atkins Diet a B+ because it is a great plan for short-term weight loss. If you are very disciplined, you can quickly lose pounds without having to count calories or cut out your favorite high fat foods. We had to deduct points however because it isn’t a great plan for long-term weight loss and because it doesn’t promote balanced eating habits. Additionally, if you fall off the Atkins wagon, you will probably end up gaining back all of the weight that you lost.
Pros
Cons
As with all weight-loss diets, you should check with your doctor or health care provider before starting on Atkins, especially if you have any health conditions, such as diabetes or kidney disease. The popularity of this diet peaked in 2003-2004, but it remains a good plan for disciplined dieters looking to lose weight quickly. That said, the diet doesn’t get great online reviews in the long-term. In a recent US News poll, Atkins ranked 22nd in the "Best Diets Overall" category and only about 16% of dieters said Atkins worked for them. Atkins doesn’t seem to promote a well-balanced diet, and, in my opinion, doesn’t put enough emphasis on the need for physical activity. Both are essential to maintaining a healthy weight and body composition. Furthermore, if you stop the diet altogether, your body will exit ketosis and you are likely to regain all the weight you lost (especially if you don’t exercise). Lastly, according to Mayo Clinic, there have been no major studies done to see whether Atkins is better then other popular diets in reducing or even reversing risks factors for cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
Username: lisawingo
Location: Ozark, MO
Age: 54
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Atkins Works
Review submitted: 2015-01-20
I have been on the Atkins program for two weeks& lost 6 of the 10 "holiday" pounds I gained in December. It"s wonderful to not have to use a digital scale to weigh portion sizes.I've both cooked & bought the meal bars, frozen meals & candies, which are delicious and stop hunger. I can't believe I can eat these and still lose weight! To improve, it would be helpful to have Atkins products to use to prepare family meals instead of just single-sized portions. Plus would like nonchocolate candies, such as jellybeans.
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Username: garnetta
Location: Punta Gorda, FL
Age: 48
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Atkins
Review submitted: 2014-02-13
With Atkins what I like the best is you don't have to count calories or buy specific foods though they do have shakes, bars and frozen meals if you choose to. The things that I like the least are that with their products they are a little bit more expensive and I wish they had more choices of products. I think it would be great if they had more cake and pie options and maybe their own tortilla and bread lines. They have so much more they could offer in the way of products and still profit from them. They could also even offer recipe books.
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Username: coloradogals
Location: Longmont, CO
Age: 90
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Weight Loss and Dieting Regimes
Review submitted: 2014-01-11
I've gained and lost a lot of weight over the past 55 years. (I'm almost 70 years old. My pet diet was always the Atkins Diet even before Atkins was popular. Followed correctly one can lose 10 pounds in ten days without jeopardizing health. It's not an easy diet and it may be boring but it's quick, easy and efficient when wanting to lose a few pounds quickly.
Another diet I always loved was Fit For Life. A great way to treat yourself to a healthy lifestyle eating plan. After being diagnosed with a serious health issue when I was 40 this diet was instrumental in getting me back to a healthy condition and teaching me a great deal about nutrition in the bargain.
The South Beach and Zone Diet are also healthy, effective ways to control your weight.
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Username: jntqnn
Location: Tampa, FL
Age: 65
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Atkins Diet Works!
Review submitted: 2013-11-08
I purchased the Dr. Atkins New Diet as a last resort to lose 25 lbs. of "premenopausal" weight gained. I started the diet in August 2012 and by March 2013 I had shed all 25 lbs. This diet is amazing and so easy to follow. I never felt hungry or, in fact, never even felt like I was on a diet. After one week on the diet I had renewed energy, slept better and felt all around healthier. An added benefit was that my cholesterol level stabilized and I was also able to reduce my high blood pressure medication. It has been nine months since I finished the last phase and the weight has stayed off. One suggestion to anyone who does follow this diet is to use the Atkins website along with the book. It not only provides a good tool for planning meals and great recipes but also has money saving coupons for Atkins products.
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