Pros
and cons of the Atkins diet
How
do I lose weight with Atkins Diet? Atkins diet is one of the most popular low carbohydrate diets on the market today.
Its popularity has sparked dozens of look-a-like diets who center on the same
principles of high-protein, low-carbohydrate eating. There are a lot of fish in
the sea when it comes to choosing a low-carbohydrate plan.
What
do I eat to lose weight with Atkins Diet? Studies have shown that
low-carbohydrate eating has many benefits. There have been scientific results
that low-carbohydrate diets like Atkins do create significant weight loss
without having to restrict calories. People who use the Atkins diet have also
reported this. There are studies that show that low-carb eating improves
triglycerides, reduces blood glucose for diabetics and pre-diabetics and
increases good cholesterol (HDL). Low-carbohydrate dieting has been
scientifically proven to improve insulin sensitivity, decrease blood pressure
and lower blood insulin levels. When compared with low-fat diets, low-carb
dieters lose less muscle mass.
Although
not scientifically proven, there are many common benefits reported by Atkins
dieters and other low-carb dieters. These include an increase in energy, a
reduced craving for sweets, better concentration, improved mood and an
lessening of depression type symptoms.
However,
there are also some benefits that are specific to the Atkins diet. If you have
been a low fat dieter in previous years, you’ll enjoy eating all of those
“forbidden foods” that you once had to go without. Steak, butter and cream are
a regular part of Atkins dieters’ meals. There is a certain pleasure that goes
along with eating foods that were once off limits. Atkins dieters are
encouraged to eat their full of rich meats, cheeses and fats and oils.
Atkins
is also simple to use, compared with some other low-carb diets on the market.
There are some basic food carbohydrate counts that you’ll need to learn, but
after that, you are free to eat from the acceptable food lists (or worry about
what to eat to lose weight).
Dr.
Atkins also emphasized finding your own personal carbohydrate level. Different
people have different levels of carbohydrate tolerance. While some gain weight
on just 90 carbohydrate grams a day, others can live comfortably at 120
carbohydrate grams. During the ongoing weight loss phase and pre-maintenance
phase of the diet, you will learn your personal carbohydrate count that will
help determine your carbohydrate goal for life.
The
popularity of Atkins is a double-edged sword for dieters. There is a lot of
information available on the diet, which makes it easy to find resources and
support. There have been many, many Atkins books written and there are endless
amounts of websites that offer tips and group support. However, everyone has
heard of Atkins and probably has an opinion on it. There are some big
misconceptions out there about the nature of the diet, and you’ll no doubt have
to defend your new way of eating from time to time.
There
are some other minimal downsides to using the Atkins program. You do need to
count carbohydrates in everything you eat (or calorie intake to lose weight) to
make sure that you are staying within your personal carbohydrate range. There
is also the issue of Induction, the most hotly debate aspect of the plan.
Induction can be difficult to get through if you’ve had a diet that centers on
carbs and sugar. Also, many people try Induction and mistakenly believe that
this is the way that the whole diet is going to be. They end up quitting before
they get into the actual Atkins plan.
Sometimes,
although it is not common, people will experience a carb crash on the 3rd to
5th day of the diet. This reaction is a result of their body finally
experiencing ketosis, or running on fat instead of carbohydrates. The effects
are transient, but many people have sworn off low-carb diets entirely because
of this happenstance.
Overall,
with the minor drawbacks considered, Atkins is one of the most popular low-carb
diets for a reason. It works. Thousands of people have had success with the
Atkins approach to the low-carb way of living.