The Atkins Diet Plan

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The key point of the Atkins Diet plan is severe restriction of the amount of carbohydrates that is consumed. Dr. Atkins warned of the dangers a diet which included high sugary foods and a high amount of carbohydrates would have.

As we look at society in general, we can see that his warnings have been largely ignored. We can see people who are walking around who are overweight by different degrees. Many people also have heart disease and diabetes.

One can argue that these diseases are due to genetics. While genetics may play a factor in one’s health, I believe diet has more of an outcome on the health of an individual.

Four Phases

Beginning with the original twenty grams from the induction phase, five more grams can now be added. This takes place on a daily basis for the first week.

The next week five more grams can be added totaling thirty grams. Every subsequent week five more grams is added until you are no longer losing any weight.

When you realize your weight loss has stopped, then you are to subtract five grams of carbohydrates from your daily intake so you can continue to lose a moderate amount of weight.

Phase three is called the Pre-Maintenance phase. In this phase you will be making the transition from moderate weight loss to maintaining a lesser degree of continued weight loss.

To do this, you will be increasing the amount of daily carbohydrate consumption by ten grams each week. Continue to do this so long as you are maintaining a gradual amount of weight loss.

Phase four is called Lifetime Maintenance. During this phase you can eat from a wide variety of Atkins Diet food that is allowed. You will continue to control your carbohydrate consumption at the same time. This will help guarantee weight maintenance for the rest of your life.

Ketosis

The body prefers getting energy from glucose, which basically comes from carbohydrates, but will use fat as a secondary source. The metabolism of fat for energy is an intervention the body uses as a crisis reaction when there is a lack of carbohydrates.

Ultimately, eating an Atkins Diet plan can help you in losing weight very quickly. You can lose as much weight as ten to thirty pounds in your first month. Low carbohydrate diets that rely on ketosis for weight loss are called ketogenic diets. However, there are some serious drawbacks to eating in such a way.

Ketosis Disadvantages

Prolonged dieting in this way will create added stress on the liver and kidneys to the point of possible damage even if your kidneys were healthy to begin with. You must increase your water intake in order to help flush out the extra ketones and other wastes as your body metabolizes fat.

Other negatives associated with a ketogenic diet are lethargy, weakness, headaches, dizziness, and moodiness. When you aren’t getting the proper nutrition from eating other foods, your mood will change. You may become more irritable and not that fun to be around.

You may also increase the risk of cancer as you neglect to eat foods that have been shown to prevent cancer such as fruits and vegetables. A very important concern is your brain needs carbohydrates to function properly.

The Atkins Diet plan can definitely work for weight loss. However, contrary to what Dr Atkins says, it should only be used short term.

This diet runs against the nutritional advice of the American Medical Association, the American Cancer Society, the American Kidney Fund, and the American Heart Association. Please use this diet plan sensibly if you decide to use it at all.

Sources:

About Atkins Diet. “Atkins Diet Plan” Oct. 2, 2008. http://www.aboutatkinsdiet.com/ About Atkins Diet. “About Atkins Diet” Oct. 2, 2008. http://www.aboutatkinsdiet.com/atkins_diet_plan_how_to.htm Best Diet Foods. “The Atkins Diet Review” 2007. Oct. 1, 2008 http://www.bestdietfoods.net/atkins.htm