Atkins Diet Plan - Review and Info about the Popular Atkins Diet

For many years, doctors have been suggesting a high-carbohydrate, low-fat diets as the ultimate diet plan to lose weight. Then came along Dr. Atkins, who recommended that people do the complete opposite to the ‘normal’ in order to achieve a significant weight loss, creating the most controversial diet plan to date.

Dr. Atkins was not the first doctor to present this idea, but the first to bring it the masses. Now his diet plan, as well as other low-carbohydrate diets is well known, and many people have followed them with success. But they must be strictly followed, and become a part of their healthy eating lifestyle.

The Atkins Diet Plan is so encompassing, it would be very difficult to fully explain it here. I would suggest that someone interested in this diet plan read Dr. Atkins ‘New Diet Revolution’.

The basic idea of the diet is that the first choice of the body for energy source is that of carbohydrates. When someone has an existing eating habit that is high in carbohydrates, the body as an almost endless supply of energy, and what is not used is stored as fat for use later.

However, getting the body to utilize this stored ‘energy’ is a daunting task, especially when you are simply consuming more carbohydrates throughout the day. By eating a diet low in carbohydrates, the body won’t have that endless energy supply and must begin to utilize the fat that had been previously stored.

There are three basic phases of the Atkins Diet Plan:

Induction Phase:

The most restrictive phase. This phase lasts two weeks. During this time you limit your carbohydrate intake to 20g or less per day, meaning that you will be primarily eating meats. This phase will kick-start your body into ketosis, which most people will start losing weight quickly.

Ongoing Weight Loss Phase:

This phase begins after the previous two week phase. During this phase you add 5g of carbohydrates per day to your diet, until you reach a point that you stop losing weight. You continue this phase until you are satisfied with the number of pounds that you have lost.

Maintenance Phase:

Though considered below normal standards, this phase has an increased level of carbohydrates consumption.

The Atkins Diet can be difficult to follow for vegetarians due to the increase in need to eat more meats, and the fact that some vegetables contain carbohydrates and must be limited. Also one has to be aware that this diet plan can be very high in saturated fats.

With the Atkins Diet, in order for it to be truly effective it will have to be a lifelong change in your way of eating. If you are ready for that commitment, this diet plan can be the one for you!