Basics of the Atkins Diet

The Atkins diet is a diet program created by cardiologist Dr. Robert Atkins initially for his patients in a private clinic. The program soon prove effective that it evolved into a diet program that is now being done by millions of people world wide. The program is actually based on a book written by Dr. Atkins in 1999, “Dr. Atkins’ Diet Revolution”. The book is actually a revision of a book that he earlier published but was criticized for its lack of scientific basis and limited research.

Unfazed the doctor conducted extensive research to prove his revolutionary theory in dieting. He included these findings in the new book, that became an overnight sensation. Dr. Atkins’ Diet Revolution topped bestsellers list across America and has actually stayed in the bestseller list of the New York Times for seven years. This is no mean feat for any book in the publishing industry. The book contains seven chapters explaining the basics of the diet program, some tips that they can use to lead a healthy lifestyle and even a hundred new recipes that people can actually prepare in their houses.

This is perhaps one of the strengths of the Atkins Diet, the fact that it allows dieters in the program to choose the food that they will eat and to prepare the meals themselves. This is not similar to other diet programs that offer prepared meals that are already cooked and delivered at home. In addition to being mightily expensive, these kinds of diet programs do not allow dieters the freedom of choice to eat what they want to eat. This can considerably affect the way they will respond to the program. Of course, if one is enjoying the program and is actually eating foods that are not bland tasting, they are more likely to stay with the program.

Atkins diet is actually based on the theory that cutting down the intake of carbohydrates can help reduce weight. Rapid weight loss can actually ensure because of the loss of water in the body as well as the use of fat cells as alternative source of energy. With the absence of carbohydrates in the body, the body will be forced to turn to the fats in the body as source of energy. Fats are actually sources of energy like carbohydrates but because it is more complex in structure, it is harder to digest and transform to energy. The body prefers to deal with carbohydrates.

Low carb diets and also low-fat diets are also recommended to people who have diabetes. This, according to some dieticians, is the only diet which can prevent obesity, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, hypoglycemia and type 2 diabetes.

The Atkins diet is actually made of four parts. The first part is the induction process where the dieter is introduced to the dieting phase and the cutting down of carbohydrate. This phase lasts for two whole weeks and involves the consumption of only 20 Net Carbs that can often be found in green leafy vegetables used in salads. The phase hopes that the phase will help dieters get use to the less intake of carbohydrates.

The first phase involves a rapid loss of weight. The second phase is the ongoing Weight loss period where dieters will slowly but surely try to reach their desired weight. There is no specific number of days when dieters can stay within this second phase.

The third phase is the Pre-Maintenance stage where dieters are taught to perfect their eating habits for the future. The last phase is the Lifetime Maintenance, which can continue well after they achieved their desired weight so that they can maintain it.