Atkins Diet
The Atkins Diet is one of the most popular low-carb diets. People who want to shed off some pounds follow the Atkins diet with the belief that taking in lesser amount of carbohydrates would do them good.
If you are one of those people who need to lose weight, you should find out more about one diet before doing it. This way you will know if Atkins diet, for instance, is the appropriate one for you.
Atkins Diet Overview
The Atkins Diet is focused on advocating low consumption of carbohydrates. It does suggest a higher consumption of protein and fat though. The Atkins diet mostly consists of meat, egg and cheese. It discourages intake of bread, sugar, fruits and pasta.
The Atkins Diet was developed in the 1970s by the cardiologist and internist, Dr. Robert C. Atkins. The Atkins Diet has become popular immediately after its introduction and until today there are still many advocates of this diet.
Following the Atkins Diet has granted people faster weight loss. Because people who follow the Atkins diet consume low amounts of carbohydrates, their body is forced to burn up stored fats in the body. There is no limit to the number of calories or to the amount of the allowed foods in the diet so people will not go hungry even when on a diet. Furthermore, Dr. Atkins claim that the diet would even help people combat fatigue, headaches, depression, irritability, and joint and muscle pains.
Atkins Diet: More Details
One of the most immediate effects is really the rapid weight loss. This is brought about by the water loss due to the low-carb diet. However, what would really bring the long-term weight loss is the continuous low carb diet. This means that the body would continue burning up stored fats resulting to a less flabby body in the end.
The Atkins diet is done in four steps. It commences with a two-week program that gives the body a time to adjust to the whole diet. This program is designed to orient the body and to rebalance the metabolism of the body. So the people who follow the diet would be made to eat as much fats and protein. Carbohydrate intake is limited to 15 to 20 grams daily though. Food allowed for these two weeks are poultry, eggs, fish, meat, butter, oil, cream and cheese. The amount of carbohydrates permitted daily is about three cups of vegetable salad which consist of cucumber, lettuce and celery.
The second phase begins when one has lost about 10 pounds. During this stage one is allowed more carbohydrates. He is now allowed 15 to 40 grams of carbohydrates daily. Then more carbohydrates are added gradually. For instance, a slice of bread or a slice of fruit can be added per week. When the target weight is reached, the maintenance stage begins. This time 40 to 60 grams of carbohydrates are allowed.
What to Do Before Following the Atkins Diet
As with doing any diet, it is best to consult your doctor first before beginning with Atkins. Certain tests like the glucose tolerance test might be needed too.
Some precaution should be taken too. When following the Atkins diet, one should take note that he or she is bound to be deficient in certain vitamins and minerals. Even Dr. Atkins acknowledges this fact. So, he recommended that people take multivitamins supplements when following the diet.
Atkins Diet and Its Side Effects
According to some dieticians, the diet has caused some weakness in the body. Nausea, calcium depletion and kidney problems were among the side effects that were associated with the diet. People who exercise feel the fatigue and low energy levels because their bodies do not have enough carbohydrates. Constipation could also result due to low fiber intake.
Tips on How to Be Successful
If you want to really be successful in losing weight through the Atkins diet, the best thing is to remember the restrictions of the diet. You should remember to consume the allowed number of carbohydrates according to the stage you’re in.
It would help if you plan your meals so you will be sure that you are staying with it. There are certain cookbooks that have recipes for people who follow this diet. If you are going out, it would help to bring a list of allowed foods too.
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