Atkins Diet Facts

The Atkins diet is a popular weight loss plan created by Dr. Robert Atkins in the 1970s. The diet has sparked controversy for its characteristic high-fat, high-protein and low-carbohydrate plan. The allure of this diet plan is the freedom to consume many favorite foods without portion restriction.

Background

Under normal circumstances, the preferred fuel of the human body is glucose. A typical diet is rich in carbohydrates and the body remains in a state called glycolysis, which means that it burns glucose for energy.

The Atkins diet, through dietary restriction of glucose, triggers a switch to lypolysis. Lypolysis is a state of metabolism in which the body begins to burn fat, not carbohydrates for energy. Dieters can use testing strips called ketostix to determine whether or not they are in lypolysis.

Ketostix test for the presence of ketones in the urine. Ketones are a byproduct of lypolysis and its presence in the urine is a sign that lypolysis is underway.

Phase 1

According to the Atkins diet plan website, the first phase is the most restrictive stage of the Atkins diet plan. During this two-week period, lypolysis is induced by severely limiting carbohydrates. Even fruits and starchy vegetables are excluded. Critics point out that the exclusion of vegetables makes it an unhealthy diet over the long term. No more than 20g of carbohydrate should be consumed during phase one.

Phase 2

The Atkins diet plan website explains that the second phase of the Atkins diet is designed for continued weight loss over a longer time period. Slowly, complex carbohydrates are added to the diet and weight loss slows down, but this stage is more manageable and easier to follow. Although carbohydrates have been added, the body remains in a state of lipolysis because the amount of carbohydrates consumed in phase two is still much less than needed for glycolysis.

Phases 3 and 4

The third and fourth phases of the Atkins diet are followed once the goal weight is met. The third phase outlines a process of determining the best amount of carbohydrates to consume for maintenance. Carbohydrates are slowly added until the weight stabilizes. The last phase is a lifetime maintenance program. In the lifetime maintenance phase, no weight is lost or gained.

Controversy

The Atkins diet has gained popularity partly because of the high-fat foods allowed on the diet. No amount of fat or protein is off limits. The only restricted foods are carbohydrates. Fat intake is even required as part of the induction of lipolysis.

According to the dietary guidelines for Americans, fats should be used sparingly. This contradiction between what is considered healthy and what is acceptable while following the Atkins diet plan is what sparks the controversy.