The Atkins Diet incorporates a scientific approach to weight loss through burning stored fat -- not carbohydrates -- for energy, according to Atkins.com. Dieters don't count calories. Instead, they count carbohydrates, aiming for 20 g of carbohydrates daily, while on induction, or the initial phase of the Atkins diet according to Atkins.com. The Atkins diet focuses on healthy carbohydrates, such as those from vegetable sources, and discourages refined carbs like breads and pasta. Since the Atkins diet is meant to be a life long endeavor, Atkins diet eating tips are essential for weight loss and stability.
Variation
Diets are difficult to maintain for any length of time due to the lack of diversity with most meal plans. The Atkins diet offers a plethora of choices, however, even these choices can get boring when they are repeated without variation. Atkins Diet Tips suggests trying one new Atkins recipe each week to spice up the meal plan. Holidays and special occasions, such as weddings require some extra planning and carb counting in the preceding days, according to Atkins Diet Tips.
Dining Out
Atkinsdietfreeplan.com encourages modifying fast foods to fit the diet; throw away the bun and sugary condiments of the hamburger and eat the meat only. When planning a meal out, check for the restaurant's online menu to identify the Atkins' type options available. Don't be afraid to ask for alternatives; if a meal is offered with starchy white potatoes request a sweet potato exchange.
Hydration and Portion Control
Water serves an important role during the Atkins diet, according to Everything Atkins. Drinking at least eight glasses of water a day will flush the fat away and speed up the metabolism, hastening weight loss according to Everything Atkins. Although proteins and vegetables are not limited on the diet, portion control is still important as too much of anything can cause weight gain.
Hidden Carbs
When choosing salads, wraps or entrees, beware of the hidden carbohydrates in each selection. According to the Atkinsdietfreeplan.com, carbohydrates are hidden in salad dressings, condiments like mayonnaise and in the flour used to thicken soups and gravies. Everything Atkins warns that on nutritional labels, a carbohydrate content of .5 g can be listed as "0." This may seem insignificant, but on a diet consisting of limited carbs the .5 g will adds up.
Counting Carbohydrates
Learning how to count carbohydrate intake is the first step in the Atkins diet. The term net carbohydrates in the Atkins diet refers to the actual carbs in a food after subtracting the healthy carbohydrate contents of fiber. On a food nutrition label the subhead of carbohydrates will break the carbs down into carbohydrates and carbohydrates from fiber. Subtract the fiber carbohydrates from the total amount of carbs in that food and net carbs are measured. A diet including 20 g carbohydrates a day should include six cups of salad and two cups of fresh vegetables per Atkins.com.
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