The Atkins Diet was originally developed in the 1960s by Dr. Robert C. Atkins. The belief behind the diet was that sugar and refined carbohydrates increase the production of insulin, which leads to weight gain. The original diet allowed you to eat any amount of fat and protein with no focus on calories. The diet was rewritten in the 1990s to focus more on a healthy balance, rather than a complete restriction of carbohydrates.
Philosophy
When your body digests carbohydrates, it turns them into glucose. The glucose is then transported to the bloodstream where it triggers the release of insulin. Atkins.com states that the glucose and resulting release of insulin causes blood sugar fluctuations that contribute to weight gain. The website also states the body has the ability to store limitless amounts of fat, so it makes the most sense to center the diet around fat.
Diet Basics
The modified Atkins Diet focuses on healthy foods and stresses the importance of unsaturated fats. The diet is based on the belief that most calories should come from vegetables, lean protein, fruits and whole grains. The modified Atkins diet also stresses portion control, whereas the original diet did not have strict guidelines.
Phases
There are four phases to the Atkins Diet. Phase 1, also referred to as induction, lasts for two weeks and allows a maximum intake of 20g of carbohydrates per day. Phase 2, also referred to as ongoing weight loss, involves adding 5g of carbohydrates to your diet each week. It is recommended that you continue this phase until you have only 10 lbs. more to lose.
The third phase, called pre-maintenance, allows an additional 10g of carbohydrates per week. This stage is considered finished when you reach your weight-loss goal. It is the time when you are meant to form your lifetime eating plan. The final stage, lifetime maintenance, is meant to be permanent. This stage is when you have revamped your eating habits to a point that you can continue indefinitely.
Online Tools
Atkins.com offers a variety of online tools to help you with the weight loss process. These online tools include a meal planner, carbohydrate counter, recipe database, progress tool and education courses. The website also has an online community where you can go to talk with other dieters and offer and gain support. These tools are all free.
Considerations
The modified Atkins Diet also offers prepackaged meals, snack bars, dessert bars and shakes. These products are intended to add convenience and make it easy for you to follow your plan even when you are on the go.
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