As with all diets, eating in a controlled environment, such as your kitchen, makes it easy to stay on track. Eating out on the Atkins Diet offers some challenges, but also some great opportunities to partake in a variety of tasty foods. A study cited in "The New England Journal of Medicine" compared three different diet plans and found a low-carbohydrate diet produced the greatest weight loss and most improvement in cholesterol levels.
How the Diet Works
Atkins claims to have developed the Atkins Nutritional Approach from careful study of the role refined carbohydrates play in a person's metabolism. Carbohydrates are broken down in the body and used as energy with the help of the hormone insulin, leaving the fat and protein to be stored. In the absence of carbs, protein and fat are utilized first, which may assist in weight loss. When dining out, it is important to maintain a limit on the carbohydrates consumed. Deviation may lead to a weight gain.
Tools
When eating out, plan ahead. Check the restaurant's website. Most restaurants post their menus online allowing you to select several choices that seem appropriate. Comparing selections against the Atkins Food Pyramid and the Atkins Carb Counter may give you an idea of the foods that might best fit the phase of the diet you are in. Atkins notes that making the right choices when eating out has a strong impact on your success with losing weight.
Misconceptions
Atkins notes that many restaurants may list a menu item as low-carb, but careful scrutiny may be needed. Some major restaurant chains are savvy to their market and may have done their research as to carb content. Atkins warns that labeling a food low in carbohydrates doesn't necessarily make it so. Check the menu for the actual carb count. If it's not readily available, ask your server. If no one knows, be hesitant about the claim.
Redesign
Most restaurants want your business and may be willing to go the extra mile to keep you as a customer. If what you see doesn't exactly fit your carb requirement, modify and redesign your menu, Atkins suggests. Keep your meats and fish grilled or broiled. Ask them to substitute the pasta or potatoes for a vegetable you can live with, or even better, a salad with an oil and vinegar-based dressing on the side. Pass on the gravy, as it's usually thickened with carb-heavy starch. For dessert, try berries with whipped cream, or coffee and whipped cream.
Drinking and Dining
During the initial two-week Induction phase of the Atkins Diet Plan, alcohol is not recommended. Afterwards, however, alcohol may be consumed. Atkins notes that the alcohol you consume will be used as fuel before the body fat, but weight loss will continue. Acceptable alcoholic drinks listed are gin, Scotch, vodka and dry wine. If using a mixer, stick to diet sodas and avoid tonic water and juices. Most liqueurs contain sugar and, as such, are not an acceptable choice.
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