The Atkins Diet was first created in the 1970s by Dr. Robert Atkins. Since then, the Atkins Diet has become one of the most popular diets plans. The plan is based off a low carbohydrate diet, avoiding the carbohydrates in the diet in order to keep the body from adding weight. The Atkins Diet suggests their followers to consume less than 20 grams of carbohydrates per day by watching the kinds of meats, cheeses, and vegetables they eat while avoiding high carbohydrate foods like breads.
This diet was highly popular until about 2004, when it fell out of favor. To make up for the negative press the diet received, a new book was written for the Atkins Diet that revamped their formula for weight loss; calling the book "The New Atkins for a New You"
The Atkins Diet consists of four phases that will carefully control carbohydrate intake to guarantee weight loss.
The first phase is the restrictive induction phase. This phase lasts for about two weeks and requires the dieters to eat an absolute maximum of 20 grams of carbohydrates. According to Every Diet, "weight loss on the Atkins diet is based on the process of Ketosis - "
"First, the main source of energy for our bodies is carbohydrates. When we have fewer carbs in our body, it must look elsewhere for another source of energy. Next in line is stored body fat. So reducing carbs forces the body to burn fat. This process is called Ketosis. Secondly, carbs stimulate the creation of insulin. Insulin is what converts excess carbs to fat. So when you have less carbs you have less insulin and therefore create less new fat"
In the second phase, the Ongoing Weight Loss Phase, dieters add more fibrous vegetables (carbs) until the "Critical Carbohydrate Level for Losing" is reaches. These increases in carbohydrates are very small and are carefully managed week to week.
Phase three and four are considered maintenance phases, where carbohydrate intake can be increased but only until the point that weight is being maintained; called the "Critical Carbohydrate Level for Maintenance". Atkins advises for dieters to stay away from any food that may lead to weight gain and to choose unrefined or unprocessed carbohydrates.
So what kinds of food can you eat on the Atkins Diet? The Atkins Diet lets you eat as much of the meats and cheeses that have no carbohydrates as you like; including beef, pork, lamb, tuna, salmon, chicken, lobster, crab, eggs, aged and fresh cheese, cheddar cheese, and more. They also give a long list of vegetables that you can eat up to three cups of in a day to get you daily allowance of carbohydrates; including lettuce, arugula, chives, parsley, cucumber, peppers, alfalfa sprouts, and more. In addition to these, the Atkins Diet reveals vegetables that you can only have one cup of per day, like green beans, tomatoes, onions, avocado, and more. Finally, the Atkins Diet really advises avoiding foods that are high in carbohydrates such as breads, cereals, sugars, candy, pasta, rice, juices, fruits, potatoes, and more. If you are interested in learning more about the types of foods you can and cannot eat on the Atkins Diet, visit Fad Diet Dot Com for more information.
In the new formula of the Atkins Diet, the "New Atkins For a New You" is designed to reflect a greater emphasis on healthy, nutritionally dense food along with portion control, according to Every Diet. It differs from the original diet in that it puts more emphasis on wholesome foods; stresses the importance of healthy fats; focuses on nutrition from fresh vegetables, lean fruits, and whole grains; is flexible to appeal to people with busy lifestyles; puts more emphasis on portion and calorie control; gives special attention to people with diabetes as well as vegetarians; and puts a greater emphasis on being active and exercising. If you would like some more information on the New Atkins Diet Plan, visit Every Diet to learn more!
While the Atkins diet has had some success and many experience quick results, the cons of the diet far outweigh the pros. According to Every Diet, "one of the most controversial issues with Atkins is that it is a high-fat diet. Most government health agencies recommend no more than 30% fat in our diet - yet with Atkins you can easily consume more fat than this." However, the New Atkins Diet has worked to teach us out the difference between types of fats and recommends only the healthy ones at reasonable percentages. In addition to this, it is important to think about the consequences to having our organs constantly working to sustain the process of Ketosis. While in the short term it may have the desired effect of weight loss, can it really be that healthy for us in the long term?
If you are interested in learning more about the Atkins Diet or the New Atkins Diet, here are a few sites that I recommend visiting:
Exercise: Today I completed an I.M. Swim workout. Here it is:
200 freestyle warm up
1xIM 50s Kick/Twitch Set
(50 butterfly kick, 50 butterfly twitch, 50 backstroke kick, 50 backstroke twitch, 50 breaststroke kick, 50 breaststroke twitch, 50 freestyle kick, 50 freestyle twitch - twitch means to do a 25 of the stroke and 25 freestyle)
1x100 freestyle
1xIM 50s Kick/Twitch Set
1x100 freestyle
1xIM 50s Kick/Twitch Set
200 freestyle cool down
TOTAL: 1800 Meters
Eat: "Make sure you understand what the health claims really mean". When shopping in the grocery store, you will come across many items with health claims such as "0 Trans Fat", "Made with Whole Grains", "All Natural" splashed across them. However, these health claims may not be telling the whole story. By law, companies are allowed to claim their products have zero trans fat as long as they have less than 0.5 grams per serving. So although they claim to have none, the amount can actually add up. The only real way to tell what the product has in it is by checking out the ingredients lists… if it has partially hydrogenated oil in it, then it has trans fat. Make sure to check ingredients lists as well as nutrition facts especially when these products make so many claims about being good for you!
Relax: Today I was able to relax a bit before I had to go in to work. So I caught up on a few of my shows and enjoyed re-watching Avatar. I forgot what a wonderful movie it was and really enjoyed seeing it again after so long.
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