Atkins Diet Plan

Doctor Robert Atkins first developed the Atkins Diet in 1972. The concept of a low carbohydrate, higher fat and protein diet is not a new concept. It first showed up in medical literature as early as 1864. It has resurfaced every few decades since. Some opponents use this to put down the diet plan, stating that if it worked it would not fall out of popular favor. Proponents of the Atkins Diet say this shows the validity of the claims, the fact that it has survived this long.

The Atkins Diet has been credited with starting the current low carbohydrate craze. Dr. Atkins used the diet to deal with his own weight issues and, after treating thousands of patients using the diet, he published his diet so millions could benefit. The diet is based on the concept that the current obesity epidemic is due to the prevalence of refined carbohydrates. The Atkins Diet replaces refined carbohydrates with fats and proteins. The object of the diet is to cause the body to enter a state of lipolysis (fat burning for energy) by reducing the available glucose. This forces the body to liberate ketones from the fat stores to be used for energy. This then reduces the fat stores and causes a reduction in overall body fat.

The Atkins Diet starts with an Induction phase. During this phase the total daily net carbohydrate intake is limited to 20 grams. Net carbohydrates are calculated by subtracting sugar alcohols and fiber from the total carbohydrate count. Leafy green vegetables and other low glycemic load vegetables can be consumed during this phase of the Atkins Diet. This phase usually lasts around two weeks.

The Induction phase is followed by the Ongoing Weight Loss phase of the Atkins Diet. Carbohydrates are gradually increased during this phase. The carbohydrates are increased by five gram increments until the "Critical Carbohydrate Level for Losing" is reached. This is the maximum carbohydrate level that allows ketosis (fat burning) to continue. This phase lasts until the dieter is within ten pounds of the goal weight.

The Atkins Diet also includes a Pre-maintenance phase. This is the phase where carbohydrates are gradually increased again. This time the carbs are increased by ten net grams per day. The levels are increased until the "Critical Carbohydrate Level for Maintenance" is reached. This phase should last until the maintenance level is attained. The final pounds are usually dropped during this phase as well.

The final phase of the Atkins Diet is the Lifetime maintenance phase. This is the phase that starts at the end of the diet and lasts indefinitely. This is where the tweaking and changing occurs to make the diet sustainable for a lifetime. The emphasis is placed on unprocessed, whole foods instead of refined sugars and flours.

There is much scientific research on both sides of the Atkins Diet battle. The net result of this research seems to be that this diet works well for some people and not for others. As with any diet, when the data is manipulated one way it is the most dangerous approach out there, and when twisted another it is the best thing to hit the market since no calorie, flavored syrups. The best test for the effectiveness of a diet is to try it for yourself.