How Long Should You Stay On The Atkins Diet
The short name for the Atkins nutritional approach is the Atkins diet.
It’s a low carbs diet created by Robert Atkins. He had gained a lot of weight during his time in medical school. He also read about this diet in a medical journal he was reading.
Who would have known!
He perfected it and released it to the public.
Are All The Theories Wrong?
Atkins, in his Atkins Diet, believed prevailing theories about weight gain were all wrong. First, he dismissed the idea that saturated fats were bad. Instead, it was carbohydrates that led to the weight problems Americans and nearly all Westerners have. In fact, Atkins thought that the total focus on fats had made a problem much worse. He pointed to all the low-fat foods that were high in carbohydrates.
Dieters were being tricked into eating foods that would cause them to gain more weight. This all changes in the Atkins diet.
By cutting out carbohydrates, people would burn stored body fats. Lose the weight lose the fat. It’s not just a case of eating less. The diet would work because it burned excess calories. In fact, Atkins cited a study that claimed the body would burn an extra 950 calories on his diet. But later research and reviews of his studies found that his claims were false.
Carbohydrate is an important nutrient found in many foods. Carbohydrate containing foods include breads, breakfast cereal, rice, pasta, noodles, fruit, potato and starchy vegetables, corn, dried beans and lentils, sugar, milk and yogurt. Carbohydrate is an important source of energy for the body. Source: http://daa.asn.au/for-the-public/smart-eating-for-you/nutrition-a-z/carbohydrate/
Read this post here to find what I consider a better alternative with a very long history of success.
Dr Atkins also touted the positive influence this Atkins diet could have on people with type 2 diabetes. Being overweight is considered the primary cause of type 2 diabetes.
So, in general, any diet that helps decrease weight will help address type 2 diabetes. But the Atkins diet is also low in carbohydrates, which must be avoided with type 2 diabetes regardless of caloric intake, so using this aspect of the diet Atkins claimed those who suffer type 2 diabetes would no longer need medication such as insulin.
But that’s counter to the prevailing medical theories regarding type 2 diabetes which, although recommending that lowered intake of carbohydrates and weight loss help manage diabetes, ascribe no causal relationship between carbs and type 2 diabetes.
How It All Works
It follows four phases – induction, ongoing weight loss, ongoing-maintenance and lifetime maintenance.
Here are some more details of Induction you need to consider, there are the most crucial of the phases.
The Induction phase is the most challenging phase of the Atkins diet. Atkins is flexible as to the period but recommends two weeks. Carbohydrates are nearly removed entirely from the diet, only 15-20 grammes can be consumed each day. The lack of carbs will prompt the body to convert fat into fatty acids for fuel a process known as Ketosis. Weight loss during this phase can be extreme some Atkins followers reported losses of 5-10 pounds a week.
The other phases are used for determining the levels of carbohydrates ideal for losing weight and for maintaining a standard weight not gaining weight. Dr Atkins himself died of complications of increased fat intake in his diet, which is something to keep in mind when choosing this diet.
Atkins vs. South Beach Diet
While Atkins may be one of the more popular low carbohydrate diets, there are many others available to choose. The South Beach diet is also an attractive option people seem to want. Through comparisons, one can see several similarities with each of these two diets. However, while there are similarities, there are also differences.
By weighing a person’s options and being aware of what is available, a person can make a valid choice for which diet is best suited for them.
Both Atkins and South Beach start with insufficient carbohydrate intake. This restricted intake can last a minimum of two weeks depending on the amount of weight a person needs to lose. Once the initial first stage is complete, the diets have a person introducing foods and more carbohydrates gradually until the person finds the level of carbohydrate intake and weight loss.
Furthermore, these two diets will allow a person to have quick weight loss at the beginning which will keep them motivated and move forward with the stages. There is also a discussion about good and evil carbohydrates. Each diet has their terms for these, but the theory is still the same about differentiating from good and evil, (carbohydrates that will dissolve in the body and carbohydrates that will turn into fat).
There are some differences between these two diets, however. The South Beach diet recommends that a person not eats certain fats. It is suggested that saturated fats, such as butter not be used while doing this diet. South Beach is also against Olive and Canola oils as they are high in monounsaturated fats.
Atkins however, suggests that a person gets a variety of fats into their system. Atkins regularly uses all types of oils and moreover will have ample amounts of butter in recipes. The Atkins recipe book even goes so far as to have a lobster in butter sauce recipe thus proving the extensive saturated fats ingested.
Beyond the food itself is different in some cases, the way the food is accounted for is also different with these two plans. The Atkins diet will count the number of grammes of carbohydrates per item that is digestible. In other words, any carbohydrate that is not directly linked to a fibre gets counted. South Beach, meanwhile, allows more starchy vegetables for one thing but counts the carbs based on the number and size of the portions a person eats.
While both diets will give results, they provide some differences in the way those results will come about. Atkins likes to count the grammes of carbohydrates within the food item itself, while South Beach will take it based on size and frequency. Each diet maintains a similar idea, however, and if someone is looking to go into a low-carbohydrate lifestyle, then either one of these diets will work. The only question will be which diet a person wishes to follow because these are only two of many low carbohydrate weight management plans in existence.
Atkins Controversies
While the Atkins diet may give results, numerous controversies are surrounding it which leave people guessing about the safety of doing it. The debates that the Atkins diet face vary from health scares to overall side effects that overall could impact others not even involved in the diet. Dr Atkins would defend his diet theories regularly, but even that was sometimes not enough.
Health Related Issues
Some health-related issues could potentially be linked to the Atkins diet. Many people feel these are because of the strict guidelines that must be followed while doing the program. Many people in the medical field have claimed that because of the high proteins and low carbohydrates, the chances of a person developing a heart condition is increased.
Furthermore, and again this is due to the high levels of protein being ingested, but the chance of contracting gout is increased. Another controversy is the fact that the dieter is putting an enormous strain on their kidneys which could lead to prolonged kidney disease, once again, due to the levels of protein. While these potential ailments are rare, they do exist in people who have attempted the Atkins program, and as with most other diets, there is a valid explanation and potential solution as well.
Beyond the health aspects that could develop with a person trying to better themselves, there are also many minor side effects that can develop as well. During the first stage of Induction, when the body is going into a type of shock from lack of carbohydrates, several things can happen. Weakness, rashes, constipation and diarrhoea could occur during this stage. Even more so a person can suffer from muscle cramps as the body lacks some of the essential nutrition that it needs to function.
Living In A Fog
Many people have also claimed to be “living in a fog” for the first several days of the diet and quite often have a hard time functioning for those first few days. What makes things hard for other people is when the body of the dieter goes into a state of ketosis. This is when the body is officially burning the fat within as opposed to burning the carbohydrates ingested. When a person is in ketosis, they can experience severely bad breath. This is by no fault of their own but can be quite unpleasant for those around them.
While vitamins are a recommended supplement for those doing the Atkins diet, they still do not compensate for everything that could occur during this diet. It is to be understood, however, that the cases where something severe happened, that they were rare. As with all diets or changes in lifestyle, there are some health risks involved.
One of the best things that a person can do is to be aware of these risks. When a person is aware of their own body and the symptoms that can occur, they can also decide to stop the diet or seek medical attention.
More On Atkins
Disclaimer: Here at Essential Sugar we are not medical doctors, and as such, you should consult your medical professional before undertaking any lifestyle changes including diet.
For example, the Atkins approach stresses high protein and animal fat while curbing carbohydrates.
Please have the facts before you post information about the Atkins Diet. This is one of the best diet plans around you will feel better than you have ever felt…if you stick to the plan.
Atkins is designed mainly to have people give up junk food…white flour,sugar and anything else that will kill you. Eating meats,vegetables,grains and fruits are healthy for you and that is what this plan is about. You are only limited the first two weeks of induction. Then you add back in other cabs that are good for you. Everyone needs to know how many carbs they can consume in a day with out gaining weight. That is what the different phases are about in the Atkins plan, it helps you find your carb set point.
Give the Atkins plan a try and see for your self if it works or not.I lost 40 pounds in five months on this plan and I feel great.
This program probably workable moreover for a diabetic person. Some might think first to undergo on Atkins diet for some verification. Somehow, I found the program as a safe practice.
In order to grow, muscles must fully recover from their last workout, every workout. If you are over-training and work the muscles before they have fully recovered, you will break down the muscle tissue before it has rebuilt-making it impossible to build muscle
For the past 30 years, the Atkins diet has been at the centre of controversy. Based on the theory that it is carbohydrate consumption, not fat consumption that makes us fat.
Men lose an average of 6-16 pounds after the first two weeks on this diet. Women turn a loss an average of 4-12 pounds. In later weeks, dieters lose an average of 1-2 pounds each week.Atkins is designed mainly to have people give up junk foodwhite flour,sugar and anything else that will kill you. Eating meats,veggies,grains and fruits are healthy for you and that is what this plan is about. we are just set the first two weeks of induction. Then we add back in other cabs that are good for us.
Everyone wants to know how many carbs they can consume in a day with out making weight. That is what the other forms are almost in the Atkins plan, it helps us get our carb set point.Some people think of the Atkins Diet as one loaded with enough of red meat, fried in butter with a side of bacon. Well, maybe not quite that drastic. Still, when consuming the amount of protein got on the Atkins plan, there hasn’t been a single work or research review that shows it causes any kidney troubles or any suggestion of liver troubles often said to be related with a high protein dieting.
Isn’t the Atkins dieting all about consuming red meat dripping with fat?
Do I have to buy special solid foods to be successful on this diet?
How Long Should we Stay on the Atkins Dieting Design?
me and my girlfriend have been on Atkins Diet for about a year now. this diet is really good for the general health.
Yes Atkins works absolutely fine
I’ve lost 7 Kilos in 3 months and i’m still going.
I would not go over 6 months, i’ll have some kind of a brake.
I think it entirely depends on our body and mind. Whether we want to reduce more but can’t resist to urge of eating junk food.
I think mind plays most important role while acting on any diet plans.
Thank you for wonderful share.
The Atkins diet can be boring because of the limited choice and some believe it can be dangerous.
I would really not doing the Atkins diet at all if you have diabetes. It could be dangerous to your health.
You should speak with your doctor before starting any diet.
Hi Robert and welcome
It really does not matter what diet you decide to go on you should always have some understanding of the effects of the diet and yes consult your doctor before going on the more aggressive diets.
Atkins Diet have helped me a lot to maintain a very good physique. My mom is also on an Atkins Diet. “
You have no idea what you are talking about. You said “Dr. Atkins himself died of complications of increased fat intake in his diet”, which is a total LIE..!!!
On April 8, 2003, at age 72, Dr. Atkins slipped on the ice while walking to work, hitting his head and causing bleeding around his brain. He lost consciousness on the way to the hospital, where he spent two weeks in intensive care. His body deteriorated rapidly and he suffered massive organ failure.
Get your facts straight and understand what you are talking about before you post it…….
Hi PudyTat
Yes you are right there does seem to be a very big movement to discredit Dr Atkins by saying he died from his own diet… You are right he did slip and hit his head but unfortunately the media again continues to run with the story that sells copies and makes them money which is he died from having to much fat in his body as a result of his diet.
In actual fact he only gained a lot of weight because he was retaining a large amount of fluid which increased his weight to 258 pounds. This is how the rumor started that Dr. Atkins had died from his own diet.
It seems that as time passes more people are starting to review the Atkins diet again. If you compare the maintenance phase of Atkins with a more popular “caveman diet” that many personal trainers are putting their clients on today, there really is very little difference.
Atkins made it clear that you should not eat too much-saturated fat. He even suggested only eating the best organic bacon, and certainly no offal. So people that think it is all about scoffing fatty meats have it wrong – and have obviously not read the book.
Where he certainly got it right is the sugar problem and the insulin effect. Sugar is the biggest dietary threat to health at the moment and people still hark on about fat. Very few people actually eat dangerous levels of fat, most eat dangerous levels of refined carbohydrates and refined sugars.
One popular “alternative” to Atkins is a low GI diet. Of course, this is almost the same as well!
The first 3 days of induction are the worst for this diet, I get head aches, crabbiness and low energy, after the 3rd day however, my body flips the switch and ketosis does it’s magic. This is the second time in 6 years I started the atkins, the first time, I lost 14lbs, and monitored carb in take and never gained a pound for about 3 years, then a while after I had a child, and now my child is 2 years old, I have once again jumped on the atkins bus. I have lost 5 lbs in 6 days, and hoping to lose 25 all toghether. I feel great after the 3rd day, more energy, not sure its from the diet itself or the thrill of seeing the numbers on the scale finally begin to go back down! I would suggest this to anyone who wants to change up their diet from junkfood to becoming more aware of healthy eating, but also suggest making sure you are up for the challenge of it by addressing the advice of your doctor first. Good luck!!
sounds like there are opposing sides to the Atkins Diet. But Iwon’t know until I try it for myself
Every diet is not for anyone as some cannot tolerate it. Check with your family doctor first. I didn’t and went into the Atkins diet plan and was a bloody wreck. I followed it to the letter and was so weak I couldn’t function. Other individuals try it and it’s great. All bodies are not created equally!
I just think people shouldnt be allowed to make false claims and trick the public this way, it should be a criminal offence.
I got interested with Atkins Diet through this post. I really appreciate this post. It is helpful especially to someone like me who is exploring on various physical activities and healthy diets to lessen my weight and to become healthier.
To me this is the wrong question – “how long can you stand the Atkins diet” is more like it!
Hi Damien
Yes, I am sure there are many people who feel the exact same way about the Atkins Diet.
“I just think people shouldn’t be allowed to make false claims and trick the public this way, it should be a criminal offence.”
I agree 100 percent. I worked at a restaurant during the peak of the public’s infatuation with the Atkins diet. Frankly, it was annoying. Everyone was obsessed with each and every ingredient that went into the food they were considering.
Hi Joe
Unfortunately that is life and there are those that will research everything to get the facts, then there are those that choose to believe everything they are told through media sources, friends, family and so on.
As you found from your own experience in the restaurant trade it is no different when it comes to dieting, people will choose to believe what they need to hear and if they are being told that they can loose lots of weight on a diet and they are desperate enough they will try it in the hope that it works.
It all depends on you actually, because of no matter which diet methods you going through none of these diets will succeed if you don’t have focus and are very disciplined.
Hi James
Yes you are spot on with your comment, if you are not truly dedicated to wanting to lose weight you are going to find it very hard to stay on course when dieting.