The Atkins Diet

It's easy to see how the Atkins diet appeals to so many people. But is Atkins one of the best diets to go on? Can it help you lose weight? Will you be able to keep the weight off? Will you remain healthy on this diet?

Unhealthy but Effective for short term

The answer to the second question is yes, it can help you lose weight. Unfortunately, the answer to the other questions is no. The recommendations of Atkins which includes a meat-based diet with no fruit or starchy vegetables, goes against the nutritionally sound advice of the American Medical Association, the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association, and the American Kidney Fund.

How can the Atkins diet be so effective in the short term? Our bodies are prepared to deal with times of food scarcity. When our bodies realize we don't have enough carbohydrates to run, we produce an emergency fuel from our fat reserves called ketones.

No Carbs means Ketosis

This causes the body to lose weight, but it takes a huge toll on the kidneys. Since this diet lacks in the fruits and vegetables which are known to fight cancer, there is also an increased cancer risk when following the Atkins diet.

Since the body is only losing weight through ketosis, most people gain back the weight they lost and in many cases more when they stop following the Atkins diet. Although Atkins points to all the favorite foods one can eat on the diet such as bacon or cream, many find the diet to be too restrictive over time.

If you are attempting to lose weight, it is important to limit refined carbs and sugars, but not at the expense of nutrition dense fruit or vegetables. Any diet that suggests supplementation for vitamin intake is not a healthy diet to have in the long term.

If you need a low carb diet, check out the South Beach Diet or the Zone Diet. They are similar to Atkins, but not as restrictive and you'll focus on lean protein, vegetables, and fruits.