Is Atkins Really That Bad?

Posted on March 7, 2008 in Health and Fitness by admin

What is a Low Carb Diet?

A low carb diet consists of a eating food that is high in fat and protein, but low in carbohydrates. In a low carb diet at least 60 to 70% of daily calories come from fats, and carbohydrates make up less than 10 % of daily calorie intake. This leads to weight loss as a diet low in carbohydrates leads to decreased production of insulin in the body, resulting in consumption from fat stores of the body for energy generation.

A low carb diet cuts out all carbohydrate from the diet and increases protein and fat intake. There is a cut on things like pasta, bread, rice and alcohol, yet you can eat unlimited amounts of things like meat, cheese and butter. Hence sometimes Low Carb diets claim to be “luxurious diets”.

The Atkins Diet is the most famous low carb diet, and the one most commonly followed, although other low carb diets like the High Protein Diet are also popular.

How does it work?

Dietary fat is not always converted into body fat but Carbohydrates are. Insulin produced by the high sugar levels of a high carb meal causes the fat to be deposited as well as send hunger signals to the brain, and hence you tend to eat more, as well as laying down fat.

A low carbohydrate diet makes your body use up the fat and protein stores you have to provide energy, rather than using carbohydrates; your normal energy source. Now the fat gets burned and your weight is in control.

What Can You Eat?

Now the most important aspect – what can you eat and what will you have to leave off the shopping list?

Following foods are a part of the Low Carb diet:
- Red and White meat
- Fish
- Eggs
- Cheese
- Fats like butter, Mayonnaise, Cheese, Margarine
- Low starch leafy vegetables like spinach, broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus, lettuce, celery, cabbage, bell peppers, etc.
- Fruits like berries, grapefruit, apricots, plums, peaches, guavas, apples and papayas.

Foods containing white flour and sugar are not eaten at all in a Low Carb diet. Starchy veggies like potatoes, carrots, peas and corn should be avoided too, and the same with most citrus fruits like pineapples and watermelons. Pasta, bread and rice should be totally banned, they are pretty much just carbs and nothing else, so steer clear.

Is Going Low Carb A Healthy Option?

One of the main problems is that low carb diets allow very small amounts of fruit and veggies; definitely not enough to give you your recommended daily allowance. Therefore you are likely to require supplementary vitamin tablets to keep you on form.

The bottom line is that you should follow this diet only if you can stick to it long-term. One thing you need to clear in your mind whether you are using the diet only for weight loss, or for long-term weight maintenance.

As a weight loss diet it can work; and could give you very quick results., but if you stop the diet control midway and get back to your previous eating habits, it is likely that you will gain back your lost weight, similar to any short-term diet. In fact quitting the diet may lead to gaining even more weight than you have lost due to metabolic changes that occur in the body because of the diet.

The Atkins diet claims freedom from all ailments but these diets are lacking in nutrients essential for good health and the high level of protein puts strain on your kidneys. So you may consult your physician before choosing this style of dieting.

Low carb diets may also encourage yo-yo dieting, cycles of losing and regaining weight, which might create a health risk. At present there are no long-term studies on the safety or results of these diets, only theories, and so the fierce debate among medical professionals and dieters continues.

Basically, if you are considering taking on the low carb diet, make sure you are fully aware of what you are embarking on. You should also be aware of the many different points of view out there, but don’t be put off, as this diet works extremely well for some people.

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Tags: Atkins diet, controversial diet, low carb, low carbohydrate, quick diet, weight loss

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