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Home 
Diets
Calorie Counting
How Does
Atkins Diet Compare?
BACKGROUND
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PRO
CON
DIET and NUTRITION
EXERCISE
CONCLUSION
Common Misspellings
Whats better than
Atkins Diet?
Diets
Calorie Counting
Atkins Diet Review (UPDATED 2024): Don't Buy Before You Read This!
The classic low-carb diet, revamped with the Atkins 40 approach.
Top Rated Diets of 2024What is it?
The Atkins Diet is a low-carbohydrate approach to sustained weight loss. The idea behind the diet is to instead of using glucose as a fuel source; it’s meant to have the body rely on fat to provide energy.
The diet emphasizes eating foods rich in fat and protein. It’ssaid to be helpful for preventing food cravings and regulating blood sugar. Even though one will be eating richer foods the idea is that fat is more of an effective fuel source than glucose. Our experts have analyzed several diet plans and found the 18Shake Diet to be the most effective for weight loss. It offers a combination of a fat burning diet pill and an appetite suppressing meal replacement, both of which are free of stimulants, fillers, binders, or artificial ingredients. Discover more information about the 18Shake Diet when you click this link.
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Atkins Diet Ingredients and Side Effects
The kinds of foods emphasized include:
• Cheese, oils, butter, and eggs.
• Meat, poultry, and seafood.
The foods which are avoided are:
• Pasta, bread, and potatoes.
• Chips, candy, and cookies.
There’s 2 main plans offered:
• Atkins 20: This is the original Atkins Diet plan. It’s made for people looking to lose 40 pounds or more, or those with a waist over 35 if they’re women, or 40 or more for men. Intended for those who are either pre-diabetic or diabetic. Only 20 net carbohydrates are allowed. The first 2 weeks require for the major of carbohydrates to come only from low-carbohydrate vegetables.
Hard cheeses, sour cream, and cream are allowed. 3 servings of healthy fats are suggested, alongside 3 servings of 4 to 6 oz. of protein.
When you are close to your goal weight an additional 5 grams of net carbohydrates are incrementally allowed back in. This should come fromhealthy sources however, such as legumes, nuts, seeds, vegetable juice, and higher carbohydrate vegetables.
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• Atkins 40: For people who want to lose less than 40 pounds and who want a larger variety of foods. Also made for breastfeeding and pregnant women. A total of 40 net carbohydrates are allowed.
3 servings of healthy fats are allowed, and about 1/3 of carbohydrates should be vegetable based, with the rest coming from nuts, whole grains, and fruits.
When you’re within 10 pounds of your goal weight you can add an additional 10 grams of net carbohydrates.
In order to keep weight from returning, it’s advised to keep a count of carbohydrates, introduce limited foods slowly back in your diet, keep most carbohydrates based from vegetables, and write down what foods you eat. There are some sample meal plans and even Atkins Diet branded foods. The suggestedhome cooked meals and snacks include:
• Roast chicken stir fry, Mozzarella string cheese, cheese and spinach omelet with avocado and salsa, Atkins advantage vanilla shake, and an Atkins frozen chicken & broccoli alfredo alongside a salad.
One does not have to purchase the Atkins Diet brand foods however;one can make their own foods based off the principles of the diet. The link provided has a list of the highest rated diets for weight loss.
The Mayo Clinic has also outlined some possible side effects form this diet which includes:
• Fatigue, weakness, and headache.
• Constipation and dizziness.
They also mention the following potential concerns:
“some very low carb diets restrict carbohydrates so much that the result in nutritional deficiencies or insufficient fiber, which can cause such health problems as constipation, diarrhea, and nausea”
Due to the extreme restriction of carbohydrates, it can place the body in a state of ketosis, where it switches from glucose as primary fuel source to instead fat. This has not been studied long-term, but people often mention symptoms while in this state.
EDITOR’S TIP: Combine this diet with a proven meal replacement such as 18 Shake for better results.
Atkins Diet Quality of Ingredients
If one does not purchase the brands prepackaged foods the foods one will eat are mostly high protein, moderate fat, and low carbohydrates that are mostly sourcedfromvegetables. Protein is known to help with appetitesuppression, but limiting oneself to either 20 net grams or 40 net grams of carbohydrates can be difficult.
Eating whole natural foods is a good step to help with weight loss, but the ratio of macronutrients can be difficult to continue. Ne study performed by the University of Pennsylvania confirmed this issue:
“Adherence was poor and attrition was high”
They also rated it against a lower calorie diet and found:
“differences were not significant at one year”
Any weight loss benefits were minimal, and with continued use for a year it was shown to not be any better than a basic low calorie approach to weight loss. Our experts have rated diet plans and ranked them in a comprehensive top 10 listfeatured here.
The Price and Quality of Atkins Diet
There are books available as well as pre-packaged foods which are optional. Thebasics of the diet can be learned about without having to make a purchase however. Most of the information on how to start and sustain the diet isfeatured on many free websites.
A study by Forbes magazine did show that the sample menu provided by the company made it one of the most expensive in terms of overall cost of ingredientshowever.
There have also been issues having to do with side effects. The AMA council on Foods and Nutrition found:
“Atkins’ food plan can increase the dieters risk if heart disease”
Another studyby the University of California found that most of the weight people lost was only water weight and not actual fat. Therefore, this means that because of the reduction of carbohydrates, any quick weight loss will return as soon as one reintroduces carbohydrates.
Business of Atkins Diet
The name of the company is Atkins Nutritional, Inc. They can be reached via the following:
Phone Number: (800)
Address: 1050 17th Street Suite 1500
Denver, Colorado 80265
The creator of the diet was a cardiologist named Robert Atkins. His field of medicine had to do with treating heart conditions, not for nutrition and weight loss. He actually sufferedfrom a heart attack, which are exactly what those who criticized the diet said were the issue with the Atkins Diet.
Studies have shown that a diet like this can be potentially dangerous to heart health. The link cited here has a comprehensive list of the best weight loss diets.
EDITOR’S TIP: The top 10 list of the best diets is available here.
Customer Opinions of Atkins Diet
Here are some select quotes from those who have tried the Atkins Diet:
“I feltlike crap for the whole 6 months I was on Atkins”
“I was so sick of meat and chicken that I actually would look at my plate and get sick”
“The Atkins Diet give you an overwhelming craving for cookies, cakes, fruits, and other sweet carbohydrates”
“The diet is so hard to keep up with”
The most common complaint was that maintaining the diet was difficult, and that people were unable to keep eating the same kinds of foods. Many had severe cravings for more carbohydrates.
There were some success stories with people losing weight, but this quickly returned as soon as carbohydrates were eaten. This is likely due to the added water weight from these kinds of foods.
Certainpeoplebecame nauseous and unable to continue using the diet. Some expressed concern that though they were not hungry, they also didn’t want to continue using the diet and that the cravings for carbohydrates can become extreme. The link provided here has a list of the top 10 diet plans.
Conclusion - Does Atkins DietWork?
The Atkins Diet emphasizes a strict carbohydrate reduction and instead allows for high amounts of protein and some healthy fats. This diet started the low carbohydrate fad diets, and studies have shown it to be potentially dangerous. There are concerns by the American Heart Association due to the potential damaging effects on the heart. Users have also mentioned it’s difficult to sustain, and that any weight loss is lost as soon as one eats carbohydrates again. It can be extremely difficult to eat the same basic foods, and people add how it made them no longer want to eat due to nausea. Studies have shown that long-term use has a similar weight loss effect to a standard low calorie diet.
Our experts have rated many diets and they found the 18Shake Diet has the best all-around weight loss solution. It offers a meal replacement and diet pill made without stimulants or artificial ingredients. This meal replacement has well-rounded vitamins and minerals and it can help suppress appetite for hours. The diet pill has fat burning properties and it can help get rid of calories with the combined weight loss support from the meal replacement. Customers have left positive reviews on the official website showing how effective it is.
18Shake Diet is backed by a full 30 day money back return policy. All sales are backed with this no questions asked guarantee. For more information about the 18Shake Diet click the link here.
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BACKGROUND
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More than 40 years ago, Dr. Robert Atkins introduced his low-carb diet, now popularly known as the Atkins Diet. The Atkins Diet is credited with starting the low-carb revolution. Although the buzz about low-carb diets has fizzled some, and mostly replaced by the increasingly popular Paleo Diet, the Atkins Diet is still around and there is a legion of people who still follow it.
The Atkins Diet has recently received a much needed update, releasing in early 2015 as Atkins 40. The updated Atkins program is a research-supported eating plan that still features the low-carb, high-protein principles of the original Atkins Diet, but with more leniency, simplicity, and variety. It seems very similar to The New Atkins for a New You launch a few years ago, but is targeted to promote sustainability and prevent participants from falling off the bandwagon due to excessive restriction.
Atkins 40 is marketed as more sustainable and more empowering, and ideal for those with 40 or fewer pounds to lose. The goal is to eat delicious and healthy food, like a variety of lean protein, leafy greens and other vegetables, nuts, fruits, and whole grains. In addition, tips and suggestions are perfect for those with busy lifestyles ensuring you that you can stick with Atkins at work, at home, on vacation, or when you're eating out.
Atkins 40 no longer includes the four basic Atkins phases: Induction, Ongoing Weight Loss, Pre-maintenance, and Lifetime Maintenance. Previously, many traditional Atkins participants wouldn’t go past Induction or Ongoing Weight Loss which caused them to fall off track due to excessive restriction. Atkins 40 targets more of a lifestyle shift creating a plan that someone could eat and follow for their whole life: no stages, no excessive restriction.
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PRO
- Encourages eating a proper combination of foods
- Large weight loss the first couple of weeks
- Program is thoroughly covered on the web site
- More sustainable format than previous Atkins programs
- Encourages eating more vegetables
- Allows frequent eating to reduce hunger
- You decide when to start your fitness program
- Carb counting tools
- Program updates focus as much on maintenance as weight loss
- New plan offers more leniency than previous Atkins plan
- Atkins Community web site available for free
CON
- Many find it extremely difficult to cut out breads and grains
- Promotes excessive consumption of dairy, processed sweeteners, and packaged snacks
- High caloric restriction, high need for tracking and counting
- May overeat or include too much of the wrong type of protein
- Can be high in cholesterol and saturated fat
- Still may be too restrictive to create true lifestyle change
- Difficult for vegetarians or vegans to follow their principles
DIET and NUTRITION
Unlike previous Atkins programs, there are no longer four phases to follow. This means there is only one “plan” and lifestyle to build and maintain through Atkins 40. Principles remain the same with a focus on high-protein, low-carb food choices.
Through the Atkins Community online, you can customize your own meal plan, with Atkins 40 allowing you to use the 40-net grams of carbs however you like. Based on your choices, Atkins will share a one-week meal plan that includes breakfast, lunch, dinner and two snacks each day.
You don’t have to count any calories or carbs because all of that work is done for you. For exact measurements and recipes, simply click on the meal and you will be taken to the recipe for that meal.
You also have the chance to print out a grocery list for the week for your convenience. The total carb count for the day is shown at the bottom of each day’s meals. Below is an example meal plan:
- Breakfast: Red Bell Pepper Rings Filled with Eggs and Mozzarella
- Snack: Mushrooms Stuffed with Sausage and Mozzarella
- Lunch: Spicy Meat Rolls
- Snack: Atkins Day Break Creamy Chocolate Shake
- Dinner: Grilled Salmon with Mixed Greens
EXERCISE
Exercise is not a huge focus for the Atkins Diet. It is mentioned on the web site as a great way to maximize your chances of success. Exercise is a great complement for your nutrition plan and will help boost your energy. If you are not currently exercising, it is recommended that you wait a couple of weeks before starting an exercise regimen. Some of the exercises that are mentioned with the Atkins Diet include:
- Brisk walking
- Swimming
- Water aerobics
Traditionally, Atkins was created for pre-diabetics or diabetics with over 40 pounds to lose, where it may have been impossible for them to start exercising right away. Atkins believes that diet and exercise go hand-in-hand, but that diet must come first and gentle exercise can be added later as a supplementary tool to build muscle and boost metabolism.
CONCLUSION
When you look at the Atkins Diet, there are some benefits as well as some drawbacks. It does help you lose weight quickly and it is important to notice that there are intense caloric restrictions involved, in addition to dramatic food choice changes. By reducing the amount of carbs you eat, you will be reducing blood sugar levels but you must also be careful that you don’t take in too much cholesterol or saturated fat, or an overabundance of processed snacks, dairy, sugar substitutes, and animal protein. Eliminating an entire food group such as carbohydrates may not work for everyone, but the diet does offer some benefits for those that can stick with it.
The online Atkins community may help to provide support when the guidelines seem too hard to maintain, and the addition of more on-the-go snack options may make it easier for those with a busy lifestyle looking to follow all Atkins principles. Hopefully the newer more lenient carbohydrate allowances will prevent excessive restriction and promote balance and sustainability for its followers.
Common Misspellings
Atkin Diet, AtkinsDiet, Aktins, Atkns, Atkins Deit, Akins Diet, Adkins Diet, Atkins Low Carb Diet, Dr. Atkins Diet, The Atkins Diet, Adkins Advantage, Atkins40, Atkins Forty
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User Feedback
(Page 4 of 5, 88 total comments)Lana
I helped my Son do Atkins for 3 mos. and he lost 60 lbs. Never felt better, and was eating all the time, A young guy like him had a hardy appitite (19) and no the meals were not at all boring, one just needs to be a little creative. Induction is very important people, the first 2 days are the roughest, (worst) but after that it is totally tolerable for the other 2 weeks. Then smooth sailing, you certainly get a boost of new confidense and extreme energy....A+A+A+A+ RECOMENDED!
JoAnne
To both the "ano" people. Two pounds a week is good! That's what I lost this week, be thankful. It will take a while to get your body in ketosis, be patient. If we can all stick to it we'll lose together.
Anonymous2
To: anonymous- loss 2 lbs. - have you done the Atkins before? I've heard after trying it more than once the weight loss tends to slow down
Anonymous
I have been following the atkins diet now for 8 days and have only lost 2 lbs(that's in the morning before I eat or drink) My urine shows ketones, I am confused why I'm not losing more weight. Any suggestions??
JoAnne
Well, I'm one of those always on a diet people. I did Atkins and lost weight but made the mistake of going off before I was done losing weight. My weight went up and so did all my numbers. I had a stroke last year at 52. My bllod pressure was extremely high and I had no symptoms. Because of my age my recovery was fast but my numbers are still high and I take meds. I am the type person that IS carb sensitive and I have gone back on Atkins. I am anxious to see the numbers go down. Please everyone know your numbers such as blood pressure, cholesterol & sugar. I had to have a stroke to open my eyes!
Vikki
It is quite clear to me, that those people who believe this way of eating lacks nutrients have not done their research. We actually eat a much more balanced diet than low fat dieters. We get all our nutrients from veggies, dairy and real food. We don't eat all that processed junk. I don't know what kind of wonder nutrients that bread and potatoes are suppose to have, but believe me I can live without it. I have the blood work to prove it.
Donny
I have been on the Atkins diet for 5 days, I have already lost 11 pounds, i'm amazed, I plan to stick with it as i have a further 20 pounds to loose, Atkins is great, I'm never hungry.
Jordan
I think this diet is BOGUS. Who would follow a diet that lacks so much nutrients?
Michael
In 2002 I was wheeled out of work by paramedics having suffered a heart attack due to obesity and high blood pressure. In one year the Atkins diet changed my life. I am healthy exersizing on a regular basis and eating great. There are so many books and shows with great Idea's and Recipe's to help and inspire your choices and variety. I reccomend "The Low Carb Comfort Food Cookbook" by Dr's Michael and Mary Eades I also record their cooking show. Trust me you will not run out of variety as some people think. Think of a favarite food like lasagna and google low carb lasagna recipe, or any favorite food.
Amanda
This diet helped me lose 60 lbs in 6 months after having my baby. I did not exercise either. Though I do reccomend it for toning. I reccomend this diet to anyone who is looking to lose a lot of weight fast. The down-side is if you go off the diet after you have lost the weigth, you will gain it back and more. If you think of it as a lifestyle, not a diet, you will do fine.
Rae
I have never done a diet that worked so well or made me feel better than Atkins does. After my first son was born I lost all 60 pounds in 5 months. During my second pregnancy, I had severe diabetes and packed on 85 pounds. After my second son's birth I went on Weight Watcher's, LA Weight Loss, and Jenny Craig, looking for results as good as Atkins. I wound up with awful clinical hypoglycemia, which my doctor told me to get off those diets, and get back to eating proteins and 5 meals a day, or I was headed for a stroke with my blood sugar problems. I am down 18 pounds since getting back on track. I will never, EVER choose another way of eating again. My blood sugar is under EXCELLENT control now (unless I forget to eat), and I have energy again. I can't believe I bothered trying anything else after knowing full well how great I have felt on Atkins. And to those who think I can't have nutritious food daily: I eat probably more salads and veggies and nutrient dense foods than 99% of the people who tell me how deficient my eating plan is. I've entered all ,my data into fitday.com. I am NOT deficient in ANYTHING. Atkins rocks.
Grace
At 44 years of age, I was headed for the nursing home or cemetery, I'm not sure which. All doctors could do was give me more and more pills, and still my weight ballooned and my health declined. In answer to prayer, the Atkins diet changed my life. I am now 53 years old and continue to be in the best health of my life. Instead of debilitating migraines, chronic fatigue and obesity, my weight is good and I feel great every day. Mine and my husband's bloodwork have been declared "phenomenal" and "amazing" by doctors. I thank God for Dr. Atkins and his lifetime of trying to get the truth out to a world that is desperate for truth. I no longer beat a path to the doctor. Doctors can do great things, but they can't make you HEALTHTY. We restrict carbs and take supplements and ride horses and hike and go to the doctor once a year for checkups! Hooray! What a blessing the Atkins diet has been--God, through it, gave me my life back.
Anonymous
Dying of a heart attack is nothing to joke about or judge someone about. My dad was fit and beautiful and died while jogging. Besides, Atkins did not die from a heart attack. Saying this is like when people perpetuated the rumor that Mama Cass died from choking.
Frank
If you follow this plan correctly it is not unhealthy. Eat lower fat meats, eat salad and allowed veggies and eat the correct fats and you will lose weight and feel great. I sleep better (and less), have more energy and think clearer on this diet. I also have had several checkups while on the program and my numbers were great. It works, it was the way man was designed to eat.
Victoria
I lost 65 pounds and love this way of eating. I'll never go back to the food that made me fat.
Tammy
I tried this diet, but it's too hard follow, plus it's extremely unhealthy, after one day of dieting I couldn't even watch TV cause my brain wasn't working at all. Also, I was constipating for 3 days. Do research before you go on this diet! It might cost you health.
Tracy
It's a good lifestyle change. When I think of it as a restricting diet, I don't stay faithful. I got a clean bill of health last year from my doc. She said that I had the best #s clear across the board she'd ever seen.
Anonymous
I lost 40 lbs in less than 6 months and I've followed this diet for over 5 years now. Just had a full physical with blood work - all perfect - blood pressure, cholesterol... and I am 50 years old.
Laura
This diet works, is great, but you can get sick of the same foods. You don't miss carbs, but at the same time you get bored.
Holly
This diet is so hard to keep up with! I just started it, and I love how you can eat steak, chicken, eggs, etc. The only downfall is the lack of nutrients, potatoes, bread, pasta...! Anyways I have heard from many people that it works great so I encourage all to try this diet with me!