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The Atkins Diet Review

The Atkins Diet is based on a process called ketosis.

Dr. Robert Atkins, the author and founder, explains the theory as: your body's main source of energy is from carbohydrates. If you significantly decrease your intake of carbohydrates, it forces your body to utilize your stored fat for energy.

Additionally, carbohydrates rouse your body to create insulin, which then causes excess carbohydrates to be stored as fat. This in turn stabilizes your blood sugar levels.

Higher consumption of fats and protein will leave you feeling fuller and satisfy your appetite for longer periods of time.

The Atkins Diet - Four Phases

The weight loss program is set up into four phases based on the following.

Number 1 - Induction

In this phase carbohydrates are restricted to 20 grams per day. This initiates the ketosis state and causes calories to be burnt at a higher rate.

Only leafy, green carbohydrates are allowed. Cheeses, fatty meats, oils and creams are the bulk of this phase. Alcohol and caffeine are eliminated for now.

This phase will produce the largest amount of weight loss throughout the diet.

Number 2 - On-going Weight Loss

Carbohydrates are increased weekly by approximately 5 grams. If during the increase your weight loss stops, decrease your intake of carbohydrates. This phase is ongoing until you're within ten pounds of your weight loss goal.

Number 3 -Pre-Maintenance

Your carbohydrate intake is increased again. It's recommended you follow the Atkins Glycemic Ranking when choosing your carbohydrates.

Your goal is to find your maximum carbohydrate daily intake that will not increase your weight.

Number 4 - Lifetime Maintenance

Once you achieve your goal weight, the idea is to maintain the daily intake of carbohydrates without gaining weight.

As you start adding starchy foods, bread and other items into your diet, you will have to monitor your weight. Depending on the individual, there may be some foods that require a very minimal intake to maintain your weight.

The Atkins Diet recommends walking as exercise during the weight loss program.

Walking is good exercise, however as you add more food to your diet, I would encourage strength training as well as stretching to keep yourself in excellent physical condition.

The Atkins Diet Advantage program now offers low-carbohydrate pre-packaged foods to assist you during the program.

Studies that were conducted on the Atkins Diet for a period of one year showed significant weight loss. There are currently additional studies ongoing to verify the weight loss over a longer period of time, however they are not published yet.

The Diet Revolution and the New Diet Revolution, authored by Dr. Atkins, explains the Atkins Diet theory and program in an easy to understand and follow format.

Look for the Atkin's Diet and others at eDiets.com.