What is the atkins diet?

Answer 1

Scott L and swbarnes2 gave good answers but they are incomplete.

Atkins may have given the low-carb diet (and that is what we are talking about here) his name but he certainly did not invent it, he just rediscovered it and added his own twists. Low-carb is basically what human beings have been eating for 2.5 million years. It is only in the last 10 to 12 thousand years that we have substatially changed what we eat by adding whole grain, and in the last 150 or so years, sugar and refined grains. (bleached flour).

If followed correctly to your maintainance weight, Atkins and other low-carb plans will have you eating more fresh fruit and veggies than the Standard American Diet (SAD)

:::Remember, it should be fresh food, not frozen or processed frankenfoods. :::

With only sugar, starches and high sugar fruits like grapes restricted I find it very easy to stick to even at 5 years now. And my good health keeps me on it.

As to the claim made by swbarnes2 about saturated fats being unhealthy, well let me give you a few quotes from my favorite low-carb advocate Anthony Colpo.

"Reality is not decided by majority consensus--it is decided by the facts. The FACTS are:

--those with the lowest cholesterol levels suffer the highest rates of premature mortality;

--the overwhelming majority of long-term follow-up studies have clearly shown that saturated fat bears no harmful association with heart disease;

--most importantly, carefully conducted clinical trials have completely failed to produce any reduction in cardiovascular mortality that can be attributed to
saturated fat restriction or cholesterol-lowering;

--numerous populations who eat diets rich in saturated fats from animal and/or tropical sources have been shown to enjoy exemplary health and freedom
from heart disease;

--commonly-prescribed CHD prevention strategies can actually increase the risk of diabetes, cancer and heart disease. The low-fat, high-carbohydrate mania that grew directly from the establishment's anti-cholesterol propaganda campaign has been a direct contributor to the epidemic of obesity and diabetes we are now seeing.

These are not the opinions of Anthony Colpo--these are findings that have been published time and again in the medical literature. I have reported these findings repeatedly on my web site, along with plenty of references that you can use to start your own investigation."

I have provided a link to one of his great articles well referenced. Eat your saturates... just make sure you cook it yourself in coconut oil. (google the benefits of that)

Cheers.

Answer 2

A diet created by the late Dr. Atkins. He was murdered by his mistress.

Answer 3

It's a specific plan or eating inveted by Dr. Robert Atkins whose premise was that a diet high in refined carbohydrates cuased your blood sugar to rise and fall and falling blood sugar causes hunger. he advocated a diet low in simple carbs, moderate in complex carbs and high in protein to stabilize blood sugar levels. Having tried it I can say that you are far less hungry on it but over time the lack of food choices makes it hard to stick to.

he did not die of a heart attack. he slipped and fell on ice and cracked his head.

Answer 4

A popular diet by Dr. Atkins. He specified high levels of protein for prolonged periods of time. Low carbohydrate.

Answer 5

It is a diet where you can basically only eat meat and vegies
It works as long as you are on it but the minute you come off you gain all your weight back.

Answer 6

A recipe for a heart attack...

Answer 7

non-carb eat only protein and fat