The Atkins diet has been around for quite some
time now, and is still gaining popularity among those who want to lose
weight fast. The essential principle behind this diet is the high
protein, low carbohydrate combination. When Dr. Atkins first introduced
this concept back in 1972, many doctors and health experts did not agree
with him, because of the often misconception that it encourages
increasing fats and proteins.
Many believed that the Atkins diet can lead to hypertension and other metabolic diseases. However, as is proven in a lot of literature about it, the low carb Atkins diet has shown to improve blood sugar levels, increase HDL or good cholesterol, normalize blood pressure levels and lead to permanent weight loss.
Although there are many who benefited from the Atkins diet, there are also some people who are clearly against it and who would say that it is not a healthy way to lose weight. Anyone who has heard of the Atkins diet would have an opinion about it. If you want to try this diet, you may want to consider the pros and cons of the Atkins diet as follows:
### Pros ###
1. It is the only diet that allows you to eat "forbidden" foods!
Where else would you see a diet plan that allows you to eat steaks, butter and cream? Only the Atkins diet would even encourage you to add more fats and protein to your diet, because this diet plan is built on the principles that these can increase the body's metabolism and therefore, help you lose weight fast.
2. It is simple to follow.
Much has been written about the Atkins diet that it easy to find meal suggestions which also include the carbohydrate count of each meal. It is basically a four-phase plan which requires you to limit your carbohydrate intake and include essential fatty acids, healthy oils and high amounts of protein. There are several meal plans that you can choose from, which would allow you to include variety in your daily meals.
3. It is a healthy way to lose weight.
Contrary to what critics of the Atkins diet often say that a high protein, low carb diet could lead to health problems, most of the researches conducted prove that the Atkins diet raises HDL levels by at least 10% and reduces the triglycerides in the blood by more than 15%. This results to fewer risks for heart attacks, hypertension and strokes.
### Cons ###
1. Some people give up on it after a few days because of the sudden restriction of carbs to a mere 20 grams per day for about two weeks. There are some who do not enjoy the first two weeks of the program because the meal plans usually consist of eating more salads and less of their favorite foods such as pasta, potatoes, rice and sugar filled desserts. The diet plan also requires you to count your carbohydrates every day, which some people may find tedious.
2. Some people may not like the meal choices given in the Atkins diet, which makes them quit after just a few days of following it. Some also complain that the meal suggestions use expensive ingredients.
3. Others complain of persistent headaches and fatigue during the first few weeks of the program. This is because the body is still trying to adjust to the sudden changes in food supply. However, this only happens during the Induction stage, and is only the body's temporary reactions to the low carbohydrate intake.
Despite these drawbacks, people are still drawn to the Atkins diet, and thousands do agree that it is the perfect diet for them. If you plan to give the Atkins diet a try, make sure to consult your doctor first, especially if you already have pre-existing medical conditions, which may not allow you to abruptly change your eating habits.
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Many believed that the Atkins diet can lead to hypertension and other metabolic diseases. However, as is proven in a lot of literature about it, the low carb Atkins diet has shown to improve blood sugar levels, increase HDL or good cholesterol, normalize blood pressure levels and lead to permanent weight loss.
Although there are many who benefited from the Atkins diet, there are also some people who are clearly against it and who would say that it is not a healthy way to lose weight. Anyone who has heard of the Atkins diet would have an opinion about it. If you want to try this diet, you may want to consider the pros and cons of the Atkins diet as follows:
### Pros ###
1. It is the only diet that allows you to eat "forbidden" foods!
Where else would you see a diet plan that allows you to eat steaks, butter and cream? Only the Atkins diet would even encourage you to add more fats and protein to your diet, because this diet plan is built on the principles that these can increase the body's metabolism and therefore, help you lose weight fast.
2. It is simple to follow.
Much has been written about the Atkins diet that it easy to find meal suggestions which also include the carbohydrate count of each meal. It is basically a four-phase plan which requires you to limit your carbohydrate intake and include essential fatty acids, healthy oils and high amounts of protein. There are several meal plans that you can choose from, which would allow you to include variety in your daily meals.
3. It is a healthy way to lose weight.
Contrary to what critics of the Atkins diet often say that a high protein, low carb diet could lead to health problems, most of the researches conducted prove that the Atkins diet raises HDL levels by at least 10% and reduces the triglycerides in the blood by more than 15%. This results to fewer risks for heart attacks, hypertension and strokes.
### Cons ###
1. Some people give up on it after a few days because of the sudden restriction of carbs to a mere 20 grams per day for about two weeks. There are some who do not enjoy the first two weeks of the program because the meal plans usually consist of eating more salads and less of their favorite foods such as pasta, potatoes, rice and sugar filled desserts. The diet plan also requires you to count your carbohydrates every day, which some people may find tedious.
2. Some people may not like the meal choices given in the Atkins diet, which makes them quit after just a few days of following it. Some also complain that the meal suggestions use expensive ingredients.
3. Others complain of persistent headaches and fatigue during the first few weeks of the program. This is because the body is still trying to adjust to the sudden changes in food supply. However, this only happens during the Induction stage, and is only the body's temporary reactions to the low carbohydrate intake.
Despite these drawbacks, people are still drawn to the Atkins diet, and thousands do agree that it is the perfect diet for them. If you plan to give the Atkins diet a try, make sure to consult your doctor first, especially if you already have pre-existing medical conditions, which may not allow you to abruptly change your eating habits.