Premise of the Atkins Diet: The premise of the Atkins diet is that the body can be trained to burn fat for energy by restricting the consumption of carbohydrates. The Atkins diet was formulated by Dr. Robert Atkins over 3 decades ago and has become very popular within the last five years among those seeking to lose weight in a simple and straight forward manner. Carbohydrates are the main source for glucose which the body converts into energy. According to Atkins the drawback of using carbohydrates as the main source of glucose is the rise in insulin levels in the blood and conversion of excess carbohydrates into fat. By changing the blood chemistry the body is trained to utilize ketones found in stored body fat for energy production instead of using solely carbohydrates.

Principals of the Atkins Diet: By changing the chemistry of the blood the metabolism begins to depend on a different source of energy besides carbohydrates. Instead of storing fat the metabolism will burn fat for energy conversion resulting in weight loss. Carbohydrates are not weaned off but are restricted from the first day of the diet. This phase is called induction.  The Atkins diet identifies acceptable foods and not acceptable foods to be included or excluded from meals and snacks. The unacceptable foods contain high glycemic carbohydrates placing them outside the bounds of Atkins dietary guidelines. The approach is most liberal with other food selections but restricting the amount of good carbohydrates to fewer than 20mg per day. While the diet restricts carbohydrates, proteins, dairy and vegetables can be consumed at levels which will satisfy the dieter’s appetite. This major cut in carbohydrate consumption is reported to stabilize blood sugar and insulin levels, mood swings and periods of lethargy.

Phases of the Atkins Diet: The Atkins diet takes dieters through four phases or steps in the plan; induction, ongoing weight loss, pre-maintenance and lifetime maintenance. Induction targets the change in blood chemistry accomplished though carbohydrate restriction. Ongoing weight loss is achieved through the understanding of how certain carbohydrates affect the individual's personal blood chemistry. Foods that don't contribute to additional weight gain become the approved ingredients of meals and snacks. The pre-maintenance phase seeks carbohydrate equilibrium or the amount of carbohydrates that can be consumed while the dieter continues to lose weight. Once the person has attained their ideal weight and has been slowly introducing carbohydrates back into their diet. Lifetime maintenance is possible for the dieter because they have identified their carbohydrate equilibrium point and as long as they don't upset the balance they can maintain their ideal weight amount.

Results of the Atkins Diet: An Internet search will yield much information on the Atkins diet and the successful results that people are claiming to have achieved from the diet. It is hard to know which of these are true and which are not true. There will of course be successes and failures no matter how effective a diet plan may be. But if some folks are achieving the results they desire from the diet this is a great victory for them. Why use a diet that is not going to produce the results you want? Each person will have to make the decision to try it for themselves, faithfully follow the plan and hope they achieve satisfactory results. Not all diets are suited for all people so please check with your doctor before beginning Atkins or any other weight loss program.