The Atkins Diet

The Atkins diet has actually been around for the past three decades, but only in recent years has it jumped to the forefront of all diets. Celebrities linked to Atkins such as Jennifer Aniston and Nick Lachey have helped propel it to its popular status. Also, clever marketing of Atkins brand products in stores everywhere and many restaurants offering "Atkins-friendly" menu choices have done nothing but fuel its notoriety. So what is all of the buzz about?

The Principles of Atkins

Atkins is driven by four basic principles: weight loss, weight maintenance, good health, and disease prevention.

1. Weight Loss

   Weight loss is achieved through the burning of both carbohydrates and fat as fuel for the body\'s energy needs. Carbohydrate is the initial fuel to be metabolized. However, when you drastically reduce the amount of carbohydrate consumption (no carbs or sugar allowed in the initial phase of this diet so be prepared to munch on nothing but meats—no processed meats like bacon or ham—some cheeses, and some veggies), your body transitions from the metabolic outlet of burning carbohydrates to burning fat as its primary energy source. This results in weight loss.

2. Weight Maintenance

   For each person there exists a tightly regulated carbohydrate threshold below which fat burning and weight loss occurs. If your carbohydrate consumption exceeds this threshold, carbohydrate burning is more prevalent and fat is allowed to accumulate, resulting in unwanted weight gain. Each person also has a level of carbohydrate that is a neutral point whereas he/she will neither gain nor lose weight.

3. Good Health

   Individuals pursuing a personalized, restricted carbohydrate nutritional approach that includes foods rich in nutrients are more prone to meet their nutritional needs and encourage good health than individuals pursuing low-fat, calorie-restricted diets. Regular exercise is also a necessity for maintaining weight, toning muscles and maintaining a sense of well-being.

4. Disease Prevention

   By pursuing a personalized controlled carbohydrate nutritional approach that both lowers carbohydrate intake and insulin production, people who are at high risk for or diagnosed with chronic diseases can see improvement in clinical parameters.