Atkins Nutritional Approach

Atkins Nutritional Approach is a famous diet program introduced by Dr. Robert Atkins that promotes a low carbohydrate diets. Atkins Nutritional Approach is the most marketed and well known of the low carbohydrate diets.

Causes Addressed By Atkins

The two causes addressed by Atkins nutritional approach are obesity and increased intake of processed carbohydrates. Much health related problems can be avoided by this diet. The low carbohydrate diet itself results in a process called ketosis which means in the absence of carbohydrate body uses the stored fats in the body to meet the energy requirements resulting in weight loss. Atkins diet is focused on health, lifestyle goals and commonsense nutrition by incorporating an optimal nutritional mix. The mix focuses on intelligent carbohydrate intake with high fiber and low sugar, adequate protein consumption, optimal intake of vitamins and minerals and balance of natural fats. The goal is to achieve better nutrition, better health outcomes, increased energy performance. In Atkins diet there is three meals and one snack that provide the nutrition for the body while limiting carbohydrate intake. Atkins diet is the fast way to control and reduce weight.

Atkins Claim - Two Unrecognized Factors

Atkins claimed that there are two unrecognized factors about western eating habits, arguing firstly that the main cause of obesity is eating refined carbohydrate, mainly sugar flour and high fructose corn syrups and secondly saturated fat is overrate as a nutritional problem and only transfat from sources such as hydrogenated oils need to be avoided. Dr. Atkins asserted that the tremendous increase in refined carbohydrate is responsible for the rise in metabolic disorders of the twentieth century and the focus on the harmful effects of dietary fats has actually contributed to obesity by increasing the proportion of insulin inducing foods in the diet. Atkins diet advises few nutritional supplements high in proteins, fats, and twenty four essential nutrients and fiber content. The low carbohydrate diet improves the metabolism of the body. The concept of net carbohydrates result in controlled blood sugar. A variety of vitamins and mineral supplements help in other internal functions of the body.

The Essential fatty acids are also provided through the supplements like Atkins juice, Atkins shakes and Atkins bars. The nutritional factor reduces the risk of coronary heart disease and blood pressure. Excessive insulin can be well controlled with this diet.

Four Principles

The philosophy of Atkins is based on four principles. They are:
(1) To lose weight.
(2) To maintain weight loss.
(3) To achieve good health.
(4) To attain a permanent foundation for good health.

Atkins four phase eating plan is together with vitamin and mineral supplements and regular exercise, the Atkins Nutritional Approach rebalances nutrition to improve the energy level and appearance and gain a sense of well-being. By following Atkins diet, it will lay a foundation for a life time good health. The four phase plans allows selecting food knowledgeably based on the need to achieve weight loss and weight maintenance, enjoy good health and prevent diseases.

The Four Phases Are:

Phase I- Induction- Restrict carbohydrate consumption to 20 grams daily, obtaining carbohydrate primarily from salad and other non starchy vegetables.

Phase II – Ongoing weight loss – Add carbohydrate in the form of nutrients which are dense and fiber rich by increasing to 25 grams daily the first week, 30 grams in the second week and soon until the weight loss.

Phase III – Pre-maintenance- Weight maintenance by increasing carbohydrate intake daily on ten increments each week as long as the gradual weight loss is maintained.

Phase IV- Life time maintenance- While controlling carbohydrate intake select a variety of foods to ensure weight maintenance and sense of well being to lay the foundation for good health.

The Atkins diet was controversial and many questions were raised on its efficiency, however more and more studies are proving many things Dr. Atkins claimed was initially ridiculed for as being true.