While diet trends are constantly changing, the most popular diets promote real whole foods for lasting results that go beyond weight loss. Since the early 2000s, many studies have shown that low-carb diets are effective for weight loss and can improve one’s health without having to count calories.
The Atkins diet is one of the most followed nutritional plans and is often regarded as the one that started the low-carb craze.
The Diet Explained
The Atkins diet started as a simple low-carb approach while focusing more on protein and fats. The diet consists of a four-phase plan. It starts out by severely restricting carb consumption and gradually increasing the amount allowed.
The purpose of this diet is change your eating habits. Whether you want to lose weight, boost your energy or improve health problems, such as high blood pressure, this diet was designed to be a healthy lifelong approach to eating.
The Positives
The Atkins diet places importance on nutrient-rich foods and is effective for weight loss. You’ll most likely lose weight in the later phases as long as you don’t eat more carbs than your body can tolerate. Since carbs usually provide over half of the calories consumed, people find they lose weight because they consume fewer calories from having limited food choices.
The original plan has been updated to offer variations that meet individual needs and preferences.
The Negatives
The initial phases are quite restrictive in the sense that you have to track your carb intake. Plus, the classic plan prohibits fruits and grains, which provide important amounts of fiber, vitamins, and nutrients that help move food through the GI tract. So, if you’re someone who loves these foods, it may be difficult to adhere to this plan.
Also, don’t get sucked in with the Atkins bars and other foods as they are processed and should only be used in an emergency, when you are on the road, for instance, and don’t have time to cook or have access to the right foods.
Should You Try It?
Some people find it difficult to follow in the long term and tend to gain back the weight they lost as they reintroduce carbs in their meals. If you can handle the restrictive phase well, then the other phases should be easier and closer to something you can do long term.
Most people can lose weight on almost any diet plan that restricts calories, especially over the short term. Over the long term, this diet may not work for everyone, and it’s not necessarily more effective for weight loss than other weight-loss diets.
The best diet is one you can maintain for a long period of time. Restrictive diets and similar eating plans can be difficult to follow, even over a short period.
[RECIPE] SAVORY CHICKEN AND APPLES
Serves: 4
Ingredients (use organic where possible):
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 2 large onions, sliced
- 2 apples, cored and sliced
- 1 fennel bulb, sliced
- 4 chicken breasts, cut into strips
- 1 tablespoon dried rosemary
- Sea salt and black pepper, to taste
Directions:
- Place a large skillet over medium heat. Add coconut oil.
- Once the oil melts, add onions, apples, and sliced fennel. Sauté for 5 minutes.
- Add chicken.
- Season with rosemary, salt, and black pepper.
To Your Health,
Patti
