The Atkins diet has endured much controversy over the past 36 years or so ever since it was introduced.
Experts that recommend low fat diets were shocked that someone could propose a plan that was so high in fat. The Atkins diet has brought results to many, but has it been at the cost of their health?
The Atkins diet is a low carbohydrate, high protein diet plan that was developed by Dr. Richard Atkins. The first two weeks are the hardest for anyone who has ever tried this diet, as just about every carbohydrate is eliminated.
Some vegetables are permitted, but the carbohydrate count each day must remain low, under 20 grams. There are supplement bars for some phases of the diet, but not this one. This is boot camp, and the no pain, no gain school of weight loss.
On the other hand, during those first two weeks, dieters are allowed to eat eggs, bacon, and butter in huge quantities. Fatty cuts of meat in whatever cream sauce you can find are actually encouraged.
This sounds like a heart attack waiting to happen but this was felt to be harmless and necessary to rid the body of its craving for carbohydrates. Fat also makes you feel full, so actually triggers appetite suppression.
The premise of the diet is to eliminate sugars, fast foods, and other undesirable foods. The restrictive phase of the diet is in place to train the body to burn stored fat instead of protein for fuel. No carbohydrates in the diet mean that the body will have to look to its own stores for energy to burn.
You will instantly lose about 5 pounds of water weight if you eat like this.
