The once popular Atkins Diet, created by Dr. Robert Atkins, is based on the concept of eating large amounts of protein such as meat, fish, and eggs, and little to no carbohydrates and protein. Although the diet has been shown to be effective in many cases, it remains controversial. Thousands of people have lost a significant amount of weight on the diet, but many experts believe that the Atkins diet is unhealthy, especially for the heart.

Because the Atkins diet does not regulate protein intake, it opens up the possibility for a dieter to consume a large amount of saturated fat in the form of fatty meats, cheeses, and other dairy and eggs. A one-week study by the University of Kansas of Atkins Diet Recommended Meal Options found that the food was more than 50% fat. Because the diet severely restricts carbohydrate consumption, dieters can eat such fatty foods while reducing the amount of calories they eat. The body needs 500 calories less than its regular intake to start losing weight. The Atkins diet meets this requirement and people who follow it lose weight. The ultimate concern is not that the diet won’t make you lose weight, but that it can lead to heart disease.

The American Heart Association has publicly stated that consuming large amounts of saturated fat leads to heart disease and other health problems. That doesn’t mean that diet is bad for everyone. People with heart problems, gout, or kidney disease should not follow the Atkins diet. Anyone considering low carb foods should check with their doctor first. There are many people who would benefit from it.

If you choose the Atkins diet or other low-carb eating plans, you need to carefully consider what type of protein you choose to eat. Fatty cuts of meat, chicken skin, egg yolks, and most cheeses are acceptable options depending on the diet plan, but they are very high in saturated fat. Any dietitian would tell you to avoid these foods.

But there are ways to stay on the diet without eating heart-damaging foods. You can choose low-fat dairy products like low-fat yogurt, cottage cheese and cheese, lean egg whites, chicken, and turkey, lean cuts of beef, and low-fat forms of plant protein such as tofu, tempeh, or textured vegetable protein. .

Another consideration is the length of time you choose to follow the diet. Eating abnormally high amounts of saturated fat and cholesterol is less healthy when done for long periods of time. It is much healthier to follow a low-carbohydrate diet for a short period of time and then switch to a maintenance plan based on a balanced diet and consistent exercise than it is to permanently eliminate carbohydrates from your diet.

Those of us who choose the Atkins diet should only do so after careful consideration and consultation with a physician. They should choose healthy low-fat proteins and continue to monitor their health as the diet progresses.

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