1. What is Atkins Diet?
Dr. Atkins diet, first introduced in 1972, is strictly
focused on limiting carbohydrate consumption.
That is why it is called a low-carb, high-protein diet or
sometimes simply a low-carb diet, together with other
diets such as South Beach Diet, Power Protein Diet etc...
2. What are carbohydrates, and where can they be found?
Carbohydrates provide your body with its basic fuel, very
much like a car engine and gasoline. Glucose goes directly
into the cells, which convert it into the energy they need.
There are two types of carbohydrates:
Simple carbohydrates (also called "sugars" on food
package labels): glucose, fructose and galactose are
referred to as monosaccharides. Lactose, sucrose and
maltose are called disaccharides (they contain two
monosaccharides).
Complex carbohydrates ("starches"), made up of chains
of glucose molecules, which is simply a way plants store
glucose.
Starches can be found in great quantities in most
grains (wheat, corn, oats, rice) and things like potatoes
and plantains.
Your digestive system breaks a starch back down into
its component glucose molecules so that the glucose
can enter your bloodstream.
A complex carbohydrate is digested more slowly than
simple carbohydrates because it takes longer to break
down a starch.
Complex carbs can be either high in fiber such as
broccoli or low in fiber such as bananas or potatoes.
But carbohydrates are not the only substances the body
uses: it also needs proteins and fats.
3. What are proteins and where can they be found?
A protein is any chain of amino acids. Carbohydrates
provide cells with energy, proteins provide cells with the
building material they need to grow and maintain
their structure.
Protein can be found in both animal and vegetable foods.
Most animal sources (meat, milk, eggs) provide "complete
protein": they contain all of the essential amino acids.
Vegetable foods usually have few or none of the essential
amino acids. Example: rice is low in isoleucine and lysine.
Some vegetable sources contain quite a bit of protein --
things like nuts, beans, soybeans, etc. are all high in protein.
4. What are fats and where can they be found?
Fats are also an important part of our diet. Many foods
contain fat in different amounts. High-fat foods include
dairy products like butter and cream as well as mayonnaise
and oils.
There are two kinds of fats: saturated and unsaturated.
Saturated fats are normally solid at room temperature,
while unsaturated fats are liquid at room temperature.
Vegetable oils are the best examples of unsaturated fats,
while lard and shortening (along with the animal fat you
see in raw meat) are saturated fats.
We can further distinguish the unsaturated fats between
polyunsaturated and monounsaturated. Unsaturated fats
are currently thought to be more healthy than saturated fats,
and monounsaturated fats (as found in olive oil and peanut oil)
are thought to be healthier than polyunsaturated fats.
Fat is necessary because: the only way to get certain
fat-soluble vitamins is to eat fat, your body has no way to
make certain essential fats, so you must get them in your
food.
Another reason is that fat is a good source of energy,
in fact it contains twice as many calories per gram as
do carbohydrates or proteins. Your body can burn fat as
fuel when necessary
5. and how can I loose weight by reducing carbohydrate
consumption?
Atkins diet and other low-carb diets are based on the theory
that certain carbohydrates have a greater impact on blood
sugar levels than others.
So you count these carbs. They are the ones that matter.
To figure out the net carb count of a food item, you need to
identify the carbs that don't have a high impact -- those from
fiber and sugar alcohol, and subtract that total from the
overall carb count
Just regulate your blood sugar levels (from carbohydrates)
and you'll be able to better regulate your appetite... and
your weight.
Therefore, say Atkins diet proponents, the culprits are
carbohydrates and there is nothing wrong with eating as
much meat as you want!
What you should do is restrict carbohydrate consumption,
specially starchy foods such as bread, rice, corn etc...,
except for what they consider as "good carbohydrates"
such as high fiber vegetables (broccoli etc...)
According to them, the energy we need should be taken
from proteins, and sometimes fat, but as few carbohydrates
as possible, hence the name: low carbohydrate diet..
6 . What else does the human body need?
Mainly vitamins and minerals. These can be found in various
foods, fruits, etc..It seems the "Standard Western Diet" is
deficient in vitamins and minerals. This has led to the
creation of vitamin and mineral supplements.
7. Is Atkins diet efficient?
Anybody can note the simple fact that cutting back on
carbohydrates works, at least for a quick drop in body fat
and body water.
However, for most dieters the problem is the long-term
effects on the body due to such a drastic reduction in
carbohydrates.
Whatever Atkins diet proponents have said, this remains a
real problem and people like those at South Beach Diet have
tried to solve it by introducing carbohyfrates after the 14 days
initial phase.
8. What about the "fat makes you fat" theory?
According to Anthony Colpo, one of the most articulate of the
Atkins diet defenders:
"Some folks have been so inculcated with the simplistic
"fat makes you fat" theory that they just cannot believe
a diet high in fat can lead to a loss of bodyfat.
The fact is, high fat diets can result in spectacular fat loss
- as long as carbohydrate intake is kept low. Eat a diet that
is high in both fat and carbohydrate and your bodyfat
percentages will head north real quick! "
9. Does Atkins diet cause coronary heart disease (CHD)?
On May 26, 2004 A Florida businessman filed suit against
the makers of Atkins diet.
The man claimed as a consequence of following the low-carb
diet, he suffers from severe heart disease, necessitating
angioplasty and a stent
One of the fiercest opponents of Atkins diet, the Physicians
Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) President
Neal Barnard, M.D, said that the diet proponents "push dieters
to avoid healthy foods, like rice, beans, and pasta, while
ignoring the risks of high-cholesterol, high-fat meat and
cheese. The idea that cholesterol and saturated fat don't
matter is a dangerous myth."
But what does the other side say? As expected, we hear
a totally different story.
Here is Anthony Colpo's take on the CHD issue:
"A low carb diet based on paleolithic food choices, that is,
a diet based on free-range animal products and low
carbohydrate, low-glycemic plant foods, fits the bill quite
nicely. So go ahead, eat your steak and salad!"
10. Are there any other health risks?
In additon to CHD - coronary heart disease - Atkins diet has
also been blamed for a number of other "atrocities", such as:
colon cancer, impaired kidney function, osteoporosis,
complications of diabetes, and to cap it all: constipation,
headache, bad breath, muscle cramps, diarrhea, general
weakness.
A few quick answers to some of these accusations from
Anthony Colpo:
Kidney disease: "Bodybuilders and strength athletes have
been consuming high-protein diets for decades. Given the
widespread global participation in these activities, if the
claims of kidney damage were true, by now there would be
an enormous number of case studies of ex-bodybuilders
and strength athletes afflicted with kidney disease," which
is obviously not the case.
Osteoporosis: "a low-carbohydrate, high fat, high protein
diet is a far better choice for building strong bones than
a low-fat, high-carbohydrate diet."
A.M.Sall invites you to cash in on his 30 years experience as a professional medical translator and say goodbye forever to all your Health, Beauty and Wellness problems!
http://www.health-beauty-wellness.com/10.htm
As a weight loss coach I speak will people regularly... Read More
Once upon a time, I fretted about going to a... Read More
Have you ever dreaded the idea of pulling weeds, planting... Read More
Food cravings can be triggered by various things including low... Read More
The general approach for treatment of obesity is to suggest... Read More
If it seems that you have been eating as usual... Read More
Negative thoughts, symbolic protection, being who we really are ........ Read More
Are you overweight?Most people are afraid to admit they are.It... Read More
Why Making Small Changes in Your Eating Habits Adds up... Read More
Saboteurs are people and thoughts that are going to sabotage... Read More
College weight gain is at an all time high, and... Read More
Obesity and overweight, weight reduction and weight management therapies, miracle... Read More
A frequent question brand-new gastric bypass patients ask is "How... Read More
This past Christmas Season, as most of us stuffed our... Read More
Diet is one of the most controversial subjects around. Bring... Read More
Obesity is a disease that affects approximately 60 million people... Read More
I gotta confess: I'm completely addicted to crisps. Any kind... Read More
Franchised Business Models and American Diets could be at odds.... Read More
Visualizing and Declarations are today's topics.Visualize what you want as... Read More
Have You Given Up on Weight Loss? by Greg Landry,... Read More
An eating disorder is a life threatening condition that often... Read More
To lose weight and keep it off you need an... Read More
A state of emergency has been recently put on European... Read More
It seems everyone is looking for that magic bullet -... Read More
Weight loss from exercise can be achieved by walking, running,... Read More
The best way to lose weight is by consuming fewer... Read More
Obesity, especially in children, is a matter of rapidly growing... Read More
If you are a mom at home on a diet,... Read More
The average American eats about twice as much protein than... Read More
As hoards of low-carb proponents invade the nutritional landscape, the... Read More
Many people (especially on the net) claim that you can... Read More
Here are some everyday, helpful hints to get you started,... Read More
Are you working hard in the gym 3 times a... Read More
The pursuit of a healthier me (or you) shouldn't involve... Read More
Be Prepared. For the Boy Scouts it means you are... Read More
This Article was originally Published in The July 2004 Issue... Read More
Many people (especially on the net) claim that you can... Read More
America is getting more obese every year. Even our children... Read More
In a global television commercial just launched (10 June 2005),... Read More
Do you know the name of that one disease which... Read More
When women talk about their biggest obstacles to successful weight... Read More
The overweight and obesity epidemic is a worldwide problem. There... Read More
WAHOO!!! for YOU!! You are the most AWESOME person alive!!... Read More
It's always great to find a protein supplement with very... Read More
One of the worst things you can hear in life... Read More
*Do you truly believe that not eating or cutting back... Read More
Weight Loss Surgery (WLS) is often viewed as a quick... Read More
Causes of ObesityJust like there is no weight loss pill... Read More
A very interesting story was reported recently by WebMD.com. A... Read More
We all know that losing weight and improving your overall... Read More
These treadmill weight loss tips are a great way to... Read More
One may think that on a website called "LivingAfterWLS" you... Read More
Cellulite happens to us for many reasons. Some reasons-- like... Read More
Do you know anybody who does not wish to get... Read More
It comes as a surprise to many consumers that the... Read More
Just like any other diet, the Atkins diet can become... Read More
When was the last time you focused so much on... Read More
Whew! So how did you do on that last lesson?... Read More
Many people today are interested in weight loss and weight... Read More
Adaptation is the most important concept I teach. The human... Read More
"I never saw it coming, how did I get so... Read More
There are as many reasons you've given yourself to eat... Read More
Maybe your doctor suggested it. Maybe your favorite outfit doesn't... Read More
Gastric bypass patients face a great task in the following... Read More
All Diets Work: No Diets WorkHave you lost weight in... Read More
Getting enough of the good fats will help you lose... Read More
Weight Loss |