Atkins Diet

As a biased opinion I'd say go simple low carb - less than 100g of carbohydrates a day. Keep your fat intake up as well as your protein. You'll naturally eat the amount of calories you're supposed to.

To keep it simple: no sugar, no refined carbohydrates, lots of green leafy vegetables, fruit in moderation, heaps of fat and protein.

Go for it!!

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^^ this

Ditto.....this is pretty much what Dukan is about....but eat some fish, it's good for you!

I LIVED THE LIFESTYLE MYSELF FOR MORE THAN 7 YEARS. I know this plan inside and out. I ate more than 8 servings of vegetables EVERYDAY. Then I added in some fruits for dessert.

For Phase 1, this is the strictest phase that lasts for only 2 weeks, you eat protein, fat and green leafy vegetables and eat until you are full.

If you have read any BOOKS about the plan you would know it is recommended that you snack on fresh, raw vegetables, which ups your servings of vegetables right there.

I am not reading anything into your comment. It is straight forward, so no need to read anything into it.

You posted an outright LIE about a plan that has helped many, many people to live a HEALTHY, WHOLE FOODS LIFESTYLE!!!

And for the record, I am no fanboy......................I am a grown woman.

1. 7 years and you're still on MFP with weight loss goals? Sounds like a super good working plan there tiger.

2. Define "many", I want an exact number, not a completely vague term. To some, many can be just 2. Don't spout out numeric definitions without having the numbers to back them up.

3. And I didn't post any lie thank you. It is lower in fruits and vegetables than the recommended diet provided by the FDA and Department of Health.

4. You also seem to think I said it doesn't work. I outlined the type of people it works BEST for. As I noted the main issue of dietary adherence being much more important than only simple composition.

5. A grown woman should be able to recognize where the caps lock is, it is a pretty large button relative to the rest of the keyboard.

The first thing you should do (in my humble opinion) is do away with any notion that this, or anything else you do, is simply a "diet". For you to be successful it needs to be a lifestyle change. A change in the way you think about food, personal health and exercise. It's all connected. If you can live on the Atkins plan and it works for you then by all means, go for it.

My personal experience with the Atkins "diet" was that it worked great for the first 3 months and then I got sick. I was constantly nauseated, in the bathroom and had zero energy. I added back carbs and felt much better. My body did not like it at all. But that's just me. I have heard of it working very well for certain people. Just stay away from the gimmicky crap they try and sell you.

You can lose weight on Atkins quite well, but the long term health is not so good.
I did Atkins twice, with short term success.

Look into Eat to Live by Dr. Fuhrman. I've been doing it for the past 6 weeks and have lost 28 lbs since starting. It's also extremely healthy in the long term. Worth checking out at least.

The first thing you should do (in my humble opinion) is do away with any notion that this, or anything else you do, is simply a "diet". For you to be successful it needs to be a lifestyle change. A change in the way you think about food, personal health and exercise. It's all connected. If you can live on the Atkins plan and it works for you then by all means, go for it.

My personal experience with the Atkins "diet" was that it worked great for the first 3 months and then I got sick. I was constantly nauseated, in the bathroom and had zero energy. I added back carbs and felt much better. My body did not like it at all. But that's just me. I have heard of it working very well for certain people. Just stay away from the gimmicky crap they try and sell you.

This. Definitely.

Stick to your plan. Make it a lifestyle change. Avoid gimicky stuff (if the food as atkins on the label, run away). And adjust according to your body. Fat loss should NOT make you feel excessively tired, cranky, or other adverse health effects.

And yes, all diet plans can work for people that are already inclined to lean that way naturally.

You can lose weight on Atkins quite well, but the long term health is not so good.
I did Atkins twice, with short term success.

Look into Eat to Live by Dr. Fuhrman. I've been doing it for the past 6 weeks and have lost 28 lbs since starting. It's also extremely healthy in the long term. Worth checking out at least.

I bought that quacks book, mostly out of curiosity. I want my money back. I knew better too.

If you haven't done the first 6 weeks, how can you judge? A doctor who consistently reverses heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic diseases through dietary intervention is nothing to be scoffed at. Please qualify your comments instead of trolling.

I don't see how long term health isn't good with Atkins????

Explain how that is the case when my blood and lipid markers were and are still stellar and I eat more fat now than I did on Atkins lifestyle.

My health just gets increasingly better.

Eating more fat isn't exactly bad. Only thing I'd be concerned with is having excessive amounts of protein (significantly more than required) can adversely affect the kidneys.

So long as you get enough vitamins and minerals in your diet as well as an adequate amount of protein, you should be fine.

Some worries with many low-carb diets is the increased difficulty of getting the proper nutrients, but when done, should be overall fine.

However, there is a high correlation between animal protein consumption and cancer, heart disease, osteoperosis, decreased longevity and many other chronic diseases

Sources please...

Reeks of biased scare tactic...

I have been doing Atkins/low carbing for at least five years.

I am and have been in the best shape of my life, even after having two kids. I weigh the same that I did in high school and I am now in my 40s. I am 5'8" and weigh 125-128 pounds. Even the shape of my body improved (from the increase in protein). I also jog and do weight training 5 days a week.

I have a family history of heart disease, diabetes, high cholesterol and I have none of that. My blood tests have been perfect. Many of my doctor friends eat low carb.

I use myfitnesspal as a tool so that I can maintain my health and fitness goals. It is not a sign that Atkins doesn't work.

I eat much more healthy now than when I did weightwatchers. On WW I ate fat free hotdogs, potatoes, low fat popcorn, WW meals (i.e., junk). Now I eat chicken, eggs, salads, steak, veggies, berries. Less processed foods. I am not knocking WW, I am sure others eat much more healthy on WW than I did.

I have greatly reduced my binge eating and feel better mentally.

I write this because Atkins improved my life and want to let others know it could improve theirs. I am fine if others do not agree. I don't understand the hostility towards the Atkins lifestyle but to each his own. For those that prefer low fat eating or WW, I am happy for you that you found something that works for you. Just keep an eye on the more current studies about avoiding diabetes, heart disease and cancer.

Yes, I lost weight but I think my cholesterol went up. That diet has ALOT of meat and and unless you only eat fish I think it might be bad for your heart.

It's not; common misconception.

I don't eat any more meat than I used too ... I just don't have the junk food and I swap out the starchy sides for more veggies ... you don't have to have a ton of meat on the diet really ...

Did it work for you??? If you like it - could do it - then try it

But you stopped before so maybe you didn't really enjoy it very much?

Umm...well I use the atkins endulge bars as treats...:) but not as a diet. like meal-replacements. I eat natural foods all the time, and atkins bars every now and then. but be aware! they are full of chemicals!!!

Reeks of biased scare tactic...

You ask me for sources and then dismiss without reading or considering? It appears you weren't really interested in sources.

My problem is lumping all animal protein together. I've not (and looking for a plethera here) seen sources that say fish (particular those high in omega 3's) or dairy significantly increase cancer risks and cardiovascular disease.

Red meat singled out I wouldn't have a problem with the original quoted statement.

I didn't think this would be such a long thread when I posted it! I see opinions from both ends of the spectrum as well as in the middle.
I think for me personally I will just cut out most processed food and white flour (I eat very little sugar anyways).
I know that the Atkins will help you lose weight but , again, for me personally I find it too restrictive. I do jog about 2 miles every other day and along with this website and the community, I know I will reach my goal by the end of December. Thanks again!

Best of luck! Fight the good fight

Yes, I lost weight but I think my cholesterol went up. That diet has ALOT of meat and and unless you only eat fish I think it might be bad for your heart.

You "think" your cholesterol went up but didn't check? Just to add my 2 cents, I have been on Primal (again better then Atkins IMHO) for 9 months. My lipids are half what there were in Nov. 2011 (except HDL which has gone up 6 points but that was likely the exercise doing that), I am off 3 of 4 blood pressure medicines and my blood sugar is in the normal range where I was pre-diabetic before.

FYI -- I am lucky to eat fish once a month and if I do that I fry that crap in oil first. :-) Give me bacon any day.