Atkins Diet Plans – Changing How We Eat

Dr. Robert Atkins and the Atkins diet plans have changed the way we look at food and the way we eat. Millions of people have lost weight and live a happier and healthier life in thanks to the simple principles the Atkins diet plan. It is important, however, to understand how the revolution began, why people have success on it and why there is confusion and controversy surrounding the diet.

Atkins' theories about sugar, carbohydrates, nutrition and eating in general have been researched for decades and researchers have yet to find any fault in Dr. Atkins' studies. The simple truth of the matter is that diets and losing weight is not only possible but is highly probably when we change how we eat.

As you contemplate whether or not to start dieting, you will undoubtedly receive advice about the Atkins diet plan from many people. Their advice is usually entertaining, however, is generally full of misconceptions.

The Atkins diet became a revolution in recent years mainly because it works. Opponents of the diet, most of who likely work in the bakery industry, have tried to poke holes in the dieting plan for decades. Proponents of the diet, like every butcher in the country, have backed the diet and pointed to its successes. Who is right?

Becoming A Fat Burning Machine

The Atkins diet plans are based on the fact that the body burns carbohydrates first as fuel. The more carbohydrates we eat, the more fuel the body has readily available and, therefore, the body does not have to tap into its fuel reserves (stored fat). In fact, any carbohydrates we consume that are not burned by the body get stored as fat. Carbohydrates turn to fat.

Protein that is not used by the body is not stored, but is rather dispelled from the body. The dieting plan created by Dr. Atkins uses these facts as the building block for the diet. The basic premise that the less carbohydrates we eat, the less fuel the body has to burn, the more fat our body must burn.

Dr. Atkins’ research showed that when we eat carbohydrate-rich foods and foods with high sugar content our body produces insulin. Insulin in our blood stream promotes the storing of fat in our bodies. The absence of this increased insulin in our blood stream results in ketosis a state in which fat is being burned.

In recent years, every major dieting plan has used these same principles to completely transform there own programs. Major programs like Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, Nutrisystem and others have jumped on the bandwagon and now see the sound theory behind Atkins approach.

The Purple Measure of Success

Whether or not your body is in ketosis is easily determined using Lipolysis testing strips. You cannot imagine the delight on the face of an Atkins dieter when the stick turns purple when it is passed through, or placed in their urine.

One Atkins dieter confessed, “I do not think I have peed in the last four months without a test strip in my hand.” Another Atkins dieter said, “It’s on obsession. If it’s not dark purple I get mad and hunker down even more on the diet”.

For many Atkins dieters these test strips become a powerful motivating tool. Since the plan is extremely strict with respect to the number of grams of carbohydrates you can consume in a day, even going slightly off that number can change the results of the test strips.

Those dieters who take the Doctor’s advice about exercising in addition to the Atkins' plan see dramatic results after exercising. During exercise our body burns carbohydrates and any other available fuel source more rapidly which can help promote ketosis and increase our body’s burning of fat.

Next > History of the Atkins Diet

Low-Carb Protein Powders – Good For Dieters
A North Californian hemp manufacturing company called Nutiva launched its latest product made of Organic Hemp Protein Powder. The new organic food contains 43% fiber, 37% protein, 0% net carbs, 9% beneficial fats (omega-3,-6, and –9 plus GLA), chlorophyll, vitamin E and iron. It can be taken along with juice or it can be used as a substitute for baking, as it contains 0% net carbohydrate and 37% protein. Low-carb protein powders are very helpful for people who diet.

This new product took more than a year to research and launch successfully. It comes in a HDPE bottle and is priced at retail outlets for $18.95. The bottle also contains an oxygen absorber which keeps the product fresh for a long time. Nutiva is a USDA approved organic food which contains only protein. It contains plant protein with Hemp’s superior 66% edistin and 33% albumin. This low-carb protein powder could revolutionize and lead to more of this type of protein based foods in the market. It is organic, hexane free and contains only plant protein.

More...

• History Of The Atkins Diet
  Dr. Robert Atkins first introduced his diet in 1972. His premise was simple and remains at the heart of his program today. Eating a high-protein, high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet will lead...
• How the Atkins Diet Works!
  Just how the Atkins diet works is actually a simple process. By following the four easy steps to the diet you will quickly see how well it works and answer the question on most...
• Why the Atkins Diet Works
  Just why the Atkins diet works is simple. It is based on very sound principles of how our bodies work and how we burn fuel. The Atkins diet success can be directly contributed to...