The Atkins Diet one of the most popular diets nowadays was first developed by Robert Atkins during 1960s. This is a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet meant to help people losing weight. In the early 1990s, Dr. Atkins brought his diet back having published his best-selling book Dr. Atkins’ New Diet Revolution.
The main principle of Atkins Diet is that a person on a diet is severely restricted of eating carbohydrate-rich foods and is encouraged to eat food full of protein and fat.
The diet basically consists of four main phases: Induction, Ongoing Weight Loss, Premaintenance, Maintenance.
First stage named Induction lasts during first 14 days of the diet. During this phase people on diet should limit the intake of carbohydrate to no more than 20 grams per day. The person on a diet should not eat bread, fruit, grains, starchy vegetables, or dairy products (although you can have cheese, cream, and butter) during this stage.
The second stage is named Ongoing Weight Loss phase, While this phase is running dieters have to experiment and try different levels of carbohydrate consumption untill they determine the level of carbohydrate intake which can let them continue losing weight. They have to keep the level of carbohydrate intake until they reach the weight they need.
During the last two stages named Premaintenance and Maintenance, people on a diet have to define the level of carbohydrate intake. This should allow to keep the target weight on the level. In order to keep the target weight stable and to avoid regain of the weight the people on a diet will probably have to keep the level of carbohydrate consumption the same for the rest of their.
In addition to the dietary restrictions discussed above, Dr. Atkins’ weight loss program recommends regular exercise and nutritional supplementation.