Diet & Fitness

Who says dieting has to be about deprivation? The above menu may sound like a feast fit for a king... a big, fat king. But in reality, this is actually a taste of an effective low-carb diet regimen that leads to permanent weight loss.

Unless you've been marooned on a deserted island for the past 30 years, you probably know of someone who's tried -- and succeeded with -- the Atkins approach to dieting. After all, weight loss without deprivation is a pretty good selling point.

According to Colette Heimowitz, Nutritional Director of Education and Research at Atkins Health and Medical Information Services, you'll say goodbye to that fat forever... if you follow the low-carb diet the way it's supposed to be done.

Slip back into your old ways of eating and the weight will return fast and furiously.

Heimowitz says the secret is mastering the four phases of the Atkins Nutritional Approach: the Induction Phase, Ongoing Weight Loss, Pre-Maintenance and Lifetime Maintenance.

Imagine no more counting calories! The Atkins plan proclaims the key to lasting weight loss is keeping track of carbs. White flour and white sugar are public enemies No. 1 and No. 2. -- they may also be a major cause of America's out-of-control obesity epidemic. Most experts agree that as many as six of 10 Americans are overweight.

Dr. Robert Atkins became a key player in the field of weight loss when he released his bestselling book Diet Revolution in 1972. Despite a hailstorm of criticism, the plan has not only survived, but thrived. Studies show that followers of the Atkins philosophy can expect to lose 6 to 20 pounds over the first two weeks. And they do so while eating the very foods that most weight-loss plans cut out!

Heimowitz says many people have the mistaken belief the plan calls for massive meat consumption. Bet you didn't know that fresh fish, poultry, vegetables, fruits, cheeses and whole grains are also featured. So, the Atkins approach can be adapted to your low-carb diet lifestyle.

"What's so appealing about the program is that you can eat luxuriously in restaurants by eating around the carbs," Heimowitz says. "You don't have to count calories. You only have to count carbohydrates. People find they're not as obsessed with food.

"Their appetite is much more under control. They lose that craving for sweets and carbohydrates. Their energy is better because they avoid the roller coaster ride of high/low blood sugars, which happens when excessive carbs are taken in. Their body composition changes. Their clothes fit them better. They lose inches. The majority of weight lost is fat mass."

Heimowitz is quick to point out that not all carbs are created equal and following the Atkins plan doesn't mean you'll spend the rest of your life avoiding carbs. You're simply eliminating the unhealthy carbs (foods made from white flour and white sugar) and replacing them with low-carb diet healthy carbs (some fruits, vegetables, seeds and nuts).

This is the most direct system for burning fat, she says. When sufficient carbohydrates aren't available for energy, the body turns to its back-up system for fuel: your fat. By following the Atkins Nutritional Approach, you're burning fat for fuel -- in other words, the fat isn't collecting in your arteries or fat cells. Because of this, the Atkins diet lowers your risk for heart disease, diabetes and stroke.

After years of the providing same great diet with the same great results, the Atkins approach has evolved by linking up with the world's No. 1 online weight-loss Web site. Atkins followers can get the best of both worlds: the Atkins Nutritional Approach as powered by eDiets. Not only do you receive a personalized meal plan tailored to your needs, you also get the 24/7 peer and professional support you can't get from a book, says Heimowitz.

"It's a valuable tool for information and support. Recent research has shown that people will maintain weight loss and succeed for longer periods of time when they have support, which is what the book alone cannot offer. eDiets offers 24/7 support and information and helps you personalize your program to suit your needs and tastes. This is effective and permanent weight control."

Through the support boards in the Community, people following the Atkins approach will also have the opportunity to interact with like-minded dieters sharing the same experience. Between the constant support and the access to dietitians and nutrition specialists, there is always someone to help bypass any obstacle.

In addition to the support, you'll be guided through the four phases of the Atkins Nutritional Approach so that you can achieve lasting weight loss. Although the Induction Phase is more restrictive in limiting the amount of carbs you consume (no fruit, nuts or seeds in the first two weeks), you will add healthy carbs into your diet as you move into the maintenance phase.

"The Atkins Nutritional Approach works for people, who need to control carbohydrate consumption in order to access their fat storage and burn fat," Heimowitz says. "It's for people who suffer from carbohydrate addiction, for people who are overweight and for those not as physically active.

"It's for anyone who's looking for permanent weight control."

Get more information about the Atkins low-carb diet on our Atkins diet report card.

Do you have a question about the Atkins plan? If so, please email Nutrition Support at nutritionnews@ediets.com.

Continue to these related posts:
-- Low-Carb Lifestyle: Plan for Success
-- Turkey Lettuce Wraps Recipe
-- Final Verdict on Low-Carb Diets

Labels: atkins, diet