From the beginning, Dr. Atkins said that the traditional
approach to weight loss of counting calories
and cutting fat must not be working.
He blamed carbohydrates
for adding to the expanding waistlines and
declining health of Americans. Through several
updates of the Atkins diet, the same basic premise
held with minor revisions.
The function of the diet is
to enjoy eating while severely limiting carbohydrates.
Atkins Advantage mostly makes a distinction between
trans fats and other fats. A more clear distinction
also is made in the later version between carbohydrates
in general and sugar in particular.
All along,
Atkins has emphasized that a focus on protein builds
energy, repairs muscles and bones, and boosts the
metabolism.
Some dieters have had at least initial success with
the diet and have found the liberal rules regarding
protein and fats more tasteful and filling than other
diets, Advice from the Atkins plan concerning behavioral
changes can be helpful, such as shopping the
perimeter of the grocery store, where the unprocessed
foods are located.
In recent years, the program has
attempted to modify some of its advice to more
closely fit traditional advice from registered dieticians.
For example, more clearly defining the types
of fats to emphasize in the diet may help avoid mistakes
by some who follow the diet to overeat unhealthy
fats and increase risk for heart disease.
However,
experts have said that the diet still contradicts mainstream
views concerning health promotion and disease
prevention.
