Atkins Diet Vs. Food Pyramid

In today’s society, people’s appearance means a lot to them. One of the major things that people focus on is their weight. There are dozens of new diets that people try every year. One of the more popular diets in the last few years is the Atkins diet. Even though it does help you lose weight quickly and easily, it doesn’t provide a well nutritional eating style.

The Atkins Diet plan was developed by Dr. Robert Atkins over 30 years ago. (5) It revolutionized the diet world. Despite the fact that the Atkins diet has been around for over 30 years, many people even to this day dismiss it as a passing fad. However, I don’t think this diet is a passing fad. I believe this diet is going to be around for a long time. The Atkins diet has been used by millions of people across the globe, and many more try the diet every day.

One of the basic principals of Atkins is controlling your carbohydrate intake. You must also eat unprocessed grains and other foods, and limit sugar or junk food consumption. In addition you must exercise regularly. It is just as important to take multivitamins and drink at least eight glasses of water per day.

The Atkins diet consists of four distinct phases: induction, ongoing weight loss (OWL), pre-maintenance and lifetime maintenance. (5) The first phase of this diet is the most difficult. During this phase everyone must eliminate almost all carbohydrates from your diet. Many people quit the diet during this phase. The majority of the people don't have the necessary support from friends and family to help them over this stage. Additionally many people don't have access to enjoyable recipes without carbohydrates.

To help keep off the weight there have been many foods created especially for the Atkins diet. Many people find the bars, shakes, and other products make the transition to the Atkins lifestyle easier, but they are not required. While many food manufacturers are now making specially prepackaged foods, you can also successfully follow it using foods obtained in your local supermarket.

The Atkins diet seems to be a very safe diet. Many independent studies have been done about the Atkins diet. Some of these studies were done with the intent of proving that the Atkins plan didn't work. In addition to being safe, many studies have also proved Atkins is often more successful than the other diets. (1)

There are supposed to be many healt...

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...ortantly, the diet is low in calcium, magnesium, potassium, vitamin C, and folate. (8)

Weight is a major issue in today’s society. Even though the Atkins diet sounds great, it’s not the best way to go. If you use the food pyramid right then you are on the right track to having a healthier life style. Even though Atkins might help you lose more weight in a short term, it does a lot more damage is the long term!

REFERENCES

1. Atkins Can Help: http://atkins.com/why/index.html

2. Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion: http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/ 3. Food and Nutrition Information Center: http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/Fpyr/pyramid.html 4. Harvard School of Public Health http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/pyramids.html 5. Healthcare in the News: http://www.mercyhealthplans.com/savvyshopper/healthheadlines/030528.aspx

6. Nutrition for Foodservice & Culinary Professionals 5th Edition; Karen Eich Drummond and Lisa M. Brefere. Copyright 2004 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

7. Popular Diet Plans: http://www.holistic-online.com/Remedies/weight/weight_diet-Atkins-diet.htm 8. United States Department of Agriculture:

http://www.mypyramid.gov/