The Controversial Atkins Diet

The first thing you need to know about the Atkins diet is that it is quite controversial. However, many of the Hollywood stars are her fans - Catherine Zeta-Jones, Jennifer Aniston and Renee Zellweger are just a few of them. Kim Kardashian herself said that this diet has helped her lose the extra pounds she gained during pregnancy.

In this article you will find everything you need to know about Dr. Atkins' diet, no matter how controversial it may be.

According to him, being overweight is not a consequence of overeating, but of an unbalanced metabolism and, in particular, inefficient absorption of sugar. Its logic is as follows - our body receives energy from sugar and fats, and if we stop this intake of carbohydrates, our body will begin to burn fat reserves to provide them. The result - you will just lose weight!

That's why calories are not part of the Atkins diet. Instead, all carbohydrates and even simple sugars in fruits are excluded from the diet. The good news is that protein and fat are allowed. You can eat unlimited amounts of meat, fish, seafood, eggs, mayonnaise, butter and cheese.

A typical Atkins diet includes meat, fish, eggs and cheese, and minimal amounts of low-carb vegetables, green or high-fiber vegetables, salads and herbs can be added.

Prohibited foods :

• Sweets, pastries and cakes.
• Sugar and alcoholic beverages.
• Carbohydrates / pasta, rice, potatoes, bread ... /.
• Legumes / lentils, beans, peas, cereals /.
• All fruits.
• Milk
• Green and fibrous vegetables.
• Lettuce and other green leafy vegetables.
• Herbs and spices.
• Fats other than butter and mayonnaise.

Allowed foods :

• Red and white meat.
• Fish and seafood.
• Boiled eggs.
• All cheeses, except diet or "light" cheeses.
• Butter, cream, yogurt and cheese.
• No more than 50 grams of green vegetables a day.

A typical day :

• Breakfast - scrambled eggs, cheddar cheese, unsweetened coffee or tea.
• Lunch - lettuce with ham, chicken, celery, cheese, olive oil.
• Dinner - trout, lettuce, avocado, olive oil, unsweetened low-fat yogurt.

Results

In the first week you will lose at least 2-4 pounds. Then the weight loss will be delayed to about 6 pounds per month.

Side effects

Dr. Atkins' diet is accompanied by many side effects, due to which its use in the long run could be harmful to your health.

• Lack of fiber can cause constipation.
• Intake of heavy fats can cause an increase in cholesterol levels, therefore damaging the heart and arteries.
• When the body is devoid of carbohydrates, it draws energy from fat and muscle, which can cause nausea, accompanied by physical and mental fatigue.
• As with any diet that excludes whole food groups, there is an increased risk of deficiency of vital vitamins, minerals and fiber.
• Last but not least, you should know that it is quite possible to gain weight the moment you return to your eating habits.

Advantages :

• The Atkins diet allows you to lose weight fast without starving.
• It suppresses appetite because it is low in carbohydrates.
• The rules are easy to follow and you don't need to count calories.