Atkins Diet Menus

What attracts most people to Atkins diet is the variety of its menus. You do not need to torture yourself either by virtually starving or by eating bland foods you just detest; the menus recommended by Atkins diet are tasty, which you are free to eat in sufficient quantity so that you don't need to crave for more. Atkins diet menus mostly include a wide variety of fish, meat, vegetables, salads - all prepared in an appetizing way. They follow a regulated approach to carbohydrate nutrition without depriving you completely of these often essential ingredients.

The Atkins Diet was formulated by the late Dr Robert Atkins which says that we can modify our metabolism and lose weight just by eating foods high in protein and fat and by restricting our intake of carbohydrates. He believed that consumption of a high level of carbohydrates leads to overproduction of insulin, causing more hunger and weight gain. As Atkins diet menus grew in popularity in the '90s, low-carb versions of traditionally high-carbohydrate products flooded the market. Atkins diet can be divided into four stages: induction, ongoing weight loss, pre-maintenance and lifetime maintenance. As one makes moves up the stages, each stage becomes less restrictive and allows increased consumption of carbohydrates.

Atkins diet menus are really attractive for those who enjoy food but have to lose weight also. Some studies have claimed that using Atkins diet menus over a period of few months, people have lost about twice as much as on the standard low-fat, high-carbohydrate approach recommended by other weight loss programs. Those who are die-hard advocates of Atkins diet claim that its menus do not raise the risk of heart diseases.

On the contrary, they say that Atkins diet menus lead to improvement in cholesterol, triglycerides, blood pressure and ominous bloodstream inflammation, a feat even a standard diet fails to achieve. Atkins diet followers seem lose more weight even while actually consuming more calories than those who are strictly following a 'healthy' diet.

Atkins diet menus are especially suitable for those who have unsuccessfully tried a low-fat, high-carbohydrate weight loss plan, because more protein in their diet causes decreased hunger and faster weight loss.

But Atkins diet has its negative sides also. Consumption of excessive amounts of fat, especially saturated fat found in meat products, can cause of heart disease no matter what Atkins' followers claim. A low carbohydrate diet does not suit every person - those who have diabetes, heart, or kidney problems should consult their doctor before following a low-carbohydrate diet like Atkins. Among some of its side effects are constipation (because of the low-fiber diet) and halitosis.

Let us have a look at one of Atkins diet menus during the stage of induction. In such a menu, breakfast may consist of Southwestern omelet with tomato, avocado and ham; lunch could comprise Caesar Salad with grilled chicken; and dinner could include Steak au Poivre, roasted asparagus, mixed green salad with lemon vinaigrette. Restrictions on the consumption of carbohydrates will start decreasing with each of the three stages that follow, i.e., ongoing weight loss, pre-maintenance and lifetime maintenance. The best thing is to consult a doctor or a dietician before you begin to follow Atkins diet.

• Cassandra Bagley
• 05/04/2009, 2:59 AM
• 0 Comments