Atkins diet

The Atkins diet also known as Atkins Nutritional Approach is a low carbohydrate diet was created by Robert Atkins.The diet was created from reading the Journal Of American Medical Association published by Gordon Azar and Walter Lyons Bloom.

The diet is based on the concept were by due to moderated low consumption of carbohydrates the body's metabolism switches from metabolizing glucose for energy to stored body fat.This process is referred to as ketosis .Ketosis occurs when the body has low insulin levels due to low carbohydrate consumption,leading to use of body fat for energy.

Four phases of the Atkins Diet

1. Induction Phase-This is the first phase of the Atkins diet where by the individual is restricted to 20 gms(approx) of protien per day so that the body enters a state of ketosis.Generally two weeks are recommended for it.
2. Ongoing weight Loss(OWL) Phase -This the second phase of the Atkins Diet where by the individual gradually increases the intake of carbohydrates each week by 5 gms.The goal in this phase is to determine the level at which carbohydrate intake can be increased while still losing body weight.
3. Pre -Maintenance Phase-In this phase the intake of carbohydrates increases by 10 gms each week.The goal here is to determine the critical level for maintenance
4. Life-Time Phase:In this phase the food habits so acquired in the previous phases are followed to maintain a ideal weight

Sample Menu for Phase One
Breakfast: Southwestern Omelet
Snack: Atkins Advantage Shake
Lunch: Thai Coconut Shrimp
Snack: Sugar free gelatin cup
Dinner: Garlic Lime Bluefish with tomato salad
Sample Menu for Phase Two
Breakfast: Cheese Baked Eggs
Snack: Cucumber salad
Lunch: Beef burger with feta and tomato
Snack: 1/4 cup fresh blueberries
Dinner: Florentine Style Porterhouse with roasted asparagus
Sample Menu for Phase Three
Breakfast: Bacon and onion omelet
Snack: 1/4 cup fresh cherries
Lunch: Tarragon shrimp salad
Snack: Peanut butter fudge Atkins Advantage Bar
Dinner: Grilled Italian Chicken with Lemon Squash
Sample Menu for Phase Four
Breakfast: Mustard scrambled eggs
Snack: Peach or small banana
Lunch: Greek chicken salad
Snack: 1/2 cup of black beans with pico de gallo
Dinner: Fresh tuna with ginger soy sauce and cucumber salad