ATKINS DIET Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

ATKINS DIET - Essay Example 20-23), the main principle of Atkins diet was to deprive the body of carbohydrates so that the body could shift the metabolism of the body from breaking down the glucose to converting the stored body fat (Insel, Turner & Ross, pp. 130-132). This way the person has greater chances of losing weight and less chances of getting fat again. The Atkins diet focuses its energy on decreasing the intake of sugar, glucose, and carbohydrates. Furthermore, the focus also remains on decreasing the intake of fiber. Towards the end of the day, the subject, along with weight loss, gradually finds himself with a reduced appetite (Bowden, pp. 20-23). However, this type of diet in not at all ideal for vegetarians since Atkins diet includes high quantities of meat as an attempt to increase the protein and minerals content in the diet. Atkins program is different from other diet programs because it goes on to take the way of moderation. Rather than forcing its followers to force themselves to remain hungr y or deprive oneself of the needed food, Atkins Diet follows the mantra of never be hungry. During the first phase of induction, this is also the toughest and strictest phase of the entire course, people start off the program by restricting their daily carbohydrate intake to less than 20 grams (Insel, Turner & Ross, pp. 130-132; Hensley, pp. 85-89). ... In the next phase of pre maintenance, the subject would increase his or her carbohydrate level again to find the level where the weight remains steady. The last phase is of lifetime maintenance where the subject ensures that he or she does not forget the habits acquired in the previous stages (Lutz, Allan & Allen, pp. 64-65). Despite the fact that supporters and proponents of Atkins Diet put forward the evidence that the diet has helped people from diverse backgrounds to lose their weight and escape the vicious circle of obesity, the diet appears to be falling short on the basic five characteristics of a nutritious diet. Adequacy, which is the first characteristic, refers to the provision of 100 percent nutrients through the diet. Quite clearly, Atkins Diet ensures that the person ends up getting a high protein and saturated fat diet with little or â€Å"no carbohydrates, fiber, minerals, and vitamins† (Hensley, pp. 85-89). The second characteristic is of a nutritious diet is that it has be â€Å"balanced† (Lutz, Allan & Allen, pp. 64-65; Hensley, pp. 85-89). By blocking carbohydrates and fiber, the Atkins Diet fails to fulfill the balanced part of the criteria. However, the Atkins Diet is perfect match for the third criteria of nutritious diet, which is about moderation (Sharkey & Gaskill, pp. 96-98). As mentioned earlier that neither Atkins Diet tells people to eat with full force nor does it tell them to stay hungry for longer periods. Instead, it tells them to adopt s diet, which will not add to their weight but will help them burn the existing calories. The fourth criterion is about calorie control Atkins Diet appears to be hitting the bull’s eye on these criteria as well.