NYC Blog

The Atkins diet is the most common low-carb weight loss diet.

The Atkins Diet was created by Dr. Robert Atkins, a cardiologist whose interest in the health benefits of low-carb diets first culminated in the 1972 book "Dr. Atkins Diet Revolution". The diet involves four phases, starting with very few carbs and eating progressively more until you get to your desired weight.

Its supporters insist that you can lose weight by eating as much protein and fat as you want, as long as you skip carbohydrates.

The key explanation that low-carb diets are so effective at weight loss is that they reduce your appetite.

This allows you to eat less calories without having to think about it.

How it works

The Atkins diet is divided into four stages. It begins with the induction process, during which you consume less than 20 grams of carbs a day for two weeks.

The other steps include slowly reintroducing healthier carbohydrates back into your diet as you reach your target weight.

Weight loss

Atkins diet has been widely tested and shown to help in quicker weight loss than low-fat diets.

Other reports note that low-carb diets are very effective in weight loss. They are highly effective in reducing stomach fat, the most harmful fat that lodges in your abdominal cavity.

Other benefits

Various studies indicate that low-carb diets, such as the Atkins diet, can reduce several risk factors for disease, including blood triglycerides, cholesterol, blood sugar, insulin, and blood pressure.

Compared to other weight loss diets, low-carb diets also increase blood sugar, "good" HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, among other health measures.

SUMMARY

Atkins is a low-carb weight loss diet. It is beneficial for weight loss, but it also benefits several other disease risk factors.

Atkins Diet ranked #33 in Best Diets Overall. 39 diets were evaluated with input from a panel of health experts.