Who is the Atkins Diet good for?
The Atkins Diet is a meat lover's dream! People who love 'rich' foods such as cheese and butter will also like it.
What are the drawbacks?
The Atkins Diet is not very easy for vegetarians to follow and is not recommended for anyone with diabetes, heart or kidney problems.
Critics claim the lack of fruit and veg you're allowed, especially in the first two weeks of the diet, means you miss out on important vitamins and minerals. Low fibre intake can cause constipation. The high levels of saturated fats Atkins dieters are encouraged to eat also worries some doctors.
What do you do?
There are four phases of the Atkins Diet - Induction, Ongoing Weight Loss, Pre-Maintenance and Maintenance. The induction phase lasts two weeks and is the strictest. Dieters can only eat 20g of carbohydrates a day (less than a cupful of cooked vegetables). The rest of their foods must be fats and proteins - bacon for breakfast and steak for dinner are both encouraged!
After the two week induction period, dieters are gradually allowed to eat more carbs so you can add in some fruit, veg or whole grain foods. You're not supposed to return to eating foods full of refined sugar though, so white bread, cakes or pasta made with white flour will be off the menu for good.
When you've lost the weight you wanted to lose, you're taught how to stay that way in what's called the maintenance phase.
Alcohol is strictly banned in the early stages of this diet although later on, you're allowed the occasional glass of wine.
Find out more
Visit www.atkins.com. or www.atkinsdiet.co.uk, for more information.
We answer your Atkins Diet questions
Read on to find out which foods are key, and see an example of a daily food plan
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Sara R, about 1 month [Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment.]
Again, you obviously didn't read the book because 3 cups of vegetables are the minimum amount recommended on Induction. Saturated fats are allowed, but Dr. Atkins says not to force fat, just not to chose a higher carbohydrate version of the same food because of lower fat content. Fish, olive oil and avocados are unsaturated fats and very highly recommended on the plan as well. If you focus on high fiber vegetables there is no problem about "not getting enough fiber". You also have your facts wrong about carbohydrates. You said "Dieters can only eat 20g of carbohydrates a day (less than a cupful of cooked vegetables)" And this is a FALSE STATEMENT. Dieters can only eat 20g of NET carbohydrates per day (net carbs= total carbs minus fiber). Broccoli and cauliflower, for instance only have 4-5g net carbs per CUP and so eating 3 cups a day is EASY and healthy on this plan. READ THE BOOK BEFORE POSING AS AN EXPERT!!!