Atkin's diet

Why is it that everyone thinks Atkins is all about protein and fat? Your site
makes it sound like that is all that the diet allows yet it adds
carbohydrates back into the diet in a systematic manner using the glycemic
index and folks who follow it correctly generally end up eating many more
vegetables than before. I think too many people assume they know what Atkins
is without ever reading the book. I have been low carbing for years, lost 90
pounds and eat more veggies than 80% of the population on Atkins. Why do
sites like yours continue to spread misinformation?

Jill

Dear Jill,

Thanks for your note.  I assisted in a research study at the University of Cincinnati in early 2000 that compared the Atkin's diet to a traditional low calorie (AHA) diet for weight loss in women.  When the diets were analyzed for nutrient content, the majority of the nutrients from the Atkin's diet came from fat, then protein, with minimum from carbohydrate.

 

While the diet is safe and effective for weight loss in the short term (2 years or less), few if any researchers have studied it beyond that because most subjects could not maintain a low carbohydrate diet for much longer.  Compliance with this type of diet is difficult because it is so restrictive.  And no one knows if subjects regained their weight back over time.

 

In addition, most studies have only been done on healthy individuals (not persons with diabetes, risks for heart disease, kidney failure, etc).  So while it may be OK for you to follow it, as health care professionals, we can't advise it for everyone because we don't know the effects on people with chronic disease.

Finally, the diet is not balanced.  It does not put limits on types of fat (saturated, trans), cholesterol, sodium or protein and can be very limited in carbohydrate as well as fiber.  There is plenty of research to suggest a plant-based diet (including whole grain carbohydrate sources, fruits and vegetables) is the best diet to follow for long term good health, weight reduction and longevity.  See link below.

 

http://www.cnn.com/2011/HEALTH/02/14/fiber.lifespan/index.html

 

Lisa C. Andrews, MEd, RD, LD