Atkin Diets - Pros and Cons

The Atkins Diet is different from most of the other metabolic theories. According to this diet, there are two factors in the way people in the West eat that causes obesity. One of the main causes of obesity is eating too much of high-fructose corn syrup, flour, sugar, and other refined carbohydrates. The second theory is that intake of saturated fat is overrated or too much has been said about these fats and nutritional problems arising from it. As per Atkins, trans fats that are derived from sources like hydrogenated oils are more harmful and can cause vascular disease. This diet also rejects the food pyramid and the conventional nutritional wisdom. The diet claims that the increase in refined carbohydrates can cause metabolic disorders.

In the Atkins Diet, the person is required to eat less of carbohydrates or restrict it totally to burn the body fat. Ketosis, as the process is called, happens when the level of insulin is low. Dr. Atkins, who created this diet, claims that when a diet has less of carbohydrates, then the body burns more calories.

One can calculate net carbohydrates from a food product by deducting the sugar alcohols and fiber from total carbohydrates. But while some people swear by the Atkins Diet, there are many who have negative things to say about it. There are some people whose bodies  are better suited to eating less carbohydrate, and they feel much better when on a low-carb diet. Such people are also happy about the fact that cream, butter, and steak are actually recommended foods. Atkins diet lets people eat a variety of fats while completely restricting the intake of carbohydrates.

Pros:

• If you follow the Atkins diet religiously, then you can lose weight. This also improves the blood lipid profiles.


• For those who enjoy eating cheeses and meats, the Atkins diet is the best diet to choose. In this diet, a person can still enjoy ice cream made with artificial sweeteners, and the diet is good for enjoying good food.


• If you are a person who cannot do without bread and candy, then this diet can help you control those cravings. You can choose from an array of recipes to stick to this diet. However, if you cheat on the diet, then your cravings will return.

Cons:

• This diet can put your body under stress. The body goes through ketosis, a reaction in the body to what it feels is starvation. This stresses the body out.


• Some people feel a loss of energy and exhausted.