2003 review of Atkins "theories" in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition concluded: "When properly evaluated, the theories and arguments of popular low carbohydrate diet books... rely on poorly controlled, non-peer-reviewed studies, anecdotes and non-science rhetoric. This review illustrates the complexity of nutrition misinformation perpetrated by some popular press diet books. A closer look at the science behind the claims made for [these books] reveals nothing more than a modern twist on an antique food fad."

What do you think? Anything to share about atkins diet?

It works really well for some people. When eaten with a whole foods approach and including plenty of green vegetables and healthy fats, it is a much better than what many people eat!

I'm a little skeptical of Atkins, especially because of the lack of supporting research. A 20g carb limit drastically cuts down fruit and veggie intake, so it's not a very nutrient-rich diet (relatively speaking). Personally, I could not follow a plan that restricted fruit and veggie intake (I currently eat about 10 servings of fruits and veggies daily) so Atkins is definitely not for me. But some people do lose weight on it, and find that it helps to reduce cravings for starch and sugar. I just wonder about health effects decades down the road.

Good luck on finding the right plan for you!

Ah I've already expressed what I think on another thread - think it's (a) wildly outdated and (b)unhealthy and (c)not sustainable longterm save for a few exceptional people.

I want to exercise pretty hard, and am a veggie - given my PCOS and low carbing would never in a million years be able to fuel that. I'd agree with your quote, Original Poster. The world moves on and hopefully it will become yet another diet time forgot.

every diet works differently for different people

I'd probably still be on Atkins if I hadn't become a vegetarian. It worked very, very well for me. I started it in the summer of Grade 9 (I was 14), lost about 50 pounds, and kept it off for two years. I started putting the weight back on very quickly when I went off of it, though. But if it's something you can see yourself sticking to, it was extremely effective for me. When they say no cheating, however, they mean NO cheating. If you love your carbs, do not do this as a quick fix. This is for life or the results just won't last.

Also, the diet has been updated, so make sure you get the new version. The old version cut your carb limit down to a crazy amount, and in the new one you can subtract fiber from your carb total so that you are getting a more complete diet.

I would say that I never felt that extreme fatigue or nausea I see doctors warning about with this diet. I had way more energy, as a matter of fact.

Rumor at the time he died was that Dr. Atkins had very high cholesterol and died of heart disease. However, I think there have been quite a few modifications to the program since the original book was published. I have that original book and can see how people got the impression it was all butter and bacon. Like crazyaboutgym said, they all work differently for different people. The only way to know if it's going to work for you is give it a try for maybe a month. Check with your library to see if they have a copy - then read the whole book before you start to make sure you can make the entire program fit with your lifestyle (or make your lifestyle fit with the program). If you don't see or feel anything different by the time you have to return the book you're not out a thing. If you think you'll like it, then you can buy your own copy. But, as JerseyGirl said, you have to have to adhere exactly to the program.

Actually, I believe Dr. Atkins actually died of complications from injuries sustained in a fall. The weight gain they attribute to him, occurred in the hospital (while he was unconscious) during treatment for the injury (it was swelling, not dietary-induced "fat").

He slipped on the ice and died from head trama.

Maybe dizzy from the lack of carbs...

Just because you do not like a particular diet plan is not a reason to callously attack the plan or the person who came up with it without documented proof.

Just say you don't like it or believe in it and move on.

Fact: I had higher (bad) cholesterol before I went on a low carb plan.
Fact: My blood pressure has improved since I went on a low carb plan.
Fact: I eat MORE leafy greens now than I did before I went on a low carb plan.
Fact: Overall, according to my doctor, I am significantly more healthy since I began low carb.

And to someone who talked of rumor, no, Dr. Atkins definitely died from significant injury sustained from a slip on the ice.

I do believe that carb reduction can improve one's diet but I'm still against atkins. I don't know much about atkins so this is part ignorance and part personal opinion - but I've seen alot of bad press and alot of people ill from it. It could be lack of education but I feel that anything which receives bad press receives it for a reason and I'm generally against 'diets' because losing weight and becoming healthy should be a change in life not a temporary situation.

I think the primary reason low carb and other low GI plans get such a bad rap, is the super low carb introduction to the plans (such as Atkins induction and South Beach Phase I).

Nausea, headaches, dizziness are common reactions to extremely low
carbohydrate eating for many people. Plans will often attribute the symptoms to "detoxing" or "withdrawal" or some such, but it is my personal opinion that some people just do not tolerate super low carb eating.

It is a shame that most studies comparing Atkins to other plans, if you look closely, are not comparing OWL to other plans, but induction to other plans. Induction is a poor example of what low carb/ low GI eating is all about, but it is what most people think of when they hear "Atkins" or "low carb."

I wonder if the plans would get the same reputation, if instead of gradually increasing carb levels, the plans entailed gradually decreasing carb levels until the optimal carb threshhold is reached. Which, by the way, is also a legitimate option. Because he is an insulin-dependent diabetic, my husband was advised to cut carbs in this backwards way, and it is working very well for him.