Copyright 2004 by http://www.organicgreens.us and Loring Windblad. This article may be freely copied and used on other web sites only if it is copied complete with all links and text intact and unchanged except for minor improvements such as misspellings and typos. As of now, January 2005, more than half of all north Americans are struggling with obesity. The “quick fix” for “fat” for
last 40+ years, becoming ever more popular, has become Atkins Diet. The Atkins Diet was first popularized in U. S. Air Force during 1960’s.
The Atkins Diet is very simple --- restrict your carbohydrate intake. And guess what? It actually works. But Dr. Atkins, after initial few years of his popularized diet, began to make modifications and refinements to original basic diet. And several other people have taken basic Atkins Diet, modified it just a little, and come up with a new and very workable diet.
The first thing you must understand is that, across entire human spectrum, each of us is very different from one another in chemical makeup of our body. Thus, each of us, individually, should have our own highly personalized, custom built diet, created by a dietician using a chemical makeup assessment, usually a $200 hair analysis, of our particular body type and individual nutritional needs. So far as I know, this technology and this type dietary assessment is still available only through certain holistic health practitioners and it is becoming more and more expensive. As an example, it typically costs now between $200 and $300, whereas in mid-1970’s it cost between $100 and $150.
There are three major misconceptions to Atkins diet. The first common myth is many people believe this means don’t worry about amount of calories or fat you eat so long as its not carbs. The second common myth is many people believe all carbohydrates are equally bad. The third common myth is that Atkins “Lo-Carb” diet is actually a “Hi-Protein” diet. All of these, however, are enormous misconceptions.
The first myth: many dieters who use this program believe that calories and fat do not matter when eating low carb food, but in some cases this has proven to be fatal. Depending upon your particular body chemistry, when eating high fat food your cholesterol could climb and climb, leading to a heart attack or stroke. Also, it has now been proven that older we become less our body is able to metabolize “high fat” portion of Atkins “lo carb” diet, leading to additional dietary and health problems.
The second myth: The Atkins Diet is actually a “Lo-Carb” diet, not a “No-Carb” diet. What should be cut out are breads, rice and potatoes. Fresh fruits and vegetables should not be cut back and many should be somewhat increased. Finally, after first month you can “safely” add breads and potatos --- in limited quantities. One friend of mine eats 1 bite of breads/toasts, etc., served with his meals, such as garlic breads. One bite and not a morsel more.
The third myth: Mention Atkins Diet and most people’s reaction is “Oh, yes, ‘high protein’ diet.” Not true at all --- it’s a “Low Carb” diet – protein intake remains unchanged. Some carbs only, not all, are restricted (versus eliminated completely); fats, particularly in older people, need to be restricted; protein should be kept to 4-6 ounce portions per meal, lower values for breakfast and lunch. What you need to increase is your intake of high-fiber foods such as celery, etc.
