Atkins Diet Guidelines
Many people simply assume the Atkins diet is simply a no carb diet. This is very wrong, the Atkins diet, although simple, is a system – and a highly effective system at that. There is much more to it than simply avoiding carbs.
For instance, exercise is a big part of the Atkins diet (as is in most diets). It isn't simply good enough to eat the right things, the human body genuinely needs exercise to help it stay healthy, toned and in great shape. Exercise also helps to keep your heart strong and healthy.
Another factor which is hugely important in the Atkins diet is high amounts of protein must be consumed because the body needs protein to maintain muscle mass. The idea of losing weight isn't to lose shapely muscle mass, but to lose hideous fat. The Atkins diet is different to previous low carbohydrate diets for a number of reasons, and this is one of the prime reasons. Losing muscle mass is bad, but as the body's metabolism is switched from carbohydrates – as they are reduced greatly in the diet – the body begins to metabolise fat and muscle tissue. To avoid the muscle being metabolised, eating the staple muscle-maintenance level of protein is essential, as are some saturated fats.
For most people, the word ‘diet' conjures up images of a plate full of nothing and a hungry stomach, but with the Atkins diet, although eating less is encouraged as part of the diet and road to better health, significant amounts of food are still able to be consumed whilst fat is lost simultaneously. The Atkins diet is proof that it isn't all about cutting down on volume, but what you eat or don't eat is perhaps even more important. |
