The Atkins Diet nutritional profile is a very healthy one – it takes into consideration all of the essential nutrients your body needs. It also eliminates or reduces those foods that we eat far too much of. This probably sounds surprising to you because some of you might consider Atkins too “radical.” But in reality, the Atkins diet plan is nutritionally sound – far more so than many other diets.
First, the nutrition facts about Atkins sometimes aren’t understood properly. Many people think that this is a “no carbohydrate,” extreme diet. Actually, it is only strictly limited during the Induction Phase, which lasts only a few weeks. Then there are three other phases during which carbohydrate intake is slowly increased. Yes, it is always kept low, but it doesn’t mean you’ll never again eat a baked potato!
The Importance of Supplements
Second, nutrition for people on the Atkins diet includes taking a multi-vitamin supplement and essential oils. Dr. Atkins never failed to address the potential need for supplementing the diet to make sure you have all of the nutrients you need – he understood better than anyone that any diet has the potential to limit your access to certain vitamins and minerals.
Develop Muscle Mass
The Atkins diet nutritional profile is actually quite healthy and balanced. It recommends lean meats and plenty of protein, which are needed for developing lean muscle mass. Also very important are green, leafy vegetables and low-carb veggies to provide you with minerals and vitamins and provide fiber. Cheeses and butter provide essential oils and fat in controlled amounts.
Avoid Carbohydrates
Missing from the Atkins approach are large quantities of carbohydrates and sugars. Neither of these provide much in the way of nutrients compared to the negative impact they have on your body. They tend to accumulate as stored fat in the body and cause over-production of insulin, both of which are detrimental to your health.
One sure sign that the nutritional profile advocated by Dr. Atkins is a healthy one is the results: Lower cholesterol, lower weight and a lower body mass index for individuals who have been on the low carb diet program for several months.
If you would like to learn more about Dr. Atkins’ nutritional profile, check out some of the diet websites that are common on the Internet. Many of them can not only give you details of how the Atkins Diet works, but will provide you with a complete nutritional profile based on Atkins and other diets so that you can get an idea of what to expect if you decide to “go for it.”
I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how interesting and flavorful the Atkins diet is, and how easy it is to have a nutritionally complete lifestyle with Atkins. You’ll find a wide range of vegetables, meats, poultry, cheeses, some fruits; plenty to work with, including allowances for eating out and eating on the run.
Why Some Doctors are Against the Atkins Diet
The Complete Atkins Induction Diet Food List
Share Your Atkins Success Story