Atkins Diet Loopholes

Dr. Atkins started the Atkins diet by making the clinical ketogenic diet (very low-carb, relatively low-protein, very high-fat) friendlier for the lay dieters. In the process, he lost an important point of controlling protein intake and keeping the proper ratios of carbs:protein: fat.

It resulted in uncertainty regarding actual carbohydrate amounts circulating in the blood because almost half of the eaten protein can be turned into glucose by the body. It in turn resulted in a weight loss failure or plateau.

He called such cases "metabolic resistance" - but they could be simply results of protein overeating. Dr. Atkins advised attempting the "fat fast" consisting of 90% fat.

Low Carb Diets and Low Carb Recipes

Low carb diet plans are vast and varied and involve low carb recipes. The mild low carb diets and recipes, such as the Zone, don't even restrict carb intake emphasizing proper ratios of carbs:fat:protein, which, by the way, is pretty close to the new diet guide pyramid.

All low carb diets prohibit the intake of refined carbohydrates coming from processed sugar, white flour, high-fructose corn syrup, etc. Some low carb diets assume that the dangers of saturated fats are overrated, and make note of that in their low carb recipe suggestions.

Most of the low carb diets are especially beneficial for people with the "apple" body shape, with body fat concentrated mostly around the middle. This is because even a mild low carb diet results in improved insulin sensitivity and insulin resistance is the reason of abdominal fat accumulation.

One of the more attractive features in the low carb diet is a decreased appetite and increased sense of well being, which are attributed to the ketone bodies released by body fat tissues when carbohydrate intake is limited.