Beware Recycled Atkins Diet "Revolution" Says Expert
The "new" Atkins diet, whic appears to be a recycled version of Dr. Atkins' 1970s book "Dr. Atkins Diet Revolution," has alarmed many dietitians who are promoting healthy lifestyle changes rather than quick-fix yo-yo dieting.
"Many do feel an attachment to Atkins and other low-carb plans because a great number truly do lose weight," said Kathy Goodwin, a registered dietition for The Diet Channel. "Keep in mind however, that there are many factors which must come into play if a diet can be considered truly successful over time. If the indicator of a successful diet is initial weight loss alone, and not permanent fat loss achieved in a healthy way, then my hat's off to Atkins! Unfortunately, this and many other fad diets will not serve your long term health or your long-term success at weight control."
Most dietitions like Goodwin advocate a plan you can adopt for the rest of your life together with exercise rather than a "fad" diet people won't stick to.
"Do you honestly feel that a low carb plan is something you can stick with for the rest of your life?" Goodwin says. "If not, then it's just temporary like the rest of the fads. No more chocolate cake, mashed potatoes, french fries, spaghetti, pancakes, apple pie or other favorites. Forever. Even Atkins admits that if you go back to a higher carb diet again, the pounds will return."
For dietitions the weight loss formula for Atkins is disturbing when it comes down to health.
"Why do some people lose weight on this diet? Is there some magical phenomenon that occurs in the body when high carbohydrate foods are abolished? No," Goodwin says. "The Atkins diet essentially eliminates several foods and food groups like fruits, cereals, breads, grains, starches, baked goods, dairy products, starchy vegetables, and sweets...The basic weight loss formula is: calories burned must exceed calories consumed. Easily done when the majority of the foods on a typical day's menu are eliminated. There's nothing revolutionary about this regimen."
Many dieters become hooked on Atkins after the immediate weight loss -- which comes from a loss of water rather than body fat.
Carbohydrates are significantly restricted, the body runs short on its constant supply of glucose, and in response the body gets rid of stored water.
Goodwin says diets that look to excessively cut out carbs contradict diets from other countries, and that it is all about portion sizes.
"The idea that a high carb diet is responsible for obesity and illness (a concept supported by low carb plans) is completely contradicted by many population-based studies," Goodwin says. "For instance, in Japan, carbohydrates compose the overwhelming majority of daily caloric intake. High carb foods like grains, rice, and vegetables are daily staples of Japanese life, and intake of high protein, high fat animal products is minimal. In contrast to the reported "evils" of carbohydrates touted by low carb plans, Japan has some of the lowest rates of obesity, heart disease, cancer and diabetes in the world. Enough said."
With few limits on the amounts of fats and meat, which lead to heart disease and colon cancer, Goodwins says a lifestyle-type diet is a healthier answer than an on-again off-again fad.
"Dr. Atkins published his first book back in the 70's based on the same concepts as his current book," Goodwin says. "If these plans worked in the long run, the release of new diet books wouldn't even be necessary. The followers would have actually been capable of maintaining weight loss by eliminating high carbohydrate foods for over 25 years. Their long term weight loss success stories would have spread worldwide as the cure to obesity. Paradoxically, as more and more diets appear, the weight loss industry continues to get richer, and America continues to grow fatter."
Read More at Market Day
