Atkins Diet Criticism

The Atkins diet is very popular, but there is also a lot of criticism. Health experts, doctors and dieticians come from different sides when it comes to the Atkins diet and other low-carb diets. Some believe it is dangerous, some say it is a healthy method of losing weight and others say it works in the short term.

However, there are also thousands of people who have found success with the Atkins diet. They can speak from their own experience and know that the diet works and that it is an effective way to lose weight. There are thousands of testimonials praising the benefits of the low carbohydrate lifestyle.

There is much typical criticism of the Atkins diet. One of the first is that the diet is too high in fat. The butter, oil, and fatty meats used in the Atkins diet are a distant cry from the low-fat diet craze that has recently swept the nation. For many people, the low-fat mentality has prevailed and they can't fathom eating real butter or cream with their meals. It seems too much fat at first sight. However, those who pay attention to Dr. Atkins guidelines and follow the program closely know that the diet focuses on good fats. Extra-virgin olive oil and other useful fats are emphasized. The proper use of these oils is important for brain function and mood management.

Another popular criticism of Atkins is that it focuses too much on food and too little on exercise. This is an unfair claim because the Atkins books clearly describe a need for exercise. Much attention is paid to food choices because they are an integral part of the program, and they are foods other than what people are normally used to eating. However, this does not mean that exercise is not an integral part of the Atkins program. Aerobic and anaerobic exercise schedules are encouraged, and both will greatly increase your weight loss efforts.

Many Atkins critics find the diet difficult to follow in the long run. Critics in this category will admit that Atkins is effective in short-term efforts for weight loss, but point out that the lifestyle is difficult to maintain over time. However, people who have had long-term success with Atkins claim that it is one of the easiest diets to follow for considerable periods of time. The Atkins plan has rich foods that are banned on other programs, and it has appetite-suppressing effects. When combined with the rapid weight loss, a motivating factor for many people, Atkins is easy to keep for the long term.

The side effects of Atkins, such as constipation and bad breath, are also a subject that Atkins critics quickly point out. However, these side effects are not as common as critics claim. If they do occur, the side effects normally only last during the first phase of the diet. Moreover, drinking extra water will normally cause both problems fairly quickly.

There are pros and cons to many diets. If you don't particularly like to prepare and eat meat, Atkins is probably not for you. But if you're considering Atkins, make sure you look beyond the usual criticism for the truth about the diet.