We’ve heard of numerous miraculous diet plans promising rapid weight loss while enjoying our favorite fatty foods at the same time. The question on everyone’s mind is, “are these diets really good for us?” The Atkins diet has gained so much popularity that packaged foods and even restaurants nowadays are promoting low or no-carb food choices for our dietetic pleasures. Before jumping on the low-carb bandwagon, consider choosing a wide array of healthy foods instead of a restricted diet of low-carb, high protein foods. Losing weight starts with eating healthy foods, and that means creating a balance between all food groups. This balance (with the help of moderate exercise, of course) is what helps the body to function properly and to properly utilize what it takes in.
Atkins: Quick results, tougher consequences
There are logical aspects of the Atkins Diet in relation to weight loss that include many different types of healthy foods; however, they can be somewhat difficult to understand. For example, while it is true that the entire premise of the diet is to eliminate carbohydrates in order for the body to burn fat, this can be hard to pull off at first. This is because the diet works to alter human eating habits. The first phase encourages one to completely stop the intake of carbs for up to two weeks. This period, known as induction, is an abrupt transitional period for the body and one that is tough to undo. During induction, the process of ketosis begins, which means ketones are produced because there isn’t enough glucose (the body’s primary source of energy) in the bloodstream for energy, so fats are used instead. These fats are eventually converted into ketones, or abnormally high levels of acidic toxins. The real danger in ketosis is that ketones are acidic, and high levels of them can make the blood abnormally acidic.
Atkins supporters refer to this process as Atkins’ “metabolic advantage.” According to them, when the body begins burning a lot of fat, some of the ketones are excreted through the urine to preserve the body's acid-base balance. The excreted ketones have about five calories per gram, hence Atkins' "metabolic advantage."
The Truth About Carbs
While there may be truth to both sides of the argument over whether carbs help or hurt one’s diet, the key to losing weight may be much simpler than people think. Even though carbohydrates may be the bad guy, there are still reasons why we should include them in a healthy diet. Carbohydrates are the body’s primary energy source and also contain a rich supply of B vitamins (essential for the breakdown of fats and proteins), iron and fiber. Most carbohydrates come from cereals and grains, but they are also found in some vegetables as well. However, with the popularity of cereals and grains in our daily diets, it has gotten to where many people cannot handle this large load of carbs. On the other hand, carbs with lots of fiber should be consumed in proper amounts for maximum health. These types of carbohydrates are rich sources of necessary vitamins and minerals. The problem happens when refining processes alter carbohydrates. These then provide empty calories stripped of much of their original food value, hence the advent of the Atkins diet.
Everything in Moderation
The same is true for any type of healthy food, whether they be rich in carbs or proteins. In other words, too much of something can be a bad thing. While it may be true that this look at the Atkins diet may be just the tip of the iceberg, no food group should be ruled out altogether but should simply be eaten in moderation. Healthy foods such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, breads, rice, milk, and eggs are great sources of many important nutrients the body needs to stay fit. None of these are the only thing needed for weight loss, so there is no reason why they should be excluded altogether.
By Kelley Caner