The Dr. Atkins Diet Revolution

Referred to as the Dr. Atkins Diet Revolution, it has been as controversial as any diet can be. Many experts say that the Dr. Atkins diet plan is damaging to health and is responsible for countless heart attacks and other serious health conditions, whereas others back his claims that the Atkins diet weight loss program is perfectly safe and beneficial to the dieter if the strict guidelines are followed.

My husband and I went on the Atkins diet several years ago. This is the first time my husband has done any dieting. I on the other hand have tried every diet know to mankind. Of course he dropped 10 pounds the first week, and could not understand why I am always saying that weight loss is difficult. I did lose 6 pounds the first week so I had to agree that the diet was working. The first two weeks were difficult to get used to eating only low carbohydrate foods. Once we got past that two week mark we found that it was an easy diet for us to follow. On the Atkins diet you eat mostly protein. My husband has always been a big meat eater so that part was easy. It was more difficult for him to give up the potatoes and bread that he ate along with his meat. We needed to find alternative foods that were allowed on the Atkins diet.

There are numerous resources and online support forums for those following the Atkins diet, so there's no need for ignorance with this low carb eating plan. We found the Atkins diet bulletin board especially helpful when we needed answers to certain questions regarding food items found not on the Atkins diet food list

I bought the Dr. Atkins diet book which not only outlines the diet but also has recipes. It is amazing how you can eat a lot of food on the Atkins diet and still lose weight. The main challenge is getting some variety into your meals. When we first started the Atkins diet the dinner meal was very easy to prepare. We would have some type of protein, fish, pork, chicken or beef and a large leafy salad with bleu cheese dressing. This was not that different than what we ate before it was just minus the potato and bread.

After a few weeks the lack of variety started to bore us. We were both losing weight, so that helped keep us motivated, but we were getting tired of the same meal each night. Then I discovered some of the recipes in the back of the Atkins diet book. Our favorite is mashed cauliflower. It is the same texture as mashed potatoes. The Atkins diet book also had a recipe for a salad that has all the same ingredients as potato salad, minus the potatoes. You substitute cooked cauliflower. I was skeptical at first, but it tastes wonderful.

Over the years we have added carbohydrates back into out diet. Initially we both gained some of the weight back, but now we have found the right balance for each of us. Long term with very low carbohydrates did not fit our life style, or taste buds, but the Atkins diet was an effective way for us to take off pounds.

So yes, it's true, the Dr. Atkins diet helps you to lose weight, but just as with any diet, it may not be suited to everyone. For most folks it's an extreme adjustment to their usual eating habits, and I would suggest anyone who is considering this or any other form or diet (especially one low in cabs and high in protein), to have a chat with their doctor before they begin