Introduction
Atkins diet is a high-protein, high fat and low carbohydrate diet that was created by Dr. Robert C. Atkins in 1972. Dr. Atkins, a cardiologist by profession, believed that a diet low in sugar and carbohydrates was not good for the body as it overworked the pancreas to produce more insulin which caused the body to store calories as fat. However, a diet low in sugar makes the body to produce less insulin, and the body uses stored fat to create energy resulting in weight loss (Atkins 13). After Dr. Atkins published his first book in 1972, it sparked decades of research and debate on whether a diet low in sugar and carbohydrates is good for the body. Atkins diet is made up of four phases: induction phase, balancing, fine-tuning and the maintenance phase. In the first phase, one avoids carbohydrates by eating proteins, fats, and low-carb vegetables. When one reaches the ideal weight, he/she can eat as many healthy carbs without gaining weight. Critics of Atkins diet claim that it is not healthy in the long run, while supporters claim the diet helps in healthily losing weight.
Comparing Atkins Diet with ABC
A healthy diet is adequate, balanced with calories in control (ABC). Atkins diet fails to meet some of the requirements of a healthy diet as discussed below:
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Adequacy
According to Cervenka et al. (131), Atkins diet is restrictive; it fails to provide adequate nutrients to maintain health. Atkins diet is against intake of carbohydrates, milk and certain fruits, and this is not good for the health. Atkins diet is low in fiber, vitamins and mineral supplements that provide human bodies with antioxidants.
Balance
Since Atkins diet lacks adequacy, it also lacks balance. Individuals on Atkins diet avoid carbohydrates and specific proteins, vegetables, and fruits. By avoiding specific food groups, individuals deny themselves of the essential nutrients necessary to maintain health.
Calorie Control
Atkins has a balance regarding caloric intake; is not extremely restrictive on calorie intake in comparison to other low-carb diets (Illing et al., 3). People on Atkins eat fewer calories because they are less hungry, but they can consume up to 2,000 calories in a day and still lose weight because they are eating less processed, nutritious and satiating foods.
Moderation
Atkins diet lacks moderation. Individuals on Atkins diet consume a lot of fats and proteins while limiting carbohydrates. In phase one, one cannot take carbohydrates even fruits high in carbs until the last phase of the diet. Critics of Atkins also complain that it is high in cholesterol and this can lead to cardiovascular problems ().
Variety
A healthy diet should have a variety of food groups and food types to provide different nutrients. Atkins menu has a variety of food, but it restricts the food groups to proteins, fats, certain vegetables, and fruits. Atkins diet lacks variety in comparison to a healthy diet.
Discussion
Major health organizations have expressed their views concerning Atkins diet given its popularity.
American Heart Association (AHA)
AHA does not endorse a particular diet, but it suggests the need to reduce calorie intake and engage in physical activities to attain a healthy body weight. AHA acknowledges that people can lose weight using Atkins and other ketogenic diets, but it is concerned that Atkins lead to higher cholesterol levels. In the short-term, Atkins lead to lower cholesterol levels due to weight loss, but once one is done with dieting, cholesterol levels often the bad ones are elevated increasing risk for heart disease. AHA states that fat should be 30% of the diet, yet Atkins does not limit fat intake.
American Dietetic Association
American Dietetic Association has released information on proper dieting, and some of the information contrast some of the principles of Atkins diet. For example, Atkins diet claims that one can lose up to 5 pounds in the first week of induction (first phase) yet the American Dietetic Association maintains that one should lose 1-2 pounds per week. The pounds lost quickly on Atkins are easily regained because individuals fail to change their eating habits.
American Kidney Foundation
The American Kidney Foundation (AKF) is against high-protein diets for weight loss because they put a lot of strain on the kidneys. Increase protein intake lead to a build-up of nitrogen in the blood which ends up in the kidney in the form of urea, thus overworking the kidney. AKF recommends a daily intake of protein of no more than 2 grams per kilogram of body weight to avoid adverse long-term effects on the kidney.
American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends certain dietary adjustments to prevent cancer. ACS recommends intake of fruits, vegetables and whole grains as they have a significant impact on the fight against chronic disease, and yet Atkins diet limits intake of grains and certain vegetables and fruits.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Atkins diet has gained popularity because it promises that one can lose weight while still enjoying his/her favorite food. Atkins diet remains controversial because it lacks most components of a healthy diet such as adequacy, balance, and variety. Additionally, most health organizations are against some of the Atkins principles such as unlimited fat and protein intake and eliminating carbohydrates
Works Cited
Atkins, Robert C. "Dr. Atkins' diet revolution; the high calorie way to stay thin forever." (1972).
Cervenka, Mackenzie C., Katlyn Patton, Ani Eloyan, Bobbie Henry, and Eric H. Kossoff. "The impact of the modified Atkins diet on lipid profiles in adults with epilepsy." Nutritional neuroscience 19.3 (2016): 131-137.
Illing, G., A. Wiemer-Kruel, and T. Bast. "Modified Atkins Diet, an Alternative Treatment of Glucose Transporter Type 1 Deficiency Syndrome." Neuropediatrics 46.S 01 (2015): PS02-17.
