Carb Commando - Low Carbohydrate

Low Carbohydrate Food

The most common low carbohydrate diet -- Atkins diet

The Atkins Diet is a high-protein, low carbohydrate weight loss diet developed by Robert Atkins, MD, during the 1960s. In the early 1990s, Dr. Atkins brought his low carbohydrate diet back into the nutrition spotlight with the publication of his best-selling book Dr. Atkins' New Diet Revolution.

The Atkins Diet severely restricts the consumption of carbohydrate-rich foods and encourages the consumption of protein and fat. The diet is divided into four phases: Induction, Ongoing Weight Loss, Premaintenance, and Maintenance. During the Induction phase (the first 14 days of the diet), carbohydrate intake is limited to no more than 20 grams per day. No fruit, bread, grains, starchy vegetables, or dairy products (except cheese, cream, and butter) are allowed during this phase. During the Ongoing Weight Loss phase, dieters experiment with various levels of carbohydrate consumption until they determine the most liberal level of carbohydrate intake that allows them to continue to lose weight. Dieters are encouraged to maintain this level of carbohydrate intake until their weight loss goals are met. During the Premaintenance and Maintenance phases, dieters determine the level of carbohydrate consumption that allows them to maintain their weight. To prevent weight regain, dieters are told to maintain this level of carbohydrate consumption, perhaps for the rest of their lives. According to Dr. Atkins, most people must limit their carbohydrate intake to no more than 60 grams per day to keep lost weight off.

Nowadays, almost every diet is a low carbohydrate diet, with its own low carbohydrate food and low carbohydrate recipes. Many dieters think this is the cure all diet, while most critics say the low carbohydrate diet is just a fad diet. With the low carbohydrate diet, most dieters say they feel more productive, that the low carbohydrate food gives them the extra boost. It's up to the individual to find what diet suits them best.

Related Resources: