Dr. Atkins' New Diet Revolution [Paperback]

I get so annoyed with the people (mainly those who have not even read one page of the book) who solidly maintain that this diet is a "steak and eggs" diet and deprives you of vegetables. I'm eating more vegetables than I ate when I was a vegetarian, and keeping the protein in no more quantities than the average non-dieter!

I am not sure how eliminating appetite-stimulant foods like processed grains and sugar and upping your vegetable intake is supposed to make the protein (for me it's mainly fish) one eats suddenly more unhealthy than the protein one consumes with a giant plate of rice or potatoes, but, oh well.

I know, I am missing out on vitamin M, the Muffin and bagel vitamin, and vitamin P, the pasta vitamin (pasta is flour and water, with very little nutritional value), oh and vitamin S (sugar), can't forget that very essential vitamin... I guess my poor kidneys are going to fall out and I am going to get a heart attack :)

And yes, you can even eat fruit on the Atkins diet! After you've rid your body of the addiction to processed sugar and grains, you can eat lower glycemic fruits like blueberries, raspberries, etc.

I never experienced any of the symptoms people report on induction. I ate salad liberally, ignoring the two-three cup rule, so I was never really "on" induction, but increased my carbohydrates by adding berries, nuts, and more vegetables.

Oh, and I've lost 60 pounds, no longer have seizures, depression, or heartburn, and I can walk for miles at a time whereas before a block's journey would have me puffing and panting.

And by the way, one does not need to consume pork rinds and boatloads of butter to be on Atkins... I don't consume pork, and my primary fat source is from olive oil. I also don't care for sugar or artificial sweeteners, and am doing just great!

The main factor for me, aside from the symptoms I had clearing up, is that I am no longer hungry every half hour! Thus, I am less inclined to overeat. Now, combine all of the above, and this is healthy, people!

I gave this book one star so that, if you're like me and you list all the reviews by 'lowest rating', you'll be sure to get some TRUTH with the other low reviews. Simply, this diet works, and it works on more than one level. You will lose weight, and you will feel better!
The reviewers who mentioned they were in pain from low carb intake must be lying. I personally had no pain, and I don't know anyone who has tried this diet who has complained of any pain. Personally, I assume such reviews are phony and probably come from competitors in the 'diet market'.
I've been on this diet for 10 days and have lost 9 pounds. Both of my parents are on the diet and have lost about the same amount as I have. We all feel great! In the last week, I lost 3 pounds, which is less than the 6 pounds I lost the first week. However, you will lose water weight the first week, so don't be surprised if you slow down after the first week.

If you eat a lot of sugar, you will go through withdrawals just as you would from cessation of any other addiction (yes, sugar is addictive). You may feel tired for the first few days on this diet, then you're energy will come back stronger than ever!

Also, many people confuse ketoacidosis in diabetics, which can cause kidney damage, with the benign dietary ketosis that this diet will put you in. If you do not presently have kidney problems, and are not diabetic, you should have nothing to worry about. I am (was) mildy hypoglycemic, and have had no problems with this diet.

As for variety, I recommend getting the cookbook that Dr. Atkins puts out - it has about 200 recipes - including low carb breads you can make (2 gms carbs per slice). If you only eat eggs and bacon for breakfast, you will get bored... try to mix it up a little! Once you get beyond the first part of the diet, your choices grow.

The first part of the diet is the most restrictive. It limits you to 20 gms of carbs a day for a two-week period. If you can't do that, try 30 gms carbs/day... most people can go into benign dietary ketosis with under 40 gms carbs/day. I think Dr. Atkins uses 20 gms as a rule so that everyone will go into ketosis - even those who are metabolically resistant. Read the book through all the way before you go on the diet; do the research and find out how you can vary your diet.

As with any diet, if you are not healthy, consult your physician (however note: many physicians don't know the facts about benign dietary ketosis and will confuse this bdk with the ketoacidosis of diabetics).

I recommend adding exercise to your program after you experience the newfound energy of the diet and after you see the pounds coming off on their own. When all that happens, you WILL be highly motivate to GET YOUR BODY IN SHAPE.

1989 I, a white divorced male aged 29 at 6'1", 270 lbs and a 42" waist, went on the Induction phase of Atkins. 13 months later I was 175 lbs and had a 32" waist. Looked and felt sensational, like a teenager. I had a routine doctor's exam and was counseled that my Atkins diet could be hurting my health. Scared out of Atkins, I hired a nutritionist at $150 / hour who designed an eating plan for me that was balanced and included good carbs and fruits. looked and sounded sensible and well planned. A lot of lab work and I felt confident this was the best way to go. About three months and $3,000 later, I was up to a 36" waist and 205 lbs and my body fat went up. Nice, I fired the nutritionist and went thru two more plus a dietician and a naturopath. I tried the following diets on my own: The leptin diet, Mc Dougal plan, Ph Miracle, Raw foods, Vegeterianism, The Zone, The glycemic index diet, Low fat, etc..etc.. thousands of dollars in supplements, hours of exercising a day, and I finally managed to work my way up to 250 lbs and a 40" waist. Pretty much anything you may have tried, CLA, L-Carnitine, etc.. I tried but no effect, in fact just the opposite, kept getting fatter. Felt ok on the diets I tried, but nothing special and kept getting fatter. I have had enough!

2009; About four weeks ago, I bought a new copy of the Atkins diet and started. Feel better than on any other diet, more energy, more pleasant disposition, better mental and cognitive function. As it has always done for me and is now, the Atkins diet just works for me. Better than any other diet, weight and body fat are melting away just as before. At the age of 49 I am feeling better and better. Atkins works for me, it may not be for everyone, but considering all the things I have tried I will no longer allow anyone to shake my faith in it. How can you argue against positive results? Positive in every way, my blood work lab results prove it, my body shows it. Atkins is the way for me. I am getting thinner and healthier every week now. I have already dropped one pant size and just feel magnificent.