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Dr Atkins Diet: A Brief
History
Dr. Robert Atkins was born in 1930. He graduated from the University
of Michigan in 1950 and graduated from Cornell Medical Center in
1955 with his with a medical degree specializing in cardiology.
In 1972 he published a book titled Dr. Atkins’ Diet Revolution.
This book created much controversy in the medical field. His low
carbohydrate-high protein diet was revolutionary to the diet industry
and put him under intense criticism. This new diet shocked many
people and created enough controversy to push Dr. Atkins into the
background. This failed first attempt at his diet plan did not dishearten
him, but rather encouraged him to work harder. In 1992 he revised
his book and called it Dr. Atkins’ NEW Diet Revolution. After
this new revitalized book was released Dr. Atkins finally got some
national recognition. This book is now one of the 50 top selling
books of all times. Reports and studies came out saying that Atkins
was correct in his diet. People who were on his diet lost weight
and it became a diet that is now known across the country. Today
millions of people have successfully lost weight on the Atkins Diet.
The New York Times Magazine put his diet on the cover of the July
2002 issue. CBS news as well as other media giants ran segments
on the Dr Atkins Diet.
Unfortunately Dr. Atkins died in April of 2003 because of head injuries
when he fell on the ice in front of his office. Dr. Atkins death
however has not decreased the popularity of the Dr Atkins Diet.
If anything it has fueled the drive to keep going from his followers.
Dr. Atkins wanted a healthier America and before his death he said
that he was, “On the verge of succeeding.” America may
not have overcome its trouble with obesity but the Dr Atkins diet
is fighting that problem.
Dr Atkins Diet is based around four important
phases. Each individual phase allows you to knowledgeably select
which foods to eat based on your need to achieve weight loss, enjoy
good health and prevent disease. Food selections will differ to
varying degrees depending upon the phase you are in and your individual
metabolism. In phase one (Induction Phase), carbohydrate consumption
is restricted to 20 grams per day. Most carbohydrate can be obtained
from salad and other non-starchy vegetables. In phase two (Ongoing
Weight Loss) you add carbohydrate, in the form of nutrient-dense
and fibre-rich foods, by increasing to 25 grams daily the first
week, 30 grams daily the next week and so on until your weight loss
stops. Then subtract 5 grams of carbohydrate from your daily intake
so that you continue sustained, moderate weight loss. Phase three's
(Pre-Maintenance) objective is to make the transition from weight
loss to weight maintenance by increasing the daily carbohydrate
intake in 10-gram increments each week so long as very gradual weight
loss is maintained. And the final phase (Lifetime Maintenance) is
the foundation for a lifetime of better health. In this phase you
can select from a wide variety of foods while controlling carbohydrate
intake to ensure weight maintenance and a sense of well-being.
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