ما هو النظام الكيتوني؟
الكيتو.. نظام الأسبوع الواحد لفقدان الوزن - الميادين
يشبه النظام الغذائي الكيتون القياسي، ولكنه يحتوي على المزيد من البروتين. أي 60% دهون، 35% بروتين، 5% كربوهيدرات. ما هي الحالة الكيتونية؟
Mar 3, 2022
حمية أتكينز
تتشابه حمية الكيتو مع <anchor>حمية أتكينز</anchor> والأنظمة الغذائية منخفضة الكربوهيدرات. إذ أنّ من أساسيات الكيتو، تقليل تناول الكربوهيدرات بشكل كبير واستبدالها بالدهون. مما يضع الجسم في حالة استقلابية تسمى الكيتوزية.
Atkins diet: Phases, Atkins 40, foods to eat and avoid
- Health Conditions
- Health Products
- Discover
- Tools
- Connect

Subscribe

# Atkins diet: What is it, and should I try it?



Medically reviewed by Natalie Butler, R.D., L.D. — Written by Yvette Brazier on January 30, 2020

We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you
buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here’s our process.

## How we vet brands and products

Medical News Todayonly shows you brands and products that we stand behind.

Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we:

- Evaluate ingredients and composition: Do they have the potential to cause harm?
- Fact-check all health claims: Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence?
- Assess the brand: Does it operate with integrity and adhere to industry best practices?

We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness.

Was this helpful?

The Atkins diet aims to help a person lose weight by limiting carbohydrates and controlling insulin levels. Dieters can eat as much fat and protein as they want.

Dr. Robert Atkins, an American cardiologist, created the diet in the early 1970s. It has evolved over time and now encourages people to eat more high fiber vegetables and do more exercise than it did in the past.

Learn more about some other popular diets here.

## What is the Atkins Diet?

a woman eating an omlette as part of her atkins diet Share on PinterestHigh protein, low carb foods are suitable on the Atkins diet.

- to lose weight
- to maintain weight loss
- to achieve good health
- to lay a permanent foundation for disease prevention

According to Dr. Atkins, the main reason for weight gain is the consumption of refined carbohydrates, or carbs, especially sugar, high fructose corn syrup, and flour.

### How does it work?

When a person follows the Atkins Diet, their body’s metabolism switches from burning glucose, or sugar, as fuel to burning stored body fat. This switch is called ketosis.

When glucose levels are low, insulin levels are also low, and ketosis occurs. In other words, when glucose levels are low, the body switches to using its fat stores, as well as dietary fat, for energy. In theory, this can help a person lose body fat and weight.

Before a person eats, their glucose levels are low, so their insulin levels are also low. When that person eats, their glucose levels rise, and the body produces more insulin to help it use glucose.

The glycemic index (GI) is a scale that ranks carbohydrates, or carbs, from 0 to 100, depending on how quickly they increase blood sugar levels after consumption, and by how much.

Refined carbs, such as white bread and candy, contain high levels of glucose. These foods have high GI scores, as their carbs enter the blood rapidly, causing a glucose spike.

Other types of carbs, such as beans, do not affect blood glucose levels so quickly or severely. They have a low glycemic load and score lower on the glycemic index.

Net carbs are the total carbs minus fiber and sugar alcohols. Sugar alcohols have a minimal effect on blood sugar levels. According to Dr. Atkins, the best carbs are those with a low glycemic load.

Fruits and grains are high in carbs, and a person on the Atkins diet restricts these, especially in the early stages. However, these foods are also good sources of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants.

To make up for the lack of nutrient-rich foods, the Atkins diet encourages people to use vitamin and mineral supplements.

### Using the fat in the body

If there is minimal carbs intake via the diet, ketosis will occur. During ketosis, the body will breakdown fat stores in the cells, resulting in the creation of ketones. These ketones then become available for the body to use as energy.

The Atkins diet is a low carb diet where the body burns more calories than on other diets because ketosis occurs. It is a kind of ketogenic diet, though protein intake is typically higher, and fat is lower in comparison to a traditional ketogenic diet.

## Four phases

### Phase 1: Induction

A person consumes less than 20 grams (g) of carbs each day. At this stage, carbs come mainly from salad and vegetables, which are low in starch. The dieter eats high fat, high protein food with low carb vegetables, such as leafy greens.

Get some more tips here on how to get started on a low carb diet.

### Phase 2: Ongoing weight loss

People gradually introduce nutrient-dense and fiber-rich foods as additional sources of carbs. These foods include nuts, seeds, low carb vegetables, and small amounts of berries. People can also add soft cheeses in this phase.

In phase 2, a person adds:

- 20–25 g of carbs per day during the first week
- 30 g of carbs during the second week
- 30 g each subsequent week until weight loss slows to 1–2 pounds a week

The aim of phase 2 is to find out how many carbs an individual can eat while continuing to lose weight. This phase continues until the individual is within 5–10 pounds of their target weight.

### Phase 3: Premaintenance

Dieters increase their carbs intake by 10 g each week. Weight loss will now be slow. They can start introducing legumes, such as lentils and beans, fruit, starchy vegetables, and whole grains to the diet.

People continue in this phase until they reach their target weight and maintain it for a month.

### Phase 4: Lifetime maintenance

The dieter starts adding a wider range of carbs sources, while carefully monitoring their weight to ensure it does not go up.

Net carb intake will vary between individuals, but it will usually be between 40–120 g a day.

## The Atkins 40 plan

This version of the diet starts with 40 g of net carbs per day instead of 20 g.

https://www.atkins.com/how-it-works/atkins-40

Each day, people consume:

- 6–8 servings of vegetables
- 3–4 servings of protein (4–6 ounces per serving)
- 3 times 1-tablespoon servings of added fat
- 3–5 servings of other carbs, with 5 net carbs in each serving

When the person is within 5–10 pounds of their target weight, they can add 10 g of net carbs each week. Once they reach their target weight, they can use the Atkins carb counter to help them keep on track.

## Foods to eat

Depending on the phase, people may eat:

- vegetables that are rich in fiber and nutrients, such as broccoli, salad greens, and asparagus
- low sugar, high fiber fruit, for example, apples, citrus and berries
- complex carbs, including legumes, and whole grains
- plant fats such as nuts, avocado, olive oil and seeds

Atkins provide various premade snacks and shakes that match the diet’s requirements. They are available for purchase online.

Fresh foods are often more healthful and more economical than premade diets foods, however.

### Sample menu

A day’s menu might be:

Breakfast: Cheese omelet with low carb vegetables

Lunch: Chicken salad with nuts and a side of cherry tomatoes and cucumbers

Dinner: Meatballs with at least 1 cup of vegetables, such as asparagus, cooked in fat

Snacks: A hard boiled egg, Greek yogurt, or nuts.

## Foods to avoid

Foods to avoid or restrict, depending on the phase of the diet, include:

- starchy vegetables, such as corn and potatoes
- fruits with high sugar content, such as pineapple, mango, papaya, and banana
- sweets, including cookies, candies, cakes, and soft drinks
- refined or simple carbs, including white bread, pasta, and foods containing processed grains

During induction, some foods, such as carrots, apples, and legumes, are not suitable. In time, however, a person can reintroduce them.

## What about exercise?

Supporters of the Atkins diet say that exercise is not essential for weight loss. However, they call it a “win-win” activity, as it can help boost energy and overall well-being.

- consume plenty of protein
- get carbs from vegetables
- eat a snack, for example, a hard boiled egg, around an hour before exercising
- eat a high protein meal within 30 minutes of finishing

## Does it work?

Atkins is one of a number of diets that aims to help people manage their weight and prevent related health conditions, such as metabolic syndrome, diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease.

Authors of a 2017 review found evidence that the Atkins diet followed for 12 months can be more effective for weight loss than other popular diets.

Another review found that people following the Atkins diet scored well on blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and weight loss, compared with people on the ZONE, Ornish, and LEARN diets.

However, more research is needed to confirm the benefits.

## Risks

According to an older 2006 study, people have reported the following adverse effects, especially in the early stages:

When the body uses fat rather than glucose for energy, ketones can build up before the body uses them efficiently for fuel. This process increases urinary excretion of electrolytes, which may contribute to these symptoms.

The 2006 study authors caution that a low carb diet may not be suitable for everyone, especially those with a risk of kidney disease, as it may make kidney stones more likely.

They add that healthful carbs, such as whole grains, can be beneficial for people with diabetes. Atkins limits the intake of whole grains until the later phases of the diet.

The study also describes the Atkins diet as unpalatable and difficult to follow in the long term.

Authors of a 2019 study conclude that a low carb, or ketogenic diet may help people with type 2 diabetes and obesity. But they point out that people should ensure they have a good intake of fiber. The authors recommend tailoring any such diet to meet the needs of the individual.

## Summary

The Atkins diet may help a person lose weight. For many, losing weight will also reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and other aspects of metabolic syndrome.

While a low carb approach may not work or be sustainable for everyone, clinical trials show that the Atkins diet results in similar or greater weight loss in those following it for at least 12 months compared to other options, such as the Mediterranean or DASH diets.

People who use medication for diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and other conditions should not stop taking these when they follow this or any other diet. Anyone who is considering a radical change to their diet should talk to a doctor first.

### Q:

Can I follow the Atkins diet while I am pregnant or breastfeeding?

### A:

There is not enough clinical data to examine the long-term effects of the Atkins diet on a pregnant or breastfeeding mother and her child. I typically recommend a more conservative approach to include adequate sources of fiber and nutrient-rich foods to support gut health and growth and development. If the health of the mother warrants a low carb intervention, reducing adding sugars as well as high glycemic carbohydrates rather than a strict Atkins or keto diet is my approach as a dietitian.

Natalie Butler, R.D., L.D.Answers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.

### How we reviewed this article:

Sources

Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

- Anton, S. D., et al. (2017). Effects of popular diets without specific calorie targets on weight loss outcomes: Systematic review of findings from clinical trials.

- Atkins 40: The easy & effective low carb diet plan. (n.d.).

- Best and worst foods for a low carb lifestyle. (n.d.).

- Bolla, A. M., et al. (2019). Low-carb and ketogenic diets in type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

- Gardner, C. D., et al. (2007). Comparison of the Atkins, Zone, Ornish, and LEARN diets for change in weight and related risk factors among overweight premenopausal women. The A to Z weight loss study: A randomized trial.

- Mahdi, G. S. (2006). The Atkin’s diet controversy.

- O’Byrne, L. (n.d.). Adding exercise to your program is a win-win decision. And knowing what to eat before and after a workout is equally as important.

- The Atkins diet: Getting started, staying focused. (n.d.).

- Vitamins and supplements for Atkins diet. (2013).

Share this article



Medically reviewed by Natalie Butler, R.D., L.D. — Written by Yvette Brazier on January 30, 2020

## Latest news

### Related Coverage

© 2024 Healthline Media UK Ltd, Brighton, UK. All rights reserved. MNT is the registered trade mark of Healthline Media. Healthline Media is an RVO Health Company. Any medical information published on this website is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional. See additional information.

OUR BRANDS