By now I'm quite sure you have all heard of the Atkins Nutritional Approach, but maybe you don't think it's the plan for you. But what about your bloke? New studies have found that Atkins can work better for men than for women – without him having to give up his favourite steak!

But what is Atkins all about? Well, the Atkins plan is a four-phase approach that controls carbohydrate intake.

In the first phase, known as Induction, carbs are limited to 20g per day and then intake of nutrient-dense carbs gradually increases over the course of the phases.

The plan allows a liberal intake of foods that are discouraged on traditional low-fat diets, such as oils, butter, eggs and meat. Foods like pasta, bread, rice, potatoes, cakes and biscuits are out!

However, it is not all about butter and bacon, as media reports might have led us to believe. The Atkins plan encourages taking lean protein sources such as chicken and lean meat and 'good' fats such as olive oil, oily fish and nuts.

Fruit and vegetables are allowed and nutrient-dense, low carb choices are encouraged – leafy green vegetables, aubergine, salads and berries, for example.

Like any weight loss plan, Atkins is about making lifestyle changes that can be maintained in the long term.

So what about that research, then? Studies found that low carb plans focused weight loss on the stomach and chest, and worked better for men than women. Men are particularly prone to gaining weight around the middle so the Atkins Nutritional Approach might be just what he needs to get rid of the beer belly, paunch or middle-aged spread!

The University of Connecticut study found that fat loss in men was three times greater from the trunk area when they were on a low carb plan compared to a low fat plan. Dr Jeff Volek who led the research team said, 'Upper body fat carries a greater health risk than fat stored in other regions of the body, and thus an effective weight loss approach should consider the regional distribution of fat loss.'

Since fat deposits around the middle are especially associated with heart disease and diabetes, spring is the perfect time to turn over a new leaf and consider putting your man on Atkins!