The renowned Atkins diet has had a makeover and is now back looking healthier and trimmer than ever before. Unlike the old Atkins which often left its followers feeling exhausted, irritable and with bad breath, the new and improved version is less restrictive, better for you and can help you lose a stone in just two weeks. Sound good? Read on to see the good and bad points of this new diet.
How it works
Like the old Atkins the diet still restricts sugar and refined carbohydrates so forget about allowing yourself a sneaky chocolate bar or round of white toast as a 'treat'. The good news is that you can consume caffeine as recent research shows that caffeine in moderation can aid weight loss which will be a life saver when you're feeling exhausted in phase one of the diet. The diet is split into four phases. They consist of:
Phase one: Induction
Phase two: Ongoing Weight Loss (OWL)
Phase three: Pre-Maintenance
Phase four: Lifetime Maintenance
The induction phase lasts for around two weeks depending on how much weight you need to lose. On the induction phase you are allowed 20 grams of net carbohydrates. Net carbohydrates are calculated by taking total carbohydrates (in grams) minus fibre (in grams). The diet relies on this calculation because fibre doesn't impact on your blood sugar level which is why it can be subtracted. This ultimately allows you to consume more carbohydrates on the diet which apparently reduces those dreaded ketosis symptoms associated with old Atkins, reduces cravings and gives you more much needed vitamins and minerals.
As you continue to lose weight and move through the remaining phases you are encouraged to introduce more carbohydrates, one carbohydrate source at a time. Different types of carbohydrates allowed on the diet include many things previously forbidden on the diet such as fruit, brown rice, pasta and even bread (yes, really!)
The good points
Like the old Atkins this diet is ideal for those short of time as it allows you to slim down quickly without feeling hungry. Because you are allowed to eat more carbohydrates on the New Atkins you shouldn't find yourself struggling to get out of bed while in ketosis or losing friends rapidly due to your bad breath.
The diets more flexible, laid-back approach to carbohydrates also means that you can actually eat out on occasion without being forced to order a plain steak every time although you will still need to be wary of anything drenched in sauces which often have flour added to thicken them.
The bad points
New and improved additions aside, you are still on a high-protein diet which raises the old argument of this being a diet that is high in cholesterol which doesn't meet the daily recommended intakes of important vitamins and minerals. Because you are still restricting your body of certain food groups you will also still suffer some side effects such as headaches, dizziness, fatigue and constipation. So while the new diet does include vegetables that contain fibre, you are still not getting enough of what your body needs in order to function effectively.
Although this diet is less restrictive than its former out-of-favour sibling, it's still draconian in its methods so requires steel willpower. Any cheating and it simply won't work. While you're doing the induction phase your body will also resort to burning muscle and considering muscle is metabolically active, it makes it harder to maintain this weight loss further down the line.
New Atkins New You, £4, amazon.co.uk
Like the look of this? Check out our Atkins recipes
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