[health]
The doctor is in
Dr. Atkins, that is. Here is the hype and the reality behind the popular carbohydrate-cutting Atkins Diet. BY JULIE JONES
While the food in the foreground may be encouraged in the Atkins Diet as with most diet plans moderation is still the key. However, in the Atkins Diet you are forbidden from eating any of the high carbohydrate foods in the background, even in moderation.
Photo illustration by Aaron Showalter/Kansan
Hamburger without the bun. Salad without croutons. Sound familiar? Ah, yes, the controversial Atkins Diet. Defenders swear by it. The opposition swears too, but without a positive connotation. Wondering whom to believe? It appears they're both right: the Atkins Diet contains benefits and risks.
The diet consists of omitting most carbohydrates, sugars and starches, the staple foods of most college diets. But, there is no limit to how much fat you ingest or how many meals you eat a day. Sound too good to be true? Here's how it works. Physician Robert Atkins, the diet's inventor, theorized that because the body burns sugars for energy first, and all carbs are eventually broken down into simple sugars, fats are stored instead of destroyed. By cutting out carbohydrates, the body is forced to use fat for fuel and, in turn, burn off those unwanted pounds. Atkins advocates claim this stabilizes blood sugar levels and can decrease cholesterol levels.
Adversaries worry that the emphasis on high-fat foods will increase the risks of coronary heart disease. They say that a high-protein diet can strain your kidneys, liver and even your bones. Other possible side effects include nausea, headaches, intense cravings, bad breath and fatigue. Opponents argue the diet is a short-term cure for weight loss.
We talked to Peter Kimble, Lawrence nutritionist, to get to the bottom of this heated controversy.
Kimble says animal studies have shown that consuming foods high in animal fat increases the risk of heart disease and cancer. However, these results have not been proven in humans. Kimble emphasizes the importance of watching what kinds of fat and proteins you choose while on the diet.
"I think some tend to abuse it. They get on Atkins because they think they can continue eating bacon and
McDonalds," Kimble says. "It's about the choice of what goes with it. If done properly, it can be beneficial to some people."
He says the diet can definitely benefit those with diabetes and high cholesterol. "It reduces insulin response, something good for people with diabetes. It promotes weight loss and cholesterol comes down," Kimble says. "You have to take each person individually." A doctor or nutritionist can help you to create a diet
that fits your own physiological needs.
Melissa Nagy, Wichita senior, followed the diet for two and half months, losing between five and 10 pounds. "It was easy because if you follow the diet, the weight just kind of falls off," Nagy says. "But, I wasn't paying attention to the fat grams. I didn't like that because those are things you should be leery of."
Nagy experienced no side effects from the diet and recommends cutting out
carbs to lose weight, but says it should be a lifestyle change, not a quick fad.
So, is the Atkins diet really as harmful as everyone says? The answer is no, that is if you follow these simple safety guidelines.
"Diets are something you kind of have to curve around yourself," says Nagy. "I don't think filling it in with fats and cheeses is going to be much better for you."
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