More Research: Low-Carb Works for Long-Term Weight Loss and Heart Health

A new meta-analysis (combining and analyzing the results of different studies) released in the June issue of the British Journal of Nutrition shows that a low-carb diet like Atkins is more effective for long-term weight loss (after the one- and two-year mark) than a conventional low-fat diet.

Less Is Not More on Atkins

Suddenly the days are warmer, and whatever extra pounds you have accumulated over the winter months can no longer be hidden under sweaters and jeans. It is also likely that with the warmer weather, your appetite has also changed. You may want to eat less, and you may be craving different foods.

Shun the Sugar; Lose the Weight (and Avoid Diabetes)

No one ever said that the typical American diet was perfect—the fact that obesity rates continue to climb and obesity-related diseases are becoming more prevalent is a true testament to the pitfalls of many of the foods we eat every day. In fact, sugar may be the true killer. A study published in the February 27th issue of the journal PLoS Onelinks increased sugar consumption with increased rates of diabetes.

When is Thin Too Thin or Fat Too Fat?

There was a lot of internet chatter last week about a new report on nearly three million people published in The Journal of the American Medical Association that found those whose B.M.I ranked them as slightly overweight had less of a risk of dying than people of normal weight.

Don’t Let Success Get the Best of You

Say you’re 5 or 10 pounds from your goal weight; the end is in sight, and you’re closer than ever to achieving what you’ve worked so hard for. Then the pounds start creeping back on; before you know it, that magic number that was so close is a distant memory. Has this every happened to you? Why do we sabotage our success sometimes when we are so close to our goal weight?

Mind Control and Weight Control?

Did you know that brain imaging studies have shown that pictures of delicious food can stimulate the urge to eat? I’m sure you’ve been there. Think of a menu at a chain restaurant; how can you resist the smothered potato skins or sizzling burger and fries, not to mention the double-decker sundae, when the Technicolor pictures beckon to you so enticingly?

Keeping it simple

If you’re reading this, it’s quite likely you have lost weight on all sorts of diets. Only to regain those stubborn pounds as soon as you resume your previous eating habits.

What will make Atkins the diet that allows you to actually lose the weight, and keep it off… for good? It’s simple. Stop thinking of Atkins as a “diet” and start thinking of it as a new way of eating.

The Atkins promise

When you think of dieting, what words come to mind? “Hunger” and “deprivation”? Maybe even “frustration”? In the past, did your experience with dieting include eliminating foods; drastically cutting calories and choking down the same bland meals; day in and day out? The good news? You probably lost some weight. The bad news? As soon as your willpower waned as you tried to stick to an unrealistic diet, the pounds came creeping back.

One More Reason to Say No To Low-Fat Diets

Last year I wrote about a large clinical study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) that showed that dieters who had successfully lost weight and were trying to maintain their weight loss burned significantly more calories eating a low-carb diet modeled after Atkins than they did eating a low-fat diet.

Kick Your Carb Craving to the Curb

Here’s a scenario: You have been doing Atkins for a while, you’ve lost weight, and you are feeling great. As you progress through the different Phases, you start to incorporate different types of carbs in your meal plan, while still losing or maintaining your weight. Then, maybe you become a little overly confident. You figure you can handle some bread here and there, maybe some potatoes or cookies or alcohol (or whatever carbs are not necessarily on the list for your Phase).

Atkins Your Way

The wonderful thing about Atkins is that you have options; the program is truly customized to you and what works best for your body. One example of doing Atkins your way is the decision of losing most of your weight in Induction or losing most of your weight in OWL. Read on and let me know what works (or worked) best for you.

What’s for Breakfast on Induction?

Most people find it easy to eat Atkins-style at lunch and dinner. Breakfast is easy, too, if you get “egg-cited” about the myriad of ways in which eggs can be prepared. (For more on the incredible, edible egg, see my last blog.) But if eggs aren’t your thing, don’t worry. There are plenty of other delicious and satisfying breakfast options. You’ll just need to think outside the box (and not just the cereal box!) a bit.

More Eggcelent News for Eggs!

Eggs—omelets, quiches, scrambles, frittatas and more—are a delicious and satisfying part of Atkins for many of you. And I’m sure you’ve read that the poor egg has been accused of raising cholesterol levels and increasing health risks. Not true. In reality, eggs are one of the most nutrient-dense foods you can consume. One large egg provides 6 grams of high-quality, easily digested protein and all the essential amino acids.

10 Ways to Succeed on Induction

The Induction Phase is your first introduction to Atkins. This is the time when you have the chance to jumpstart your weight loss, and it allows your body to become accustomed to burning fat for fuel instead of carbs. If you succeed in Induction, the next Phases of Atkins should become progressively easier.

How to recover from indiscretions

To err is human. Even once you reach your goal weight, we know—and you know—that occasionally you’ll slip up. The following three situations should help you learn how to handle indiscretions, whether small or large.

Make Your Resolutions Become Reality

If you’re like most of us, you optimistically welcome the New Year with an ambitious set of goals. But within a few short weeks, those resolutions all too often fall by the wayside and it’s back to business as usual.

Atkins—Even Better for Your Heart than the Mediterranean Diet?

A new study shows that about 30 percent of heart attacks, strokes and deaths from heart disease can be prevented in people at high risk if they switch to a Mediterranean diet rich in olive oil, nuts, beans, fish, fruits and vegetables—even wine at meals. In this study, just published on The New England Journal of Medicine, scientists in Spain randomly assigned 7,447 people to follow the Mediterranean or low-fat diet.

The Skinny on Fat

It’s quite likely that over the years, you’ve tried any number of diets before discovering Atkins. Back in the day, low fat was what everyone thought was the way to go. Remember all those low-fat and fat-free products you thought you could eat because the popular belief was that fat made us fat?

Once Again—New Research Shows that Low-Carb Diets Reign Supreme

I love it when I can be one of the first share the positive results of brand-new research on low-carb diets. In a study presented today at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions, researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine show that when overweight or obese people lose weight, whether through a low-carb or low-fat diet, they reduce inflammation throughout the body.

The Weight Loss Waiting Game

The stop-start waiting game of weight loss is a very popular topic, because, honestly, if you haven’t experienced a delay or detour at some point in your journey, it’s only a matter of time before you do. Which is why rather than using it as an excuse to give up, you should just view it as a normal part of that weight loss waiting game.

Lower Your Carbs and Lower Your Alzheimer’s Risk

A recent study funded by the National Institute on Aging from the Mayo Clinic and published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease has found that people 70 and older who eat food high in carbohydrates have nearly four times the risk of developing mild cognitive impairment, and the danger also rises with a diet heavy in sugar.

Atkins-Friendly Low-Carb Food Prep

It’s that time of the year again. Children are starting to go back to school, many summer vacations are drawing to an end, and our thoughts turn to school supplies and schedules. This is the perfect opportunity to streamline your low-carb food prep routine and weekly meal planning.

Small but Significant Changes

Atkins has evolved over the years in response to the latest nutritional research. For example, we now encourage consuming considerably more low glycemic vegetables—we call them foundation vegetables—from the get-go. In fact, no less than 12 to 15 grams of the 20 grams of Net Carbs you’ll be eating should be in the form of these veggies.

Déjà vu All Over Again

Have you ever noticed that if negative news comes out that has anything to do with “lower-carb” or “higher-protein” diets, the media automatically assumes it has everything to do with Atkins, when in many (and very often most) cases, they are dead wrong. Well, it’s happened again.

A Few Pearls from Research Roundup

I usually spend a lot of time keeping my figure on the pulse of emerging Atkins Research. In my poking around recently, I came across these pearls of wisdom I found interesting. Common sense really, but interesting in the sense that they actually studied this. Enjoy!

Holiday Season Plan With Exercise Goals

Watch out for this common trap: You persuade yourself that because you're following a low-carb eating plan, Thanksgiving will be easy as pie. Heck, you tell yourself, it's all about the turkey, right? Wrong! There's the stuffing... and the cranberry sauce... and the ooey-gooey marshmallows on the candied sweet potatoes...

Who’s Counting? Net Carbs vs. Total Carbs

There has been a flurry of activity lately on the Forums concerning whether to count net carbs or total carbs. Every practitioner will have their own take on things and it will vary depending on the situation.

Yet Another Reason to Avoid Sugar

The CBS show “60 Minutes”, did an good job at starting the national conversation asking the question, "Is Sugar toxic”. Sanjay Gupta reported on research showing that beyond weight gain, sugar can take a serious toll on your health, worsening conditions ranging from heart disease to cancer.

Planning an Atkins Dinner Party

An estimated 10 million Americans are following some variation of a low-carb program, so it only makes sense that some of your nearest and dearest friends -- not to mention a family member or two -- are among these weight-loss winners. So what better way to spend some quality time with your loved ones than to throw a fun and flavorful Atkins-friendly dinner party?

More Good News About Atkins

A brand new study from Johns Hopkins University just presented yesterday at the American Heart Association’s Epidemiology and Prevention/Nutrition, Physical Activity and Metabolism 2012 conference in San Diego found that dieters who followed a low-carb diet like Atkins shed more weight than those on a low-fat diet (10 pounds more in six months).

Red Meat is Not Evil When Part of a Balanced Diet

In the news last week we heard about the Harvard School of Medicine epidemiology study in which the scientists reported that daily consumption of red meat—particularly the kind you might like to grill—may significantly increase your risk of premature death.

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Sweet Nothings

Do you think sugar is as dangerous as alcohol and tobacco? According to a just-released report in the research journal Nature, added sugars in processed foods and drinks are responsible for so many cases of chronic disease and premature deaths that they recommend their use should be regulated, just like alcohol and tobacco.

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Craving Fatty Foods? It May Be Genetic

You may have seen news about this on our Forums and Facebook page, but a new study in the journal of Obesity shows that people who have certain forms of the CD36 gene may like high-fat foods more than those with other forms of this gene.

Embracing the New You

There are so many positive aspects to losing weight. Not only does dropping the pounds help improve your health, it gives you more energy and helps your clothes fit better. But it also brings up some deeper body image issues. It means accepting your new body, especially if you were used to hiding behind the relative comfort of layers of clothing and fat.

New Year, New You: Achieving Your Atkins Weight-Loss Resolutions

If you spend any time on the web right now, you’ll see all sorts of stories devoted to New Year’s weight-loss resolutions. Why not us, why not now? Plus, this gives me an opportunity to shamelessly promote the new cook book.

Your Holiday Survival Guide

Congratulations! You’ve survived Thanksgiving, hopefully with your waistline relatively unscathed. Now the next challenge awaits you as we head into the next couple weeks devoted to parties and food, food, food. How can you avoid being labeled a party-pooper while staying true to Atkins?

Atkins Could Help the Wheat Belly Woes

In his new book Wheat Belly, cardiologist William Davis, MD, explains that eating wheat can not only provoke a fat-storing insulin response, but it also stimulates your appetite to eat more. His theory is that when traditional wheat was genetically altered in the last century, the genetic changes may be responsible for the rise in celiac disease and gluten sensitivity.

Diabetes: Is This Worldwide Epidemic Preventable?

In a report issued Monday, November 3, the International Diabetes Federation predicts that one in 10 adults could have diabetes by 2030. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are about 346 million people worldwide with diabetes and it projects that diabetes death will double by 2030.

Dementia and Insulin Resistance: Can It Be Controlled By A Low-Carb Diet?

After my most recent blog, I had some requests to address the connection between low-carb diets and their effect on dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

More “Best Diets” Media Coverage

I wrote a blog about this in June. But once again, the U.S. News and World Report has updated its rankings of the “best” diets to include a new category of nutrition and safety. The DASH diet came out on top (again) while Atkins weighed in at #20.

Don’t Fall Into the Cold-Weather Cover Up

I recently returned from a whirlwind week of travel and noticed my pants were a bit tighter than usual, which I attributed to some missed workouts, a few too many extra carbs and dinners out. Since the weather is cooling off, I was not as worried as I would usually be, since I figured I could just throw on a big sweater to cover those extra pounds.

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A Special Appearance from Dr Jay Wortman

The fact that the nation is awash in an epidemic of obesity and related chronic diseases after so much “progress” has been made in the area of nutritional science must rank as one of the great ironiesof our time. The debate over what constitutes an ideal diet appears to be never-ending.

What's for Lunch

If you've been losing weight and feeling tons better thanks to the Atkins Nutritional Approach™, you know burgers with the bun, fries, pizzas and tacos are off limits. In fact, these fast food staples may well be the reason you've gained pounds and lost energy in the past.

10 Tips for Doing Atkins the Right Way

Let’s focus on some the basics this weekend. After all, if you get off on the wrong foot, you may fall by the wayside before experiencing all the wonderful things Atkins can do for you. Here’s how to do Atkins right, and avoid making some all-too-common errors.

Atkins and Athletes

Last week we talked about when to incorporate exercise into your lifestyle, and the various health benefits of exercise, including helping you to maintain the weight you have already lost on Atkins. Once you’ve made it through the initial couple weeks of Atkins.

Is It Time to Get Moving?

As you continue your journey with Atkins and the pounds start coming off, you may feel like you have more energy. This is the perfect time to add some more activity to your routine. If you’re new to exercise, start slowly. It can be as simple as taking the stairs instead of an elevator, or going for a walk with your kids in the evening.

Too Much of a Good Thing?

If you’ve spent any time on the Community forums, you’ll see that there are a lot of discussions about helping newcomers make sure they are eating enough when just starting Atkins. But what about the individual who finds themselves eating too much. There is also a common misperception that as long as the food you’re eating is considered low-carb; that you can eat as much as you want.

Induction: Should You Stay or Should You Go?

This is a topic I’ve discussed before, but it’s an important one for many. Typically, it’s recommended you do Induction for two weeks before re-evaluating your progress. The main reason for staying in Induction past two weeks is if you still have a significant amount of weight to lose, as you’ll lose weight a bit more quickly and consistently than in later phases.

Make the Transition to Fat Burning Easy

As you begin your odyssey through the phases of Atkins, your body will need to make a number of adjustments as it focuses its priorities on burning fat. Most of these changes are completed within the first few weeks, after which you should have smooth sailing with few if any ongoing side effects.

Making Atkins Work at Work

The workplace is a dangerous zone—carb-wise, and I’ve noticed a number of you discussing this on the Forums. How do you overcome the lure of doughnuts at coffee breaks, fast food lunches and tempting treats in vending machines?

Beyond the Scale: Five Reasons Why It May Not Be Moving

Has this happened to you? You’re steadily losing weight on Atkins, and suddenly the scale refuses to budge or even gives you back a pound or two. This is not unusual, and there is no reason to panic.

Don't Let the Scale Dominate Your Life

Wow! I seem to have really hit a nerve—or several nerves—in my last blog on plateaus. So the first thing I want to say (again) is that each and every one of us has a unique metabolism, which plays a large role in one’s response to any weight-loss program.

Plateaus: Once More with Feeling

There are some things we just can’t seem to get enough of. No, I’m not talking about chocolate chip cookies or salted peanuts! Whether you’ve been on Atkins for a while and experienced a weight-loss plateau first hand or you’re a “newbie” who has been warned about this frustrating experience, Atkins Community members are perennially fascinated by this topic.

Making The Transition to OWL

A couple of weeks ago, I discussed why it’s important not to get stuck in Phase 1, Induction. I’d like to return to that topic with advice about how to smooth the move from the initial phase of Atkins to the next. There’s no question that Induction takes weight off quickly, but even if you stayed in Induction until you were close to your goal weight—which we do not recommend—your rate of loss would naturally slow.

Get Induction Right

The response to last week’s blog was fabulous, but it also made me realize that there is still a lot of confusion out there about Atkins, and particularly Phase 1. So I’ve decided to focus some basics this week. After all, if you get off on the wrong foot, you may fall by the wayside before experiencing all the wonderful things Atkins can do for you.

Don’t Get Hung Up on Induction

Many words have more than one meaning. You lean down to pick up a child, but you may or may not be lean. You may prefer to ride in the bow of a boat, you used to tie a bow in your daughter’s hair and you’re quite accurate with a bow and arrow. Words with the same spellings but different meanings are called homonyms.

Don’t Judge a Study By How It’s Reported In The Media

A recent study published in Archives of Internal Medicine is causing a bit of controversy. The researchers reported a link between the use of vitamins (including multivitamins, folic acid, vitamin B6, magnesium, zinc, copper and iron) and an increased mortality risk in older women.

To Track or Not. It’s Up To You

As you probably know, the main premise of Atkins is lowering your net carb intake enough to unlock the gate that keeps you from primarily burning fat for energy. The initial amount that works for just about everyone is 20 grams of net carbs a day. So for at least the first two weeks, your objective is to stay at or very close to that number.

More Good News for Atkins and Your Kidneys

It’s always encouraging when new scientific evidence comes out that continues to support the fact that low-carb diets like Atkins are safe and effective. We already know it to be true, but when the conversation takes place in the scientific community, I feel like progress is being made.