Acceptable Foods for the Atkins Diet

Acceptable Foods for the Atkins Diet
Dr. Robert Atkins first introduced the Atkins Diet to the
world in the 1960's. Though it dropped off in popularity,
it made a comeback in the 1990's following the publishing
of a best-selling book by Dr. Atkins. The Atkins Diet is
essentially a diet that focuses on the consumption of
little to no carbohydrates, and higher levels of proteins
and fats.

Since the human body typically uses carbohydrates as a
primary source of energy for the body's basic functions,
ideally a diet that is low in carbohydrates will cause the
body to look elsewhere for a source of energy.

With restrictions placed on the consumption of
carbohydrates, the body has no choice but to metabolize
fats in order to produce energy. The process by which the
body metabolizes fats in order to produce energy is known
as ketosis. In order to maintain ketosis and keep the body
burning fats, individuals who are taking part in the Atkins
Diet need to be careful about the food they consume during
their daily meals.

High levels of carbohydrates will interfere with ketosis,
as the body will return to breaking down the carbohydrates
in order to produce energy. When it comes to the foods
that are acceptable for the Atkins Diet, individuals are
expected to consume foods that are low in carbohydrates,
which typically means not eating foods high in sugars and
starches.

Generally, the Atkins diet approves the consumption of
proteins and fats. Additionally, participants are allowed
to eat all the meat, poultry, fish, and cheeses they want.
Condiments that are high in fat are also given the okay
under Atkins, as are sour cream and guacamole.

In terms of specific foods that are deemed acceptable under
the Atkins diet, participants are given a variety of
choices. In fact, the basic premise of the Atkins diet is
that individual participants can eat just about any food
they want, so long as it is low is carbohydrates.

Lovers of fish will find that just about all types of fish
are accepted under the Atkins diet, including tuna, salmon,
flounder, and sardines, to name a few. Fans of fowl will
find that items like turkey, chicken, duck, quail and
pheasant are all also acceptable food under the Atkins diet.

The choices to not end there though, as shellfish like
oysters, clams, squid, shrimp, and crabmeat are also a big
part of the Atkins diet. Additionally, all forms of meat
including beef, pork, lamb, veal and venison are also on
the list of foods that the Atkins diet deems acceptable.

Eggs cooked in just about every form are also on the list
of acceptable foods under Atkins. Despite the
perceptions, the Atkins diet does allow for the consumption
of some amount of carbohydrate on a daily basis.

Many times, these carbohydrates are obtained by consuming
small amounts of vegetables like celery, radishes, chives,
snow peas, broccoli, and spinach. Atkins also has
acceptable beverages.

Since most of today's drinks contain some sort of
sugar-based sweetener or some type of fruit juice that is
itself high in carbohydrates, the Atkins diet recommends
that participants consume drinks that are artificially
sweetened with products like Splenda. Additionally, teas,
some juices, and diet sodas are all beverages that are
considered acceptable under the Atkins diet.

----------------------------------------------------
Find out all you need to know about the Atkins diet by
visiting our comprehensive site at:
http://www.atkinsdiettips.co.uk