Low-Carb Diets - An Introduction

According to a recent survey by the National Health Institute, about a third of overweight Americans who are trying to lose weight, are doing so by eating less carbohydrates (carbs) largely because of the increased popularity of fad diets like Atkins Diet and the South Beach Diet.
Who Invented Low-Carb Diets?
The term "low-carb" was coined around 1992 when the USDA recommended that Americans include six to eleven servings daily of grains and starches in their diet.
In fact, low-carb dieting dates back more than 100 years to 1864, before the trendy Atkins diet, when a pamphlet titled "Letter on Corpulence" was written by William Banting. This was as close to the first commercial low-carb diet as you could get.
Banting's diet eventually fell out of favor, but low-carb diets began appearing again in the 20th century. The most famous of these are the Atkins and Scarsdale diets that came to popularity in the 1970s.
While Scarsdale has a set 14-day meal plan that must be followed and greatly restricts calories, the Atkins diet allows for unlimited calorie consumption as long as those calories are from protein, fat and vegetables and carbohydrate intake is kept low.
Atkins and Scarsdale fell out of favor in the 1980's when the USDA encouraged the consumption of grains and grain products.
It was only in the 1990's that we began to see a return to low-carb dieting that seems to be more than a fad. Low-carb is now a lifestyle!
As more and more people realize the weight loss and other health benefits that are available to people who eat low-carb, the number of diets and stores that sell specialty low-carb products continue to rise.
In a nutshell, most low-carb diets carry the same basic premise: that too much of simple, refined carbohydrates leads to over overproduction of insulin, which leads to the storage of too much fat in the body. This fat storage is especially prominent around the middle.
While there are degrees of difference among the many diets, they all agree on the negative effects that excess insulin production have on our systems.
While it might be great to lower the body's sugar content and be healthier, wouldn't it be great to learn how to do so while being part of this fast-paced world?
People want and need simpler solutions. And they need simpler dieting plans.
Forget spending mega bucks on gourmet, hard-to-find items. Forget spending hours just to prepare meals. And forget counting, measuring, and weighing ingredients.
Either a low-carb plan fit into real-world lives, or it doesn't. So how do low-carb diets fit into the real world today?
Low Carb, Slow Carb
In a nutshell, there are two kinds of carbohydrates, simple and complex. Some refer to them as bad and good carbs, fast and slow digestion carbs and other possibly confusing lingo. Here's the scoop.
Simple Carbs
Foods with simple or refined carbohydrates most often have a low nutrient content and a high-glycemic index. They are quick to digest and can cause blood sugar to soar then fall dramatically within a short span of time.
In order to keep the body running more healthy and stable, health advisors recommend that these type foods be limited.
Examples of these simple carbs are white bread, potatoes, bananas, and sugary treats like cookies, candy, cupcakes and cakes, and soda beverages like popular cola products.
Complex Carbs
Foods with complex carbohydrates contain many nutrients and have a low- to moderate-glycemic index.
Higher fiber content in these foods means slower digestion, which is healthier for the body. And these foods are considered good choices by health advisors.
Examples of these complex carbs are whole grains, most fruits and vegetables. Legumes, plants of the pea or bean family, are also in this category.
Which Is Best?
While studies like one from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in January of 2004 show that low-carb diets can help with weight loss; the carbs need to be of the complex, low-glycemic type.
However, it is not necessary to totally avoid the simple carbs. A treat now and then, in moderation (and approved per your dietary advisor or in accordance with your health practitioner), should be fine.
As a side note, your teeth will also be healthier without the build up of sugar decay from simple carb foods. So healthier smiles will shine with healthier bodies.
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Priya Shah is the Editor of The Glutathione Report and the webmaster of Glutathione - Your Whey To Health
Read our online report on Low-Carb Dieting Secrets and get a Free Booklet titled "Low Carb Recipes and Food Ideas People On The Go"
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Lo Carb Diets Can Assist Your Rapid Weight Loss

Lo carb diets are the newest dieting trend, and seem to be effective. Here are some tips for following a balanced lo carb diet:
Eat more fruit and vegetables, aiming for at least five portions a day. Include fruit at breakfast and salad at lunch. Reduce the amount of salt by eating less processed food, such as ready meals, and adding a smaller amount of salt to food. Eat a varied diet. Change your shopping list every week to help keep you out of unhealthy food ruts and make eating more enjoyable. Eat regular meals - although it doesn't matter when you eat your food, a consistent schedule helps most people to control their diet and their weight. Control your portion sizes so that over time, if not necessarily every day, the amount of energy you consume matches your level of activity. Try to be more physically active. Aim for 30 minutes of physical activity on most days of the week. Activity helps to regulate your appetite, and means that you can eat more without gaining weight. Drink alcohol only within sensible limits: not more than 14 units per week for women, and no more than three in any one day, and not more than 21 units per week for men, and no more than four in any one day.
The current most popular fad diet is the Lo Carb or Atkins diet. It restricts carbohydrate rich foods, thereby restricting total daily calories. Phase One of the four in the Atkins Diet consists of between 1400 to 1500 total daily calories. The average adult female consumes around 2200 calories daily and the average adult male consumes around 2800 calories daily. Almost any adult will lose weight if they consume 800 to 1300 fewer calories daily. Phase One of the Atkins Diet also restricts carbohydrate intake to only 20 grams of net carbohydrates daily. The definition of net carbohydrates is total grams of carbohydrates per serving minus dietary fibre per serving. Dietary fibre is the non-digestible remains of plant products found in beans, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.
Carbohydrates are the body's preferred fuel source. In the near future there will be a recommended dietary allowance, or R.D.A., for carbohydrates of 130 grams daily. 130 grams of carbohydrates our body needs daily is for the proper functioning of the central nervous system and production of red blood cells. Only during Phase Four of the Atkins Diet are participants allowed up to 120 grams of net carbohydrate daily. Low carbohydrate diets are nothing new, they have been around since the 1860's and the Atkins Diet first came out in the early 1970's.
Most nutrition experts agree that to be successful in weight loss a person needs to keep the weight off for 5 years. Over 90% of people who take weight off through a fad diet like the Atkins Diet gain the weight back in less than one year. Participants on the Atkins Diet lose between 10 to 12 pounds in the first several weeks but this is only water loss, not fat. One pound of fat contains 3500 calories. Therefore to lose 10 pounds of fat in several weeks you would need to consume 35,000 fewer calories or burn 35,000 calories more through exercise. Neither is likely to happen.
So, the best way to lose weight and become more healthy is to eat a balanced diet. Don't cut out all your carbs, but don't go overboard with them either. In addition to eating well, exercise in a proportional amount to what you are eating. Exercising too much is as bad as exercising too little.
Your carb dessert dietpoundsaway.com low recipe headquarters. Find quick answers to your low carb alcohol questions.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nathan_T._Lynch






Diet Food Doesn't Have To Be Boring!

Not too long ago, my mother and I were talking about food and
diets. "Your grandmother used to feed you pasta five nights a
week," my mother insisted. "She did not!" I exclaimed, stung.
After all, I remembered my grandmother as a wonderfully varied
cook who could make anything taste wonderful. She served all
sorts of meals, not just pasta! There was spaghetti, of course -
she was Italian, after all. But she also made Ziti with
vegetables. And Linguine. And tuna casserole with. ..elbow
macaroni. By the time I'd finished naming off a typical week's
worth of menus, I had to concede my mother's point - but I made
mine as well. "But... it didn't FEEL like we were eating pasta
every night!" There's a point to this story, I promise, and here
it comes: One of the biggest reasons that people slip off their
diets and eating plans is BOREDOM. It's very easy to look at the
foods allowed on your diet and see it as restrictive and boring.
Chicken four nights a week. Fish three times a week. Green leafy
vegetables till they're coming out of your ears. Who wouldn't
get bored? The answer is - anyone with a good set of cookbooks
and a healthy imagination. Perk up your cabinet with spices and
fill your refrigerator with fresh fruits and vegetables, then
look for novel ways to combine them. Here are a handful of tips
for non-boring, healthy, low-cal eating 1. Spice it up!

Spices are one of the quickest ways out of the diet doldrums.
Rosemary and fennel with chicken, mint rubbed into pork, pepper
and lemon mint on fresh fish - the 'blander' the food, the
higher the effect of the spices. 2. Dress it up.

Fruit vinaigrette dressings make wonderful marinades for meats
and dressings for warm or cold vegetables. Try broccoli drizzled
with raspberry vinaigrette or cabbage spiced up with apple
vinegar and pepper. 2. Herb-infused olive oils - tarragon,
ginger, fennel and more.

3. My brother the chef gave me a set of three oils for Christmas
one year and it completely changed the way I'll cook forever! 4.
Low sodium soy sauce is a great way to flavor up just about
anything. 5. Fruit

The bitterness of dark leafy greens like spinach were
practically designed to be eaten with mandarin oranges,
raspberries or chunks of pineapple. Still need some help? Here
is a list of the absolute best cookbooks on the market to help
you fight those diet boredom blues! The Mediterranean Diet
Cookbook This cookbook features polenta, couscous and more!
Laurie's Low-Carb Cookbook This everyday chef shares recipes
that are so easy to do! Low Carb Meals In Minutes Use this book
and get six weeks worth of complete menus that include shopping
lists. Dr. Atkins New Diet Cookbook This one's from the creator
of the Atkins Diet The South Beach Diet Cookbook This book is
packed with more than 200 recipes for delicious low-fat foods
Moosewood Restaurant Low Fat Favorites If meat isn't your thing,
this cookbook shares recipes from one of the most famous
vegetarian restaurants in America American Heart Association
Low-Fat Low-Cholesterol Cookbook Are you trying to lower your
cholesterol or take care of your heart? This book has great
tasting recipes that are good for you--and your heart! American
Heart Association Meals in Minutes If you're constantly eating
fast foods because you simply don't have the time to create
great tasting healthy meals, check out this book! Joslin
Diabetes Center's Vegetarian Diabetic Cookbook Meatless and
vegan recipes that are low fat, high fiber, and delicious The
Guilt-Free Gourmet Famous cruise ship chef Sam Miles put
together this wonderful cookbook from his six years traveling on
ships as a cook.

So, now you've got some ideas and some resources--there should
be no reason that you have to live with boring foods--even if
you are on a diet!






The Atkins Low Carb Diet: Still Very Popular After All This Time!

The Atkins low carb diet has been around since the mid-1970's and really took off in popularity during the 1990's and 2000's. After all that time it has certainly proven its ability to help people lose weight and keep the weight off.

The Atkins Low Carb Diet Difference

What has made the Atkins diet program continue to be so popular over the years when other diet plans have come and gone? What is so different about the Atkins diet guidelines that have allowed followers to be so successful with their weight loss?

The difference is in the attitude that the Atkins low carb diet fosters. It is not just a temporary pattern of eating, nor is it a huge cutback in calories that cannot be maintained over time. Instead, the Atkins diet program is really a lifestyle, not just a diet program. It focuses on changing habits for long term effect, not just short term cutting calories and then a return to old eating patterns.

Making it Easy to do Atkins

Most people find it easy to follow the Atkins low carb diet for two reasons:

• The food is delicious - no bland or boring meals
• The food is easy to find - at the grocery store, at convenience stores, at restaurants, and more

The taste of food in the Atkins diet meal plans is really different from other diet plans. You do not have to deprive yourself of the foods and flavors that you really enjoy. In fact, you are practically required to eat the foods and flavors that you most enjoy. What a deal!

With other diet plans, it can be tough to find the food that you are supposed to eat each day. Some plans require you to buy their own food, which is okay if you have easy access to it and do not ever eat a meal out. With Atkins, though, you know which foods are okay and which ones are not, and you use that information to select what you eat no matter where you may be.

Atkins Diet Foods - Make it Yourself or Buy it Pre-Made

The Atkins low carb diet lets you have the best of both worlds when it comes to selecting food. You can make meals yourself by selecting from the huge list of allowed foods, or if you are in a hurry, you can choose pre-made meals from the Atkins group themselves.

Some of the most popular pre-made foods include:

• Breakfast bars
• Snack bars
• Meal replacement bars
• Liquid shakes
• Candy
• Ice cream

Pre-made foods are really convenient and easy when you are on the go and do not have time to eat a regular meal, or just to carry along in your purse or briefcase for those times when you need a little boost. Many people keep a box of snack bars in their office drawer or a few liquid shakes in the office refrigerator just to have on hand.

How does Atkins Compare to Other Low Carb Diet Plans?

When the Atkins low carb diet first came out in the 1970's it was unique; there was nothing comparable in widespread use. During the resurgence in the 1990's and 2000's, though, a whole host of imitators and similar versions began to appear.

Most of those other low carb diet plans were similar to the Atkins diet guidelines, but they lacked two important components for success:

• A proven nutritional approach
• Ongoing support and motivation to stay with a low carb lifestyle

The Atkins diet program is a proven nutritional approach. When you feed your body a diet high in carbohydrates that is what it burns mostly for fuel, leaving fats to build up and get stored away. Reducing the carbohydrate intake, though, forces the body's metabolism to "switch gears" so to speak, and start burning stored fats instead.

When you adopt an Atkins-based low carb lifestyle, you are not left alone to muddle through entirely by yourself. There are many Atkins books, articles and other publications available to encourage you and motivate you to truly change your lifestyle. There are carb counters, calendars, food journals, cookbooks, recipe collections and more - just about any kind of support or helpful tool you could possibly want.

The Atkins web site is also a tremendous source of information and support. There are free online classes, discussion groups, informational articles, and a free e-mail newsletter. All of these items are designed specifically to help you adopt and maintain a low carb lifestyle so that you can enjoy dramatic and lasting weight loss success.

Atkins Controversy

Of course, no diet plan is without at least some controversy along the way, and Atkins is no exception. Some people are very concerned about the high levels of fats allowed on the diet, especially during the induction and weight loss phases.

What most naysayers do not fully appreciate, though, is that as your body becomes accustomed to a low carbohydrate lifestyle you can gradually increase carbs. Over time, your diet gradually starts to include many more varieties of nutrients, offering you a good solid nutritional base to keep you active and healthy.

Another reason to appreciate the unique Atkins low carb diet is that it cuts down on harmful sugars and other sweets without leaving you with uncontrollable cravings that cause you to have episodes of binging on cookies, candy and other sweets. Atkins is a satisfying collection of foods, allowing you a taste of sweets now and then but generally keeping you satiated and satisfied thanks to the variety of other foods that are allowed.

Getting Started

Before starting any diet or nutritional regimen, you should consult with your doctor and have a thorough check up. He or she will then have a baseline of information about your health, making it easier to track your progress and really see how much your health improves over time.

I encourage you to work with your doctor and connect with others who are following a low carb lifestyle in order to gain the maximum benefit and effectiveness from the Atkins low carb diet.






The Diet Craze

That little bikini in the back of your bottom dresser drawer is calling your name. The sun is shining, the kids are begging for a trip to the beach, but the idea of putting on a bathing suit makes you about as excited as the idea of spending the day scrubbing toilets. You are not alone. In 2003, 65% of U.S. citizens tried some form of weight loss or weight control. But the idea of weight-loss is daunting to anyone, especially with the ever-increasing number of weight-loss plans, online diets and magic pills that make the weight vanish while you sleep (wouldn't that be nice?).

To ease your worries and debunk the mysteries, we have taken a close look at three of the most popular diets out there.

Atkins

* What it is

Known predominantly for its low-carb stance on weight-loss, the Atkins diet has been making noise in the media for decades. Dr. Atkins' theory is that a diet high in carbohydrates does not allow the body to produce high levels of energy. By eliminating these carbohydrates from your diet, your body will instead use fat as fuel, ultimately resulting in weight loss. This "fat burning energy," as the plan calls it, claims to shed pounds and diminish your appetite. The drastic exclusion of carbs, while adding in healthy doses of saturated fat is the basic formula of the Atkins' diet supposed magic.

* What you do

The Atkins' diet is broken up into four phases that guide you through the weight-loss process. You may choose to begin your diet at any phase, but it is recommended that you start at Phase 1 to help your body adjust to the drastic diet change.

- Phase 1: Induction

This is essentially a 14-day boot camp for your body in which you eat leafy greens and non-starchy vegetables as the 20 Net Carbs allowed per day.

- Phase 2: Ongoing Weight Loss (OWL)

During this time, you are given greater freedom in your diet choices and can eat up to 25 Net Carbs per day. This is a slower-paced phase in which the Atkins people promise the pounds will come off gradually.

- Phase 3: Pre-Maintenance

Nearing your target weight, this phase encourages you to "take ownership of your new Atkins healthy eating habits" and plan to maintain them even after reaching your weight goal.

- Phase 4: Lifetime Maintenance

In this final phase, Atkins challenges you to maintain your Atkins Carbohydrate Equilibrium (ACE) and stay within 5 pounds of your final target weight. Using the knowledge and habits learned throughout the diet, you should potentially be able to maintain your weight for the rest of your life.

* What you eat

Your carb intake is determined by which phase you are in, so obviously you'll have more options the longer you stick with the plan. The following are just a few menu options, but click here for more recipes:

Crab and Avocado Salad

Chocolate Pancakes

Pork Chops with Walnuts and Blue Cheese

Shrimp and Feta Stew

Chocolate Cream Frosty

Wild Mushroom and Gruyere Cheese Omelets

Chicken and Cheese Quesadillas

Italian Meatballs with Tomato Sauce

Mahi-Mahi with Spicy Peanut Sauce

Vanilla Mousse with Rhubarb Sauce

Salmon-Stuffed Zucchini

* What you should know

Like any fad, there are always loyal followers and skeptic criticizers. For the Atkins diet, most criticism from the medical profession focuses around a health concern. Because the diet is so high in saturated fats, you may shed the pounds, but your heart may be suffering as well. It has also been found to be as effective or less effective than other diets that include carbohydrates in a more balanced diet. However, to date, there have been no long-term studies of people on the Atkins' diet.

Zone (also see Dr. Sears' website )

* What it is

Unlike the Atkins' diet, the Zone Diet is less about dieting and more about a lifetime of healthy eating. Founded by Dr. Barry Sears in 1984, he believes that achieving hormonal balance through diet is essential to maintaining a healthy weight. According to Sears, hormone insulin will make you fat and keep you fat, so the goal is to regulate that insulin.

* What you do

The Zone Diet is simpler to explain because its foundation is very basic. There are no steps or phases, just the goal to stay within the Zone.

- 3 meals, 2 snacks

In order to maintain your desired insulin level, Sears believes you should eat at specific timed intervals throughout the day, totaling three meals and two snacks. Even if you aren't hungry, you must eat to stay in the Zone. It is essential to plan your meals like you plan the rest of your day to ensure you eat the proper amount at the right time. This controls how your body uses proteins and carbohydrates consistently throughout the day.

- Exercise

Because staying in the Zone promises an increased level of energy, even people who are not normally active will want to add exercise into their daily routine. Sears encourages this activity, but believes that exercise can only get you so far. He says that it should be an 80/20 rule, with 80% diet and 20% exercise.

* What you eat

The possibilities are endless as to what you can create, as long as you stay within the guidelines. The following are some Zone snacks to keep you full between meals(click here for full recipes). Also, check out the Zone food and recipe website for more ideas:

Deviled Eggs with Hummus

Waldorf Salad

Chips and Salsa

Mini Pita Pizza

Spinach Salad

Tuna Salad and Cracker

Hot Dog (soy)

Low-Fat Cottage Cheese & Fruit

Crabmeat Salad Sandwiches

Ham and Fruit

* What you should know

Although the Zone diet shows slightly higher success rates than the Atkins' diet, it is smart to be skeptical of any diet that concentrates on one food group drastically more than the others. Consequently, the American Heart Association does not recommend the Zone diet of its excessive emphasis on high-protein, little nutrients and the lack of long-term studies done on the Zone diet.

South Beach Diet

* What it is

The South Beach Diet was originally created by Dr. Arthur Agatston, who is a cardiologist in Miami, Florida. He wanted to find a way for his heart patients to lose weight in a healthy way. Concentrating on good carbs and good fats rather than bad carbs and bad fats, the idea is to get rid of bad fats and carbs that impair insulin's ability to properly process fats and sugars. Overall, Agatston believes in a healthy balance of food in general, rather than an elimination of carbohydrates.

* What you do

There are three phases in this diet and, like the Atkins' diet, with each new phase you have more options of food.

- Phase 1: Start losing weight

During this phase, your three meals per day will include normal-sized helpings and plenty of choices including meat, seafood, vegetables, eggs and nuts. Part of this phase is eliminating hunger cravings and learning which foods will keep you full the longest. Like the Zone diet, you should eat two snacks per day as well.

- Phase 2: Reach your goal

The key to this phase is balance. You may start adding foods back into your diet that were not allowed before, but in a balanced relation to the other foods in your diet. Whether it be bread, rice, potatoes or cereal, you will learn how to eat them and make them "smart carbs."

- Phase 3: A diet for life

After the first two phases, you will have learned how to eat and prepare meals that include good carbs and good fat to help you maintain a healthy lifestyle. The South Beach Diet emphasizes the long-term effects of the diet. In fact, they say that, "you'll notice that this plan feels less like a diet and more like a way of life."

* What you eat

The South Beach Diet has hundreds of recipes for each phase so you can prepare healthy meals at home, but they also have a retail product lines from Kraft and Santa Fe to make staying on the diet that much easier. Here are a few choices:

Baked Sweet Potato Fries

Roasted Eggplant with Lemon and Olive Oil

Baked Barbecue Chicken

Whole Wheat Penne with Eggplant and Ricotta

Cannellini Bean Salad

Warm Beef Salad

Mango Smoothie

Pear Bran Muffins

* What you should know

While this diet may seem to be the most flexible, don't be fooled by introductory gimmicks. While the South Beach Diet allows you some leeway, be prepared to make some sacrifices to lose the weight.

Please remember, this is just an overview. If you are seriously thinking of trying these diets or any others, do your research. Read the diet books and talk to people who have tried them. The more you know the better chance you have at being successful.

Copyright ฉ 2006 Ampere Media LLC






Atkins Advantage - Or Should We Say Disadvantage

Are you interested in losing weight? If so, there are two things that you can do to lose weight. The first one is to exercise. The very reason why you gained weight in the first place is that you consumed much food that your body wouldn't be using. Foods contain many carbohydrates that store itself in the body until it is burned. The only way to do this is through physical activities. If you do not have much time for physical activities, then exercising on gyms are for you. You can go to the gym regularly and exercise there for less than an hour. It would be easy is to lose the excess fats you have through exercise.

Another thing you could do to lose weight is to go through a diet program or plan. Diet programs or plans gives you a detailed plan on what you should eat and what foods should you stay away from. One of the diet plans known all over the world is the Atkins diet. Let's see what the Atkins advantage is to other diet plans.

Atkins advantage to other diet plans could also be its disadvantages to the other. There are some rules on the Atkins diet that could prove to be dangerous to an individual. So if you are not careful, you may end up getting a serious illness from following such a diet plan.

Some of Atkins advantages include rapid weight loss; dieters can eat food rich in protein such as meat, eggs, cheese, fishes, etc.; the diet is not time consuming.

The rapid weight loss, which is one of Atkins advantages, might as well be its disadvantage. How? First of all, the Atkins diet focuses on high protein intake and low carbohydrates intake. If you do not know, many foods have carbohydrates in it. And most of them have many carbohydrates intake to about 20 grams on the first few days to up to only 120 grams after target body weight has been reached. So if the foods you want to eat have more than 120 grams of carbohydrates in it, you are not going to eat it at all cause. Fruits and vegetables contain carbohydrates and eating lots of them will help you gain nutrients that your body needs. With Atkins diet, you are to restrict yourself from eating fruits and vegetables because it contains many carbohydrates.

Dieters can eat foods reach in protein on Atkins diet. This is supposedly Atkins advantage. But there is a catch to it. They recommend you to it Atkins food such as their energy bars with low carbohydrates and bread. Instead of having a flexible menu with protein-rich foods, you'll have to satisfy yourself with Atkins food products.

Another one of the expected Atkins advantage is that it is not time consuming. But the main reason for this is because there's not much food to choose from with Atkins diet. You'll have to be satisfied with a few choices of foods, so it really isn't much of a time consumer.

So forget about following Atkins diet, just go for Fat Loss for idiots. Fat loss for idiots is the only diet program that can truly promise you of weight loss in only a few days.



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Outdoor Cooking Recipes are fastest and easiest.

Free outdoor cooking recipes are there for everybody to enjoy and share besides providing the perfect opportunity for people to experiment and have fun while sharing jokes, recipe ideas and more by the camp-side. While many people take up cooking as a hobby that is reserved for their spare time, others can also benefit from picking up the quick-and-easy methods of free recipes to have the confidence to participate in varied cooking events that occur on food network channels, online portals that advertise free outdoor cooking recipes besides other places. The charm of entering a cooking competition online or in person is exciting and cannot be stressed enough; however, there is definitely something for everyone as contests can include styles like grilling or Dutch oven cooking, besides free outdoor cooking recipes that are easy and fast. go to www.cajuns-recipes.com. In fact, much of the popularity of these recipes lies in their simple techniques of cooking that minimize preparation time and use of few ingredients that cook fast too. The menu selection and the technique of cooking one chooses for preparing outdoor meals also determines the fun, ease and simplicity factors for a great outdoor activity that can be shared and two best bets include Dutch oven cooking and grill-cooking, because they both give fast and nutritious results to whatever is cooked! A wide array of dishes can be prepared using free outdoor cooking recipes that can include food groups like veggies, meats, breads, chicken, fish besides kebabs and sweet dishes too! Hassle-free, quick and using little heat, the appeal of free outdoor cooking recipes spreads far and wide to incorporate mealtime decisions for breakfast, luncheon and supper that can be either light or filling. Salads and desserts are included in the cooking recipes that are comprehensive meal planning tools besides also leaving enough scope for introducing the meal with a tasty starter snack like grilled salmon or tenderloins. Roast, grill or bake, there's a cooking method that is ideal for every family and outdoor cooking makes this experience even more enjoyable when free outdoor cooking recipes are shared among guests who have enjoyed the outing too! While the preferred way to have outdoor fun and meals is no doubt grill-cooking that fixes healthy and hot hamburgers, hot dogs and chicken in a jiffy, there's much more fun to be had when menu-planning is done as group activity. Latest advancements in the products available for outdoor cooking have furthered eased the activity for many hobbyists and technology being used in barbeque-stands, cookware tools, support equipment for outdoor cooking has become safety-conscious that users can look forward to having a good time with great meals that make partying an all-time option for large families as well as small groups of friends.. For help visit www.atkins-diets-recipes.com. Thus, these easy recipes for outdoors increase the scope of creative fun for everyone!



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Ketosis Weight Loss and the Atkins Diet - Get the Thinner You

The term ketosis and referencing it to weight loss is a term not many people understand or have even heard of. Ketosis is the process that helps burn your stored fat.

The entire principle of a diet is to reduce the calorie intake during eating. This does help in weight loss, but many people seem to forget is that as you lose weight it may not all be from your fat, it could be your muscle tissues degrading also and that's were the bulk of your weight lies as muscle is heavier than fat. Now as you start to drop all this weight from your fat as well as your muscle, your metabolism starts to slow right down. This is the underlying and most frustrating reason that weight is extremely easy to put on and difficult to lose.

The Atkins diet actually uses the process of ketosis to aid in weight loss as ketosis helps to burn only the fat and not the muscle, thus keeping the fat burning whilst retaining a high metabolic rate.

Ketones are produced from your liver as energy which was previously fat. It is a natural source of energy for the body and is very important. This is why you hear people saying that you shouldn't you out all fat in your diet as the body depends on it. Because without this the body will degrade all tissues and not just fat, and as soon as you start to eat again, all the fat will be absorbed and there will be too much for the liver to convert, leaving in hanging on your stomach or your so called love handles.

The Atkins diet simply cuts the amounts of glucose within your blood stream. a lot of people think that the Atkins diet is a very dangerous form of dieting when in reality in a naturally appreciated process from by your body. The problem with the diet is that people start to see effects, then get addicted and don't know when to stop simultaneously leading them to anorexia.

There are methods to test the level of ketones in your body, simply go to a pharmacy and they will provide you with them. Using these ketone strips, you will find weather your are handling this diet the correct way and weather you need to stop or you can continue.

The strips provide useful information such as the level of ketones in your body, weather you are dehydrated or not. Sometimes though just having a meal which is quite fatty can result in an unwanted colour but don't worry.

If you succeed in getting the right ketosis level, you have simultaneously succeeded at Atkins. Use the test strips as necessary, do everything the right way and you will cut carbs from your diet in a healthy way.

Just make sure you do it the right way and don't fall into the trap of doing it the wrong way. For more information feel free to visit my site below.





Ketosis weight loss is a serious matter and if you want to do it right you should visit http://www.cookyourselfthinrecipes.com/Diets.html for help and aid.




Atkins Diet, The History And The Basics

One of the pioneers of the diet revolution in the early part of 2000 is the Atkins Diet, a program created by cardiologist Dr. Robert Atkins for the patients of his private clinic. Because it is so very effective, the diet program has since evolved to include famous celebrities as part of its millions of followers.

The diet program is actually based on the book that Atkins published in 1999. Aptly titled, "Dr. Atkins' Diet Revolution, the book created a world-wide sensation with people taking in pros and cons position. Despite the opinions of his critics, the book became an overnight hit in bookstores nationwide. In fact, Dr. Atkins' Diet Revolution topped the New York Times Bestsellers list, which is perhaps the most prestigious bestsellers book list in the country. What is more, it has stayed in the list for seven years. Truly a great fit for a diet book.

Atkins' Diet Revolution is made up of seven chapters. It explains the basics of the diet program. It also contains tips on leading a healthy lifestyle in the 21st century as well as different recipes that dieters can whip up at home.

One of the advantages of the Atkins diet program is the fact that people are allowed to choose the food that they will eat and to prepare their meals themselves. This is less expensive than having foods delivered to you. Being able to choose the food that you will eat increases the will and commitment to stay into the program.

The diet is based on the rationale that taking in less carbohydrates in meals can help in the reduction of weight. This is because the water content in the body is flushed off when the body uses it as an alternative source of energy.

The same goes with the fat cells, which are temporarily used for energy in lieu of the missing carbohydrates. As you well know, both fats and carbohydrates are potential sources of energy. The body just prefers the carbohydrates as it can easily be burned as opposed to fats, which has a really complex structure.

Another advantage of the Atkins program is the fact that it is a very good diet for people with diabetes and a whole lot more. In fact, according to many dieticians, the Atkins Diet is the only diet that can prevent the incidence of high blood pressure and high cholesterol as well as obesity, which are all precursors of the Type 2 form of diabetes.








Dont Break Your Piggy Bank Over South Beach Diet Recipes!

All That Glitters…No question, the South Beach diet has taken the world by storm. The popularity of the South Beach Diet has knocked diet heavyweights like Atkins off the charts. Why? I think the only reason the South Beach Diet has become so infamous is not because the South Beach Diet works so well. Rather, because South Beach, a very exclusive area in Florida, is all glitz and glamour and has a very inviting seductive appeal - like Hollywood. But like the saying goes, "All that glitters ain't gold." The South Beach Diet sounds good, but there are some serious drawbacks. It Costs How Much??A yearly membership for the basic plan costs $265 - not including the other paraphernalia needed to be successful with this diet. The more advanced levels cost almost double and triple the amount. We still have not factored in other items like the South Beach Diet book, which you must purchase otherwise you will not be able to follow the diet. The cost of the diet book on Amazon costs between $49.00 and $69.00. We haven't even discussed the cost of their pre-packaged foods. Let's not go there. Actually, let's go there. A Recipe for Disaster The South Beach Diet recipes on this food plan require buying their pre-packaged foods, and their prepackaged foods are expensive. Their daily menu requires you to eat their snacks. In addition, they market their pre-packaged products so aggressively, you end up feeling obligated to buy them not only because of their aggressive marketing tactics, but because the recipes that look the most appealing are too complicated to make. What's in a Name?Advertising agencies sell illusions. That's their job. Do you remember Gloria Vanderbilt jeans? Do you remember Sergio Valente jeans? How about Jordache jeans? Back in the day (way back in the day), these jeans used to cost a fortune. I would have killed to get the "Jordache look." I begged my mother to buy those jeans for me! But what exactly was the "Jordache look?" The model for the commercial was tall (at least 5'11 maybe taller), blonde, thin and had long silky hair which she flung around with complete abandon while dancing. I completely bought into the illusion of what a pair of Jordache jeans would turn me into! Meanwhile, I looked nothing like the Jordache model. I'm African-American, 5'3, and at the time I weighed 195 pounds, and my hair was short and nappy! I couldn't fling my nappy hair if I wanted to, and at 195 pounds, I certainly couldn't fit into a pair of Jordache jeans!But the reality is these expensive jeans were made out of the same cheap cotton as other no-frills brand jeans. So why did these jeans cost an arm and a leg and why were they so wildly popular? It's really simple - much marketing hype of the name and what consumers thought they would get if they purchased the jeans - the man of their dreams. The same advertising strategy went into the marketing of the South Beach Diet. People think that by purchasing the South Beach Diet, they will live the lavish life style of the rich and beautiful - on the beach. Talk about illusions! They're just selling us glitz and glamour.



For more information on the south beach diet reipies, visit http://www.totallytrim.com.



Fat Loss 4 Idiots VS the Atkins Diet

Fat Loss 4 Idiots vs Atkins Diet, it is time to place your bet but which side will you choose? Which one is the most capable and efficient? What is there to know about them? Let's check it out.

Starting with Atkins diet. Atkins is a well known low-carb diet created by Dr.Robert Atkins. It starts with a introduction phase, this phase is the most restrictive phase of the Atkins Nutritional Approach. During the first two week, drinking at least eight glasses of water is highly recommended. The Induction Phase is usually when many see the most significant weight loss, between 10 to 15 pounds.

The ongoing weight loss is the next phase. This phase consists of an increase in carbohydrate intake, but remaining at levels where weight loss occurs. After that comes the pre-maintenance phase where the carbohydrates intake is increased again, and the key goal in this phase is to find the "Critical Carbohydrate Level for Maintenance", this is the maximum number of carbohydrates you can eat each day without gaining weight.

Last come the Lifetime maintenance. This phase is intended to carry on the habits acquired in the previous phases, and avoid the common end-of-diet mindset that can return people to their previous habits and previous weight.

Also, the program offers a selection of recipes and products.

Fat loss 4 Idiots is slightly different, in the way where you do not have to worry about restriction. Neither do you have to constantly watch out for the amount of calories you intake every days. With an diet generator assisting you, and a revolutionary method called the "Calorie Shifting", you will start losing weight the very first week.

Every group of food is available, and you get to eat more than 3 meals a day in order to lose weight. This diet will mostly help you understanding your body and the way to lose as much fat as desired.

So there you have it, you can also check both diet more thoroughly to help you take a decision on which diet is the most suitable for you.





Lose weight permanently by using real weight loss diets, and get the shape you have always dreamed of.

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Atkins Diet, The History And The Basics

One of the pioneers of the diet revolution in the early part of 2000 is the Atkins Diet, a program created by cardiologist Dr. Robert Atkins for the patients of his private clinic. Because it is so very effective, the diet program has since evolved to include famous celebrities as part of its millions of followers.

The diet program is actually based on the book that Atkins published in 1999. Aptly titled, "Dr. Atkins' Diet Revolution, the book created a world-wide sensation with people taking in pros and cons position. Despite the opinions of his critics, the book became an overnight hit in bookstores nationwide. In fact, Dr. Atkins' Diet Revolution topped the New York Times Bestsellers list, which is perhaps the most prestigious bestsellers book list in the country. What is more, it has stayed in the list for seven years. Truly a great fit for a diet book.

Atkins' Diet Revolution is made up of seven chapters. It explains the basics of the diet program. It also contains tips on leading a healthy lifestyle in the 21st century as well as different recipes that dieters can whip up at home.

One of the advantages of the Atkins diet program is the fact that people are allowed to choose the food that they will eat and to prepare their meals themselves. This is less expensive than having foods delivered to you. Being able to choose the food that you will eat increases the will and commitment to stay into the program.

The diet is based on the rationale that taking in less carbohydrates in meals can help in the reduction of weight. This is because the water content in the body is flushed off when the body uses it as an alternative source of energy.

The same goes with the fat cells, which are temporarily used for energy in lieu of the missing carbohydrates. As you well know, both fats and carbohydrates are potential sources of energy. The body just prefers the carbohydrates as it can easily be burned as opposed to fats, which has a really complex structure.

Another advantage of the Atkins program is the fact that it is a very good diet for people with diabetes and a whole lot more. In fact, according to many dieticians, the Atkins Diet is the only diet that can prevent the incidence of high blood pressure and high cholesterol as well as obesity, which are all precursors of the Type 2 form of diabetes.






Atkins Diet Overview, Is It The Right Diet For You?

Recently my girlfriend and I attempted to try the Atkins diet. After attempting and failing at a number of diets over the past few years this was the first time we had embarked on a strict low carbohydrate diets. The Atkins diet basically wants you to eat less carbohydrate such as bread ad potatoes and more protein such as meat. At first it was very difficult to give up the food we love such as breads, rice, potatoes etc but after a few weeks the results appeared to be well worth the sacrifice. My girlfriend lost 10 pounds and I lost 15 pounds we were amazed at how fast we saw results using the Atkins diet. The most difficult thing was to find alternative foods to eat to make the Atkins diet effective.

At first we tried to keep it strictly meat such as steak chicken pork or fish with a garden salad and some low fat vinaigrette dressing. But quickly we got bored f the same old meat eating diet that we were getting accustomed to. Yes we were losing weight but diner started to get boring so we went out and bought the Atkins cook book. The Atkins cook book is simply amazing it has so many great recipes to keep your meals surprisingly fresh and tasty. One of our favourites was mashed cauliflower. Its more or less just like potatoes salad except you substitute the potatoes for cauliflower, the result was absolutely tasty and wonderful. We would recommend the Atkins cook book for anyone considering to embark on this amazing diet plan.

The key to the Atkins diet is to limit the amount of carbohydrates at first. Basically it is to trick your body into burning fat instead of carbohydrates to keep your internal furnace going. This takes time for your body to adjust and it is important you stick to the diet to see maximum results. Over time we started introducing carbohydrates back into our diets but very minimal amounts coupled with daily exercise, we are both proud to have lost a combined 60 pounds in 6 months on the Atkins diet and healthier lifestyles. The Atkins diet is the first step, no diet will be totally successful if you don't have the commitment and don't exercise regularly.

Give the Atkins diet a try today and see for yourself if the results will be the same for you. You can go online and purchase the Atkins diet book from many websites or even go to your local book store for the Atkins diet and cookbook combo, take my word for it you won't be disappointed when you start to shed off the pounds.








Atkins Diet Overview, Is It The Right Diet For You?

Recently my girlfriend and I attempted to try the Atkins diet. After attempting and failing at a number of diets over the past few years this was the first time we had embarked on a strict low carbohydrate diets. The Atkins diet basically wants you to eat less carbohydrate such as bread ad potatoes and more protein such as meat. At first it was very difficult to give up the food we love such as breads, rice, potatoes etc but after a few weeks the results appeared to be well worth the sacrifice. My girlfriend lost 10 pounds and I lost 15 pounds we were amazed at how fast we saw results using the Atkins diet. The most difficult thing was to find alternative foods to eat to make the Atkins diet effective.

At first we tried to keep it strictly meat such as steak chicken pork or fish with a garden salad and some low fat vinaigrette dressing. But quickly we got bored f the same old meat eating diet that we were getting accustomed to. Yes we were losing weight but diner started to get boring so we went out and bought the Atkins cook book. The Atkins cook book is simply amazing it has so many great recipes to keep your meals surprisingly fresh and tasty. One of our favourites was mashed cauliflower. Its more or less just like potatoes salad except you substitute the potatoes for cauliflower, the result was absolutely tasty and wonderful. We would recommend the Atkins cook book for anyone considering to embark on this amazing diet plan.

The key to the Atkins diet is to limit the amount of carbohydrates at first. Basically it is to trick your body into burning fat instead of carbohydrates to keep your internal furnace going. This takes time for your body to adjust and it is important you stick to the diet to see maximum results. Over time we started introducing carbohydrates back into our diets but very minimal amounts coupled with daily exercise, we are both proud to have lost a combined 60 pounds in 6 months on the Atkins diet and healthier lifestyles. The Atkins diet is the first step, no diet will be totally successful if you don't have the commitment and don't exercise regularly.

Give the Atkins diet a try today and see for yourself if the results will be the same for you. You can go online and purchase the Atkins diet book from many websites or even go to your local book store for the Atkins diet and cookbook combo, take my word for it you won't be disappointed when you start to shed off the pounds.






The Atkins Diet - The Origin Of Low Carb Diets

The Atkins Nutritional approach has been used nationally since the 1960's. Long before Dr. Robert Atkins published his popular low-carbohydrate diet plan, his patients were reaping the benefits of the Atkins diet.

Dr. Atkins divided his meal plan into four phases. "Induction," phase one, is designed to force the body into ketosis, a physical condition which occurs in response to starvation. The "ketogenic" diet is widely used in medicine not only to treat obesity, but also to treat conditions such as epilepsy and diabetes. During this particular two-week period, no alcohol or caffeine can be consumed.

The second phase, "Ongoing Weight Loss," is geared toward finding the "Critical Carbohydrate Level for Losing." This process involves increasing the carb intake by five grams per week until the subject a person is within 10 pounds of their target weight.

"Pre-maintenance" is the next step. Like phase two, this phase calls for an increase in carb intake, the difference between the two phases being that this phase is designed to find the "Critical Carbohydrate Level for Maintenance."

Step four is "Lifetime Maintenance," a phase intended to reinforce the habits learned through the diet plan so as not to regain the weight lost during the diet. Dr. Atkins also emphasizes making use of the option to jump back to any of the other phases if weight begins to return.

While many testimonials of success have been recorded, the Atkins diet has been under fire in recent years as more and more analysis is conducted. Recent studies have compared Atkins to other diet plans and found that it scores among the highest for short-term weight loss but ranks as the lowest for long-term weight loss. And after Atkins Nutrionals released their line of Atkins diet bars and meals, Forbes Magazine analyzed several diets and found that the average consumer would pay up to 80% more in food costs than people not on the diet. Even when faced with these facts, many still sing praises of the Atkins diet.

Both the New England Journal of Medicine and the American Journal of Medicine confirmed that Atkins is still the most effective published diet plan for short-term weight loss. They do, however, acknowledge that it does come at greater risk for coronary heart disease. As for weighing out the pros and cons to determine exactly how much more at risk those who participate in the Atkins diet are, all reports found that no evidence documented has yet to prove that the risks are greater than the benefits.

Nearly forty years later, the late Dr. Atkins is still recognized for his approach to weight loss. Thanks to the innovation of the internet, Atkins meal plans, Atkins diet bars, Atkins recipes, magazine articles and research regarding Atkins and virtually anything else associated with the Atkins diet has never been easier to access.






Atkins Diet Review: The Truth About The Atkins Diet

The Atkins diet plan has made an impact in the market for many years. No other diet plan has become as successful as this low carb diet plan. The Atkins diet has helped many people to reduce the weight and minimize the health related problems associated with obesity. It has assisted many people to regain the strength and shape up the body. It has gained popularity with people from all walks of life. However there are some not so good things to consider before going for it.
Some Facts About The Atkins Diet:
Atkins diet plan has gained this popularity mainly because you get the desired results without starving, you can eat significant quantities of the right foods. This diet plan suggests low carbs and high protein diet. Also many think that it is useful for mainly non-vegetarian people as it directs the use of animal proteins. But with some modifications and care, the vegetarian people can also use this diet and get the desired results.
Though this plan has caused the biggest weight loss, there are controversies involved also. To some people, it has worked like magic and is the most useful diet plan. But some people think it to be too good to real diet plan. They think of it as impractical and dangerous diet plan.
As this diet relies on a high protein diet, it is claimed that the high intake of protein can seriously harms the kidney function. But it can not be proved through well documented studies that effects such as these have been noted. Also, long term caloric limitations can lead to nutritional deficiencies. Even Dr Atkins ended up developing a whole line of supplements to balance the nutrition of long term dieters. This is the one of the bad points of this diet plan. But if you carefully follow the Akins diet plan, you will get to know that intake of carbohydrates are restricted only in the first phase and then gradually the carbs intake increases. Also it is highly recommended to take vitamin and mineral supplements with this diet plan.
Some also states that high fat intake may lead to heart attack. But as the carbohydrate intake is limited, the main energy source of body becomes fats so fat intake will not harm as you are balancing it with carbohydrate intake.
Also some wonders that though it is a weight reducing diet plan, how it allows to it almost everything. The main reason of it is, Atkins diet plan insist the wholesome food. As reducing weight by starving is a wrong approach, it will not starve you but make you eat balanced food.
It provides many recipe books which has some really delicious and easy to prepare recipes which will capture your taste buds and heart too. Though many people are following this diet plan, there are some good as well as bad points of it.
There are some very good points about this diet and some bad points but you can get around those points with some care. When all is said and done remember this diet has worked for millions of people, Now you have to think and take right decision.
The author, Bill Urell, reviews only the best diet and fitness plans, tips, and articles that promote healthier lifestyles. Visit us and claim your FREE ebook, 101 Romantic Ideas as a welcome gift ==>http://www.online-weight-loss-resources.com






Atkins Diet - A Straight-up Review.

My husband and I went on the atkins diet several years ago. This is the first time my husband has done any dieting. I on the other hand have tried every diet know to mankind. Of course he dropped 10 pounds the first week, and could not understand why I am always saying that weight loss is difficult. I did lose 6 pounds the first week so I had to agree that the diet was working.

The first two weeks were difficult to get used to eating only low carbohydrate foods. Once we got past that two week mark we found that it was an easy diet for us to follow. On the atkins diet you eat mostly protein. My husband has always been a big meat eater so that part was easy. It was more difficult for him to give up the potatoes and bread that he ate along with his meat. We needed to find alternative foods that were allowed
on the atkins diet.

I bought the atkins diet book which not only outlines the diet but also has recipes. It is amazing how you can eat a lot of food on the atkins diet and still lose weight. The main challenge is getting some variety into your meals. When we first started the atkins diet the dinner meal was very easy to prepare. We would have some type of protein, fish, animal protein, chicken or beef and a large leafy salad with bleu cheese dressing. This was not that different than what we ate before it was just minus the potato and bread.

After a few weeks the lack of variety started to bore us. We were both losing weight, so that helped keep us motivated, but we were getting tired of the same meal each night. Then I discovered some of the recipes in the back of the atkins diet book. Our favorite is mashed cauliflower. It is the same texture as mashed potatoes. The atkins diet book also had a recipe for a salad that has all the same ingredients as potato salad, minus the potatoes. You substitute cooked cauliflower. I was doubtful at first, but it tastes wonderful.

Over the years we have added carbohydrates back into out diet. Initially we both gained some of the weight back, but now we have found the right balance for each of us. Long term with very low carbohydrates did not fit our life style, or taste buds, but the atkins diet was an effective way for us to take off pounds.






Atkins Diet - A Straight-up Review.

My husband and I went on the atkins diet several years ago. This is the first time my husband has done any dieting. I on the other hand have tried every diet know to mankind. Of course he dropped 10 pounds the first week, and could not understand why I am always saying that weight loss is difficult. I did lose 6 pounds the first week so I had to agree that the diet was working.

The first two weeks were difficult to get used to eating only low carbohydrate foods. Once we got past that two week mark we found that it was an easy diet for us to follow. On the atkins diet you eat mostly protein. My husband has always been a big meat eater so that part was easy. It was more difficult for him to give up the potatoes and bread that he ate along with his meat. We needed to find alternative foods that were allowed
on the atkins diet.

I bought the atkins diet book which not only outlines the diet but also has recipes. It is amazing how you can eat a lot of food on the atkins diet and still lose weight. The main challenge is getting some variety into your meals. When we first started the atkins diet the dinner meal was very easy to prepare. We would have some type of protein, fish, animal protein, chicken or beef and a large leafy salad with bleu cheese dressing. This was not that different than what we ate before it was just minus the potato and bread.

After a few weeks the lack of variety started to bore us. We were both losing weight, so that helped keep us motivated, but we were getting tired of the same meal each night. Then I discovered some of the recipes in the back of the atkins diet book. Our favorite is mashed cauliflower. It is the same texture as mashed potatoes. The atkins diet book also had a recipe for a salad that has all the same ingredients as potato salad, minus the potatoes. You substitute cooked cauliflower. I was doubtful at first, but it tastes wonderful.

Over the years we have added carbohydrates back into out diet. Initially we both gained some of the weight back, but now we have found the right balance for each of us. Long term with very low carbohydrates did not fit our life style, or taste buds, but the atkins diet was an effective way for us to take off pounds.








Key Basics of a Typical Low Carb Diets Aimed For Weight Loss

Hey if you are on the look for a resource where you can get the updated information about the key basics of a low crab diet to attain much awaited weight loss. Welcome to the place known for best information resource of low crab diet on the web. A low carb diet often seen in Atkins and Zone diets, have been a popular choice among most weight loss lovers across the globe. There are explanations behind the low carb diets and why they have a role to play in weight loss. In coming lines going reveal all possible aspects related to a low crab diet.

1. Insulin Aspect: High-carb foods when taken will cause your blood sugar to rise quickly. The body secrets a hormone called insulin which carries the extra sugar to the liver and muscles to be stored and any excess sugar are converted to fat . If the amount of carbohydrates intake is immediately converted to sugar, there is no problem with our blood sugar level as it is in a balance mode. On the other hand, if there is an over consumption of carbohydrates food, insulin is required to work harder and more will be produced and in time to come, the insulin becomes less responsive. This leads to diabetes and other health issues.

2. Fat & Protein Aspect: If somebody consumes a low carbohydrate diet, the available carbs are easily used up so the body will turn to fat and even protein for the energy it needs when the carbs sources run out. This is the basis behind the Atkins diet that promotes a low carb diet but high protein and fat component. We are aware that a diet that is rich in protein has been commonly linked to bad cholesterols and heart related complications. However, there were interesting studies to show that low carbohydrate diets are more effective than low- fat diets though the calories co unt are the same.

3. Types of Complex Carbs: We have the simple carbs such as sweets, fizzy drinks and white bread that get digested quickly and converted to energy for use in the body. Unlike simple carbs, the digestion and conversion of complex carbs such as whole grains, fruits and vegetables are slower and you don't get that sugar spike followed by a sugar crash. Therefore it makes sense that unrefined carbs are naturally the best choices due to its high fiber content, its low calorie along with the many antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. In fact, the very low calorie content of these fruits and vegetables is enough to result in negative calorie expenditure for the body. Thus you will lose weight no doubt about it.

4. Low Carbs Information: For weightwatchers, if yo u think that all low carb fad diet is good, you better rethink. Low carb diet is good enough if you take a conscious effort to include whole natural foods such as fruits and organic vegetables in your diet instead of following a particular low carb fad diet blindly. For example, some low carb diet recommends an extreme low percentage of carbs to calories, for example 20 per cent of the total calories consumed. Even then the carbohydrates recommended should come strictly from non-starchy vegetables. In addition, there are some low carb diets that tell you to continue eating pasta, ice-cream and cookies due to their low calorie content but these are processed foods. There are concerns that these fad diets, if followed long-term, may lead to kidney, and other health complications.

Above varied aspects related to low carb diets, one fact that remains above all is about consuming a balanced and healthy blend of food combined with regular exercise is the most effective and trusted safe method to lose weight permanently. The results may be slow but you can still lose weight with discipline and determination. Enjoy weight lose dream with well planned low crab diet.

Are Low Carb Diets Good or Bad for Weight Loss Success

Everybody has heard of "low carb" diets, since they are emerging as the newest trend in dieting. But do they really work? And if so, are they the solution to weight loss that everybody is looking for? I don't think so, because most low carb diets have several problems which make losing weight very difficult for the "average" dieter.

For example, if you follow the Atkins diet (a popular low carb program) then the restriction on carbs for the first couple weeks is very severe (by almost any standards). The Atkins program allows just 20 grams of "net carbs" per day during the first phase of the diet (which usually lasts for 2 weeks).

Just to give you an idea of how few carbs that really is even a large apple has more than 20 grams of "net carbs". This low level of carbs is often too severe for the "average" dieter to tolerate for 2 weeks straight, and in fact eating such a low level of carbs can make a person feel "weak" and "miserable" all day lon g (because your body needs more carbs than that for energy).

Other low carb diets (such as the South Beach Diet) are not quite as severe as the Atkins Plan, but in our opinion even the South Beach Diet is not as easy to follow as it could be.

A successful diet needs to be easy to follow because that's the only way that people will stick to the diet and lose weight. Diets should not make average people feel "miserable" and "weak" all day long, because if a diet makes people feel miserable and weak then it's not going to help very many people succeed in their weight loss goals.

If people are miserable and hungry all day long then they're not going to follow the diet for very long and they won't lose weight. I'm not saying that all low carb diets are as restrictive as the Atkins Diet is, but I am saying that most low carb diets are so hard to follow that "average dieters" will probably wind up feeling hungry and weak all day long (which is not a good thing for dieting success).

I believe that "low carbs" is not the answer to losing weight, since the truth is that your body needs all 3 types of calories to lose weight (protein, carbs, and fat). The truth is that your body needs protein, carbs and fat calories too.

To lose weight quickly you must eat all 3 types of calories in the right proportions, and that's why most dieters fail. They fail because nobody knows what the right proportions of calories should be.

Weight Loss Diet Plan, The Complete Trim Detox Way

The increasing obesity issues in our country have turned the attention of many people towards exploring new means of loosing weight. Many people have exploited this trend and today one finds numerous weight loss diet plans that promise the moon. The innumerable options for loosing weight that one can find cover weight loss diets, diet pills, body wraps, health spas and even weight loss surgery. The weight loss diets themselves range from more popular ones like Atkins diet and GM diet to others like the South Beach weight loss diet. Some programs suggest a low fat intake whereas others recommend a low carb curriculum. The latest fad going around is the low glycemic index weight loss diet. There are also the meal replacements and meal providers that have found favor with many.

The choices offered are so abundant that one is often left confused about which one to chose for oneself. Though there are many testimonials going around, one does not know what combination of w eight loss diet and change in lifestyle actually caused the weight loss. Also, though the details of the weight loss diet are mentioned, the manner in which it works is either not specified or extremely vague and ambiguous. To add to it all, most of these weight loss diet plans are temporary and short lived, the effect of which wears off in a few months. This yoyo effect is caused by the fact that most of these weight loss diets do not address the core of the issue. Why is it that some people seem to continue to put on weight in spite of the fact that they eat less?

The root cause of this enigmatic answer lies in the fact that gain in weight is fundamentally linked to cellular activity and unless that is addressed the problem of weight gain cannot be uprooted from the core.

Weight gain occurs when the amount of energy (or food) ingested in the system is more than the energy utilized by the body for various activities. About 95% of the entire energy produced in the body comes from the process performed by the mitochondria. Any factor that disrupts the efficient working of the mitochondria shall result in a decrease in the amount of energy used.

If the body is not completely detoxed, the toxins ooze out into the bloodstream through interstitial walls and cause the mitochondria to dysfunction. The mitochondria are small cylinder shaped tissues that produce energy from the food that we consume. The structure of these powerhouses of the cell is so similar to that of bacteria that they are greatly affected by excessive intake of antibiotics, magnesium, metals and toxins. Such toxic substances affect the immune system that produces nitric oxide, which in turn harm the mitochondria further.

Other factors that can also contribute to weight gain are improper diet, stress, organ dysfunctions, metabolic defects, nutritional factors and lack of exercise. Unless all these factors that contribute to issues that result in weight g ain are addresses completely, you may be able to achieve short-lived reduction in weight by following one of the weight loss diet programs, but are unlikely to obtain long lasting weight loss results that ensure that your years ahead are healthy and full of success.

There is no medicine or pill that can cure mitochondria dysfunction and the only way to deal with this issue is to obliterate the factors that have caused the dysfunction in the first place. Addressing only the symptoms of the inefficiencies of the mitochondria (in this case the weight gain) by resorting to weight loss diets, ensure that the problem will reoccur.
A complete detox program addresses all the factors that can cause an increase in weight. Not only does it get the mitochondria to work and produce energy as efficiently as it did before but also wipe out stress, organ, metabolic defects and all the causes of weight gain listed above. Unlike a weight loss diet that aims at removing the symp toms, a complete detox program has a holistic approach that not only ensure that you loose those extra inches but also keeps it off and gives you higher energy and vitality to add life to your years. You can wear all the clothes that you dreamed of donning and make each day of your life a celebration!

Dangers of South Beach Diet

The South Beach Diet is considered to be a healthy diet, which is concerned on the right carbohydrates and the right fats for a healthy body. As such, many people were drawn to it believing that the South Beach Diet is really the best diet for them.

However, out of this good reputation that the South Beach Diet maintained, still there are some attacks and bad comments about the diet. Well, we don't need to be surprised about this, for this is how the world is set.

What then is the importance of the principle of "yin and yang" if there is only one side for everything? There could be biases, prejudices, and imbalances, right?

So, even though there is really no noted "big" South Beach Diet danger, still there are certain resources which hold that the South Beach Diet danger surface when the improper application of the diet is made.
Lack of Information and Understanding

Numerous resources have noted that part of the South Beach Diet is th e lack of information or understanding about the diet. From the word "lack" alone, a sort of South Beach Diet danger is then viewed.

According to many studies, the South Beach Diet danger surfaced for the reason that the South Beach Diet is very demanding for those that are accustomed to carbohydrate-rich diets.
Lapsing Into the Old Eating Habits

In line with such view for the South Beach Diet danger, it is also noted that one of the largest South Beach Diet dangers surface when there is a lapsing into the old eating habits.

This was considered to be a South Beach Diet danger for the reason that this lapsing will result in speedy weight gain. Along with that, this part of the South Beach Diet danger may then be a new way of life.
Lack of Willpower

In relation to such fact, another support states that a great South Beach Diet danger will also surface when there is a lack of willpower exerted for the diet, especially from the carbohydrat es lovers.

In fact, it is a common view that there is always the South Beach Diet danger of lapsing back into old eating habits and increasing the carbohydrate consumption without even realizing it.
Steps To Overcome These South Beach Diet Dangers

So to battle this one of the common South Beach Diet dangers, Dr. Arthur Agatston himself recommends that the dieters who do lapse and end up on placing some of the weight back on should then be immediately switch back to the first phase of the South Beach Diet for a short while.

This recommendation is given not only to battle such South Beach Diet danger but also to prevent from the occurrence of several South Beach Diet dangers. It is also interesting to know that if this South Beach Diet danger is not prevented earlier, this will lead to an excess in weight gain.

With such mentioned possible South Beach Diet dangers, the South Beach Diet then received mixed reviews from most dieters. Despite th e South Beach Diet dangers, many people still consider the South Beach Diet as an updated version of the Atkins diet that is a far more balanced diet.

Only one thing that this diet plan does do is really to educate the dieters in eating the correct food to reduce heart disease, high cholesterol levels, and other South Beach Diet dangers.

Low Carb Diet - Weight Loss Benefits

A low carb diet, as the name implies, is a diet that is low in carbohydrates (bread, rice, sugar, especially the refined variety) and high (or rather adequate) in fats and proteins (meat, eggs, cheese, butter, nuts, etc.). A number of variations of the diet exist (most well known, Dr. Atkins Diet), but the one thing that is common to all is the drastic cutback on the intake of carbohydrates in the diet plan.

Most of these plans substitute the outgoing carbohydrates with fats and proteins. Although different types of these diets may vary in the recommended intake of carbohydrates, fats and proteins, as a general rule a low carb diet is tantamount to a high-fat and moderate protein diet.

In a low carb diet at least 60 to 70% of the daily calorie intake must come from fats, contrary to a normal diet where a major portion of the calories comes from carbohydrates. The carbohydrate calories should not constitute more than 5 to 10% of the daily calorie intake. The r emaining 20 to 30% calories can come from proteins.

Why a low carb diet?

How often have you come across overweight people feeling frustrated at not being able to lose an inch of the stubborn abdominal fat in spite of exercising and in spite of being on the traditionally recommended low fat, high carb diet for months? Too often to even remember! The reason, obviously, has to lie in the wrong approach to attack the problem underlying excess weight and excess inches.

Scientific research has shown that dietary fat is not necessarily converted into body fat, whereas carbohydrates readily convert into fat by the action of insulin, a hormone produced by pancreas in response to elevated sugar levels in the blood (as caused by carbohydrates) to allow blood sugar to be used by cells.

However, insulin also aids in fat deposition and stimulates the brain to produce hunger pangs. The vicious cycle of more carbohydrates, more and more insulin repeats, resulti ng in cells becoming insulin resistant with time. Consequently, excess sugar either stays in the blood (causing diabetes) or starts converting to fat (causing obesity) instead of being used up by cells to produce energy, leading to obesity, fatigue and lethargy.

Benefits of a low carb diet

A low carb diet helps prevent hyperinsulinemia (i.e., elevated insulin levels in the blood) and increases the level of glucagon, a pancreatic hormone that reverses the action of insulin, stabilizes blood sugar levels, and helps burn fat to energy and remove cholesterol deposits from arteries.

And because the body gets into the fat-burning mode, sustained weight and inch loss occurs, accompanied by lowered blood pressure, better lipid profile and raised energy levels.

Due to the consumption of fats and oils, the appetite and hunger pangs stay in control, because fatty foods are more satisfying and take longer to digest. And since limited amounts of complex carbo hydrates do accompany the fats (obviously, the healthy types), the body metabolism does not switch to starvation mode. A vitamin/mineral supplement and a fiber supplement may be added if necessary.

Once the body chemistry is back to normal and the excess weight knocked off, complex carbohydrates and some vegetables/fruits can be added to the diet. But if one does not want to go back to the earlier state, one has to kiss goodbye the white bread, pastries, cakes, ice creams and things like that, except for an occasional binge.

History & Background Of The Low Carb Diet

The term low carb wasn't really coined until around 1992 when the USDA announced America's model food pyramid included six to eleven servings daily of grains and starches. However, low carb dieting dates back more than 100 years before the trendy Atkins diet to 1864 with a pamphlet titled "Letter on Corpulence" written by William Banting, as close to the first commercial low carb diet as you could get.

Banting had suffered a series of debilitating health problems due mainly to being overweight or 'corpulent'. He searched in vain for cures to his weight problem, which many doctors at that time believed to be a necessary side effect of old age. He also tried eating less but he continued to gain weight and have various health problems. He could not understand how the small amounts of food he was eating led to his weight problem:

"Few men have led a more active life - bodily or mentally - from a constitutional anxiety for regularity, precision, and order, during fifty years' business career, from which I had retired, so that my corpulence and subsequent obesity were not through neglect of necessary bodily activity, nor from excessive eating, drinking, or self indulgence of any kind, except that I partook of the simple aliments of bread, milk, butter, beer, sugar, and potatoes more freely than my age required?"

Many contemporary Americans on the go may recognize Banting?s previous unhealthy daily diet:

"My former dietary table was bread and milk for breakfast, or a pint of tea with plenty of milk, sugar, and buttered toast; meat, beer, much bread (of which I was always very fond) and pastry for dinner, the meal of tea similar to that of breakfast, and generally a fruit tart or bread and milk for supper. I had little comfort and far less sound sleep."

Just substitute a Pop tart, doughnut or muffin with coffee and plenty of cream and sugar for breakfast, a fast food burger and fries with a supersized soft drink for lunch and a frozen pot pie or pizza for dinner followed by dessert and you can see how Banting's diet was so much like the typical fast-paced modern day Americans.

When his physician placed these items on a "forbidden foods list," Banting lost 50 pounds and 13 inches in one year! Let me repeat that, fifty pounds and thirteen inches! He kept it off, living a long and much healthier life.

His new diet plan consisted of a number of meat dishes and he listed it as follows:

"For breakfast, at 9.00 A.M., I take five to six ounces of either beef mutton, kidneys, broiled fish, bacon, or cold meat of any kind except pork or veal; a large cup of tea or coffee (without milk or sugar), a little biscuit, or one ounce of dry toast; making together six ounces solid, nine liquid.

For dinner, at 2.00 P.M., Five or six ounces of any fish except salmon, herrings, or eels, any meat except pork or veal, any vegetable except potato, parsnip, beetroot, turnip, or carro t, one ounce of dry toast, fruit out of a pudding not sweetened, any kind of poultry or game, and two or three glasses of good claret, sherry, or Madeira- Champagne, port, and beer forbidden; making together ten to twelve ounces solid, and ten liquid.

For tea, at 6.00 P.M., Two or three ounces of cooked fruit, a rusk or two, and a cup of tea without milk or sugar; making two to four ounces solid, nine liquid.

For supper, at 9.00 P.M. Three or four ounces of meat or fish, similar to dinner, with a glass or two of claret or sherry and water; making four ounces solid and seven liquid.

For nightcap, if required, a tumbler of grog (gin, whisky, or brandy, without sugar) or a glass or two of claret or sherry."

So great were the changes in his appearance and health that his friends and acquaintances began to notice and just like today wanted to know what diet he was on. Most important of all Banting could feel and see a difference himself.

"I am t old by all who know me that my personal appearance greatly improved, and that I seem to bear the stamp of good health; this may be a matter of opinion or friendly remark, but I can honestly assert that I feel restored in health, 'bodily and mentally,' appear to have more muscular power and vigour, eat and drink with a good appetite, and sleep well. All symptoms of acidity, indigestion, and heartburn (with which I was frequently tormented) have vanished. I have left off using boot-hooks, and other such aids, which were indispensable, but being now able to stoop with ease and freedom, are unnecessary. I have lost the feeling of occasional faintness, and what I think a remarkable blessing and comfort is, that I have been able safely to leave off knee-bandages, which I had worn necessarily for many years, and given up the umbilical truss."

Wow! Talk about improved health. Notice too that he ate more than just three meals a day. Four to five small meals should be the rule.

His how-to dieting book became very popular and was translated into multiple languages. However, over time it was abandoned.

Banting noted in "Letter on Corpulence" that a common health paradox of our time did not exist in his. This was the paradox of obesity, widely believed to be a problem of excess, among the poor. The poor of the 19th century could not afford the refined sugary foods that cause weight gain. But poor people of the 21st century sure can today.

In a recent Associated Press article titled, "Health Paradox: Obesity Attacks Poor", the reporter noted that many poor families are stretching their food dollars by purchasing unhealthy processed and refined foods.

Of one family the author wrote, "During winter, jobs are scarce, so Caballero feeds her husband and three children the cheapest food she can get: potatoes, bread, tortillas. As processed foods rich in sugar and fat have become cheaper than fruits and vegetables, the poor in pa rticular are paying a high price with obesity rates shooting up, followed by diabetes."

Unfortunately for the Caballero family, these cheap staples are bad for their health. Fresh meat, low starch fruits and vegetables may be more expensive and have a shorter shelf life, but they are definitely worth the price in saved medical expenses and better health.

Throughout the years, as "calories" became known, variations of counting them were included in dietary solutions. And a variety of other issues were explored like how many of which foods should be eaten and how frequently.

While Bantings diet eventually fell out of favor, low carb diets did begin appearing again in the 20th century. The most famous of these are the Atkins and Scarsdale diets that came to popularity in the 1970s. While Scarsdale has a set 14 day meal plan that must be followed and greatly restricts calories, the Atkins diet allowed for unlimited calorie consumption as long as those calori es were from protein, fat and vegetables and carbs intake was kept low.

Atkins and Scarsdale fell out of favor in the 1980s as the U. S. Department of Agriculture encouraged the consumption of grains and grain products with the USDA food pyramid.

It was only in the 1990s that we began to see a return to low carb dieting that seems to be more than a fad. It is a lifestyle! As more and more people realize the weight loss and other health benefits that are available to people who eat this type of diet, the number of diets and stores that sell specialty low carb products continue to rise.

In a nutshell, most low carb diets carry the same basic premise: that too much of simple, refined carbohydrates leads to over overproduction of insulin, which leads to the storage of too much fat in the body. This fat storage is especially prominent around the middle.

While there are degrees of difference among the many diets, they all agree on the negative effects t hat excess insulin production have on our systems.

Making The Atkins Diet Work For You

Several years ago, I decided to go on the Atkins diet because I was a bit overweight. Now, this is the first time that I have done any dieting. I was able to drop 10 pounds on the first week so I could not understand why so many people are always saying that losing weight is difficult. Of course, I found it a bit challenging on the first two weeks because I was not used to eating low carbohydrate foods exclusively.

Fortunately, I found that it was an easy diet to follow once I got past that two week mark. The Atkins diet suggests that a dieter eat foods that are rich in protein. This was an easy part because I have always been a big meat eater. However, giving up the potatoes and bread that I usually eat along with my meat was more difficult for me. I decided that I need to find alternative foods that were allowed on the diet to cure my craving for those foods.

To solve my problem, I purchased an Atkins diet book which not only outlines the diet but also has recipes. I found it amazing how you can eat a lot of food on the Atkins diet and still lose weight. The main challenge with this diet is getting some variety into your meals. The dinner meal was very easy to prepare when I first started the diet. I would usually have some type of protein, fish, pork, chicken or beef and a large leafy salad with blue cheese dressing for my dinner. This meal was not very different than what I ate before it was just minus the potato and bread.

However, the lack of variety started to bore me after a few weeks. I was still motivated to continue the diet because I was losing weight but I was getting tired of eating the same meal every night. Fortunately, I discovered some of the recipes in the back of the Atkins diet book. Mashed cauliflower became my favorite recipe because it has the same texture as mashed potatoes. The Atkins diet book also had a recipe for a salad that has all the same ingredients as potato salad, minus the potatoes. I just substituted cooked cauliflower for the potato. It tastes wonderful although I was a bit skeptical at first.

I have added carbohydrates back into my diet over the years. I gained some of the weight back at first, but I have now found the right balance. I was able to take off excess pounds with the Atkins diet, even though long a term diet with very low carbohydrates did not fit my life style.








Atkins Diet Foods - A Guide To Low Carb Food Products

Atkins diet foods are many and varied, so much so that many people are surprised at just how many different kinds of foods are allowed on the Atkins diet food plan. You still have the responsibility to select appropriately and double check the actual carb content of different foods, but you will quickly learn just how varied and interesting a low carb lifestyle can be.

The Basics of the Atkins Diet Plan

The basic philosophy behind the Atkins diet plan is that if you switch to a low carb diet your body's metabolism will adjust and start to burn stores of fat. The process starts during the induction phase when you change your eating habits substantially so that you only consume 20 grams of net carbohydrates per day. Net carbs are determined by taking the total grams of carbs in a food and subtracting the amount of fiber grams.

Once you are past the 14 day induction phase you then start to increase your daily net carb intake a little bit each week - starting at 25 grams per day, then the next week going to 30 grams per day, and so forth. As you raise your intake gradually, you pay attention to how much weight you continue to lose, until you find a level at which weight loss slows significantly or stops altogether. When you get close to your goal weight, you move into pre-maintenance and maintenance phases so that low carb choices become part of your everyday lifestyle.

Defining Low Carb Foods

Low carb foods are those that have low enough levels of carbohydrates that they are considered Atkins diet foods. In general, meats, poultry, fish, leafy green vegetables, eggs and butter form the core assortment of your low carb food choices. Some cheeses and other dairy products are relatively low carb but typically are not allowed in huge quantities while on the Atkins low carb diet plan.

Remember, though, a food which is high in carbs but also high in fiber can be eaten as part of a low carb lifestyle because the goal is to keep net carbs low, not just carbs as a whole. Make sure you read the labels of the foods you buy to determine the net carbs, and consider carrying a pocket sized carb counter with you to double check the net carb counts in fresh foods.

As the Atkins diet plan exploded in popularity over the last few years, many food producers have tried to get in on the phenomenon by promoting their products as low carb. The problem is, though, that many of these foods are not really low carb. With the exceptions of certified Atkins diet foods, you should never just believe the large print on the front that says low carb. Always, always read the nutrition label and confirm for yourself whether or not the food is really low carb.

Finding Low Carb Foods

Finding low carb foods is as easy as going to the grocery store, dropping into the convenience store located at your neighborhood gas station, or going to your favorite restaurant. Of course, some places will have a better selection of Atkins diet foods than others will, and some will also have more high carb temptations, but there is no reason for you to visit a specialty store in order to get the low carb foods you need.

Atkins Diet Foods from the Grocery Store

In the grocery store you have a huge selection of foods, ranging from fresh to processed, all of which you can check for net carb count. Processed foods will have nutrition information printed on the outside box or label, making it easy to determine net carbs. Fresh foods are a bit more difficult because that information is not printed on the food item and usually not on the shelf label. You can certainly remember a few core fresh foods that are allowable, but a really good tool is to carry a carb counter in your purse or pocket so that you can check it if you have any questions.

Convenience Store

In a convenience store, you have to search a bit more for the low carb Atkins diet plan foods. The big display of chips, candy, cookies and more is not a place you are likely find low carb choices, but if you go a little further in you can usually find official Atkins snack bars, liquid shakes or even some fresh foods that are low carb.

Restaurants

Restaurants can be a bit tricky because you do not always know what is in that great tasting gravy or sauce, but most eating establishments now offer designated low carb choices. If in doubt, order your meal without sauces and other add-ons that may have hidden carbs. When you find a restaurant that serves a good selection of low carb foods that you enjoy, be sure to give the manager or owner positive feedback and make that establishment a primary choice whenever you want to dine out.

Atkins Diet Plan Meals

Atkins diet foods are much more than individual foods. They can be combined in many ways to create tasty and interesting meals, but even the most dedicated low carb follower can get tired of the same old thing. The best way to keep your low carb meals interesting is to seek out a variety of Atkins diet plan meals.

There are many cookbooks and recipe books available that are filled with low carb meal choices using approved Atkins diet foods. All you have to do is mix and match each day or each week to keep a variety of meals on the table. Another reason to have a good cookbook or recipe book on hand is for those times when you are tired, running late or otherwise need to come up with something low carb to eat when maybe you do not feel like putting a lot of effort into it. These are the times when you will be most tempted to grab something that is not low carb, so having a collection of Atkins diet food recipes close by can help get rid of that temptation.






Atkins Diet Foods - A Guide To Low Carb Food Products

Atkins diet foods are many and varied, so much so that many people are surprised at just how many different kinds of foods are allowed on the Atkins diet food plan. You still have the responsibility to select appropriately and double check the actual carb content of different foods, but you will quickly learn just how varied and interesting a low carb lifestyle can be.
The Basics of the Atkins Diet Plan
The basic philosophy behind the Atkins diet plan is that if you switch to a low carb diet your body's metabolism will adjust and start to burn stores of fat. The process starts during the induction phase when you change your eating habits substantially so that you only consume 20 grams of net carbohydrates per day. Net carbs are determined by taking the total grams of carbs in a food and subtracting the amount of fiber grams.
Once you are past the 14 day induction phase you then start to increase your daily net carb intake a little bit each week - starting at 25 grams per day, then the next week going to 30 grams per day, and so forth. As you raise your intake gradually, you pay attention to how much weight you continue to lose, until you find a level at which weight loss slows significantly or stops altogether. When you get close to your goal weight, you move into pre-maintenance and maintenance phases so that low carb choices become part of your everyday lifestyle.
Defining Low Carb Foods
Low carb foods are those that have low enough levels of carbohydrates that they are considered Atkins diet foods. In general, meats, poultry, fish, leafy green vegetables, eggs and butter form the core assortment of your low carb food choices. Some cheeses and other dairy products are relatively low carb but typically are not allowed in huge quantities while on the Atkins low carb diet plan.
Remember, though, a food which is high in carbs but also high in fiber can be eaten as part of a low carb lifestyle because the goal is to keep net carbs low, not just carbs as a whole. Make sure you read the labels of the foods you buy to determine the net carbs, and consider carrying a pocket sized carb counter with you to double check the net carb counts in fresh foods.
As the Atkins diet plan exploded in popularity over the last few years, many food producers have tried to get in on the phenomenon by promoting their products as low carb. The problem is, though, that many of these foods are not really low carb. With the exceptions of certified Atkins diet foods, you should never just believe the large print on the front that says low carb. Always, always read the nutrition label and confirm for yourself whether or not the food is really low carb.
Finding Low Carb Foods
Finding low carb foods is as easy as going to the grocery store, dropping into the convenience store located at your neighborhood gas station, or going to your favorite restaurant. Of course, some places will have a better selection of Atkins diet foods than others will, and some will also have more high carb temptations, but there is no reason for you to visit a specialty store in order to get the low carb foods you need.
Atkins Diet Foods from the Grocery Store
In the grocery store you have a huge selection of foods, ranging from fresh to processed, all of which you can check for net carb count. Processed foods will have nutrition information printed on the outside box or label, making it easy to determine net carbs. Fresh foods are a bit more difficult because that information is not printed on the food item and usually not on the shelf label. You can certainly remember a few core fresh foods that are allowable, but a really good tool is to carry a carb counter in your purse or pocket so that you can check it if you have any questions.
Convenience Store
In a convenience store, you have to search a bit more for the low carb Atkins diet plan foods. The big display of chips, candy, cookies and more is not a place you are likely find low carb choices, but if you go a little further in you can usually find official Atkins snack bars, liquid shakes or even some fresh foods that are low carb.
Restaurants
Restaurants can be a bit tricky because you do not always know what is in that great tasting gravy or sauce, but most eating establishments now offer designated low carb choices. If in doubt, order your meal without sauces and other add-ons that may have hidden carbs. When you find a restaurant that serves a good selection of low carb foods that you enjoy, be sure to give the manager or owner positive feedback and make that establishment a primary choice whenever you want to dine out.
Atkins Diet Plan Meals
Atkins diet foods are much more than individual foods. They can be combined in many ways to create tasty and interesting meals, but even the most dedicated low carb follower can get tired of the same old thing. The best way to keep your low carb meals interesting is to seek out a variety of Atkins diet plan meals.
There are many cookbooks and recipe books available that are filled with low carb meal choices using approved Atkins diet foods. All you have to do is mix and match each day or each week to keep a variety of meals on the table. Another reason to have a good cookbook or recipe book on hand is for those times when you are tired, running late or otherwise need to come up with something low carb to eat when maybe you do not feel like putting a lot of effort into it. These are the times when you will be most tempted to grab something that is not low carb, so having a collection of Atkins diet food recipes close by can help get rid of that temptation.