The Atkins Nutritional Approach (ANA) - the low-carbohydrate weight loss
plan made popular by the late Dr. Robert Atkins - has been the subject of
some controversy in the diabetes care community and the medical field at
large (Newcombe, 2003). Does it help control blood glucose levels' How does
a low-carbohydrate diet promote weight loss' Are there risks'
An initial examination of existing research reveals that there are both
pros and cons involved in participating in the Atkins diet. The benefits
include the following (Atkins, 1999):
• Dieters do not have to eliminate the foods they like best. They can
eat meat, cream, cheese and other high fat foods.
• The permitted foods are allowed on an all-you-can-eat basis, so
• Because so many foods are permitted, there is greater variety on the
Atkins Diet than on low calorie diets so the risk of cheating is
• Not all carbohydrates count in the total allowance. Those rich in
dietary fiber can be eaten more freely because fiber is not digested.
This allows even more latitude in food consumption.
• It is argued that a low carbohydrate diet is better and more natural
for the human body because grains in the form of wheat, rice, etc,
only became a regular part of our diet 10,000 years ago. Thus, Atkins
proponents argue that our bodies have not had time to evolve to cope
• Some studies indicates that people with type 2 diabetes have better
insulin function and better blood sugar control on a low carbohydrate
The disadvantages are as follows (Stein, 2000):
• Although a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine
suggests that the Atkins Diet works, its conclusion is actually
misleading. While more weight was lost at the end of six months on the
Atkins Diet than on a low calor...