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
             dieters never feel hungry.
            
• 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
             minimized.
            
• 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
             with them satisfactorily.
            
• Some studies indicates that people with type 2 diabetes have better
             insulin function and better blood sugar control on a low carbohydrate
             diet.
             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 lo...