This principle behind his diet is that weight gain is not caused by how much fat you eat, but how your body processes your carbohydrates intake.
Diabetes usually happens as a result of obesity issues.
Dr.
Atkins claims that people who are overweight (especially those who are obese) may be insulin resistant: the cells that convert carbohydrates into glucose (the body's energy's source) do not work properly.
There is usually a tie to insulin resistant and weight gain so Atkins concentrates his eating plan around reducing bad carbohydrates in the diet.
When a diabetic produces too much or too little insulin, they could suffer from serious health issues.
The diet plan helps to regulate blood glucose sugar levels for diabetics.
How the Atkins Diet Helps Diabetics The diet focuses on reducing carbohydrates to less than 40 grams a day.
The body then goes into ketosis which allows the body to burn fat as fuel.
According to Atkins, ketosis will also affect insulin production that will prevent fat from forming in the body.
The diet centers around this idea of ketosis: once the body begins ketosis it will begin to efficiently use fat as fuel and the craving for carbohydrates will decrease and subside.
The diet consists of four stages: induction, ongoing weight loss, pre-maintenance and maintenance.
oInduction - The first 14 days dieters can lose up to 15 pounds.
This rapid weight loss occurs because of limiting carbohydrates.
Allowed carbohydrates include: lettuce, broccoli and tomatoes (3 cups per day).
Yogurt, fruit, caffeine, alcohol and starchy vegetables are not allowed.
Lean proteins (such as meats) are emphasized.
oOngoing weight loss - Dieters can increase carbohydrates intake by five grams per day.
The body hits a plateau and then dieters move away from carbohydrates intake again.
oPre-maintenance - Weight loss moves more slowly for dieters.
Dieters will test certain foods by adding them slowly back into the diet (without gaining weight as a result).
oMaintenance - Once dieters reach their goal weights, they can introduce more carbohydrates back into their diet.
They need to stay away from the simple carbohydrates (the bad carbohydrates like white sugar and processed foods).
Dieters add healthy carbohydrates instead such as whole grain breads and brown rice.