Atkins Diet Food List

There have been several diets that can help you burn fat and reduce weight but none of them work as effectively as the Atkins Diet. The Atkins Diet was first conceived by Robert Atkins who wanted to create a low carbohydrate diet to help his own overweight condition. After seeing great results with his own body he decided to publish books so that others can benefit from his diet plan.

The Atkins diet is focused on limited consumption of carbohydrates to switch the metabolism of the body to convert stored fat into energy. The diet is geared toward low caloric intake to slowly turn your body into a fat burning machine. It helps promote a natural process in your body, called ketosis, to burn stored fat and turn it into energy. The Atkins diet strictly adheres to the net carbs that you are allowed to eat on a day to day basis. The diet prefers unprocessed foods, whole foods, foods that are low or contain no sugar, and foods that have low glycemic levels.

The Atkins diet has four distinct phases which are: Induction, Ongoing Weight Loss, Pre-maintenance, and Maintenance. These four phases have distinct restrictions that the dieter has to follow. The level of restriction on the food intake depends on the individual needs of the dieter. The Induction phase of the diet has the most restrictions on calorie and carbohydrate intake. But once this phase lapses, a dieter can shift to a more personalized version of the Atkins diet. The diet has a lot of structure and details that need to be followed but within the structure of the diet a dieter is allowed to choose what kinds of food they can eat.

As dieters progress through each phase they will increase their carbohydrates intake but the carbs they can eat must be nutrient rich. Dieters are not allowed to eat food with refined grains, high level of sugar and glycemic content. Dieters who progress through each phase must now watch the amount of carbs they eat while at a level where they lose weight or keep their weight at a healthy level.

It is important to know the foods that you are allowed to eat while on the Atkins Diet. Here is a list of foods that you are allowed to eat while on this low carb diet:

Protein rich foods

The Atkins diet has no problem with meat and fish. But be sure to avoid meats that have breading inside and out such as meat loaf and meat cooked and served with high carbohydrate sauces. Lean meats are your best choice for protein with low carbohydrate content. It is best to cook meat as plainly as possible to avoid increasing its fat and carbohydrate content. Cut off the fat part and avoid frying the meat you want to eat.

Vegetables

The Atkins diet main source of carbohydrates is vegetables. Vegetables are an excellent source of the many nutrients that your body needs. But be sure to measure the carbohydrate intake of the vegetables you eat. You should only eat 12 to 15 grams (without fiber) of veggies per day. Here is alist of vegetables you can eat while on the Atkins Diet:

1. Avocado
2. Asparagus
3. Fennel,
4. Cauliflowers
5. Broccoli
6. Zucchini
7. Cucumbers
8. Okra

These are only a few of the vegetables you can eat. You can consult your dietician for a complete list of vegetables you can eat while on the Atkins Diet.

Cheese

Cheese is allowed during the different phases of the Atkins diet. The diet only allows 3 to 4 ounces of cheese in your diet. Check the labels to find out if the carbohydrate content of the cheese you want fits into the diet plan. The Atkins diet does not allow farmers cheese, cottage cheese and other fresh cheese that have high calorie content.

Fats & oils

It is important to note that the low fat version of the Atkins Diet is discouraged. It is essential to have adequate fat mixed into the diet for best results. A balance of natural fats and other essential oils are vital to the success of the Atkins diet. Avoid eating foods that have trans fat. Here is a list of allowable fats for the Atkins Diet:

1. Omega 3 fatty acids (from cold water fish)
2. Virgin or extra virgin olive oil
3. Canola, grapeseed, and peanut oil
4. Virgin or extra virgin coconut oil

Beverages

The Atkins Diet allows sodas ad fruit juices as long as they have little to no sugar content. But it is widely preferred to just drink eight glasses of water per day. Avoid sugary drinks that can alter the entire diet plan.

The Atkins Diet is an effective low carb diet that can help you burn fat and reduce weight. The restrictions can be bent but as long as you keep the calorie intake at the allowable levels.