Critics of Atkins diet often miss the facts
Tuesday, January 20, 2004

This article was written by one of our Message Board Moderators (GOOCH) and published in the Columbus Dispatch:

Many news sources find it necessary to throw darts at people who are following the Atkins diet. The most common misperception is that people on Atkins eat nothing but fatty meats and eggs.

Nothing could be further from the truth. Even on the most-restrictive phase of the diet, you are required to eat two cups of salad greens (not iceberg lettuce) and one cup of vegetables, such as broccoli, spinach, green beans or many other choices.

It is true that you do limit carbohydrates, but is surviving on a diet of processed sugar and flour good for you?

There are numerous reports of people who become ill or don't feel well while eating low-carb meals. In nearly every case, one will find that they have been adapting Atkins to whatever they think Atkins should be without reading the book or researching the proper way to do it. Many try to do without carbohydrates altogether, probably because of what they read or hear in the media.

My husband and I have been following Atkins since the end of August. We have both lost about 30 pounds. My husband once had an incredibly high cholesterol level. After three months, his cholesterol numbers were all in the normal range. I take medication for cholesterol and hope to be able to discontinue it soon. I used to live on antacids. I have had to take exactly two since August.

We feel that since starting the Atkins diet, we are eating healthier than ever and are feeling the results. We don't ever plan to go back to eating hundreds of grams of carbohydrates a day.

LINDA B. DUNLAP