What Health Professionals Should Know About The Atkins Diet

The Atkins Nutritional Approach is backed by decades of independent, peer-reviewed research, Scientific Advisory Board oversight, ongoing scientific data and support from the health professional community. Allowing the body to burn more fat through ketosis and lipolysis, the diet promotes effective weight loss while helping people feel less hungry, more satisfied, and more energetic. The program achieves these results by reducing ‘net carbs’ — total carbohydrates minus fiber—by encouraging consumption of adequate protein, healthy fats, and high-fiber carbohydrates, such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, and whole grains, while limiting refined carbohydrates and added sugars.

The Atkins Diet offers three flexible plans to help people achieve their personal goals:

• Atkins 20 allows people to follow a structured approach to reduce overall net carbohydrate intake. In Phase 1, net carbs are limited to 20-25 grams/day until the patient is within 15 pounds of goal weight. Net carbs are then liberalized to 25-50 grams/day in Phase 2, which typically lasts until the patient is within 10 pounds of his/her goal weight. Net carbs are increased to 50-80 grams/day in Phase 3 until goal weight is achieved, and finally to 80-100 grams/day in Phase 4 – “Lifetime Maintenance.” This ketogenic plan is ideal for those looking to lose 40 pounds or more.
• Atkins 40 begins with a slightly higher baseline net carb intake of 40 grams/day. As the individual approaches his/her weight-loss goals, net carb amounts are gradually liberalized by 10 grams of net carbs/week until goal weight maintenance is achieved. This ketogenic plan is ideal for those looking to lose fewer than 40 pounds.
• Atkins 100 is a low carbohydrate diet focused on consuming 100 grams of net carbs/day. It is a flexible yet carbohydrate-conscious approach to a long-term, healthy lifestyle. While not technically a ketogenic plan, the net carb level achieved with Atkins 100 is ideal for those looking to maintain their weight and achieve long-term health goals.

Compare Atkins Plans

A Diet Designed for Life

To promote a lifetime of healthy weight management and well-being, today’s Atkins Diet offers an evidence-based approach designed around three essential elements: simplicity, versatility and longevity.

• Simplicity. The key to effective and lasting behavior change is to minimize barriers. Without counting calories or fat, painstakingly weighing or measuring portions, or prohibiting pleasurable foods, the Atkins Diet triggers weight loss simply by reducing refined dietary carbohydrates. This strategy is both physiologically effective and easy to understand and implement.

• Versatility. Food preferences, culinary heritage, physical activity levels and nutrition needs are highly individualized – a diet plan should be, too. The Atkins Diet is flexible from start to finish. With three different programs to choose from, customizable meal plans, and adjustable starting points, health care professionals can work with each patient, individually, to create a personalized and tailored diet. As the weight comes off, health care professionals can shift the conversation to weight maintenance and work with patients to help them choose their best Lifetime Maintenance plan.

• Longevity. The Atkins Nutritional Approach guides individuals toward their personal carb tolerance – referred to as their Atkins Carbohydrate Equilibrium (ACE) – the level at which one can maintain a healthy weight and low-carbohydrate lifestyle, long-term. With guidance and support from their healthcare team, patients are able to fine-tune their carbohydrate intake and make weight cycling a thing of the past.

Interested in learning more? Explore our FAQ page for healthcare professionals.