By: Bertil Hjert
The Atkins diet is a diet plan where you require to eat less carbohydrate including bread and potatoes. It also suggests you to eat more amount of protein such as meat. You would find it very difficult to follow this type of a diet. However, you need to do a lot of practice. You would also be suggested to eat alternative foods in order to make the diet more effective.
Here are some tips on what to eat and what not to eat when on an Atkins Diet:
a) Protein foods
You need to focus more on protein foods. You can include meat, eggs and seafood to make the diet plan interesting and effective.
b) Carbohydrates
Try to have little or no carbohydrates. You can restrict carbohydrates amount to about twenty grams of net carbs.
c) Veggies
You should know the amount of carbohydrates vegetables include. You should have at least 12-15 grams of carbohydrate from vegetables.
d) Cheese
Make sure that you check labels carefully for getting an idea on the amount of carbohydrate present in the cheese per ounce. When on an Atkins diet, you should just have about 3-4 ounces per day. You can include cream cheese. However, you need to strictly stay away from cottage cheese, farmer's cheese and other forms of fresh cheese.
e) Fats and oils
Atkins diet does not allow to go on a low fat version. It believes that necessary amount of fat content must be included for the success of the program. Atkins also advises to eat a balanced diet consisting of natural fats. It would like to eliminate trans fats from your diet.
f) Beverages
Water should be considered as the vital beverage. Atkins would like you to have about eight glasses of water per day of at least eight ounces. In case, you are hungry at odd hours, try to drink water first. You can even include some amount of soda water, carbonated water or plain water with sugar free flavorings. You can also have herbal teas.
g) Fiber
When going on an Atkins diet, you need to get extra fiber. Try to go for Psyllium and flax seed meal to get adequate amount of fiber.
h) Olive oil
Replace olive oil with any oil that you are using to prepare food. If you get those labeled as virgin or extra virgin, it would be better.
i) Salad dressings
Go for olive oil dressings instead of Mayonnaise or cheese.
j) Corn
You should strictly avoid corn safflower, soy and sunflower oil.
Other excellent food choices for a successful Atkins diet plan:
• Have at least 2-3 tablespoons of lemon or lime juice.
• 10-20 olives will make a good food choice.
• You can take snack bars that are low in carbohydrates
Following the points mentioned above will make your Atkins diet plan, a successful affair. Make sure that you don't give up easily. Be determined to go on with your diet plan and you will see excellent results soon!
