The Atkins diet is a low carb diet recommended for weight loss. It focuses on limiting and controlling the intake of sugar and carbohydrates to ignite a fat-burning metabolism. By limiting the intake of carbohydrates, the body burns fat, including body fat, for fuel (Atkins Nutritionals, 2015).

(Atkins Nutritionals, 2015)

In reference to the Australian Dietary Guidelines, the Atkins diet can be applied to guidelines 2 and 3.

Guideline 2: Enjoy a wide variety of nutritious foods from these five food groups every day: vegetables, fruit, grain foods, leans meats and alternatives, and dairy. Drink plenty of water.

The Atkins Diet takes into account eating all of the 5 food categories listed in the Australian Dietary Guidelines including high fibre vegetables, proteins, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, dairy, and low-glycemic fruits. However, the recommended consumption requirements the Atkins Diet suggests to eat are not in accordance with the Australian Dietary requirements, so our body’s nutritional requirements may not be met. The Atkins Diet is low in nutritional adequacy as it does not meet recommendations for breads and cereals, fruits, vegetables and fibre.

The suggested foods outlined by the Atkins Diet are correct, but an individual needs to consume a higher quantity to meet the Australian Dietary Guidelines to get their required nutrition to meet their daily energy needs.

Overall it is low in carbohydrates, high in total fat, high in saturated fat, and high in protein intake.

A low carb diet can lead to deficiencies in vitamins, minerals and fibre, and a high intake of saturated fat (The Nutrition Press, 2015), so individuals either need to implement these into their diet or take supplements to make up for lack of vitamins and minerals.

Guideline 3: Limit intake of foods containing saturated fat, added salt, added sugars and alcohol.

By avoiding foods containing sugar, refined flour and trans fats, the Atkins diet is following the recommendations of the Australian Dietary Guidelines to limit foods containing saturated fat and added sugars. Although by reducing carbohydrate intake, fat intake needs to be higher, studies have shown that saturated fat is harmless (Gunnars, K).

As stated by the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating, discretionary foods such as saturated fats should only be consumed sometimes and in small amounts.

Although the Atkins Diet suggests consuming fats rather then carbohydrates, these need to be preferably monounsaturated or polyunsaturated fats, and still consumed in small amounts.

(Eat for Health)

The primary role of dietary carbohydrate is the provision of energy to cells. The Nutrient Reference Values adapted by the National Health and Medical Research Council recommend that carbohydrates should contribute between 45-65% of total energy for the day. According to the Nutrient Reference Values, there is an increased risk of obesity with low carbohydrate and high fat intakes (<45%) as well as increased risk for coronary heart disease at high carbohydrate intakes (>65%) (Nutrient Reference Values for Australia and New Zealand).

Although the Atkins Diet is based on a low carbohydrate intake and it has proven effective for weight loss in some individuals, the Nutrient Reference Values recommend a carbohydrate intake of 45-65% to avoid any risk of developing a chronic disease.

The Atkins Diet could be suitable for weight loss, however modifications in the amounts of nutritious foods consumed need to be made to meet dietary requirements.

REFERENCES

Atkins Nutritionals. (2015). How does Atkins Work? Retrieved from http://www.atkins.com/how-it-works

Atkins Nutritionals. (2015). COMPARE DIETS: HOW DOES ATKINS STAND OUT? Retrieved from http://www.atkins.com/how-it-works/compare-diets

Eat for Health. Australian Guide to Healthy Eating. Retrieved from https://www.eatforhealth.gov.au/guidelines/australian-guide-healthy-eating

Gunnars, K. The Atkins Diet: Everything You Need To Know (Literally). Retrieved from http://authoritynutrition.com/atkins-diet-101/

Nutrient Reference Values for Australia and New Zealand. Macronutrient Balance. Retrieved from https://www.nrv.gov.au/chronic-disease/macronutrient-balance

The Nutrition Press. (2015). The low carb diet- friend or fad? Retrieved from http://www.thenutritionpress.com/low-carb-diet-friend-fad/