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).
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| (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.
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| (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.
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/
