Rating: 
Summary: Solid base, but serious questions.
Review: Robert Atkins, Dr. Atkins' New Diet Revolution (Quill, 2002)Well, you can't beat the Atkins Diet for sheer number of coverts. Millions of people are following the Atkins Nutritional Plan, and all of them seem to be losing weight. The only "official" bureau to have come out against it has been exposed as a lunatic fringe of militant vegan doctors, and once again all is right with the world. Or is it? I'm not going to deny that the book is accurate in its claims of helping people lose weight. It sometimes seems that everyone in the country knows two or three people who are on the Atkins Diet. I know, casually, seven (and those are just the ones whose eating habits I know). Of those seven, I know four who have been on it for more than two months, and all four have lost significant amounts of weight. Can't argue with stats like that. And most of the scientific stuff the late doctor puts in the book is backed up with an almost endless list of scientific papers and abstracts listed in the back. Hard to argue with that. In those places where the science is still somewhat in the future, he goes to pains to point that out, saying certain things are still in question, or are still being researched. All well and good, and on the surface it looks fantastic. The problem is that one irrationality can throw the whole thing into question. And there is one. It is a glaring one for any professional skeptic. (Before writing this review, I wrote to the Atkins Center folks for confirmation that the Atkins people espouse the beliefs below, and I received a response in the affirmative.) Dr. Atkins and his professional followers are believers in what professional followers of urban legends have come to call the Aspartame Lie. There is a small, and very vocal, segment of the American population who believe, despite a mountain of evidence to the contrary, that aspartame is the Great Satan, and causes everything from cancer to multiple sclerosis. All claims have been refuted multiple times (Amazon does not allow the posting of exterior links in reviews, or I'd send the same fifty or so links I sent to the Atkins Center), and yet Atkins holds onto the belief, saying there are "questions about aspartame's safety." One has to think that if the man is still holding to a view espoused only by a few so far out on the lunatic fringe they're liable to fall off a tassel, there may be some other urban legend-style skeletons farther down in the man's closet. Everyone reading this book, and adopting the Atkins Nutritional Plan, is encouraged to do as much research as necessary to convince yourself that he's on the money. And because of the belief Atkins holds in the junk science of the dangers of aspartame, "none" is not, in any way, an option.
Rating: 
Summary: Yes you CAN eat LOTS of vegetables!
Review: I get so annoyed with the people (mainly those who have not even read one page of the book) who solidly maintain that this diet is a "steak and eggs" diet and deprives you of vegetables. I'm eating more vegetables than I ate when I was a vegetarian, and keeping the protein in no more quantities than the average non-dieter! I am not sure how eliminating appetite-stimulant foods like processed grains and sugar and upping your vegetable intake is supposed to make the protein (for me it's mainly fish) one eats suddenly more unhealthy than the protein one consumes with a giant plate of rice or potatoes, but, oh well. I know, I am missing out on vitamin M, the Muffin and bagel vitamin, and vitamin P, the pasta vitamin (pasta is flour and water, with very little nutritional value), oh and vitamin S (sugar), can't forget that very essential vitamin... I guess my poor kidneys are going to fall out and I am going to get a heart attack :) And yes, you can even eat fruit on the Atkins diet! After you've rid your body of the addiction to processed sugar and grains, you can eat lower glycemic fruits like blueberries, raspberries, etc. I never experienced any of the symptoms people report on induction. I ate salad liberally, ignoring the two-three cup rule, so I was never really "on" induction, but increased my carbohydrates by adding berries, nuts, and more vegetables. Oh, and I've lost 60 pounds, no longer have seizures, depression, or heartburn, and I can walk for miles at a time whereas before a block's journey would have me puffing and panting. And by the way, one does not need to consume pork rinds and boatloads of butter to be on Atkins... I don't consume pork, and my primary fat source is from olive oil. I also don't care for sugar or artificial sweeteners, and am doing just great! The main factor for me, aside from the symptoms I had clearing up, is that I am no longer hungry every half hour! Thus, I am less inclined to overeat. Now, combine all of the above, and this is healthy, people!
Rating:
Summary: Started with mixed feelings
Review: I heard of the Atkins plan, & having a MS degree in dietetics, viewed it with a great deal of skepticism.
Our MD ordered my husband on the Atkins plan beginning with Induction when he was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes (281 glucose) & high cholesterol. After reading Dr. Atkins' New Diet Revolution I was positive it would kill him (all that protein & fat!) & increase weight, but after a steep learning curve to change my purchasing & meal planning ways, it's gone smoothly. In 2 wks. I lost 8 lb., my hubby has lost 10, his post-prandial glucose went to 104. MD took him off the meds for as long as the glucose was normal (still is after 5 days) & we go back again in 2 1/2 weeks for the cholesterol check. We're never hungry (which we were ALL the time on other diets). Certainly, we are looking forward to the next steps in the diet - adding more veggies, fruit (strawberry season!) & bread/cereal/grains, but, we know we can do this diet & lose weight.
The diet is not as restrictive as it looks - although Induction is very limited, it prepares you for the following steps & does maximize weight loss. The point of restricting the carbohydrates is to stop burning consumed carbohydrates & shift to burning stored body fat by inducing ketosis or burning body fat for energy. Too many people focus on the high protein/fat nature of the diet & feel that this should allow them to consume unlimited amounts of meat & fat - not so. The diet never meant for you to eat a 3 lb. roast & chug a pitcher of melted butter. The allowed carbohydrates are complex, low glycemic index types to keep blood sugars level since erratic ones can lead to hunger & overeating.
The other 3 steps in the plan allow for backtracking to a prior step if weight loss stops, or you need to lose again. The final step of the diet can be used for a lifetime & is nutritionally sound.
The recommendation to take a good multivit & fiber is a good basis for diets. With the scientific back up, the diet is gaining ground in the scientific community. However, as with any diet, I would recommend a physical to find any disease states, & have follow up of blood cholesterol levels to be safe (since I don't know the true effect yet).
Rating: 
Summary: Try it for 2 Weeks...
Review: Buy the book. Follow the diet to the letter for 2 weeks. If it doesn't work for you, nothing lost. But I think you'll find it's a very effective and healthy weight loss program. A couple of important points that are contained in the book, but need to be stressed: 1) You MUST drink a lot of water on a daily basis; 2) You should take a good multivitamin daily (which you should doing anyway) and a potassium supplement (during the first few weeks at least). Some people who have reviewed this diet have stated that it didn't agree with them (e.g., tired, muscle cramps, etc.). This is caused by not following items 1 and 2 above. Give it a try; I think you will find the Atkins' Diet really works. Note: If you don't feel well on ANY diet, you should consult your doctor ASAP.
Rating:
Summary: It works! And it can lower your cholesterol, too!
Review: I've had a great deal of success myself with the Atkins diet. My cholesterol is down, my weight is down, my blood pressure is down. I was so enthusiastic that I gave this three-pack as a birthday present to a relative who wanted to lose weight and in the past two months he's lost thirty pounds, and he's someone who had never successfully dieted before.
Rating:
Summary: This is the only plan that helped me lose weight
Review: I consider Dr. Atkins a dear friend because this plan helped me lose weight. Please do not listen to all the crazy news-people. This diet's not bad. Give this book a read and you will begin to see how it really makes sense. Rest in peace Dr. Atkins, thank you again.
Rating:
Summary: It's the only diet that ever worked.
Review: I am not morbidly obese (never have been), but have carried extra pounds for my entire adult life. I was on Weight Watchers for a year, and only managed to lose 4 pounds. Why? Because they stress grains. With Atkins, you purge yourself of grains and refined sugar (in response to those who say that they don't feel well when they do it, this is an indication that you were addicted, and addiction of any kind is not good) and the weight just melts away. For the doubters -- take a good look at the health of this country since the Low-Fat Police have been in charge. Obesity is rampant. We are seeing more and more diabetics -- including children. And people are still dying of heart attacks due to high cholesterol. If the fat is what kills you, then why are these things happening? Anyone who took high school biology knows that starch turns to sugar in your system. Since this is the case, why in the world would you load up on starch? I'd lost a lot of weight on the Atkins plan over the years, and always gained it back when I went back to my old ways. Not this time. Once you get rid of the cravings, carbs don't taste the same. I look at cakes and cookies and pretzels and have absolutely no desire to try them. The proliferation of low-carb foods in the marketplace makes the lifestyle even easier to adhere to. I'm just glad Dr. Atkins was able to see that his plan was gaining acceptance before his death. Rest in Peace Dr. Atkins. Millions of grateful people are indebted to you.
Rating:
Summary: Good book, effective diet
Review: ... Actually there isn't any research indicating this diet is dangerous, though there's not really any research on the long term effects of the diet at all. A study just published in the The Journal of the American Medical Association found no evidence of risks, but suggested the weight loss was merely the result of reduced calorie intact. That's not consistant with my own experience -I'm on the diet and have lost 28 lbs, and my calorie intact isn't exactly scanty. Hopefully, future studies already in the works will shed more light on all this. As for the book, I found New Diet Revolution to be quite readable and interesting. And I know others that have had very positive results with this diet.
Rating: 
Summary: Ironic
Review: Isn't ironic that Mr. Atkins spent all these years not treating himself to carbs and worrying about the perfect diet and in the end, did it really matter? Do you think he died fulfilled. Or maybe alittle pissed off that he didn't have that really generous serving of birthday cake and ice cream. He died from a head injury that no one could have prevented or even known about. May he rest in peace.
I think that this diet is completely unrealistic. You want to make sure that you can still enjoy the foods you like. We are only here once, we might as well have the things we want, but of course in moderation. Weight Loss comes from smaller portions, more fruits and vegetables, and exercise. You don't have to eat heart disease causing foods to lose weight. So overall this diet was not for me. Something more along Weight Watchers is better. I still get to have cookies if I want them. Of course I can only have 3 rather than the whole box. Its still nice to know that I can have them if I want them. This diet may work for someone who is not a carb addict. But me I love my carbs. PASTA FOREVER
Rating:
Summary: Easy to follow and inexpensive Diet!
Review: The only other diet that can compare to this one is from Herbalife. But unfortunately the later one is [more money]. On this diet there are no special products to buy and be forced to buy for life. No special pills, just regular vitamins. No needles injections and no ... gimmick to buy. The only products you need on this diet are at the supermarket, pharmacy and this inexpensive book. Now the easy side. There is no counting, measuring or whatever else the other diets need you to do. None of the [stuff] that makes you feel like you're on a diet. It's been almost 5 years and none of those 50 pounds have come back. Thank you Dr. Atkins! If it weren't for your book and wisdom I'd be probably needing insulin injections by now!
| 
