"The
Atkins Nutritional Approach counts grams of carbohydrates instead of
calories... If you are losing weight, there is no need to concern
yourself with counting calories. "
Source: atkins.com
You might be doubtful and chances are that mainstream diets are the
reason. Of course you couldn't avoid opinions like the below Q&A
posted by Health Care Reality Check:
Q: Can
a person eat unlimited calories, and still lose weight, as long as they
severely restrict carbohydrates?
A: No,
she can not. The basis of ketogenic diets, such as the Atkins Diet, is
a severe restriction of carbohydrate calories, which simply causes a
net reduction in total calories. Since carbohydrate calories are
limited, intake of fat usually increases. This high fat diet causes
ketosis (increased blood ketones from fat breakdown), which suppresses
hunger, and thus contributes to caloric restriction. -- Ellen Coleman, RD, MA, MPH
Is this a correct answer?
Let's first discuss whether it's a correct question. Or, rather, is
this the real question so frequently asked by dieters. In my
experience, this in fact sounds a little bit different but this makes
ALL the difference.
This is what real dieters ask:
Q: Can
low carb dieters eat all they want, and still lose weight as long as
they only eat allowed foods?
A: Yes,
they can. The basis of ketogenic diets, such as the Atkins Diet, is a
restriction of carbohydrate-containing foods in favor of fat and
protein containing foods, which causes the state of ketosis resulting
in significant decrease in appetite. Since appetite decreases, most of
low carb dieters consume significantly less calories WITHOUT
INTENTIONAL CALORIE RESTRICTION.
