Though Dr. Robert C. Atkins introduced his Atkins Diet over two decades ago, it was only in recent years that the diet truly became a craze. By advocating meals that were free of carbohydrates like pasta, bread, potatoes and rice, the Atkins Diet ushered in an era of "low-carb" branding, the likes of which the food world had not seen since phrases like "fat free" and "low sodium" became popular in the 1980s. Though the long-term merits of the Atkins Diet continue to be debated, its popularity cannot. Books on the diet made best-seller lists, Atkins terminology became firmly planted in the country's vernacular, and food companies rushed to achieve the approval of the Atkins dietitians in charge of the newly-minted Atkins Diet Empire. The Atkins Company itself began producing food--most notably snacks like bars and shakes--in an effort to capitalize on their success. As with most diets, the Atkins Diet has peaked in popularity and is already waning. The death of Dr. Atkins from a heart attack certainly did not help this high-fat diet's cause. However, the Atkins Diet, even in its decline, is still one of the most popular and well-known diets in the United States today. The diet's basic principle of cutting out carbohydrates was particularly appealing to people who didn't like diets that removed the indulgent tastes of butter, cream, cheeses, meats and heavy sauces. Miraculously, the Atkins Diet has shown sizable results. The body, sensing a depletion of carbohydrates, will burn fat for energy. A person's own energy levels are not affected, though their metabolism may be. However, what is still not totally understood are the long-term effects of this kind of high-fat diet. |
