Dr. Robert Atkins first introduced the Atkins Diet to the world in the 1960's. Though it dropped off in popularity, it made a comeback in the 1990's following the publishing of a best-selling book by Dr. Atkins. The Atkins Diet is essentially a diet that focuses on the consumption of little to no carbohydrates, and higher levels of proteins and fats. Since the human body typically uses carbohydrates as a primary source of energy for the body's basic functions, ideally a diet that is low in carbohydrates will cause the body to look elsewhere for a source of energy. With restrictions placed on the consumption of carbohydrates, the body has no choice but to metabolize fats in order to produce energy. The process by which the body metabolizes fats in order to produce energy is known as ketosis. In order to maintain ketosis and keep the body burning fats, individuals who are taking part in the Atkins Diet need to be careful about the food they consume during their daily meals. High levels of carbohydrates will interfere with ketosis, as the body will return to breaking down the carbohydrates in order to produce energy. When it comes to the foods that are acceptable for the Atkins Diet, individuals are expected to consume foods that are low in carbohydrates, which typically means not eating foods high in sugars and starches. Generally, the Atkins diet approves the consumption of proteins and fats. Additionally, participants are allowed to eat all the meat, poultry, fish, and cheeses they want. Condiments that are high in fat are also given the okay under Atkins, as are sour cream and guacamole. In terms of specific foods that are deemed acceptable under the Atkins diet, participants are given a variety of choices. In fact, the basic premise of the Atkins diet is that individual participants can eat just about any food they want, so long as it is low is carbohydrates. Lovers of fish will find that just about all types of fish are accepted under the Atkins diet, including tuna, salmon, flounder, and sardines, to name a few. Fans of fowl will find that items like turkey, chicken, duck, quail and pheasant are all also acceptable food under the Atkins diet. The choices to not end there though, as shellfish like oysters, clams, squid, shrimp, and crabmeat are also a big part of the Atkins diet. Additionally, all forms of meat including beef, pork, lamb, veal and venison are also on the list of foods that the Atkins diet deems acceptable. Eggs cooked in just about every form are also on the list of acceptable foods under Atkins. Despite the perceptions, the Atkins diet does allow for the consumption of some amount of carbohydrate on a daily basis. Many times, these carbohydrates are obtained by consuming small amounts of vegetables like celery, radishes, chives, snow peas, broccoli, and spinach. Atkins also has acceptable beverages. Since most of today's drinks contain some sort of sugar-based sweetener or some type of fruit juice that is itself high in carbohydrates, the Atkins diet recommends that participants consume drinks that are artificially sweetened with products like Splenda. Additionally, teas, some juices, and diet sodas are all beverages that are considered acceptable under the Atkins diet.
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