Atkins Diet

Atkins Diet: Main Image

Related Topics

  1. Which Diet Is Right for Me?
  2. Low-Carbohydrate Recipes

Nonfood Factors

The Atkins program encourages exercise to aid weight loss. The program offers online tools and has an extensive product line including books, software, shakes, bars, and candy.

Is This Diet Vegetarian-Friendly?

No. A plant-based vegetarian diet is naturally higher in carbohydrate than is allowed by the Atkins program. In the induction phase almost all of the example meals are meat-based, and while you can add more vegetables in phase 2, it’s not until phase 3—premaintenance—that you can add whole grains and legumes, the vegetarian mainstays.

Eating Out

The Atkins website offers detailed cuisine-by-cuisine advice on following the diet when eating out. Some examples of their advice include:

  • Ask for green vegetables as a substitution for your starch.
  • Order your burger without the bun, and your enchiladas without the tortillas.
  • Request that sauces be served on the side when eating Chinese food.

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The information presented by TraceGains is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. Self-treatment is not recommended for life-threatening conditions that require medical treatment under a doctor's care. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires December 2025.