As students welcomed 2004, many embraced a New Year’s resolution and vowed to become more health conscious and lose weight.
The controversial Atkins diet is often a quick answer to this popular plea for weight loss.
According to Atkins.com, the diet involves three stages. The first stage includes two weeks of a regiment of foods high in both fat and protein, while placing strict limitations on carbohydrate intake.
Many professionals have voiced opinions, but Steven Pomarico, biology instructor, pointed out that no one knows for sure if the Atkins diet is a fool-proof and safe solution to obesity.
Pomarico said there is simply not enough funding for research to be done to investigate the diet in-depth.
The Atkins diet plan reserves no significant role for exercise, and some view this as a major flaw. Michael Welsch, kinesiology professor, commented on the subject and stressed the importance of exercise.
“People fail to communicate that any weight loss plan must be a combination of dieting and exercise,” said Welsch.
Welsch explained that on a daily basis, if an individual expends 500 more calories than they take in, they will lose one pound per week.
“If a diet promises to take off more than one to two pounds a week, it isn’t a healthy choice,” Welsch advised. He suggested that losing a pound a week is a realistic and healthy goal for individuals.
In the past year, the Atkins diet has received an overwhelming amount of publicity.
Recently, several restaurants including Subway, TGI Fridays and Blimpie have introduced exclusive menus which cater to individuals experimenting with this low-carbohydrate lifestyle.
University students also will have new low-carb options this semester as the Blimpie in the Union’s Tiger Lair has introduced a “carb counter” menu, according to Dining Director David Heidke. Heidke said that students will have five items to choose from on the new menu.
Students on low-carb diets such as Atkins may ask themselves if all this extreme dieting is truly healthy.
According to Atkinsalert.org, individuals should be very skeptical and careful as they frantically search for the “wonder diet.” This Web site provides many opinions from professionals, all of whom voice disapproval for the Atkins diet and others similar to it.
Although these low-carb diets have gained a lot of attention for their initial effectiveness, the Web site said they could possibly cause irreversible damage to the human body because of the stress which is inadvertently placed upon organs.
When looking at the big picture, Welsch said he believes that extreme diets such as Atkins are never a good idea. A high-fat diet over a prolonged period of time is not beneficial.
Atkinsalert.com warns that diets high in fat and protein could be associated with an increased risk of cancer, diabetes, heart disease and kidney problems.
Pomarico said a common misconception concerning this diet is that individuals believe they may eat as much fat and protein as they desire, still be healthy and still lose weight. Moderation is key in any diet, and Atkins is no exception, Pomarico said.
Often individuals experience a loss of energy and feel so drained that they must abandon the diet. Pomarico explained every person’s body will react and adjust differently to such a sudden change in nutrition.
“It’s strictly a matter of ‘does the diet match the individual?'” Pomarico said. He explained that some people are predisposed to these high protein diets and these individuals’ bodies are more able to adapt.
Pomarico said the Atkins diet simply will work for some and not for others. This diet often requires a lifestyle change, and not simply a change of one’s eating habits.
Welsch’s recommendation to students is to approach weight loss gradually.
“Only through a combination of both diet and exercise will an individual be successful,” Welsch said.
Counting Carbs
January 22, 2004