Disadvantage of Atkins Diet, and Advantages: Do or Don't?

What’s considered a disadvantage of Atkins diet?

If you are reading this, you’re probably considering using the Atkins diet, or maybe you are already on it and are wondering what’s considered a disadvantage of Atkins diet. First off, if you’re considering any diet regimen, you deserve to be congratulated. Having had three children and my weight fluctuate (I’m not going to tell you by how many pounds), I know what a struggle it is to eat healthy, watch calories, and find time to work out in a busy world such as ours.

Unfortunately, there are no easy answers when it comes to discussing the Atkins diet. While many people have successfully lost weight on it, and there are many advantages to be garnered from it, there has also been relatively little research done on what exactly the disadvantage of Atkins diet may ultimately be in the long term.

Things that can be considered a disadvantage of Atkins diet include:

• Possible lack of energy or weakness (due to a low level of calories consumed).
• Potential for digestive problems such as nausea, constipation, and dehydration.
• Headaches, possibility of not being able to concentrate.
• Recommendations for preventing colorectal cancer include a diet rich in whole grains – which are not part of the early stages of Atkins diet.
• High saturated fat content.
• Not suitable for vegetarians or women who are nursing.

An additional disadvantage of Atkins diet is that some people have lost weight in the beginning and gained weight back later on.

Now for the good news…

The good news is that despite these things that are considered a disadvantage of Atkins diet, there are also a number of things that can be considered an advantage of Atkins diet.

These include:

• Lack of hunger (a dieter’s dream!): Due to the high protein content of this diet, many people feel fuller longer, therefore the diet retains its effectiveness because they are less likely to ‘cheat’ and also more likely to stick to the diet.
• Availability – the popularity of Atkins diet products as well as the ease in which you can obtain meats, and animal protein and dairy products make this a choice most people can easily purchase.
• Despite the high saturated fat content, short-term studies have shown that after being on the Atkins diet, cholesterol levels are actually lower in many people.
• Rapid weight loss – most people report losing weight fairly quickly on the Atkins diet.
• You can eat bacon and steak with no guilt.
• You’ll look good in your bathing suit next summer.

Okay, Okay, I know just those last two will sway a lot of you.

Seriously, as I said before, the studies regarding what’s considered an advantage and a disadvantage of Atkins diet are highly inconclusive. For most people, though, the Atkins diet is an easy and effective way to lose weight and feel better.

Just evaluate whether you’re comfortable with the possible negative aspects and go for it. So, good luck! And again, kudos to you on making a decision to live a healthier life!

Ms. Finley is a freelance journalist for PulseMEDIA International. She is currently working on her M.A. in English Literature at Cleveland State University and is also a creative writer. She and her husband have three young children.