One of the key things to remember about the Atkins diet is its focus on raw,
unprocessed foods. The center of diet, as shown by the Atkins diet food pyramid,
is fresh vegetables and fresh meats. Added into the mix are natural cheeses, a
selection of fruits and, eventually, whole unprocessed grains. There aren鈥檛 any
packaged meats, canned vegetables or instant anything.
There is a reason
that the Atkins food pyramid shows these foods in their raw states. There are
great health benefits in minimally processed foods. Raw, whole foods retain more
vitamins and nutrients than foods that have been through chemical and industrial
processing. Manufactured foods are more likely to be tainted with chemical
additives that can cause a whole host of problems.
Raw, fresh food
ingredients provide the best basis for a healthy diet. Many dieters rely on
foods that are technically allowed on the plan, but not good for health. One
example is bacon. Many people on the Atkins diet consume lots of bacon. In fact,
many use it as a daily part of their protein foods. However, bacon contains high
amounts of sodium nitrite, an ingredient that is known to cause cancer. The more
bacon they eat, the more they expose themselves to this chemical and many
others.
The Atkins pyramid, and the Atkins diet books, recommends
unprocessed, unrefined and non-manufactured foods for a reason. If people follow
these recommendations, they will lose weight and experience health
transformations. By eating fresh and natural foods you鈥檒l be providing your body
with the nutrients that you need to have optimum health.
Back to those
packaged and processed low-carb foods. Technically, they are part of the
low-carb program. They can be used in moderation as substitutes for your
favorite carbohydrate heavy foods. In a pinch, low-carb bread and baked goods
can help you get over cravings and add variety to your Atkins diet plan.
However, one look at the labels of these products shows how chemically processed
these items can be.
It is recommended that you use these products
sparingly. In some individuals, low-carb packaged items cause carbohydrate
cravings. This can make staying on the diet even more difficult. If you find
that low-carb processed foods make you want to binge on carb-heavy foods, then
its best that you stay away from these products. These products may also have
hidden carb counts that will increase your daily carbohydrate level without you
realizing it.
If you are experiencing a stall in your weight loss on the
Atkins plan, re-evaluate your commitment to unprocessed and unrefined foods. If
you鈥檝e been eating too many low-carb processed foods, you may be consuming
hidden carbs and eating more than necessary. Try eliminating these products and
refocusing your diet on unprocessed and unrefined foods, like those seen on the
Atkins diet pyramid. When you go grocery shopping, spend time along the outer
rim of the store where the fresh, unprocessed foods are. This will help you
avoid the temptation of packaged foods that can lead your diet
astray.
You may need to rely on packaged meats, vegetables and fruits
from time to time. We lead busy lives and convenience foods are part of life.
It鈥檚 understandable that you may need to use some canned soup, bacon or canned
vegetables in your daily life. However, make an effort to concentrate your
dietary efforts on a wide variety of fresh, unprocessed foods. Your health and
weight loss efforts will be greatly rewarded.
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