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Low Carb Bodybuilding Diet

Cutting carbohydrates in one's diet, also known as the Atkins Diet, has been around since the 19th century when William Banting devised the theory.

Dr. Robert Atkins in 1972 published a book called the 'Diet Revolution', which became a best seller and spoke of this low carbohydrate, high protein diet. Atkins theory says you can eat all the proteins you want and lose weight as long as you eat no carbohydrates, such as starches, refined grains, sugar and simple carbs.

Almost no Carbs are allowed in the first couple weeks of the atkins diet (less than 20 grams a day), as the body falls into a condition called ketosis.

Ketosis is where the body starts burning fat because there are no carbohydrates to burn. Some believe this process is bad for the kidneys, and your body my start burning muscle along with fat. Ketosis can be checked with a urine test.

In the first couple of weeks you will lose mostly water weight. After that the diet calls for a slow increase in carbohydrates and your body will come out of the ketosis state. The final stage is a life long eating plan.

Along with the 'Diet Revolution' Dr. Atkins has written other books that explain and teach his diet plan. His cookbook has become very popular.

Here's the benefits of the Atkins Diet.

It does help you lose weight. You can eat as much protein and fat as you would like, and is safe as long as you keep enough carbs in your diet.

Here are some of the negatives associated with the Atkins diet.

Bad breath is a side effect of this diet. Low vitamins and minerals especially in the first stages of the Atkins Diet, and the Atkins is high in cholesterol and saturated fats.Also people on the diet have found it difficult to stay on the diet in the first stage because of not feeling well.

Here is a sample menu for the first couple weeks:

-Breakfast- eggs, scrambled or fried w/bacon, ham, sugarfree sausage or Canadian bacon. Decaffinated coffee or tea, water

-Lunch- 1 cup salad greens, 1 cup sliced turkey or ham(sugarfree), 2 tbsp sugar free dressing. Or: cheeseburger or bacon cheeseburger (no bun). Sour pickle, 1-2 cups tossed salad (low carb veggies), sugar free dressing. Or: Cold cuts

-Dinner- 2 cups salad greens w/2 tbs dressing or 1 cup steamed veggies assorted (low carb). Steaks, roasts, chops or fish. Diet jello w/artifially sweetened heavy cream

-Snacks- 2 oz cheddar cheese, 1 serving sugarfree jello

---8 or more glasses of water a day---

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