The Atkins diet is a low-carbohydrate diet created in the 1960s by Dr. Robert C. Atkins, a physician and cardiologist. Dr. Atkins found that when his patients avoided foods high in carbohydrates (carbs) — such as bread, potatoes, pasta, and fruit — they lost weight easily, without hunger or intentionally restricting calories.

Studies have shown that people who stick to a low-carbohydrate diet like Atkins can lose weight. A study in The Journal of the American Medical Association comparing diets found that women on the Atkins diet lost more weight and experienced more health benefits. After one year on the Atkins diet, people in the study lost an average of 10 pounds.

After limiting his patients’ intake of sugar and carbohydrates, Dr. Atkins, a well-known cardiologist, observed that eating right—not less—improved his patients’ health, contributed to weight loss, and reduced chronic health issues. Over the last 45 years, mounting evidence has supported Dr. Atkins’ low carb diet findings.

Atkins, on the other hand, limits carbohydrates (sugar), so the body burns fat, including body fat, for fuel. This approach leaves the body steadily fueled, and weight is lost, even when more calories are being consumed. Steady fueling also means more constant energy levels all day long, and less hunger and cravings!