THE ATKINS DIET FAD
The New Atkins Diet Revolution, which was created in 2002, is a simplified version of the original diet that balances lean protein with controlled portions of fat and healthy carbohydrates. As one of the most popular diets, you start with just 20 grams of carbs a day and very slowly increase the amount every week. As with many other diets, the primary idea is to stop eating foods made with refined flour and sugar.
But even nutrient-dense whole-grain foods are a no-no until you reach the maintenance phase. While supporters praise the Atkins diet’s short-term effectiveness and say it’s easier to stick to than other diets, critics point out that you’re really not getting an overall balanced diet and might be lacking in calcium.