Atkins Diet Grocery List
Formerly dubbed the Atkins Nutritional Approach, the Atkins Diet is an extensively documented diet widely credited with igniting the low-carb diet craze.
The diet dates back to the 1960s when cardiologist Robert C. Atkins devised the prominent low-carbohydrate eating regimen.
The Atkins phase 1 diet prioritizes fats and protein consumption but restricts carbohydrates.
The Atkins Diet begins with a low-carbohydrate eating routine and progresses to multiple weight loss and management phases.
Additionally, the Atkins Diet claims that besides helping with weight loss, it also increases your energy levels or improves specific health conditions, including hypertension or metabolic disorders.
PHASE 1
With the Atkins Diet, eating the appropriate balance of carbs, protein, and fats is the primary focus for weight loss and overall health benefits. This is the initial phase of the Atkins Diet, and it lasts for around two weeks. The goal is to start weight loss and induce ketosis. Carbohydrate intake will be reduced to around 20-25 grams daily, and protein-rich foods should be consumed. The main purpose is to induce ketosis and start using the fat storage for energy.
Weight gain and associated health problems such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease are attributed to the standard low-fat and high-carbohydrate American diet according to the Atkins Diet.
The Atkins Diet is based on the idea that consuming too many carbohydrates, particularly sugar, white flour, and other processed carbohydrates, contributes to blood glucose irregularities, excess weight, and cardiac disorders.
Like many diet plans, the Atkins Diet continues to evolve. Now, it encourages eating more high-fiber vegetables, accommodates vegetarian and vegan needs, and addresses health problems that may arise when beginning a low-carb diet.
Do not forget that it is crucial to follow every restrictive weight loss diet with the help of a physician or dietician to guide you.
- Do not forgot any meals– Eating small, frequent meals throughout the day will assist you in avoiding overindulging and making poor dietary choices. But keep and schedule for every meal so you don’t lose track of what you are consuming.
- Every meal should have a good amount of protein– Consume at least three 4-6 ounce portions of protein each day.
- Keep an eye on your carbohydrate intake: You should consume no more than 25 grams of total carbohydrates per day, at least 12-15 grams, among which should be in the form of vegetables.
- Healthy fats are good– Fat enhances the flavor of meals and aids in absorbing specific vitamins.
- Stick to the list of permitted foods-Anything not on the list of acceptable foods should be avoided.
- Adjust your satiety levels: If your appetite is waning, you may want to adjust your consumption amount. Ensure you eat enough to satisfy your hunger but not so much that you feel bloated.
- Be on the lookout for hidden carbohydrates: Use a Carb Counter Tool or look up the carbs on the box label to ensure you get the right amount.
- Utilize sugar replacements sparingly: Use no more than three sachets of sucralose, saccharin, or stevia per day as a sweetener/sugar alternative.
- Stay hydrated: Although the early loss of water weight is average during Induction, it might cause dizziness and sap your vitality. Consume at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water daily to rehydrate your body, combat constipation and electrolyte imbalance, and drain the residues of fat burning.
- Avoid too much caffeine: Seek to limit your use of coffee, tea, and other caffeinated beverages.
- Include a daily multivitamin in your diet regimen– Get essential nutrients and minerals by taking an iron-free supplement pill and an omega-3 fatty acid supplement daily.
Atkins Diet PHASE 1- Allowed Food List
Vegetables | Protein Sources | Beverages | Cheese | Herbs and Spices | Fats and Oils |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Alfalfa sprouts | Flounder | Clear broth/ bouillon (make sure it has no sugars added) | Parmesan, grated | Basil- 1 TBSP | Butter |
Chicory greens | Herring | Club soda | Mayonnaise(no sugar xadded) | ||
Endive | Salmon | Cream, heavy or light | Goat, chevre | Cayenne pepper- 1 TBSP | Olive oil |
Escarole | Sardines | Decaffeinated or regular coffee and tea | Vegetable oils | ||
Olives, green- 5 each | Sole | Diet soda (be sure to note the carb count) | Bleu cheese | Cilantro- 1 TBSP | · Canola |
Watercress | Tuna | Flavored seltzer (must say no calories) | · Walnut | ||
Arugula | Trout | Herb tea (without added barley or fruit sugar added) | Cheddar- 1 oz | Dill- 1 TBSP | · Soybean |
Radishes | Cod | Unflavored soy/almond milk | · Grape seed | ||
Spinach | Halibut | Water – at least eight 8-ounce glasses per day | Gouda- 1 oz | Oregano- 1 TBSP | · Sesame |
Bok choy | Cornish hen | · Sunflower | |||
Lettuce, average | Chicken | Mozzarella, whole milk- 1 oz | Tarragon-1 TBSP | · Safflower | |
Turnip greens | Duck | 2 TBSP | |||
Olives, black- 5 each | Goose | Parsley- 1 TBSP | |||
Radicchio | Pheasat | Cream cheese, whipped. 2 TBSP | |||
Button mushroom | Quail | Chives (fresh or dehydrated)- 1 TBSP | |||
Artichoke | Turkey | Parmesan, chunk- 1 oz | |||
Celery | Ostrich | Ginger, fresh, grated- 1 TBSP | |||
Collard greens | Bacon | Swiss- 1 oz | |||
Pickle, dill- 1/2 cup | Beef | Rosemary, dried- 1 tsp | |||
Spinach- 1/2 cup | Ham | Feta- 1oz | |||
Broccoli rabe | Lamb | Sage, ground- 1 tsp | |||
Sauerkraut | Pork | ||||
Avocado, Haas- 1/2 cup | Veal | Black pepper- 1 tsp | |||
Daikon radish, grated | Venison | ||||
Red/white onion, chopped | Eggs | Garlic- 1 clove | |||
Zucchini | |||||
Cucumber, sliced | |||||
Cauliflower | |||||
Beet greens | |||||
1/2 cup | |||||
Broccoli | |||||
Fennel | |||||
Okra | |||||
Rhubarb | |||||
Swiss chard | |||||
Asparagus | |||||
Broccolini | |||||
Bell pepper, green, chopped | |||||
Sprouts, mung beans | |||||
Eggplant | |||||
Kale | |||||
1/2 cup | |||||
Scallion, chopped | |||||
Bell pepper, red, chopped | |||||
Kohlrabi | |||||
Pumpkin, mashed | |||||
Garlic, minced | |||||
Snow peas | |||||
1/2 cup | |||||
Tomato |
Atkins Diet PHASE 2- Allowed Food List
In this phase it is important to gradually increase the carbohydrate intake by 5 grams per day each week with the goal to reach a level of carbohydrate intake that allows for continued weight loss while maintaining ketosis. This phase should be maintained until the individual is within 15 pounds of their goal weight.
The gradual increase in net carb intake and reintroduction of new foods will allow to continue to shave off pounds and inches, maintain appetite control and feel energetic. The increase will depend on the individual and how the body reacts. It may be comfortable reaching between 25 to 35 grams of carbohydrates daily or even 50 to 60 grams. Phase 2 is all about understanding carb tolerance and balance.
Since now it is acceptable to add some carbs, here is a list of approved foods to start adding to the Adkins Diet with the correct portions to use. Remember, you can still have the foods from the Phase 1 list.
Foods | Portions | Carb content | |
Vegetables | Spinach, kale, lettuce, arugula
Broccoli Cauliflower Bell peppers Zucchini Cucumber Asparagus Eggplant Green beans | Unlimited
1 cup 1 cup 1 medium unit 1 medium unit 1 medium unit 1 cup 1 cup 1 cup cooked | Negligible
6 grams 5 grams 6 grams 6 grams 4 grams 7 grams 8 grams 10 grams |
Berries | Strawberries Blueberries Raspberries Blackberries | 1 cup ½ cup ½ cup ½ cup | 11 grams 10 grams 7 grams 7 grams |
Dairy | Greek yogurt Cottage cheese Hard cheeses (cheddar, swiss) | ½ cup ½ cup 1 ounce | 6 grams 4 grams 0.5 grams |
Nuts and seeds | Almonds Walnuts Pecans Macadamia nuts Chia seeds Flaxseeds | 1 ounce 1 ounce 1 ounce 1 ounce 1 TBSP 2 TBSP | 6 grams 4 grams 4 grams 4 grams 6 grams 4 grams |
Whole Grains and Legumes | Quinoa Oats Brown rice Barley Bulgur Lentil Chickpeas Kidney beans | ¼ cup cooked ½ cup cooked ¼ cup cooked ¼ cup cooked ½ cup cooked ¼ cup cooked ¼ cup cooked ¼ cup cooked | 10 grams 15 grams 11 grams 10 grams 12 grams 10 grams 10 grams 10 grams |
Fruits | Apples Oranges Peaches Plums Cherries | ½ medium unit ½ medium unit ½ medium unit 1 medium plum ½ cup | 12 grams 8 grams 7 grams 7 grams 9 grams |
PHASE 3: Pre-Maintenance
This phase is a transition period between active weight loss and long-term maintenance. It is a time where the carbohydrate intake could be increased, if necessary, in order to reach balance, but still maintain ketosis. This phase emphasizes building healthy eating habits and lifestyle practices. Here is a list of foods and recommendations that can be taken into consideration for this phase.
- Low-carb vegetables:
Continue consuming non-starchy vegetables like leafy greens, broccoli, cauliflower, peppers, zucchini, and others in the amount specified before.
- Protein sources:
Continue consuming protein-rich foods like poultry, fish, seafood, beef, pork, eggs, and tofu.
- Healthy fats:
Include sources of healthy fats such as avocados, olive oil, vegetable oil, nuts, and seeds. Enjoy nuts and seeds in moderation.
- Dairy:
Continue consuming full-fat dairy products like Greek yogurt, cheese, and cottage cheese.
Nuts and seeds:
- Fruits:
Introduce more fruits into your diet, focusing on lower-sugar options like berries, apples, oranges, peaches, plums, and cherries. Count your carbs so you know how much to include.
- Whole grains:
Start incorporating whole grains like quinoa, oats, brown rice, barley, and bulgur into your meals in controlled portions.
- Legumes:
Gradually increase your consumption of legumes such as lentils, chickpeas, black beans, and kidney beans.
- Starchy vegetables:
Begin reintroducing starchy vegetables like sweet potatoes, peas, and corn into your diet in small portions.
Atkins Diet PHASE 4- Maintainance
This phase is the lifelong approach to eating to maintain the weight loss achieved and overall health. Carbohydrates are increased to a level that allows for weight maintenance, but their consumption should be moderate to avoid excess. The focus remains on the consumption of nutrient-dense whole foods and physical activity.
You can use the food tables above to complete your diet based on the necessities specified by your dietitian.
These phases are not lineal; therefore, you can adjust your progress based on your needs and goals. Remember to always follow your dietitian’s recommendations while following a restrictive or weight-loss diet.
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