A modified Atkins diet limits carbohydrate intake but encourages more variety and portion control, with most fat intake from unsaturated fats. It is used to control seizures in epilepsy patients and is less restrictive than the ketogenic diet. The original Atkins diet severely restricted carbohydrates and allowed unlimited fat and protein intake, leading to unhealthy eating habits.
A modified Atkins diet is an eating plan that adheres to the principles of the original Atkins diet, such as limiting carbohydrate intake, with a few modifications. Typically, these alterations make the diet a bit healthier because more variety is encouraged and portion control is often practiced. Additionally, a modified Atkins diet typically shifts most of your fat intake to healthier, unsaturated varieties. A version of this diet is also used to help control seizures in patients with epilepsy and has been shown to be effective in people who can stick to the eating plan. Patients may prefer this diet because it is less restrictive than the ketogenic diet often prescribed for seizure control, making it a bit easier to follow.
The original Atkins diet was developed in the 1960s by Dr. Robert C. Atkins, and is primarily based on severely restricting carbohydrate intake. This is because Dr. Atkins believed that fluctuations in blood sugar that result from eating carbohydrates caused weight gain. He recommended that dieters eat as much fat and protein as they wanted, and didn’t require them to limit portion sizes or caloric intake. This usually resulted in people eating a variety of foods now considered unhealthy, so the diet was changed in the 1990s.
A modified Atkins diet generally tries to balance healthy eating with the principles of the original plan. Modifications are made in an effort to allow followers to eat a more balanced diet. Small amounts of carbohydrates are allowed, although intake is still quite limited compared to the typical diet of the average individual. Another major change is that dieters are encouraged to get most of their fat intake from unsaturated fats, as they have fewer health risks associated with consumption than the saturated kind. Portion control and calorie limitations are also recommended to curb consumption of unhealthy foods.
For patients with epilepsy, following a modified Atkins diet has been shown to have some therapeutic benefits. This is believed to be because high levels of dietary fat intake allow substances called ketones to build up in the patient’s system. The presence of ketones in the body appears to inhibit seizure activity in many patients, but diets that encourage them to accumulate are often extremely difficult to follow. The modified Atkins diet may be easier because it is much less restrictive than the ketogenic diet that is often prescribed. The ketogenic diet places stricter limitations on carbohydrates and calories, as well as limiting fluid intake, making it even more difficult to follow than the modified Atkins diet.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
