This best-seller claims that dieters can lose all the weight they want by eliminating carbohydrates and sugar from their diets. With the lure of eating "forbidden foods," Dr. Atkins charges that processed carbohydrates and insulin, not excess calories, are responsible for obesity in the United States. The low-carb, high-protein plan consists of between 1,200 and 1,800 calories. This calorie range would result in weight loss no matter what combination of foods (carbohydrate, protein and fat) was employed.

Advantages:
Users seem to gravitate to the plan’s simplicity. By eliminating carbohydrates and sugar from the diet, a significant number of calories are also eliminated.

Disadvantages:
The downside to the plan is its reliance on protein. High-protein diets put the body into a state of ketosis, causing headaches, bad breath, nausea and carbohydrate cravings due to depleted glycogen stores. The plan is too high in saturated fats and too low in fruits, whole grains, calcium and fiber.

Long-Term Success:
Information from the National Weight Control Registry indicates that high-protein, low-carbohydrate diets are not maintained for life. After the initial weight loss, the dieter eventually rebounds if carbohydrates are reintroduced into the diet.

Dr. Atkins Diet Revolution was created by Robert C. Atkins, M.D.