understanding the Atkins Diet
by Rachel Newcombe
help and info
You might be interested to read our features on fitness for free, detox diets, or how overweight men can trim down too. Or why not check out our Complementary Medicine section, to see which alternative therapies can help you to lose weight.
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organisations
British Association of Nutritional Therapists (BANT)
27 Old Gloucester Street
London WC1N 3XX
Tel: 08706 061284
E-mail: theadminstrator@bant.org.uk
Website: www.bant.org.uk
BANT can help you find a nutritional therapist to advise you on optimal health and wellbeing. They hold a register of practitioners who are fully qualified in both the science of nutrition as well as clinical practice.
Food Standards Agency
Aviation House
125 Kingsway
London WC2B 6NH
Switchboard: 020 7276 8000 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm)
Website: www.foodstandards.gov.uk
The Food Standards Agency is there to make sure the food you eat is safe, and to offer independent, balanced
advice. Website contains a range of useful information and news and links to the Agency's new website, Eatwell.
Nutritional Therapy Council
PO Box 6114
Bournemouth BH1 9BL
Website: www.nutritionaltherapycouncil.org.uk
The Council is the regulatory body for nutritional therapy. It has just launched a new national register which will allow the public to access a single register of licensed practitioners.
websites
the debate
Atkins
http://atkins.com
Official site of the late Dr Atkins that explains how the diet works and defends recent criticisms. Also offers low carb recipes and nutrition advice.
Atkins – the unhealthy choice
www.weightlossresources.co.uk/diet/atkins_diet/medical_report.htm
Article by Dr Jeremy Sims, obesity expert, investigating the validity of the studies that have made positive claims for the safety of the Atkin's Diet.
Celebrity Diet 'Safe and Effective'
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/3044689.stm
BBC article that looks at the recent research findings of the University of Pennsylvania. Professor Foster, who carried out the research, concludes that diets such as the Atkins may not have the adverse effects that were anticipated.
Atkins Diet Alert
www.atkinsdietalert.org
Founded in 1985 in Washington D.C., the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine speak out about the dangers of high-protein diets. They argue that meat-heavy high-protein eating patterns are, in the long term, linked to osteoporosis, heart disease, colon cancer and renal disease, and pose particular dangers for people with diabetes.
Is the Atkins diet safe?
www.ivillage.co.uk/dietandfitness/ ..
Dr Winnie Chan casts her verdict on the Atkins obsession.
Is the Atkins Diet Safe?
www.bupa.co.uk/health_information/ ..
Looks at recent research findings that fail to show negative effects of high-protein diets (see BBC article 'celebrity diet safe and effective'). However, BUPA's health team argue that these results are problematic and highlight a number of flaws in the research.
health and diet sites
British Dietetic Association (BDA)
www.bda.uk.com
Useful information about finding a qualified dietitian, as well as general information about dietary issues.
British Medical Association – UK Health News
http://bmj.bmjjournals.com/uknews/
Online service offered by the BMJ that offers daily summaries of health stories appearing in national newspapers.
British Nutrition Foundation
www.nutrition.org.uk
Lots of articles and online information on healthy eating and sensible dieting.
Diet and Fitness from ivillage
www.ivillage.co.uk/dietandfitness
Community site with lots of tips, information and advice on a range of diets and other areas of health and fitness. An online trainer will answer questions and you can post your views on the message board or join a live debate.
Dieting Review
www.dieting-review.com
Gives brief overviews of a wide range of diets including the Atkins, the Cabbage Soup, the F-Plan and Weight Watchers.
Feeling OK
www.feelingok.co.uk
Online guide to healthy dieting, exercising, slimming and losing weight.
Foodfitness
www.foodfitness.org.uk
Part of a Food and Drink Federation (FDF) campaign, this website evolved from an increasing awareness and recognition of the public health problem of obesity. Contains information and healthy lifestyle tips.
Institute of Food Research
www.ifr.bbsrc.ac.uk
Useful food information fact sheets.
Low Fat Veggie Food
www.lowfatveggiefood.co.uk
Tasty low-fat vegetarian recipes, reviews of the best weight loss diets for vegetarians, weight loss tips, slimming success stories, cookery book and exercise video reviews.
Low carb/ GI diets made easy
www.lowcarbiseasy.com
Online information and support resources for low carbohydrate dieters. It guides dieters to information on the science behind low carb diets and to the best websites for help, support and motivation. It also has an interactive cookbook and information on low carb products and suppliers.
Obesity-Online
www.obesity-online.com
A multi-disciplinary forum for research into and treatment of obesity, including psychiatry, endocrinology, nutrition, nursing and dietetics. Contains information about obesity, and the health risks.
Weight Loss for Good
www.weightlossforgood.co.uk
Information aimed at helping to make a decision on how best to reduce body fat and get into shape.
reading
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Dr Atkins' New Diet Revolution by Robert C. Atkins (Vermillion, 2003) |
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The Food Doctor Everyday Diet by Ian Marber (Dorling Kindersley, 2005) |
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The Optimum Nutrition Bible by Patrick Holford (Piatkus Books, 1998) |
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Overweight Teenagers: Don't bear the burden alone by Michael Lebow (Perseus Publishing, February 2003) |
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Why Can't I Stop Eating? Recognizing, Understanding and Overcoming Food Addiction by Debbie Danowski (Hazeldon, 2000) |
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(November 2003, resources updated March 2005)
