Atkins Diet Dr. Robert Atkins adapted a low-carbohydrate diet he read in the 1960s,and sugested the main cause of obesity is eating refined carbohydrates, particularly sugar, flour, and high-fructose corn syrups and saturated fats.

Atkins involves the restriction of carbohydrates in order to switch the body's metabolism from burning glucose to burning stored body fat and restricts "net carbs", or carbs that have an effect on blood sugar.

There are four phases of the Atkins diet: induction, ongoing weight loss, pre-maintenance and lifetime maintenance.

Induction: is intended to cause the body to quickly enter a state of ketosis where the liver converts fat into fatty acids and ketone bodies which can be used by the body for energy.

Ongoing Weight Loss: consists of an increase in carbohydrate intake, but remaining at levels where weight loss occurs.

Pre-maintenance: key goal in this phase is to find the "Critical Carbohydrate Level for Maintenance"

Lifetime maintenance: is intended to carry on the habits acquired in the previous phases, and avoid the common end-of-diet mindset that can return people to their previous habits and previous weight.