Newsletter
The Atkins Advantage®: Giving you the Edge
 | Atkins is all about proactive nutrition -- providing you the
information and inspiration you need to take charge of your health and
enjoy your active life to the fullest. The Atkins Advantage® consists
of five core principles designed to help you keep your energy levels
steady and strong from morning till night. These principles are easy to
understand and follow once you know the basics. Take protein, for example. Did you know that for maximum energy benefits, you need to consume smaller amounts of protein through the day, not all at once? Because your body can't store protein the way it can carbohydrates, |
When you put the five Atkins Advantage principles together--high protein, high fiber, high intake of vitamins and minerals, low intake of sugar and the elimination of trans fats--you have the perfect, health-promoting, weight-controlling dietary plan for optimal health and performance: The Atkins Advantage offers you the optimal mix of essential nutrients:
- High protein: Protein has been shown to increase both metabolism and satiety; it also provides you with the amino acids needed to build strong bones, muscles and other body chemicals How much protein you need depends on your activity level, metabolism and weight, but in general, you need a bare minimum of about a half-gram of protein per pound of body weight. And if you're really into exercise or other physical activities, have a muscular build, are a nursing mother, dealing with a lot of stress or over 50, you may need even more than that.
- High fiber: Fiber offers huge benefits to your health, from controlling your appetite and regulating blood sugar to helping your digestion. It helps keep your blood sugar levels even, too. We get fiber from nuts, seeds and fiber-rich vegetables like cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower and others. Women need--at a bare minimum--25 grams of fiber a day, while men need at least 35 grams.
- Low sugar: Avoid the dreaded sugar spike and crash from high sugar diets and you'll discover steady even energy throughout the day. Sugars and other highly refined products like white flour are empty carbs, so steer clear! Instead, focus on low-glycemic, fiber-rich foods that keep your energy levels even.
- Vitamins and minerals: Getting the right amounts of vitamins and minerals helps your body to run like a well-oiled machine, providing energy, and protecting your body form the ravages of free radicals. Combining sensible, healthy eating and supplementation will promote the intake of necessary vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and other nutrients.
- No trans fats: Trans fats have now been implicated as risk factors for a host of degenerative diseases, including heart disease--they have no place in a healthy lifestyle! Consume more higher quality fats, such as mono- and poly- unsaturated fats as well as omega 3 fatty acids
To help you understand what the Atkins Advantage is all about and how you can enjoy all the benefits it offers, we've created a brand-new course at the Atkins Learning Center. Enroll in "The Atkins Advantage™: How the Atkins Principles Give You the Edge" to learn more about the principles of the Atkins Advantage: what they are, why they matter and how following them will help you keep your energy levels high. As you explore the principles in more detail, you'll get lots of practical tips and strategies for incorporating them into your daily routine -- and enjoying the edge they give you!
This free, instructor-led course has a lively Message Board where you can ask questions and discuss your health and nutritional goals with others. It starts on Friday, May 19, so come reserve your space today! And while you're there, check out our other great course offering at the Atkins Learning Center. See you in class!
