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About 1972 Atkins
12 minutes
I have a basic FAQ written, that may help answer some questions. If I do not address your specific concern, please email me. I will answer you as quickly as I can and post any questions/answers on the FAQ page.
I’m sure there is a lot of confusion out there since, to my surprise, EVERYONE is jumping on the NET carbohydrate bandwagon. Also, I’ve heard (I don’t go to their website) that Atkins has introduced a “new and improved” version of this way of eating, by starting you out with 40 grams of net carbohydrates per day. Let’s do a little math with the cookie I discussed two paragraphs down. So, if you are now allowed (during your first week) to eat 40 grams of net carbohydrates per day, that’s roughly 7 of those cookies (7 grams of net carb) FOR A TOTAL OF 119 TOTAL CARBOHYDRATES IN ONE DAY! I would ask “What are they thinking?” but I already know the answer to that. Money.
Atkins Nutritionals’ sales started dropping, so they needed to change things up a bit so people don’t feel so deprived. I get it. To me, this is a reflection of our society. Someone doesn’t like giving up everything they are used to eating? O.k. Go ahead and eat it. Does it make you feel fat to see you are wearing a size 16 pant? O.k. We’ll just change it so you think you are wearing a size 14 (they really did do this … these size 14 pants I’m so proud to be in would have been considered a size 16 years ago). We need to take responsibility for what we have done to our bodies! So, without further ado, for the first week of 1972 Atkins, you are virtually dropping down to zero carbohydrates. Salads are included for a bit of fiber and to add variety and you take vitamins to compensate for any lack you will experience. To support this statement, here it is in the words of Dr. Atkins himself:
Not Sixty Grams of Carbohydrates On The Diet But Zero Grams. Here’s how the diet is significantly different. During the first week on this diet, you cut your intake of carbohydrates down to what is biologically zero.
This creates a unique chemical situation in the body, the one favorable to the fastest possible burning of your body’s stored fat. Ketones are excreted, and hunger disappears.
You see, the first fuel your body burns for energy comes from the carbohydrates you eat and drink. If any carbohydrate is available, your body burns this rather than stored fat–and maintains its old metabolic pathways. But carbohydrates, as such, are not stored in the body beyond forty-eight hours.
So when no carbohydrate is taken in, your body must draw upon the major reserve source of fuel–the stored fat.
It is forced to take a different metabolic pathway. In this process your body converts from being a carbohydrate-burning engine into being a fat-burning engine.
This is the diet revolution: the new chemical situation in which ketones are being thrown off–and so are those unwanted pounds, all without hunger. — “Dr. Atkins’ Diet Revolution” (1972), page 13
The Diet Revolution Rules (from “Dr. Atkins’ Diet Revolution” (1972), page 138)
- Don’t count calories!
- Eat as much of the allowed foods (listed below) as you need to avoid hunger.
- Don’t eat when you are not hungry.
- Don’t feel you must finish everything on your plate just because it’s there.
- Drink as much water or calorie-free beverages as thirst requires. Don’t restrict fluids … but it is not necessary to force them either.
- Frequent small meals are preferable.
- If weakness results from rapid weight loss, you may need salt.
- Every day take a high-strength multi-vitamin pill.
- Read the labels on “low-calorie” drinks, syrups, desserts. Only those with no carbohydrate content are allowed.
The premise is simple. The first thing you need to do is “shock” your body into burning your stored fat instead of carbohydrates consumed. Then, slowly (5 grams of carbs per week) add carbohydrates back into your diet until you reach the point where you are not losing weight any longer, not gaining weight and not craving the carbohydrates we used to eat. That’s it! In the original 1972 book, he called these levels.
So, how do you know hen your body is burning your stored fat instead of carbohydrates? In both the 1972 and 1992 books, Dr. Atkins recommends using KetoStix (even Arnold Schwarzenegger in “Encyclopedia of Modern Bodybuilding” suggested using KetoStix to control ketosis). For some reason, this has changed. In my conspiracy-laden mind, I think it’s because the powers that be KNOW the new guidelines are not low enough in carbohydrates to bring on full-blown ketosis. Then again, that is my conspiracy-laden mind! Also, Dr. Atkins originally counted carbohydrates as carbohydrates … period. There were no net carbohydrates listed anywhere in his 1972 book. I agree with this. The perfect example was some sugar-free cookies I saw, made with Splenda. Total carbohydrate count: 17 (net carbs were 7)! No one can tell me that would not affect your blood sugar!
My goal is to bring Atkins back to the basics. To bring back what worked for 30 years. To share with all of you how to adjust, deal with, and maintain your sanity while lowering your carbohydrate intake lower than you ever imagined. Not only will I be sharing my personal Atkins journey, I will be sharing recipes that can be eaten during level 1, the most restrictive level within Atkins.
Below is the list of foods, listed in the 1972 edition of “Dr. Atkins’ Diet Revolution”, for those on level 1:
Allowed Foods
Meat
Steaks, Corned Beef, Lamb Chops, Tongue, Hamburgers, Bacon, Any Kind of meat in any quantity ~ except meat with fillers such as sausage, hot dogs, meatballs, most packaged “cold cuts.” *Brenda’s note: watch ham and bacon. Many today have added sugar (so carbs).*
Fowl
Duckling, Turkey, Chicken, Anything with wings ~ No Stuffing
Fish
All Fish, including canned salmon, tuna; any kind of seafood, including oil-packed and smoked, except oysters, clams, mussels, scallops, and pickled fish *Brenda’s note: Watch smoked fish, also. One brand of smoked canned herring has sugar, another does not.
Eggs
Boiled, fried, scrambled, poached, omelet ~ any style and with no limitations
Condiments
Salt, pepper, mustard, horseradish, vinegar, vanilla, and other extracts; artificial sweeteners; any dry powdered spice that contains no sugar.
Drinks
Water, mineral water, club soda, beef or chicken broth, bouillon; sugar-free soda (make sure the label reads no carbohydrates … Zevia brand soda has carbohydrates); coffee, tea, decaffeinated coffee * Special note on caffeine: Because most heavy people have some hypoglycemia, coffee, which contains caffeine, should be limited to six servings a day (cups). If you know you have low blood sugar, better limit it to three.
Butter, Mayonnaise, Fats
Butter, oils, lard, mayonnaise, coconut oil (make sure there are no carbohydrates. Some mayonnaise/mayonnaise blends contain a sweetener) Dr. Atkins also listed margarine and shortening. I will only list shortening if you know what it really is made of. While I am not the healthiest eater on earth, I refuse to ingest margarine, canola oil, or “vegetable oil.”
Juice
Juice of one lemon or lime.
Cheese
Four ounces a day of any hard, aged cheese. No cream cheese or cheese spreads.
Heavy Cream
Four teaspoons a day. Cream has less carbohydrates than milk (especially non-fat milk) – so don’t use milk.
Desserts
Sugar-Free Jello (with whipped cream sweetened with an artificial sweetener)
Salads
Two small green salads a day (each less than one cupful, loosely packed) made only of leafy greens, celery, or cucumbers and radishes. Dressings with vinegar, oil, salt, dry spices, herbs, grated cheese, or anchovies. Or else a sour pickle in place of a salad.
Salad Material:
Celery, Chicory, Chinese Cabbage, Chives, Cucumber, Endive, Escarole, Fennel, Lettuce, Olives (Green or Black), Green Onions (or Scallions), Pickles (Sour or Dill), Parsley, Green Bell Peppers, Radishes, and Watercress.
Salad Garnishes (examples):
Crumbled Crisp Bacon, Crumbled Pork Rinds (Plain or Hot and Spicy. NOT Barbecue, which contains carbohydrates), Grated Cheese, Minced Hard-Boiled Egg
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Prohibited Foods List
As many times as I’ve read this book, I completely forgot there is a list of prohibited foods.
- Bananas
- Beans (except Green or Wax)
- Bread
- Cake
- Candy
- Cashews
- Cereal
- Chewing Gum
- Cookies
- Corn
- Cornstarch
- Crackers
- Dates
- Figs
- Flour
- Fruit, Dried
- Honey
- Ice Cream
- Jam
- Catsup
- Macaroni
- Milk
- Pancakes
- Peas
- Pickles, Sweet
- Potatoes, White
- Potatoes, Sweet
- Raisins
- Relish, Sweet
- Rice
- Spaghetti
- Sugar
- Syrup
- Yams
- Yogurt, Sweetened
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Here is a 7-day menu from “Dr. Atkins’ Diet Revolution” (1972), page 163. I can’t guarantee I have all the recipes listed in this menu (will link to those as I add them) but this should give you an idea of something to eat. Just remember: eat as much of the Allowed Foods above as you want (unless there is a restriction noted). Your appetite WILL lessen over time (once your body gets accustomed to the lower carbohydrate amounts). Keep in mind that this menu (and the recipes listed) was written in 1972 and is a suggestion only. It is included just to give you an idea of what to eat. Please, get the book and read it. There are examples from Dr. Atkins’ patients that shows how varied their eating habits were (and he allowed it). Some patients ate all day and some only ate a meal or two. He never prohibited his patients from adjusting how they ate as long as they were eating on plan.
Day 1
Breakfast
Scrambled Eggs with Spicy Ham (watch out for added sugars in ham)
Diet Revolution Roll and butter
Bouillon, coffee, or tea
Lunch
Cold cuts sandwich on Diet Revolution Roll with mayonnaise or mustard
1 cup of salad (loosely packed), oil and vinegar or a dressing from the recipe list
Raspberry gelatin (any sugar-free gelatin)
Diet soda, coffee, or tea
Dinner
Chicken soup with Matzoh Balls
Your favorite cut of steak
Caesar Salad with Caesar Salad Dressing
Gelatin (any sugar-free gelatin)
Diet soda, coffee, or tea
Snack
Baken-ets (pork rinds)
Stuffed Celery (basically celery with cream cheese)
Diet soda
Day 2
Breakfast
Eggs Benedict (poached egg) with Hollandaise Sauce on Diet Revolution Buttered Roll, cut in half
Bouillon, coffee, or tea
Lunch
Chicken Salad with mayonnaise and celery
Deviled Eggs Curry
1 cup of tossed green salad, oil and vinegar or a dressing from the recipe list
Diet soda, coffee, or tea
Dinner
Beef broth with Noodles
Assorted seafood grilled with Lemon Butter Sauce
1 cup of lightly tossed salad, including green pepper, radishes, and celery
Roquefort Dressing #2
Gelatin (any sugar-free gelatin)
Diet soda, coffee, or tea
Snack
Mixed cold cuts with mustard
Diet Revolution Roll
Diet soda
Day 3
Breakfast
Cheese omelet with bacon
Diet Revolution Roll with butter
Bouillon, coffee, or tea
Lunch
Deviled Ham stuffed into Ham and Cheese Rolls (cheese rolls are slices of cheese and ham rolled up together)
1 cup Romaine lettuce with Caesar Salad Dressing
Diet Revolution Roll and butter
Gelatin (any sugar-free gelatin)
Coffee, tea, or diet soda
Dinner
Stuffed celery with Gorgonzola
London Broil in natural gravy or Diet Revolution Roll
Endive and parsley salad, with oil and vinegar dressing or a dressing from the recipe list
Gelatin (any sugar-free gelatin)
Diet soda, coffee or tea
Snack
Baken-ets (pork rinds) with tuna salad
Diet soda
Day 4
Breakfast
Austrian Souffle served with breakfast sausage
Diet Revolution Roll and butter
Bouillon, coffee, or tea
Lunch
Bacon Cheeseburger on Diet Revolution Roll
Green salad with oil and vinegar or a dressing from the recipe list
Gelatin (any sugar free gelatin)
Diet soda, coffee, or tea
Dinner
Egg Drop Soup (boil chicken broth and slowly drizzle a beaten egg into the broth)
Scampi
Caesar Salad with Caesar Salad Dressing
Gelatin (any sugar-free gelatin)
Diet soda, coffee, or tea
Snack
Ham and Cheese Rolls stuffed with deviled chicken
Baken-ets (pork rinds)
Diet soda
Day 5
Breakfast
Soft-boiled eggs with bacon crumbled in them
Diet Revolution Roll
Bouillon, coffee, or tea
Lunch
Stuffed Lettuce (salad rolled up with tuna or egg salad) with hard-cooked eggs
Sliced green peppers, radishes, cucumber, and celery (about 1 cup, loosely packed)
Roquefort Dressing #2
Gelatin (any sugar-free gelatin)
Diet soda, coffee, or tea
Dinner
Antipasto (salami, green pepper, anchovies, prosciutto with oil, vinegar, and herbs)
Veal breaded in Diet Revolution Roll bread crumbs and fried
Lemon Butter sauce
Tossed green salad with Roquefort Dressing #2
Gelatin (any sugar-free gelatin)
Diet soda, coffee, or tea
Snack
Bacon and Cheese Balls (cheese and mayonnaise mixed together, shaped into balls, then rolled in chopped up cooked bacon)
Diet soda
Day 6
Breakfast
Delicatessen omelet with mustard
Diet Revolution Roll with butter
Bouillon, coffee, or tea
Lunch
Salmon salad on roll with melted cheese on top
Green pepper rings
Gelatin (any sugar-free gelatin)
Diet soda, coffee, or tea
Dinner
Chicken Dijon
Hears of lettuce salad with Roquefort Dressing #2
Gelatin (any sugar-free gelatin)
Diet soda, coffee, or tea
Snack
Hard cheese and Baken-ets (pork rinds)
Diet soda
Day 7
Breakfast
Poached eggs with Canadian bacon
Diet Revolution Roll with butter
Bouillon, coffee, or tea
Lunch
Hamburger Fondue (basically meatballs rolled in butter and baked on a cookie sheet)
1 cup Romaine lettuce with Caesar Salad Dressing
Gelatin (any sugar-free gelatin)
Diet soda, coffee, or tea
Dinner
Shrimp Cocktail with Roquefort Dressing #2
Boiled lobster with melted butter sauce
Mixed vegetable salad with dressing from the recipe list
Gelatin (any sugar-free gelatin)
Diet soda, coffee, or tea
Snack
Chicken Broth with noodles
Green pepper stuffed with your favorite fish salad
139 responses to “About 1972 Atkins”
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Hello all, boy am I glad I found this blog.
I have been attempting the new atkins now for two weeks. After 2days I felt so bad that I went right back to a sugar orgy. Of course I felt better right away, I will not let these demons conquer me.
My struggle with sugar goes back to my childhood and I consider it my primary addiction. In my early 20s and 30s I could stay slim by switching to other addictions.
Then I went to nursing school in my 40s and gained 40 lbs while in school and then working.
So, here I am after retiring and I am stuck at 165-170. My goal is 140. I did the atkins diet exactly 40 years ago when I could no longer fit into the costume I was required to wear. It worked like a charm.
Of course, I went back to bingeing when I no longer need to wear the costume.
This time I am determined to get to my goal, costume or not. I may have to age, but I don’t have to be old and fat.-
I understand those first two days, especially when the foods that tempt me the most are within my arm’s reach. I wish you the best of luck this time and remember, if you slip you can always begin again.
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Why don’t you try the old, tried and true Atkins, circa 1972? Now THAT works.
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I borrowed the book “the Atkin Essentials” from friends. I remembered being on this when I was in my forties. I am now 69. Anyway my husband had 10 lbs to lose and I have 50. I weighed in at 210 and have lost 7lbs in the past 12 days and my husband lost his ten lbs. I am happy with this and adhering to 20 carbs a day but sometimes have less. I noted that I didn’t want as much protein in the morning. Instead of two eggs and three bacon I feel full eating one egg and two bacon. I keep track of the veggie count for carbs and am mixing it up with cabbage, cauliflower, peppers etc.
I was wondering where I could get a copy of the 1972 and found it on Amazon. It’s on the way now. Happy to have found it. I found this blog by accident. Enjoyed reading all the comments. Very helpful too. -
Dear Brenda,
Thank you for your blog; it’s so informative! I am curious to know what your opinion is about including mixed nuts (minus cashews) on the 1972 Atkins? I had thought this was originally permitted, or is my memory deceiving me? Thank you-
I am so sorry about how long it’s been since you asked this question! I just now saw it! Page 145, when he’s discussing slowly adding 5 grams of carbohydrates each week, he writes, “There are other things that you might think would be terribly fattening, but they are not very high in carbohydrates. Example: certain kinds of nuts-walnuts, pecans, brazils, and macadamias-are the most suitable. One ounce of these averages under five grams of carbohydrates.” That is the only time they are mentioned (generally) in the book. That’s funny. According to the index, almonds are not mentioned at all!
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Thank you so much! That’s what I thought! I do remember eating quite a few mixed nuts and I got really lean – it really surprised me that I was able to consume that much, to be honest. It truly is the best version of his diet. Thanks again! Xx
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The original Atkins diet worked for me twice with great weight loss..even after three days.
I have just bought the new Atkins and know by reading it that it will be unsuccessful.
And I have just paid 30 euros for the book and postage. Not happy.
So thank you so much for your site..I am so glad I found you.
Maggie -
You are most welcome and I wish you could get a refund.
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I thought it was me. I thought I was the only person that lost incredible weight every time I cut carbs per the Atkins 72 original diet that didn’t lose on the “new” diet. Then I remember that Dr. Atkins died and the corporation took over making money off “bars, drinks, meals” and anything else they can sell you.
For some 40 years the public and those (mad) scientists called him a quack and wouldn’t you know he passed away before society figured out he was right all along. Sad.
I have used the original diet for years. It is the ONLY diet that works for me….and it works quick. Yes, there are some sacrifices (I miss my ice cream!!!) But it’s the most doable, crave less less I’ve ever used.
Over the years I’ve learned to be very creative in what I eat. I keep deep fried hooters wings on hand (Unbreaded!) and always have a cooked steak or cheese on hand to grab and go. I do buy the new Atkins drinks but I count the TOTAL carb count, not the one the company claims as they count sugar only. The worst thing for me is breakfast and you MUST eat breakfast. I guess that metabolism has to get going.
Dr. Atkins would roll over with what the “corporation” has done to his original diet.
Very sad.
I’ll stick with the original, thank you!!-
Dr. Atkins would roll over with what the “corporation” has done to his original diet.
Very sad.I can’t agree more.
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I am so sorry about how long it’s been since you asked this question! I just now saw it! Page 145, when he’s discussing slowly adding 5 grams of carbohydrates each week, he writes, “There are other things that you might think would be terribly fattening, but they are not very high in carbohydrates. Example: certain kinds of nuts-walnuts, pecans, brazils, and macadamias-are the most suitable. One ounce of these averages under five grams of carbohydrates.” That is the only time they are mentioned (generally) in the book. That’s funny. According to the index, almonds are not mentioned at all!
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Dr. Atkins would roll over with what the “corporation” has done to his original diet.
Very sad.I can’t agree more.
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Ruthie, who said, “YOU HAVE TO EAT BREAKFAST”? Those same “mad” scientists you mentioned in your post, did. You don’t have to eat breakfast. Actually, Intermittent Fasting is encouraged on a low carb program. You can skip meals, if you are not hungry. You eat only when hungry. The beauty of this way of eating (woe) is that fats and proteins keep you full longer, so IF is one way you lose weight so quickly. For more info, please visit dietdoctor.com. I am not affiliated with this site in any weight, shape, or form. I just love reading their articles and success stories.
The other thing you mentioned is missing your ice cream. Actually, I had a small bowl of vanilla chocolate chip ice cream last night. I also made my husband triple chocolate ice cream. I use almond milk and/or a non-dairy coconut beverage I purchase at Trader Joe’s. They are both unsweetened and contain only 1g of carbs. I also use heavy cream and follow a standard ice cream base recipe.
Ruthie, you CAN have all kinds of desserts, if you choose to. You just have to look for low carb desserts.
In closing, I would ditch the Atkins Corp’s drinks, totally. Make yourself some iced tea, lemonade, Italian sodas with DaVinci SF syrups, etc. There are so many new low carb chefs/cooks popping up now. I make breads, cookies, cakes, etc.
I hope this helps you. There is no need to miss anything, anymore. -
THANK YOU!!!!!! I am at my wits end with weight issues. Recently my husband reminded me of a bar b q sauce that I had made from a diet book years and years ago—–he loved it as did I . Well, I started searching for the recipe and have been unable to find it, its not in the New Atkins book which I believe is 15 years old.
I also remembered losing on the ATKINS diet until stopping it because a doctor told me how it was going to
clog my arteries. Well, I want to do Atkins again and your blog is inspiring me to go for it, I do have one complication which is I’m on a blood thinner (COUMADIN) which means I have to keep count of vitamin K.
i WILL do it as I must lose weight, I want to feel better and enjoy my granddchildren! Has anyone had the experience of doing Atkins while taking Coumadin? Also Brenda, dear dear Brenda, is it possible for you to look and see if any of your older books have that Bar B Que sauce? Thank you so very much.
Judy -
I will look after my exercise in the morning. As for the Vitamin K, since really the only reason he wants us to eat salads is to keep us regular, are there any fiber supplements you can take, in case you experience constipation? OH! I’ll make this a post itself but when I updated my Amazon store (link is over there), I noticed a lot more copies of the original Atkins book are available.
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I’m surprised your physician did not provide you with a check list of foods to avoid, especially dark greens, like spinach. They have a tendency to block your medicine absorption and can encourage blood clots. As a professional cook in a senior living facility, a lot of my diners are on blood thinners, namely, Coumadin and cannot eat dark, leafy greens. You should fine on Atkins, just refrain from the dark greens I referred to. I found this in my research for you:
Warfarin, also referred to by the brand name Coumadin, is involved in a well known drug-nutrient interaction with vitamin K. Vitamin K may interfere with warfarin by reducing its effectiveness. For patients prescribed warfarin, some dietary precautions focusing on vitamin K-rich foods may be warranted. Discuss with your physician.
Take care -
I’m surprised your physician did not provide you with a check list of foods to avoid, especially dark greens, like spinach. They have a tendency to block your medicine absorption and can encourage blood clots. As a professional cook in a senior living facility, a lot of my diners are on blood thinners, namely, Coumadin and cannot eat dark, leafy greens. You should fine on Atkins, just refrain from the dark greens I referred to. I found this in my research for you:
Warfarin, also referred to by the brand name Coumadin, is involved in a well known drug-nutrient interaction with vitamin K. Vitamin K may interfere with warfarin by reducing its effectiveness. For patients prescribed warfarin, some dietary precautions focusing on vitamin K-rich foods may be warranted. Discuss with your physician.
Take care -
Thank you so much for posting all of this. I remember doing so well on Atkins back in the 80s. I don’t do as well now and thought it was my age I am excited now! I am going to start the 1972 way on Saturday. I remember my best friend and I making those Atkins rolls with eggs and just a few other ingredients. Do you have that recipe? I am hoping I can find the 1972 book on amazon. Thanks so much!
Jan -
I would just like to thank you for this blog, and for being the rare person to speak out against the greed of the “New” Atkins publishers who have basically destroyed all of the good doctor’s work by prescribing an updated, politically correct diet that very simply does…not…work.
The 1972 version–the one written by Dr. Atkins himself–is THE single best way to go if you want to lose weight and keep it off forever. I believe that the last Atkins book that was written entirely by Dr. Atkins is the 1992 version (entitled “Dr. Atkins’ New Diet Revolution”)–that’s the one I started out with, and I lost 94 pounds and kept it off for over 10 years. Recently, after an auto accident and some physical problems, I started to put back on some of the weight: 10 pounds, then 15. I immediately purchased a brand new copy of Dr. Atkins’ book, only to find that I no longer recognized it. Net carbs? Up to 40 carbs per day on INDUCTION? KetoStix not that important?? (I agree 100% with your KetoStix conspiracy hypothesis, btw)? What a bunch of BULL! Not only was I not losing any pounds at all by trying to find the modernized version of the Atkins Diet, I was actually gaining weight!
Only a return to basics–the 1972 version–was able to save me. Now the pounds are dropping off again just like they always did before, and I know for sure that Dr. Atkins’ dieting principles are as sound now as they were when he wrote about them over 4 decades ago. What an incredible travesty that the corporation in charge of his country has bastardized his lifetime of work–how many unhealthy, overweight people will never be helped now? How many of those folks are someone else’s loved ones: a mom who might have lived longer, a beloved uncle who died far too young from the hypertension and diabetes brought on by obesity? Sacrificing people’s health to appease the FDA and make a quick buck selling mediocre, high-priced low carb fare in the process is truly nothing short of criminal.
I was well on my way to diabetes and a lifetime of obesity before I discovered the Atkins Dieting books–I was 100 pounds overweight, would actually drop weight after binge eating, and was thirsty all the time. Dr. Atkins basically saved my life. His legacy does not deserve the slipshod treatment it has received from his company successors. -
omg….thank you…. Where is the link to the original post to the diet…I CAN only find this one page?
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This is pretty much it! I have individual posts (search for them) with recipes but they are basically just food without the carbs. Start at the top of the page and just scroll down. If you need more details, I suggest finding a copy of the book (look over there at my Amazon shop … I’m not a salesperson so I don’t get commission or anything like that … it expired twice, so I didn’t sign back up lol). Or, you can ask. 🙂
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The first week I lost weight ever day and lost a total of 22lbs. I am now on my second week, and my weigh remained the same every day for the past four days, Is this normal?
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Yes. There were times (up to a month or more) when the scale did not move but my inches did. Just make sure you keep hydrated (really hard for me in the Winter months). Losing that much so quickly could dehydrate you.
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Yes. There were times (up to a month or more) when the scale did not move but my inches did. Just make sure you keep hydrated (really hard for me in the Winter months). Losing that much so quickly could dehydrate you.
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How then is it possible to keep to the diet exactly as in previous days, burn the same amount of calories by remaining just as active, and not loose weight?
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Or could the reason be caused by metabolic slowdown?
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It felt like my body just became more efficient. Once it became accustomed to less carbs for fuel, it began using my body fat for fuel. As long as I had just enough protein (to retain muscle mass) I would just lose inches during those times of no weight loss. It was strange but wonderful.
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Or could the reason be caused by metabolic slowdown?
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i restarting this diet, it did it 17 yrs ago. Now my triglycerides are elevated and that comes from carbs and sugar. I tried the new Atkins 20 for 3 weeks and lost a whopping 5 pounds..thumbs down. Does anyone remember a recipe waaaay back that was a dessert, a chocolate mousse made of heavy cream and some kind of chocolate? I remember it being good, but of course, can’t remember that far back.
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Also, brendanolan, how do I get to your recipes? I am so anxious to get going after wasting the last 3 weeks. I have seen a couple of recipes for the diet revolution rolls, a little different from each other. What is yours? Thank you in advance for any help you can give me.
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Thank you so much! Bookmarked the sites. I am so thankful that I found your blog. Hoping my journey is a successful one. Years ago, I lost 60 on it. Looking to lose another 15 to 20 (finally down 10!)
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After reading your note on getting your fats out of food, I feel I missed somewhere along the line, what the induction phase allotment for fat is daily. ?? I have not been counting that. I am going to try to switch over to a liquid sucralose for my coffee, if I can find it, I haven’t looked in local stores yet, just online.
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From what I recall, Dr. Atkins never focused specifically on fats. The only thing he did limit during the level 1 (Induction phase) was dairy. My focus on fats was when I had to lower my protein intake due to higher-than-wanted blood glucose readings (Type 2 Diabetes). You really should see if you can find a copy of the original book (I think I have a link in “My Favorite Things” Amazon store, which is now just a bunch of links that I get no compensation from). Here’s the direct link to that page but it’s listed on the top-left of each page on this blog: http://astore.amazon.com/brendanolen-20?_encoding=UTF8&node=2
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Oopsie Bread is a recipe and you can Google it. I use mine to make low carb Layer cakes or pancakes for the weekend.
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Thank you.. I tried to click on like, but apparently I did not write down my word press username and password I created after working all night….so I cannot log on…….I am pathetic.
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After receiving the original book, I discovered that one of my stumbling blocks has been diuretics. I take one for hair loss, as it is a testosterone blocker and keeps my male pattern baldness at a slower rate. I guess I am going to have to choose between hair and fat…lol. Even though I have been following well, not even a salad, and using liquid sweetener, I am barely losing. Like 1 pound in a week —- being very careful. I hope omitting the diuretic will help. I also have been walking on a treadmill for 3 days. I cannot omit by blood pressure mediciane, but it doesn’t portray itself as a diuretic. I just baked my first batch of diet resolution rolls….how do you store them? In the refrigerator?
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Yes, store in the refrigerator. I found with mine, after a couple of days they turned gummy, so I had to make smaller batches (you know, not doubling the recipe every time). As for weight loss amounts, it seems as though the larger you are, the faster you lose. I noticed most of the people that lost vast amounts of weight quickly were 300 pounds plus with minimal muscle amounts. I lost REALLY slow (but I was going after blood sugar initially). I really had to play around with my food to find out what my body liked, switching out protein sources and/or cuts of meat until I found out what my body responded to. For example, my body didn’t like relying on eggs, chicken and pork (as in pork chops). I can eat them but they can’t be my main source of protein for the day. I needed the fattiest cuts of meat I could find. Then, after a while, I had to lower the fat because my digestive system didn’t like it any more (I ate so many chicken thighs that the thought still makes me nauseous). lol
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Thanks for that tip. Got up today, and still no loss. Discouraging, but I am going to stay with it. I am 5-2/ snd started at 187pds I started the first of March with the new plan, and after that and the switch, I have lost 12 pounds,
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I haven’t lost 1 pound since changing over to the old Atkins 3 weeks ago. I have been turning the ketostix purple since then. Any suggestions? More or less protein? Increase or decrease consumption. I am not really hungry, and working nights, then switching back to days, sometimes I get a third meal in, but often, I only get bacon and eggs, and one other protein meal with cheese and pork rinds.( Dr. Atkins says only eat when you are hungry. that was written in 1972, and now they say if you do not eat enough, your body thinks it is starving and stores fat. )
Stopped my diuretic. Tried to stop BP med, but that was not a good option. Taking vitamin, nexium, anti-inflammatory for arthriits, fish oil and low dose aspirin.
I have been adding butter to my eggs for fat, and using mayonnaise on my spicy pork rinds for fat. I am sticking to the 1 tbls of heavy cream in my coffee, and l liquid Splenda. I have been using the no calorie, no carb liquid water flavors…but I figure that they use the liquid form of sucralose, so should not be a problem…and I am in ketosis. Very frustrated and looking toward Ketogenesis diet, but when I did the New Atkins with 20 carbs…no purple ketostix, so I am thinking it won’t work either. WW is the only thing that I know works for me….but wanted to cut sugars and carbs. And, my vanity sneaks in that I started this journey March 1st, thinking my swimsuit would look better….and if I was on WW, it would have.
#frustrated
#needastallbuster-
First: When I drink water, it’s just water (check those water flavors to see if there is a lot of sodium … I’m not sure). I down it like it’s an awful medicine (or like a teenager who just wants to drink to get drunk). lol How much water are you drinking? My minimum is 64 ounces a day (in addition to whatever else I am drinking throughout the day).
Second: Are you measuring yourself? There were months when I wouldn’t lose an ounce of weight but would lose an inch or more all over my body (1/4 inch here, 1/2 an inch there).
Third: I wouldn’t mess with your BP meds unless it’s in conjunction with your doctor. Did your doctor have you on the diuretic for your BP also? You should check with him/her to make sure everything is good. And (I don’t think this has anything to do with weight loss but who knows) I am curious if your doctor had you taking potassium supplements with your diuretic? They did with my mom.
Fourth: if you like all the added fat, keep eating it but I think by eating the normal ’72 menu, your intake of fats should be enough. See, with the Keto diet, you eat a set amount of protein, and are using fat calories to replace the carbohydrate calories you would typically eat. It’s not a lot of protein but it is a lot of fat. When I started it, if I recall correctly, 70% of my caloric intake was fats. That’s when you start slapping fat all over the place because you never realize just how little fat is in chicken breasts or scrambled eggs until you have to pay attention.
Fifth (and final, I think): I have never tried Weight Watchers. If it worked for you, maybe there is some way to tweak it so you aren’t eating so much of the foods you don’t want? I think you could do that with Jenny Craig (I was there when my mom signed up for that one but that was MANY YEARS ago).
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Thank you. I stopped all sweeteners today. Ugn. my coffee was awful. I had green tea yesterday. I got on the scale a little bit ago, at the end of the day after taking off my swimsuit, and it looks like I lost 2 pounds! I am behind on water though…… I will have to see in the morning. My diuretic was from a dermatologist for hair loss. It slows male pattern baldness. My potassium levels have been fine. My BP shot up when I tried to stop that pill, so I am taking it.
Dr Atkins book says do not force fluids, only drink when you are thirsty. I am getting about 60-70 ounces between water, coffee, and a carb free sugar free soda….which I am stopping for a week to see. But, until today, my drinks had sweet flavors…..but I made sure they are carb and sugar free. It will be harder with plain water and coffee that I do not like. I am confused on sodium that you mentioned because they say increase sodium to keep your electrolytes up.
I am going to keep working at it! And no, I do not measure. I just feel if I tighten the tape measure differently over the flab, it will look like I lost and didn’t. I would feel it in clothes if it was moving enough.
I am going to try no added sweetener, and green tea. I am a tiny excited that the scale is down in the middle of the day, when it is usually up…but not going to let myself be too hopeful until morning. -
Actually, if I remember correctly (my replacement ’73 version will be here soon) Dr Atkins recommended NEVER being hungry, eating small meals through the day, was recommended, including breakfast. The reasoning is that The diet is basically designed to avoid insuline shift as much as possible. Insuline spikes and dives, both cause weight gain/plateau.
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I’m confused by why it says hard cheese (no cream cheese) but then has the revolution rolls and celery with cream cheese on the menu.
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My apologies for taking so long (it has been a roller coaster of 2 months). I think it’s all in the amounts. There have been times when I have scarfed down half (if not a full) package of cream cheese in one sitting. If I tried to eat 4 to 8 ounces of hard aged cheddar, I think I would be sick. Also, soft cheeses have more milk sugar (lactose) in them. The harder (more aged) the cheese, typically the less lactose.
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That’s considered grazing and Dr A was against that. I wish people would stop looking for excuses to eat. It serves no purpose.
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That’s considered grazing and Dr A was against that. I wish people would stop looking for excuses to eat. It serves no purpose.
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Thank you for these great tips. I started this Diet 3 weeks ago and weight 280 and after 21 days I know weight 259..I’m so excited, since dropping those 20lbs I have more energy and a better feeling about myself. I added some cardio along with my strick Card intake..I have 3 other friends that have lost about the same as me..Yes this one really works, Years ago my Mother In Law lost 50lbs on this diet and she was a heavy women..still going strong, my goal is to get back to 240lbs. I was a 42 waist, trying to get into a 36 waist..wish me luck..thank you.
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Fantastic! Oh, I do wish you luck and you can do it!
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Just found this site. I’m excited to begin my Atkins 72 journey. I recently lost 20 lbs on the keto diet. But for me it has become too complex. I do better with a restrictive diet where I don’t have to guess what to eat. Less choice less margin for cheating. On keto I ate 25-30g NET carbs a day. So who knows how many total. I have lost weight but I’ve had a hard time this week. Gone up a couple lbs. feeling worn out with making so much complicated recipes. I like it but it’s just a lot for me. I’m ready for back to the basics keep it simple loose the stupid weight. Lol. I’d like to loose 20-25lbs more to be where I feel ideal.
I feel relieved to find this site. It’s just what I need to educate me on the original Atkins. (I did try stillmans original but it was pretty rough, from what I read I think Atkins is a little better and more realistic to be able to stick with for a few weeks to shed the lbs) and I like that I will slowly add in carbs until my body feels right. Thanks 💕 -
Brenda….you are awesome…..thanks so much for this information…..I have the book but the print is so small it’s hard to read……WOW…….thanks again.
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I know what you mean! Not only do I need my reading glasses but a much stronger light source!
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Thanks for all the wonderful information shared on your blog. In regards to Atkins 72 is it necessary to take a) Multivitamins daily – I’m sure Dr Atkins recommended women take men’s multivitamins to reduce iron therefore helps with constipation b) Potassium to substitute for less vegetables c) Magnessium d) Omega 3 fish oils. Are these supplements necessary while on Induction? Can having Sleeping tablets effect your weight loss? What is the best way to cook your chops, chicken thighs etc? Baked in oven with Olive Oil or fried with butter or grilled? in order to lose most weight. How much Olive Oil and Butter is suggested on Atkins 72 a day?
I would much appreciate your thoughts as I want to make food and its preparation as simple as possible but tasty and satisfying and of course Weight Reducing.
Cheers Annie -
Hello, Annie! I apologize for not replying sooner. Everything I am typing is shared with the understanding that I am not a doctor/nutritionist. If you have an underlying medical condition that may be affected by what I suggest, please talk to your physician. Dr. Atkins suggests taking a high-quality multi-vitamin. He does not mention anything about reducing iron (as in taking a men’s multivitamin) but he (somewhere, I cannot locate the quote … it could be in his second book) suggests limiting liver (due to the increase in iron by simply eating more red meat). For constipation, he suggests a mild laxative (I like Colace. It never made me bloated or worked “too well, too quickly”. I have never tried any form of Ex-lax because some people I grew up with abused it strictly to lose weight). If you include a wide variety of fish/seafood in your diet, you shouldn’t need to supplement with Omega 3 (when I could not eat fish, I took flax seed oil). I think you would like Dr. Atkins’ Vita-Nutrient Solution (http://a.co/eaM5YhL). I went through it and made a list of all the vitamins/minerals he suggested for my specific medical conditions (and my age) and made sure my multi-vitamin included those.
From what I can tell via Google, your sleeping tablets may (or may not) effect your weight loss. It depends on how strong they are/what type they are. It looks like weight loss could take longer. As for your question about how to prepare your meat (baked in oven, fried, or grilled) you made me hungry! All of those methods would be wonderful! For me, the key to not eating bland, dry meat is to find herbs and spices you love and keep trying different methods of cooking to find out which is easiest (and tastiest). I tend to cook one way only for certain foods, then I see something online and try something different and usually like that better! The perfect example is grilling. We grill all the time (outside with charcoal). I forget that not everyone likes to grill outside, in the rain, so most stores do not carry charcoal in the winter. We were out of charcoal but had a tritip beef roast (a cut popular here) and my husband seasoned it (a spice mix called Montreal Steak seasoning) browned it in a pan on the stove, then put it in the oven at 350 degrees F for roughly 15 minutes and that was better than any we have grilled! It shocked us both! Dr. Atkins does not put a limit on Olive Oil or Butter (or any fats) since they do not have carbohydrates. I try to post a variety of recipes on here, since I know not everyone has the same tastes I do but I have not added any new ones recently. I am most active on Facebook (my page is here: https://www.facebook.com/myatkinsjourney/). I hope you can join me there! -
Thank you so much for this page and even the comments. Everything here is so helpful. I need to lose weight and a lot of it. My health and mobility are horrible now and I have hit menopause. I was on Atkins 20 but so frustrated. I was most frustrated because I was asking the nutritionist and administrator if I could stay on it longer and not eating all the fat they were saying I needed to. The answers were that I needed to move through the phases and add net carbs (although inferred that the rules did say I could be on phase 1 as long as necessary but said in a sort of disapproving way). Also a repeated answer of your body just needs more fat. It wasn’t working but when I just cut carbs out, stopped fretting about the fat and didn’t listen, I started to lose. I still come around 70 to 80 fat grams and it seems fine. I found this site and a comment on my FB page about Atkins 72.
Thank you so very much. I am much less frustrated and very hopeful now. All the things I needed to know were answered in the comments.
Wishing the best to all. Will keep following. -
You convinced me to buy the original book. When I started Atkins back in 2010 (I think it was), it wasn’t then like it is now. Now when I go to the site, it’s a lot different. I had 80lbs to lose in the beginning and stayed on 20 “net carbs” per day through the entire thing. Then for various reasons, I strayed away from being as strict, and I wanted to get back to that, but I had lost my induction food list. The main difference between then and now is that all the Atkins food products weren’t out and the Induction Phase One food list actually had different carb counts than it does now. And now they also have the 40g plan. I found a 1973 printing of the 1972 book on Amazon and it’s now on its way to me, because since restarting Induction with their new list and the “net carbs” I am not losing anything (I only have 35lbs I need to get back off this time). I expected it to be slower, but still drastic enough to jump start and it isn’t working. Back to the original I go…
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I hope the book arrives quickly and wish you the best of luck!
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Hello, can you explain “no cream cheese” in the food list but Day 1 snack suggests celery with cream cheese? Just making sure as I love cream cheese but I can do without it. Thank you.
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Because he did this a lot (like the Revolution Rolls call for cottage cheese). I think he just didn’t want us eating it by the spoonfuls. In one ounce of Philadelphia cream cheese (the block), there is 1/2 a carbohydrate. If you can eat the entire block in one sitting (*cough* like I can), that’s 4 carbs. That plus any other dairy (like my half and half and cheese), the carbs can add up.
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How do you calculate net carbs? My mom used to be on the diet when she was my age. And she said the way to calculate it was subtracted your fiber from the total carbs and then whatever is left, 4 grams equals one net carb. Is that true?
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I am not sure why I didn’t see this until now but yes, that is how you calculate net carbs. However, in 1972, Dr. Atkins never used net carbs and neither do I. I have found, at least with my body, total carbohydrates work better.
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