The source of the controversy is the program's drastic departure from what has come to be accepted in the mainstream consciousness as a healthy, balanced diet.

Instead of stressing a mix of foods from each of the major food groups, Dr. Atkins' approach consists of eating primarily protein and fat, and severely limiting carbohydrates. However, unlike most diets, portion size is a non-issue: as long as you stay below the daily carbohydrate intake limit, you can eat as much as you want. The diet is very simple, i.e. it doesn't require a lot of weighing or measuring, but it also represents a drastic lifestyle change for most people.

The theory is that since the body carbohydrates and fats for energy that if you limit the carbohydrates you will burn more fat.

The diet has proven effective in helping many achieve their weight loss goals. However, the diet's long-term sustainability raises a question as to whether it is possible to keep off the weight that you initially lose. But that is a problem in most diets.

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