The Cold Hard Facts

-The Atkins Diet calls for the elimination of all carbohydrates. This means avoiding food like bread and pasta.
-It calls for high intakes of fats and protein to replace the carbs.
-For example, bacon-cheeseburgers are fine for an Atkins dieter, just as long as there is no bun.
-Approximately 25 million Americans are using the Atkins Diet.
-The Diet's popularity sprung from word-of-mouth testimonies instead of widespread advertising campaigns. Experts say this lends the Diet credibility. It was only after that it had a strong base did the Atkins Diet move in the mainstream.
-Studies have been inconclusive concerning just how much the Atkins Diet works.

Society's Response

-Subway was the first fast-food chain to hop on board the Atkins train. Instead of serving sandwiches in bread, the Atkins-friendly menu offers wraps, significantly cutting down on nasty carbohydrates.
-T.G.I. Friday's followed soon after. They too offer an Atkins-approved menu and have made it a central part of their advertising campaign.
-Believe it or not, Hardee's has attempted to take advantage of the craze. The central part of their Web site is dedicated to their Atkins menu. Not really thought of as a bastion of healthy eating, the chain is still appealing to people worried about their form.
-Beer companies have joined the party too, advertising how many carbs their beers have, even offering special low-carb beers. Michelob and Rolling Rock are just a couple of the companies who have done this.

Pros

-There have been actual success stories of the Atkins Diet, so it can work.
-It is not poorly put together -- there is actually a program to the Diet. There is a proven method for the Diet.
-The Atkins Diet has opened up a debate on nutrition. Even if it turns out not to be the best way to lose weight, it has at least had people thinking. It has also forced people to look to other methods for getting healthy. "Cutting fat" is no longer the only approach taken.
-Some studies have found Atkins Dieters have reduced cholestorol counts.

Cons

-The Atkins Diet is designed to induce a state called ketosis. Ketosis can lead to calcium losses, osteoporosis and kidney stones.
-Other health risks associated with such a high-fat diet are colorectal cancer and heart disease.
-Pregnant women on the Atkins Diet could subject their unborn children to birth defects and some kinds of cancer. Foods such as bread and pasta contain folic acid, which is vital for neurological development.