Nutritionist Colette Heimowitz is the Director of Education and Research for Atkins Health and Medical Information Services. In her article, "Atkins Myths vs. Facts," she debunks five of the most common myths about one of the most popular and successful low-carb diets, the Atkins Diet. The myths - and facts - apply to all low-carb diets.

Please contact us if you have questions or want to learn more about our weight loss programs or Botox and Fillers: 

• To reach our AZ Clinics, call 602-374-7226 (2 Clinics in Mesa and Phoenix) 
• To reach our NM Clinics, call 505-888-9575 (3 Clinics in Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, and Santa Fe) or 575-222-4994 (Las Cruces)
• To reach our TX Clinic, call 214-296-0269 (Dallas)
• Or visit us online to schedule an appointment: http://fitmedicalweightloss.com/

Myth 1: Low-Carb diets like the Atkins Diet contain too many saturated fats, which causes health problems and even heart disease.

Fact: Saturated fats, which are naturally found in meat and poultry, may be beneficial when consumed as part of a balanced intake of natural fats. Restricting your carb intake actually causes your body to produce less saturated fat while burning more of it. The only fats you should avoid - whether on a low-carb diet to lose weight or otherwise - are trans fats. These are the fats which are found in processed foods and have been linked to an increased risk of heart disease. You should also avoid deep-fried foods.  

Myth 2: Low-carb diets require you to eat too much protein, which leads to kidney problems.

Fact: You will be eating plenty of protein, but a low-carb diet is not the same as a high-protein diet. Most concerns about eating too much protein are unfounded and based on limited and/or flawed research. There is no evidence of any healthy person eating the protein amounts suggested by the Atkins Diet (12-18 ounces of protein a day) having kidney damage from this. Research does show that eating more protein results in both increased weight loss and fat loss when compared to diets lower in protein. Protein also helps you feel fuller for longer, which is a very useful benefit when you're trying to lose weight.

Myth 3: You can't eat any vegetables when you're on a low-carb diet.

Fact: This is absolutely false - in fact, you eat more servings of vegetables during each phase of your low-carb diet than most other Americans do. Although vegetables do contain carbohydrates, these are the kinds of carbs you should be eating, for the most part. You do have to limit the amounts of some vegetables, such as potatoes since they contain a lot of starch. Other vegetable options such as broccoli, peppers, salad greens and tomatoes are great because they have cancer-fighting properties as well as being suitable for low-carb diets. They're also very delicious.

Myth 4: Low-fat diets are better than low-carb for weight loss

Fact: Not necessarily. When it comes to long-term weight loss, research shows low-carb diets are far more effective and have better overall health benefits than low-fat diets. Health benefits include significantly improved good "HDL" cholesterol levels, triglycerides and diastolic blood pressure.

Myth 5: You may lose weight fast on low-carb diets, but it's all water weight - not fat

Fact: It is true that the first weight loss from any diet is primarily water. When you're on a carefully controlled low-carb diet though, your body switches from burning carbs to burning stored body fat after the first few days. Your body burns this stored fat, along with your dietary fat, for energy. The result: weight loss! The weight you lose overall is mainly fat and not lean body mass - and not just water.

Please contact us if you have questions or want to learn more about our weight loss programs or Botox and Fillers: 

• To reach our AZ Clinics, call 602-374-7226 (2 Clinics in Mesa and Phoenix) 
• To reach our NM Clinics, call 505-888-9575 (3 Clinics in Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, and Santa Fe) or 575-222-4994 (Las Cruces)
• To reach our TX Clinic, call 214-296-0269 (Dallas)