Low Carb Diet Plan: Eco-Atkins Vs Traditional Atkins

Low carb diet plan options have been the focus of media attention since Dr. Robert Atkins created the Atkins Diet Solution. Long-term studies have reassured dieters that the traditional Atkins low carb diet plan is a safe and effective way to lose weight, but vegetarians and vegans often have a difficult time following the plan because of the high protein intake from animal sources. Eco-Atkins is a vegan and vegetarian safe low carb diet plan that may offer a low carb weight loss solution for dieters avoiding animal protein and animal-based foods.

Eco-Atkins: Details of the Low Carb Diet Plan for Vegans

According to the Atkins official website, Eco-Atkins allows more carbohydrates than traditional, high-fat Atkins. In one study, dieters consumed 130 grams of carbohydrates with remaining calories coming from plant proteins and healthy fats. The Eco-Atkins low carb diet plan does not follow the strict 20-gram of carbohydrate Induction phase, but dieters lost more weight following the Eco-Atkins low carb diet plan than a traditional, low-fat vegan diet plan.

More importantly, dieters eating a reduced calorie low carb diet plan, like Eco-Atkins, showed a significant reduction in low density lipoproteins (LDL) cholesterol. LDL cholesterol is often referred to as "bad" cholesterol. Within that LDL is a component called APoB- which has been associated with increased risk of heart disease. APoB- also lowered when dieters followed the Eco-Atkins low carb diet plan.

The average weight loss on the Eco-Atkins plan, according to WebMD, was 8.8 pounds in four weeks. There are no long-term studies on the lasting effects of weight loss on this low carb diet plan.

Traditional Atkins: Details of the Low Carb Diet Plan for Meat Lovers

The traditional Atkins diet is one of the most well-known low carb diet plan options for weight loss. Dieters start the plan with a two-week induction phase where carbohydrate levels are reduced to 20 grams per day. During this time the body uses up carbohydrate stores for energy and then reverts to burning fat when carbohydrates are used up. Burning fat for calories is a result of ketosis.

Medical research falls on both sides of the fence, but Atkins is considered a healthy low carb diet plan that will cause weight loss. In one study the Atkins low carb diet plan resulted in weight loss of 10 pounds over a period of one year. Dieters report losing up to 15 pounds in the first two weeks on the Atkins low carb diet plan, but long term weight loss tends to be more difficult because of the restrictive menu allowed on Atkins.

Is the Eco-Atkins or Traditional Atkins Low Carb Diet Plan Better?

There is no real winner between the two diets. Eco-Atkins addresses the animal protein problem vegan and vegetarian dieters have recognized for years, in terms of the Atkins low carb diet plan. Weight loss on Eco-Atkins is not significantly more than traditional Atkins. In some cases, dieters will lose more weight during the first four weeks on the traditional Atkins low carb diet plan than they would if they followed Eco-Atkins, but long-term weight loss for Eco-Atkins could be significantly higher than traditional Atkins.