Milly Gaines
The Atkins diet is a low-carbohydrate, high-fat, high-protein diet, usually recommended for weight loss. It was developed by Dr Robert Atkins, a cardiologist who challenged the status quo weight loss methods of his time by proposing a nutritional approach based on eating right, not less. The diet was inspired by a research paper published by Alfred W. Pennington in 1958. Atkins Nutritionals, Inc. was founded by Robert Atkins in 1989 to promote the sale of Atkins-branded products. The company fell on hard times after the death of its founder in 2003 and filed for bankruptcy in 2005. It emerged from bankruptcy in 2007 owned by North Castle Partners. Roark Capital Group bought the company in 2010.
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Atkins Nutritionals, Inc
The company sells low-carbohydrate bars, shakes, snacks, frozen meals, and treats, which are low in sugar and high in protein. Atkins Nutritionals, Inc. was founded to supplement the way of the Atkins diet, which involves eating foods rich in healthy protein and low in carbs and sugar. The Atkins diet is usually recommended for weight loss and has been described as a low-carbohydrate, high-fat, high-protein fad diet. It promotes the consumption of meat, cheese, eggs, and other high-fat foods, while restricting carbohydrates such as bread, cereal, and pasta.
In 2003, Parthenon Capital LLC and Goldman Sachs acquired stakes in the company. However, after the death of its founder in the same year, the popularity of the diet and demand for Atkins products declined, leading Atkins Nutritionals Inc. to file for bankruptcy in 2005. The company emerged from bankruptcy in 2007, owned by North Castle Partners. Roark Capital Group bought the company in 2010, and as of 2017, it is part of The Simply Good Foods Company.
Despite facing challenges, Atkins Nutritionals, Inc. has continued to innovate and expand its product offerings. The company has collaborated with brands such as Chef'd to create a meal kit home delivery service for fresh ingredients and low-carb recipes. Atkins has also introduced products like Atkins 40®, a customizable low-carb plan, and Atkins 100™, a flexible and personalized plan for weight maintenance.
Eating Healthy: Fruits and Veggies for a Balanced Diet
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Dr Robert Atkins
Dr Robert Coleman Atkins was an American physician and cardiologist, best known for creating the Atkins Diet. Born in 1930 in Columbus, Ohio, he was the son of Eugene and Norma (Tuckerman) Atkins, and his family was Jewish. As a young teen, Atkins held various jobs, including selling shoes at the age of 14 and working on a local radio show. He attended Fairview High School in Dayton and, in 1947, finished second among 8,500 seniors on a statewide general scholarship test.
Upon graduating from the University of Michigan in 1951, Atkins initially considered becoming a comedian and spent a summer working as a waiter and entertainer at resorts in the Adirondacks. He eventually decided to pursue medicine, receiving his medical degree from Cornell University Medical College in 1955. He then completed an internship at Strong Hospital in Rochester, New York, and finished his residency in cardiology and internal medicine at hospitals affiliated with Columbia University.
In 1959, Atkins opened a private practice on the Upper East Side of New York City. During his residencies, he became concerned about the practice of prescribing medications such as amphetamines as appetite suppressants, and so he began to research nutrition. He discovered that carbohydrate restriction, rather than calorie restriction, led to weight loss without significant hunger. He then experimented with a low-carb diet himself and with a group of 65 executives, and they all achieved substantial weight loss.
Atkins first wrote about the dangers of a carb-rich diet in 1972, and his first book, 'Dr Atkins' Diet Revolution', was published that same year. By the late 1990s, Atkins was selling more than 100 products related to his diet, including sugar-free maple syrup and protein powder. He also opened a complementary medicine centre and, in 2001, founded Atkins Nutritionals, Inc. (originally named Complementary Formulations) to promote the low-carbohydrate packaged foods of the Atkins diet.
Atkins died in 2003 from complications after undergoing surgery to remove a blood clot from his brain. After his death, the popularity of the Atkins diet waned, and Atkins Nutritionals Inc. filed for bankruptcy in 2005. However, the company emerged from bankruptcy in 2007 and is now owned by Roark Capital Group.
Ballerina Diet Secrets: Eat, Dance, and Be Fit
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$11.2 $19.99
The Atkins diet's health concerns
The Atkins diet is a high-protein, high-fat, low-carbohydrate weight-loss plan developed by Dr Robert Atkins, a cardiologist who challenged traditional weight-loss methods by proposing a nutritional approach based on eating right, not less. Atkins Nutritionals, Inc. was founded by Dr Atkins to promote the low-carbohydrate packaged foods associated with the diet.
Despite its popularity, the Atkins diet has been criticised by many medical professionals. The American Heart Association, for example, warned against high-protein, high-fat, low-carbohydrate diets as a means of losing weight. The Association suggested that the very high fat content of the Atkins diet delivers a strong boost to free radical production, thereby increasing oxidative stress on different organs. This increased oxidative stress, coupled with the low potassium in cardiac tissues resulting from the loss of minerals due to metabolic dehydration, could have serious, even fatal, consequences.
The American Heart Association's concerns are supported by other studies. A Harvard study, for example, showed that high-protein diets may cause permanent loss of kidney function in people with reduced kidney function. This is a significant concern, as one in four Americans may already have kidney problems. The American Diabetes Association has also cautioned against the use of low-carbohydrate diets, with studies supporting the importance of including foods containing carbohydrates from whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and low-fat milk in the diet.
The Atkins diet has also been linked to an increased frequency of colon cancer, the formation of kidney stones, kidney disease, and even osteoporosis. Neal Barnard, MD, president of the Physicians Commission for Responsible Medicine, a nonprofit research group based in Washington, said:
> "Low-carb diets have been linked to increased frequency of colon cancer, formation of kidney stones, kidney disease, and even osteoporosis... The weight loss you see in low-carb diets isn't all that much better than what you see in studies of low-fat, vegetarian diets. The reason for the health worries is in large part due to red meat."
Despite these concerns, some studies have suggested that the Atkins diet may not be as bad for heart health as previously believed. A 2002 study by researchers at Duke University, for example, showed that most people who ate a high-protein, low-carb diet for six months lost 20 pounds, with no strong evidence of the diet causing any health problems. In fact, both LDL "bad" cholesterol and HDL "good" cholesterol improved.
The Atkins diet has never been evaluated in a large, randomized controlled trial—the only type of study that convinces doctors that something works, or doesn't—until now. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine is funding a new study to assess the short-term and long-term effects of the diet.
Likes and Dislikes: Dietary Influences and Preferences
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Atkins' success stories
The Atkins diet was developed by cardiologist Dr. Robert Atkins, who challenged traditional weight loss methods by proposing a nutritional approach based on eating right, not eating less. The diet was first detailed in Dr. Atkins' Diet Revolution in 1972, and by the late 1990s, Atkins was selling more than 100 products. The diet has had many success stories over the years, with people losing significant amounts of weight and improving their health.
One such success story is Jack Clements, who lost 207 pounds by following the Atkins low-carb plan. Clements started the Atkins diet 15 years ago when he was 17 years old and almost 200 pounds. He has found that the diet has given him more energy and improved his health, with lower blood pressure and lipid levels. He is now able to play golf almost every day and has a renewed sense of spirituality and mental clarity.
Another success story is Cheryl Lynn Wolf, who lost 50 pounds on the Atkins low-carb plan. Wolf previously struggled with her weight and tried many different diets, always feeling hungry and miserable. She loved the Atkins diet because it allowed her to eat until she felt full and there were tons of amazing recipes to choose from.
Even celebrities have had success with the Atkins diet. Alyssa Milano partnered with Atkins to reach a healthy weight and improve her health. After following the Atkins lifestyle for a few years, she reached her goal weight and enjoyed the positive impact on her life, including having more energy to keep up with her busy lifestyle and cooking family dinners. Kim Kardashian also used the Atkins diet to lose 60 pounds of pregnancy weight after having her second child.
The Benefits of Green Salad on the HCG Diet
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Atkins' competitors
Atkins Nutritionals, Inc. has faced competition from other companies in the diet and weight-loss industry, as well as from packaged food companies that produce their own diet-focused foods.
Some of the top competitors of Atkins Nutritionals, Inc. include:
- Arup: A private company founded in London, England, in 1946, that operates in the management consulting services field. Arup is considered one of Atkins' top competitors and is the most similar company to Atkins.
- AECOM: Founded in 1990 in Dallas, Texas, AECOM is a real estate agency and one of Atkins' biggest rivals.
- Mott MacDonald: Headquartered in Croydon, England, and founded in 1989, Mott MacDonald is another top competitor that operates in the management consulting services industry.
- Jacobs Engineering Group: A competitor that provides professional services with a focus on consulting, technical, scientific, and project delivery.
- Danya International: A competitor of Atkins, with Jeffrey 'Jeff' Hoffman as its Chairman/CEO/Founder.
- GHD: A competitor that specializes in engineering, environmental, design, and construction services across various sectors.
- Bechtel: A company that specializes in engineering, construction, and project management.
- Novonor: A Brazilian business group that focuses on engineering, infrastructure, construction, petrochemical, sugar-based energy, real estate, and mobility.
Other companies that compete with Atkins include Balfour Beatty, Kier, WSP, Mace, BAM, Morgan Sindall Group, Arcadis, Turner, Stantec, Primoris, KEO, Skanska, EMCOR, and Boeing.
Additionally, packaged food companies, such as Kraft and its rival brand South Beach, have also entered the diet-focused food market, offering their own low-carb and reduced-sugar options. This competition has made it challenging for Atkins to stand out in the industry.
The Biology of Diet: Understanding Nutrition and Health
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Atkins Nutritionals, Inc. owns the Atkins diet. The company was founded by Dr. Robert Atkins to promote the low-carbohydrate packaged foods of the Atkins diet.
The Atkins diet is a low-carbohydrate, high-fat, high-protein diet. It was first introduced by Dr. Robert Atkins in 1972. The diet promotes the consumption of meat, cheese, eggs, and other high-fat foods, while restricting carbohydrates such as bread, cereal, and pasta.
Atkins Nutritionals, Inc. offers a range of low-carbohydrate diet programs and products, including nutrition bars, protein shakes, frozen meals, and various treats that are low in sugar and high in protein.
Some competitors of Atkins Nutritionals, Inc. include Zing, Foodpunk, Optavia, Whole30, Isagenix International, and Ultimate Performance. These companies offer personalized nutrition programs, health coaching, weight loss products, and fitness services.
