Paleo Diet vs. Atkins Diet: Which Is Better?
The Paleo Diet
The concept behind the Paleo diet is to basically eat like cavemen in the Paleolithic time period when they had to hunt in order to obtain their food. This diet was initially promoted by Dr. Loren Cordain. Someone on the Paleo diet is allowed to consume meat, fish, vegetables, and fruit, and avoid eating dairy or grain products and processed foods. Here's a simple info-graphic on what a person on the Paleo Diet is allowed to eat:
Source(s): http://thepaleodiet.com/what-to-eat-on-the-paleo-diet/
https://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2010/10/04/the-beginners-guide-to-the-paleo-diet/
The Atkins Diet
The Atkins Diet is a low-carb, high-protein and fat diet which has been proven to result in weight loss. The Atkins diet was initially promoted by a physician named Dr. Robert C. Atkins, who even wrote a book about the diet that became a best-seller. The concept behind the diet is: when people reduce their carbohydrate intake and eat more protein and healthy fats, their appetite goes down and they end up automatically eating fewer calories without having to think about it (6, 7). Unlike the Paleo diet, the Atkins diet might seem a bit more complex in terms of what to eat because it is a diet that consists of 4-phase plan.
- Phase 1 (Induction): Under 20 grams of carbs per day for 2 weeks. Eat high-fat, high-protein, with low-carb vegetables like leafy greens. This kick-starts the weight loss.
- Phase 2 (Balancing): Slowly add more nuts, low-carb vegetables and small amounts of fruit back to your diet.
- Phase 3 (Fine-Tuning): When you are very close to your goal weight, add more carbs to your diet until weight loss slows down.
- Phase 4 (Maintenance): Here you can eat as many healthy carbs as your body can tolerate without regaining weight
Source(s): https://www.atkins.com/
https://authoritynutrition.com/atkins-diet-101/
CONCLUSION:
To answer the question of which of these two diets is "better", it depends on the goals of the individual and their ability to discipline themselves. Personally, I find that the Atkins diet is more lenient in terms of what one is allowed to eat. Both diets have been proven to achieve the goal of weight loss and if you still have trouble deciding which you want to do, you can talk to your doctor or a licensed nutritionist.
