Complete Atkins' Three Book Package [Hardcover]

Robert C. Atkins (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 27, 2001

Dr. Atkins' New Diet Revolution 2002 Revised Edition, Dr. Atkins' New Diet Cookbook and Dr. Atkins' New Carbohydrate Gram Counter are included in this three book package.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: M.Evans & Company (December 27, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0871319845
• ISBN-13: 978-0871319845
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.3 x 2.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (39 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #840,479 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

118 of 122 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply compelling science, November 25, 2002

By 

K. MCELROY "auteur" (Waterbury, CT USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Complete Atkins' Three Book Package (Hardcover)

After 30 years and hundreds of millions of dollars of research, the medical establishment has failed to show any link between dietary fat and weight gain, or for that matter, heart disease. Furthermore, no one can explain where the "low-fat" belief came from: apparently it has never had any foundation in science. Thirty years of pain and frustration, not to mention an incipient diabesity epidemic, have led many of the American public to become sceptical and despondent at ever gaining control of their health. Meanwhile, for thirty years Dr. Atkins has been prescribing what used to be accepted belief for diabetes and other endocrinary problems: the source of weight gain is carbohydrate, not fat, and his results have been undeniably successful.

His books first gained attention during the early eighties, and were lumped among the other "high-protien" diet schemes which were quickly discredited. But Dr. Atkin's quiet conviction, many pages of scholarly research references, and consistently mounting anecdotal evidence have now built to a small mountain of persuasion which cannot be simply refuted. His theory is based on a commonsense understanding of the insulin cycle which has somehow escaped the researchers. He convincingly debunks the supposed risks of his program as far safer than the low-fat, high-carb recommendations currently in fashion.

Earlier editions include more scientific background, particularly the fascinating fifteenth chapter on the heart, which expertly critiques the famous Harvard Nurses Study, among others. A bedrock of current dietary belief, this study completely ignored the effect of sugar on diet because the researchers "presumed" sugar had nothing to do with it, contradicting their own results. This chapter alone should open many scaled-over scientific eyes, and rightly cause much rethinking. I challenge you to read it with an open mind, and judge for yourself the evidence, based on strict science and observable results.

Drawbacks: He has not made a clear enough distinction between a high-protien diet, which he nowhere directly advocates, and a low-carb diet, which he does. It is not necessary to follow his 4-step program or take expensive supplements, though these are helpful and recommendable. He is a practicing cardiologist, not a researcher, so he must rely on others to do the necessary research to develop credibility. He should drop the hyperbolic "revolution" title, which sounds like shallow promotionalism. His biggest setback has been to accuse the American Medical Association and American Heart Association directly of bad practice, which has turned a scientific debate into a blood feud, and slowed down acceptance of his theory. We have a long while to wait for the marketing system to provide affordable low-carb products.

Ultimate take-away: low-carb is good science, and low-fat has been a 30-year old-wives tale. The medical establishment should drop their defensive posture, which only sets back the credibility of the scientific community and keeps us all in bondage to out-of-date beliefs. If you want a balanced controlled-carb diet with little explanation, go with Barry Sears' "The Zone". If you want to really understand and thereby control the mechanism behind weight loss, hypertension, heart disease and diabetes, Atkins' book is a medical watershed.

81 of 82 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You'll be suprised, December 13, 2002

By 

David C. Miller (Tucson AZ) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Complete Atkins' Three Book Package (Hardcover)

This diet is very workable and effective. It is NOT dangerous as some people think. In fact, my doctor, after viewing the results of many of her patients who have tried this diet, has become very supportive. It takes willpower and a willingness to stick to it. I have lost lots of weight and the best news of all is that my blood lipids are the best they have been in my entire life. Cholesterol, triglycerides, LDLs are at an alltime low. We do periodic liver testing along with a lipid profile and the levels remain normal after many months. My glucose levels are also excellent. It takes some work but it becomes second nature after awhile because you feel great and have tons of energy. You must adhere to the 8 cups of water a day and it's very important to have some form of exercise program going. My wife and I both use this low carb diet and we both find it very satisfying.

104 of 107 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You will have to decide for yourself: I have lost 30 lbs!, November 21, 2002

By 

Manny Hernandez "@askmanny" (Bay Area, CA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Complete Atkins' Three Book Package (Hardcover)

I got on this diet as a result of my personal doctor telling me it was the only thing that would help me from not becoming a diabetic. Although I ended up being diagnosed diabetic I have lost and maintained, over the course of 12 months now, over 30 pounds. I began as a size 38 (almost 40) and now I am on my way to size 32 (I am at a comfortable 34 at this point).

There are several things you should bear in mind about it:
* This is NOT an easy fix for nutritional disorders. It works, but it takes TIME.
* This is NOT a balanced diet, because by repressing carbs (or maintaining them under 20 g per day in the begginning) it's aimed at getting your body in a state called ketosis. In such a state the body starts to use its stored fat as a source of energy, as opposed to expecting it from carbs. There are very diverse points of view about ketosis: being such a delicate topic, I invite you to make your own mind about it, but based on all I've read about it (and believe me: in a year's time, my diet is something I've devoted a lot of reading to), it seems to not be tied to the heart or kidney-related problems that are attibuted to it.
* It's not a static diet either, because your menu evolves as your weight does: as you begin to get to your ideal weight, the amount of carbs you're allowed increases as well.
* This diet requires vitamin supplements and exercise along with it, in order to work well.
* Most important of ALL, please check with your doctor before you begin this diet.

Long story short, read Atkins' books and decice for yourself. So far, I'm with it, but not too fond of the total lack of fruits that it has during its early stages. I've combined its elements with those of the "Omega Diet," and the concept of reducing the portions I eat in every meal.