Despite the popularity of the Atkins Diet, it is often greatly misrepresented! Popular, yet slightly exaggerated depictions of the program portray dieters eating nothing but vast quantities of meat and fat. Although the diet itself may not be quite this simple, many dieters following the program have successfully lost weight and improved their health.

On this program, dieters follow a highly specific program based on limited carbohydrate intake. Emphasis is placed on the nutritional aspects of the diet over exercise and other factors, although getting physical activity is also important to weight loss. There are four stages in the Atkins plan:

Induction: For the duration of this two-week phase at the beginning of the diet program, dieters can only consume up to 20 grams of carbohydrates each day. Dieters can ingest high protein foods such as meat and fish, fats such as oils and butter, and other food with little to no carbohydrate content. Many foods with carbohydrates are not permitted at all, including alcoholic beverages.

This early phase is intended to help the body go from burning carbohydrates for energy, as it normally does, into burning fat stored in the body (the state known as ketosis). Most dieters begin to lose pounds during this phase.

Ongoing Weight Loss: During this stage, dieters gradually increase their carbohydrate intake by adding 5 grams of carbohydrates into their diet each week. Dieters adjust their diet, losing weight to put themselves within 5-10 pounds of their target weight, before moving into the Pre-maintenance stage.

Pre-maintenance: Dieters use the Pre-maintenance stage to find out the maximum amount of carbohydrates they can ingest without experiencing weight gain. During this stage, dieters add 10 grams of carbohydrates to their diet each week. Once dieters reach their target weight and can maintain it for a month, they move into the Lifetime Maintenance phase.

Lifetime Maintenance: For lasting results, the Atkins program is designed to be maintained throughout the dieter's lifetime. Using the strategies that helped the dieter reach their target weight, the dieter maintains an eating and exercise program to stay at their target weight. Individuals can revert to previous stages if their weight starts to rise again.