So, when people find out I'm a dietitian the first thing I get asked is "what do you think about Atkins?" ....I think if it helps you get a jump start on losing weight, then go for it, but it definitely isn't a long term healthy diet.  Personally, I love carbs, like noodles, rice, rice cake, muffins, cup cakes, fruit, vegetables, bread.... it's a lot to give up, I definitely coudn't do it, hehe.

Read this article though, cuz low protein may not be the way to go even in the short term...

ATKINS IN ICU

Low-Carb Diet Endangers Life

By now you should know that the negative side effects of a low-carb, high protein diet go beyond bad breath and what's charitably called an "Atkins Attitude." Nor should it surprise you that the regimen restricting fruit and whole grains while piling on the bacon and cheese should raise health risks ranging from gastrointestinal distress to elevated levels of C-reactive protein (an inflammatory marker for heart disease). Now an Atkins dieter has landed in intensive care with severe ketoacidosis, a serious condition that can lead to a diabetic coma or even death.

According to a case study in the prestigious medical journal The Lancet, a 40-year-old woman began vomiting four to six times daily and became short of breath after a month of following the Atkins diet. While this isn't the first time a low-carb dieter has ended up in the hospital (see "Dieter Has Major Beef with Atkins"), this case study shows how manipulating your metabolism to artificially induce ketosis  can have dangerous consequences, even in the short term. The long-term consequences of Atkins-type diets are also grim. Not only do such regimens deprive you of the protective benefits of those foods highest in fiber and antioxidants, excessive intake of saturated fat is associated with a variety of ailments, including cardiovascular disease and some cancers.