About Melissa Anderson Expertise I have a Bachelor`s degree in biochemistry, researched metabolism and endocrinology for four years, and am currently attending medical school. Ask me anything and everything relating to Atkins and other low-carb diet plans!
Experience I've been on Atkins since 2001 and I'm still going strong!
Education/Credentials Professionally, I have a Bachelor's degree in biochemistry, researched metabolism and endocrinology for four years, and am currently attending medical school.
Question Hello, I want to know if I'm allowed to eat no carbohydrates at all on the atkins diet? I read somewhere that you need a minimum of 20 carbohydrates a day but I don't remember reading that in the atkins diet revolution book.
Answer Yes, it's perfectly fine to eat a zero carbohydrate diet. When you aren't eating carbs, your body will begin to break down fat into a carbohydrate substitute called ketones and your body will use ketones for energy. Your body can only make ketones when you're eating very little carbohydrate. Ketones are a powerful appetite suppressant and that effect is one of the reasons the Atkins diet works so well. When starting Atkins, you should eat a MAXIUMUM of 20 grams of carbohydrates daily. If you can do less, then that's even better.
Good luck!
Melissa
