Founded by Dr. Robert Atkins in 1972, the Atkins diet is a controlled carbohydrate lifestyle that takes dieters through four phases.

Founder: Dr. Robert Atkins, 1972
What: A controlled carb lifestyle
What You’ll Eat: A balance of healthy fats, proteins, and nutrient dense carbs
Timeline: Four phases

Phase 1: Induction
Restrict carbohydrate consumption to 20 grams each day, obtaining carbohydrate primarily from salad and other non-starchy vegetables.

Phase 2: Ongoing Weight Loss (OWL)
Add carbohydrate, in the form of nutrient-dense and fiber-rich foods, by increasing to 25 grams daily the first week, 30 grams daily the next week and so on until weight loss stops. Then subtract 5 grams of carbohydrate from daily intake so that sustained, moderate weight loss continues.

Phase 3: Pre-Maintenance
Make the transition from weight loss to weight maintenance by increasing the daily carbohydrate intake in 10-gram increments each week while still maintaining very gradual weight loss.

Phase 4: Lifetime Maintenance
Select from a wide variety of foods while controlling carbohydrate intake to ensure weight maintenance and a sense of well-being.

*All information from Atkins Nutritionals