Diet Comparison
Here is a side-by-side summary of Atkins and Weight Watchers to help you compare diets and choose a weight loss plan that will work for you.
|
Diets |
|
|
|
|
Best for...
|
Meat lovers.
|
Anyone who is serious about long-term weight loss and thrives on peer support and encouragement.
|
Risks
|
Some who try Atkins may experience constipation, fatigue, and/or headaches. There are voices in the medical and nutrition communities that fear the short and long-term effects of a diet so high in fat and cholesterol, the jury is still out on whether these fears are substantiated.
|
None noted.
|
Basic philosophy / approach
|
Portion control? No way! The diet strictly limits—but does NOT forbid as some have suggested—carb intake. It allows unlimited amounts of many allowed foods, such as meats and cheeses.
|
Teaches the fundamentals of sound nutrition and basic fitness. Emphasizes group support at regular weigh-ins. Uses a point system to help you manage what you're eating and your portion sizes.
|
Foods that are / aren't allowed
|
Carbs, bad. Protein, good. Fat in all its delicious forms, no problem.
|
Nothing is strictly restricted. The focus is on dietary awareness and portion size reduction and overall dietary balance.
|
How much work involved
|
I can’t imagine a simpler approach. There is virtually no measuring or weighing or record-keeping involved. And when you eat out you simply have to tell the waiter "save the shrubs for a rabbit—I only want the MEAT".
|
Highly flexible. You can eat Weight Watchers prepared meals, cook your own or do a combination. Weekly weigh-ins at Weight Watcher centers.
|
Cost
|
Generally speaking, meat and cheese are more expensive than fruits, veggies and bread. That said, the Atkins Diet does not require that you buy more costly prepared meals.
|
Register for Weight Watchers online for just $14.95 per month for plan, plus a $29.95 registration fee (on-line option).
|
Speed to results
|
Here is where Atkins draws much of its popularity. If you follow the diet, you will lose weight. Many will lose weight dramatically at the outset, and continue at a steady clip after that. One reminder: a weight loss rate of 1 to 1.5 lbs. per week over a period of time beyond two weeks (the initial drop not uncommon to many diets) is considered healthy, and anything above that is considered unhealthy.
|
You can expect to lose between 1 and 2 lbs. per week, with a potential initial drop greater than that in the first week or two.
|
Sign Up Online |
|
|
Review
|
Our review of Atkins
|
Our review of Weight Watchers
|
More Comparisons
|
|
|
