Atkins Diet consists of 4 stages: the Induction Diet, the Ongoing Weight Loss (OWL) Diet, the Pre-Maintenance Diet, and ultimately the Lifetime Maintenance Diet.

The Induction Diet strictly limits carb intake. Only 20 grams of carbs are allowed daily, but to offset this there is a generous allowance of fat & protein. The suggested source of carbs during this stage is low starch vegetables. This stage lasts 14 days and is followed by the OWL diet.

The OWL Stage is less severe and more carbs are introduced, but intake is limited to 40 grams per day. Participants stay on the OWL diet until they reach their ideal weight. Once this goal is attained, dieters transition to the pre-maintenance diet phase. Here they experiment with the addition of carbs until their individual carb tolerance level is established (the total grams of carbs they can eat without gaining weight).

When dieters understand how much carb they can consume and they maintain their ideal weight, they will enter Lifetime Maintenance. Here they will continue to avoid sugar, processed foods, white flour and hydrogenated fat/oils.

Atkins Forever? How Long Should You Stay On the Atkins Diet? is from Good Health Weekly