Some people think the Atkins diet is a free ticket to eat all the bacon, beef, ham etc. I know this personally, because my husband is a food dummy. (love you baby!). But when you are put on a "restriction". like the Atkins diet, you must be aware that you have to eat sensibly and not gorge on the foods you are allowed to eat. So he thought he could eat ALL the meat he wanted to make up for the foods he couldn't, as much as I tried to make him understand, in his frame of mind, He was on a diet!! Here comes the awakening.
My father in law is in excellant health, age 66, like most older adults, he takes cholestoral meds, but that's it. Last month he got his bloodwork back, and his good cholestoral was around 180, Doctor was pleased. I have no idea what the bad cholestoral was. THREE DAYS LATER, he has a heart attack and is flown to WHC for emergency heart cath surgery, 2 days after that a quad bypass!
If there is one thing that our family learned from this is that heart disease is most definately a silent killer. My otherwise healthy father in law has heart disease. So now, my husband has a new hold on his eating habits. He is staying away from the heart clogging foods, and eating healthier, more vegies and fruit. I know I kinda strayed away from the subject a little, but in my opinion, the Atkins diet is not all that "Heart" healthy. Simply watch your diet, avoid fatty foods, eat more green veggies, and exercise!
Diets are overated, and fads. But if you start teaching yourself whats good to eat and whats not...........I'm telling you, you CAN teach an old dog new tricks!