The Atkins Nutritional Approach, popularly known as the Atkins Diet or just Atkins, is a way of looking at nutrition, perhaps the most marketed and well-known of the low-carbohydrate diets. It was popularized by Dr. Robert Atkins (1930-2003) in a series of books, starting with Dr. Atkins’ Diet Revolution in 1972. There are many outspoken advocates and critics of the diet, and in his revised book, Dr. Atkins’ New Diet Revolution, Atkins updated some of his ideas, but remained faithful to the original concepts.
The Atkins franchise (i.e., the business formed to provide products serving people “doing Atkins,” had been highly successful due to the popularity of the food plan, and is considered the iconic and driving entity of the larger “low-carb craze.” However, various factors have led to its dwindling in success, and the company Atkins Nutritionals of Ronkonkoma, New York, founded by Dr. Atkins in 1989 filed for bankruptcy in July of 2005.
While once considered popular, it had likewise been controversial for its claims regarding high-protein, and high-fat intake. The Atkins logo is highly visible through licensed-proprietary branding for food products, and related merchandise. While many viewed Atkins critically for his claims, regimented plans, and profit-making franchise, he is nevertheless credited with popularizing the availability of healthier low-carb foods in the United States and abroad.