Atkins diet: Your three day kickstart plan

After the birth of her daughter North in 2013, Kim Kardashian dropped 3 and half stone in just a matter of months. The 5ft 2 reality star, 34, went from a size 16 and around 12st to a slim size 10 and 9st and revealed that it was all down to the low-carb Atkins diet. She said: ““Fifteen years ago, I tried the Atkins diet with my dad and we both lost weight really quickly. And I’m still doing it. I still have my cheat days.” She added: “Atkins worked for me and I don’t feel tempted to eat a bunch of junk food. It’s just about staying healthy.”

Kim initially skipped phase one of the diet as she was breastfeeding – the first phase bans all carbs, including fruit, milk and yoghurt – and went straight to phase two, which allows a wider range of veg, some fruits, natural yoghurt and small amounts of whole milk, nuts, seeds, beans and lentils. Kim also included lean meat, fish, eggs, cheese and healthier fats like avocado and veg oils, so that she had enough nutrients for breastfeeding.

Cutting down on carbs and eating more protein acts as an appetite suppressant and encourages the metabolism to burn fat rather than store it. However, Closer nutritionist Juliette Kellow says Atkins-style diets are definitely not for the long- term – but more a kick-start for your weight loss. She says: “While the Atkins diet certainly helps you cut out processed and sugary foods, such as sweets and biscuits, it also limits healthy carbs, like most fruit, pulses, nuts, dairy and wholegrains.

“It’s an extreme plan and only ever suitable as a short-term kick-start for weight loss. I’d never recommend the plan for new mums – but if you’re not breastfeeding and want to give it a go, start at phase two like Kim did, which includes a more varied selection of foods. The plan is also difficult for vegetarians as it involves a lot of meat and fish.”

Try Juliette’s diet plan based on the types of food Kim ate as part of the Atkins plan. Choose one breakfast, lunch and dinner and two snacks for each day. Have eight glasses of water a day – a few cups of tea or coffee are ok as are diet or sugar-free soft drinks but avoid fruit juice and alcohol.

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