Vegan Version Of Atkins Diet Helps Drop Pounds, Reduce Heart Disease Risk

The so-called “Eco-Atkins” diet – low carb and vegan – not only helps dieters shed pounds, it also helps lower cholesterol and reduce heart disease risk, according to a Canadian study. Twenty-three obese men and women completed the six-month diet, in which participants ate only 60 percent of daily weight-maintenance calories, but were allowed to select their own menus, either Eco-Atkins or high carb/low fat. Eco-Atkins participants consumed 26 percent of calories from carbs, 31 percent from proteins and 43 percent from fat, primarily from vegetable oils, avocado, nuts and soy products. Over six months, participants on the Eco-Atkins diet experienced a 10 percent drop in cholesterol and lost an average of four more pounds than the high-carbohydrate, low-fat diet.