Case study

Rick is a 22-year-old varsity soccer player. He would like to lose 20 pounds by the end of the season, which is 3 months away, because he thinks it will give him more energy. His coach tells him about the Atkins diet, and confesses that it helped him lose weight quickly in the past. Rick reads about the diet and finds out that he can eat all the meat, cheese, and eggs he wants, and just has to cut out carbs. It seems easy enough and promises fast weight loss. He has heard you took a nutrition course and comes to you for advice. Instructions 1. Go to the Atkins diet homepage. Browse through the program phases, and view the meal plans provided for each phase. How does Atkins compare to the recommendations concerning intakes of carbohydrates outlined in Table 4-1 in your text? 2. What health implications might arise if Rick decides to follow the Atkins diet? 3. Do you think the Atkins diet will help improve Rick’s energy? 4. Would you recommend Rick follows the Atkins diet? What healthy weight loss tips would you give him?