Can Someone Please Tell Me the Difference Between Keto and Atkins?

Two popular low-carb diets are the keto diet and the Atkins diet. Although similar, there are key differences between the two. The keto diet was designed by Dr. Russell Wilder in 1924 as an option for treating epilepsy. In the 1960s Dr. Robert Coleman Atkins created his diet with the sole intent of weight loss. Although the aim of both diets is to lower the body’s carbohydrate intake, they do so in different ways. Initially, the Atkins diet strictly limits carbohydrate intake, then transitions to weight-lose and maintenance stages. The keto diet maintains the same requirements from start to finish. Protein intake is another key difference. In Atkins, the majority of calories come from protein. The keto diet stays with a moderate amount of protein. The Atkins is easier to follow as it offers flexibility within the balance of food groups. In contrast, the keto diet is more high-maintenance, requiring closely measured food intake.

Key Takeaways:

Ketogenic diets force the body into ketosis where as Atkins does not
Ketosis is where the body is using keytones as it’s fuel
Keto focuses on fat, where as Atkins allows for a higher amount of protein

“Atkins can rely on one getting the majority of one’s calories from protein, whereas the keto diet centres around a moderate protein intake.”