What is your opinion about cutting out carbohydrates?

Atkins taught everyone that in the absence of carbs, the body burns more fat, hunger subsides somewhat and (despite lots of saturated fat) doesn't make blood cholesterol levels less healthy...in fact, it may reduce heart disease risk according to traditional risk equations associated with this and other blood fats and a marker of inflammation called C-reactive protein.

Having said that, it isn't necessary to decrease carbs as much as Atkins and I encourage increasing protein with moderate fat and then adjusting carbs to attain consistent weight loss. Atkins is unnecessarily low in carbs and overly restrictive in fruits and other foods that have major health properties and may increase cancer risk or the risk of other diseases if used in the longer term.

See my "MuscleDiet Cutting Phase Diet" by signing up at www.MuscleDiet.net for what I believe to be the best dietary approach for getting very lean, maintaining muscle and supporting optimum health...

While I am no nutrition expert, I have found through my own trial and error that eating all my carbohydrate meals (oatmeal, sweet potato, brown rice) before 2pm has helped me keep my energy up and allows me to keep a healthy weight. I think it also really depends on your body type, eating habits and general health.