It's 7:30 a.m. and Rhonda Collier, a 24-year-old college studentbegins her day like most of her peers, with breakfast, four slicesof bacon, sausage and a cup of coffee.
Collier, like millions of other Americans, is on thecontroversial Atkins' diet, a low-carbohydrate, high-protein diet,which, according to its inventor Dr. Robert C. Atkins' book, canquickly lead to excessive weight loss.
Dieters are discouraged from eating "poison" carbohydrates andare allowed to eat high fat foods, according to the book.
The diet trend first emerged in 1972 when Atkins released hisfirst book, "Dr. Atkins' Diet Revolution."
In 2000, Atkins re-released his book with the title "Dr. Atkins'New Diet Revolution" and found a new audience of eager dieters.
Collier and a group of three friends have been doing the Atkins'diet for the past two months.
"I love the diet," Collier said. "I've tried a lot of fad dietsin the past, but this one actually works."
The Atkins' diet is a quick fix, according to some dieters, butis it a healthy solution?
"The Atkins' diet is not a healthy way to lose weight," saidUniversity of Memphis Nutritionist and Dietetic Intern HeidiSchneider. "It's dangerous because it significantly lowers thenumber of carbs in your diet."
Schneider said the Atkins' diet is a very high saturated-fatdiet with unlimited meat and calorie intake that can clog arteriesand raise cholesterol.
"Carbohydrates are our main source of fuel," Schneider said."When we don't have carbs to break down, then we break down proteinand fat for energy."
Collier, who has lost 15 pounds with the Atkins' diet, said shewill continue the diet despite the risks.
Schneider said she is asked about the Atkins' diet frequentlyand tries to educate students on the harmful side effects of thisdiet.
"I try to teach them about healthy lifestyle changes rather thanquick-fix diets," Schneider said. "With the Atkins' diet, weightloss happens rapidly, and it is unhealthy to lose more than twopounds a week."
