I have been reading the book "Atkins For Life" and have found it to be very informative and to make a lot of sense. He explains the scientific reasoning (but not in too technical of terms) behind the Atkins plan. I suspect most of its critics are people who look at the first phase, the induction phase, and believe that is how one is expected to eat all the time, which is totally untrue. The induction phase's purpose literally is to cut the body's dependency/addiction on carbohydrates. He explains how the body craves the carbohydrates to burn for energy, so your body does not burn fat, rather sends a message that you are hungry for more carbohydrates in order to gain energy again.

Everything is answered, including questions people may have about cholesterol and heart problems (which Atkin's actually improves). Most of the criticisms I have seen come from those who can't have read the book where everything is explained based off facts and science. The "diet" is different for everyone. One person may do great eating 120 carbs a day, which is a good amount, and another person may need to keep it to 80. It all depends on your metabolism but all of that is explained in detail in the book.

Anyway, my husband and I are planning to give it a shot. I'm hoping it will help us both with problems like insomnia, gastric reflux, low energy levels, etc.