i have heard the same things about Atkins being bad...however i have heard that ...is it the South Beach diet, being very similar is better for you ....it's more like what you said the empty carbs thing I THINK....my sister is starting it being very not for the Atkins diet...it just requires to eat only unprocessed carbs...meaning whole wheat bread, pasta and the such...that's the basic gist and the guy who does it is my what i understand more informed...he is a cardiologist....excuse my spelling....and *cough* DOCTOR atkins i think was like some random other kinda doctor not really related to the heart or organs...though i could be totally off base...i think it's great though that you have done so well...i would love ot be able to stick to ANY diet other than not eating so much which i haven't done so well at...may be now i will hehe
congrats!
-bec