Atkins food, or that food which is recommended on the Atkins Diet, can help you lose weight because the high protein fills you up without many calories. One of the most important aspects of the diet is that you learn to cook your own meals, rather than relying on processed foods. Foods that you cook at home generally contain fewer calories, less salt, and less sugar than restaurant meals. You do not need to buy Atkins shakes or bars to lose weight. In fact, you will lose more weight by reaching for healthy fruit or peanut butter dipped veggies instead of the bars filled with sweeteners.