DIET FAD $TARVING US: FIRMS

NY Post ^ | May 16, 2004 | STEPHANIE O'BRIEN

[Pharmboy]

May 16, 2004 -- Dr. Atkins' disciples are eating major food companies alive. The low-carb diet trend is turning the stomachs of the makers of traditional staples like bread and pasta, who are blaming their shrinking profits on shrinking waistlines.

[nyconse]

High carb wouldn't be good for me under any circumstances because I would become a diabetic (runs in my family). Years ago, the governmnet foisted the pyramid food plan on us. It is interesting to note that dietitions and other experts of that day believed the pyramid to be dangerous to health and so it is. Even children get type II diabetes today. Also, many Americans have sedentary (office) jobs: no need to pile on carbs which become fat. Eating a high carb low fat diet caused me to be constantly hungry and gain 35 lbs in four years. I have now lost 25lbs of this weight low carbing. I have no sympathy for these food companies. It has been known for quite a while that corn syrup is very bad for you, but they continue to use it. By the way studies have now shown that low carb is healthier than high carb. You may not want to hear this, but pasta is not good for you. You were lied to.

[AlbionGirl]

All I know is that my system works, and I'm sticking with it. I've had an interest in health and fitness since my early twenties, so my 50-25-25 ratio has been in place since then.

I never was really overweight, but I noticed that in my twenties I went from 115 to 125 over a 3 year period. I was eating the same, but I became less active because my life slowed down.

Anyway, I always had good eating habits, but as an Italian carbs represented a pretty good part of my diet, although Americans have a real problem w/portion control, eh? I remember going over to my Anglo friends houses for dinner, and being stunned by how much they ate. Portions in my house/family were always normal size.

For me it was less about what I ate than how fit I was. And that has been my philosopy ever since. I can't consume more than 2 or 3 oz. of protein at a time (it slows me down physically and mentally), and I usually balance that w/a starchy veg or bread and a fibrous veg.

I eat bananas, apples, grapes every day. I like strawberries, but they're never naturally good, I always have to doctor them up w/cream or something, so I don't eat them unless they're in season. I eat a ton of blueberries with my cereal every morning, I love them, and if ever there was a super food it's them.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

Any diet worth it's salt would begin first with the concept of physical fitness, and I don't see Atkins doing that.

You didn't read the book. Exercise is covered quite extensively.

[SamAdams76]

Huge carb intakes lead to obesity as well as a condition know as the Metabolic Syndrome. This is a combination of risk factors in obese people with the genetic predisposition. It consists of (mainly) abdominal obesity, high blood pressure, abnormal blood sugar readings (either diabetes or close to it) and abnormalities in blood lipids (cholesterol and triglycerides.

I totally agree. Here is a picture of me from summer of 2002 when I weighed close to 300 pounds, had high blood pressure, was tired (and hungry) all the time and was a borderline diabetic. And this was during a time when I tried eating "right" (lots of corn, rice, bread, fruit, potatos, etc.) according to the "balanced diet" of the food pyramid.

And here I am after just six months of the low-carb diet when I slimmed down to 214 (I currently weigh 196). I'll just let the pictures speak for themselves. This "high-carb" food pyramid is killing many of us.

[grania]

In the Boston area (and I think in CT also) there is Cafe Belo, a Brazilian chain, where you buy food from a buffet and meat from the spit at a per-pound cost. It's very reasonably priced, fresh, and a good way to emphasize meat and veggies. It actually has a decent Zagat's rating.

We eat there at least once a week...it's actually less expensive than getting that variety at home.

[AlbionGirl]

I don't believe that Atkins places first importance on fitness. Point me to the sections in his book where you can confirm my error, and I'll be glad to concede your point. Atkins covers physical fitness and the primary importance of it in a cursory way, IMO.

[SamAdams76]

I am taken aback on a regular basis at how much people eat out, and how much they take eating out for granted. A lot of retirement funds could be maxed just by cooking at home.

Agree with you there. Although my grocery bill spiked when I went low-carb (natural foods are much more expensive than processed foods), eating less at restaurants has more than offset the higher cost of groceries. I now prefer to eat at home because I control the ingredients. Restaurants tend to add a lot of "extra" ingredients to their dishes that really pile up the calories and fat. For example, the steak dinner I make at home might have 750 calories but in a restaurant, it could add up to 2,000 calories easy.

I recently took my family to the Outback and the bill came to $120 (with tip) for the four of us. That's nearly five days worth of groceries in one shot!

[Gabz]

Sorry - I'm not buying it.

I'm not disparaging any particular diet or any person who is on a diet, I am one of those fortunate people who has never had to diet and most likely never will.


The vast majority of the products listed here are highly processed which (supposedly) makes them nore expensive. More people are choosing less processed foods for a variety of reasons, including cost, not just the latest diet trend.

I personally have added to the profit losses of these companies because I long ago stopped buying as much prepared food, not to say I don't at all, but most of the stuff is outrageously expensive and tastes nothing like home made.

So, IMHO these companies have brought this upon themselves with over priced over processed products and are just looking for a scapegoat.......the current trend of low carb dieters are it. They need to blame something other than their own selves in order to appease the stockholders.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

Atkins covers physical fitness and the primary importance of it in a cursory way, IMO

Let us be clear on what you are saying, by fitness you mean exercise as part of a balanced life style correct?

Try Chapter Six in Atkins for Life. He talks about the importance of aerobic and anaerobic exercise.

Like I said, you have obviously not read the books.

[JimFreedom]

Good job SAM! Hey, lets grill some steaks today with some nice FAT still on them, some green veggies, etc! Way to go! And for some CARBS, a nice glass of RED WINE!

[RGSpincich]

You were lied to.

This started out as an economy related thread. I said that those who excercised alot or had manual labor jobs got the most out of pasta carbs. Therefore, the worldwide pasta industry should not suffer much because of our diet fads. I took into account the relative affordability of pasta carbs and the physical energy benefit per dollar/pound/peso/whatever. I stand behind that.

If you have medical problems of course the equation changes and you are the exception. As far as me getting lied to, I didn't depend on anybody else and my personal results are truer than anything you can recite.

[AlbionGirl]

Let me make it clear, fitness 100% and diet 100%. Fitness in the sense of something more than a 20 minute walk. Fitness in exercising 6 days/wk no more than 45 minutes to an hour, a combination of moderate aerobic exercise and weight lifting, done on opposite days. That's what I mean by physical fitness.

[MsGail61]

The problem now is all the low carb junk foods. I get the worst gas from malitol that I wish I could get away from myself. But people are going to try to have their cake and eat it too, and then their efforts will stall because calories still count.

[cyborg]

I tried the Atkins diet but it definately doesn't work for me. Right now I'm leaning towards the raw food diet. I'm convinced that there IS a conspiracy against Atkins because it's a meat diet. I single out Atkins because after his death he was the target of PETA,etc.

[cyborg]

Is there a Mrs.SamAdams????? WOW! :D

[Gabz]

Very impressive.

[Sam Cree]

Your 50-25-25 diet seems fairly low carb to me, at least compared to what I think lots of Americans eat.

25% carbs isn't so very much, IMO.

OTOH, I think ancient men did probably not eat too much fruit, as it is mostly seasonal in temperate and cooler climates.

However, whenever I avoid sugary products for a couple days, like ice cream and soda, I greatly increase my intake of fruit and still lose weight.

[SamAdams76]

I plan to do exactly that this afternoon. Got some porterhouse steaks in the refrigerator for the grill and will sautee some mushrooms and onions to go with them. Add some summer squash, jalapeno peppers and a tossed salad with sunflower seeds, bacon bits and olive oil. Maybe I'll take your suggestion and open a bottle of red wine. Who says you can't get plenty of veggies doing low-carb? As for fruit, I had a cup of blueberries this morning at breakfast with my eggs and yogurt. Lunch will be a hunk of cheese and sausage with a few strawberries. Now if only it would stop raining so I can go for my walk.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

Gee, you sound just like the book. :)

[cyborg]

Net carb candy bars,etc. There's nothing low carb about them. They're a bit lower in carb because they cut out some of the sugar and also they're smaller. I tasted a few and they're good... good and EXPENSIVE.