Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Atkins diet tastes good to retailers
Dallas Morning News ^ | 05/26/2003 | MARIA HALKIAS

Posted on 05/29/2003 11:59:13 AM PDT by NotQuiteCricket

Now, food companies and retailers are hoping for similar happy results by focusing on products that fit the Atkins plan. But some of those sales gains are coming at the expense of companies whose foods aren't Atkins-friendly.

:VERY LARGE BREAK IN ARTICLE:

A low for carbs

The Atkins boom worries companies that depend on carbohydrates – such as pasta, tortilla and bread makers.

Pasta consumption is still growing, but hardly at the carbo-loading inspired rates of the 1980s, according to American Italian Pasta Co., the largest U.S. pasta maker.

"Our industry would be growing faster if not for the Atkins diet," said Tim Webster, president and chief executive of the company, based in Kansas City, Mo. "I've seen no other diet's effect be as substantial."

The Tortilla Industry Association addressed the threat head-on this month in a seminar titled: "An Industry in Crisis: The High-protein, Low-carb Diet and Its Effects on the Tortilla Industry."

Wheat flour consumption started dropping after 1997, when U.S. consumption hit a peak of 147 pounds per person. Last year, that figure fell to 139 pounds, said Judi Adams, president of the Wheat Foods Council in Parker, Colo.

"I like to equate what's happened to the industry to the book The Perfect Storm," she said. "Everything is hitting the industry all at one time."

Milling & Baking News executive editor Josh Sosland also used a nature metaphor to sum up the flour industry's problem. It "is in the middle of a hurricane right now," he said.

The industry is responding with low-sugar breads and low-carb pastas, but that's not the answer, Mr. Sosland said.

"When you look at headlines, it's horrifying for the industry," he said. "People are saying horrible things about refined flour. At the last meeting of the American Bakers Association, the industry committed to educating consumers. They've decided they're going to fight back."

The bread industry needs to remind people "it's making the staff of life, feeding Americans folic acid and doing more to prevent birth defects than the March of Dimes," Mr. Sosland added. "The industry knows it's making a wholesome product. It's frustrating."

Beefing up

The beef industry, on the other hand, is celebrating.

After declining steadily in the 1980s and much of the '90s, the industry saw consecutive quarters of increased demand during the last half of 1998. Beef sales have gone up for 12 of the last 14 quarters.

U.S. per capita consumption of beef in 2002 was 64.4 pounds, up from 62.9 pounds in 2001.

"Attention on high-protein diets has prompted the consumer to discover, or rediscover, the health benefits of protein," said Shalene McNeill, senior manager of nutrition communication at the Texas Beef Council, which represents 140,000 Texas cattle producers.

Richard Wortham, the council's executive vice president, said beef sales have been aided by "an industrywide focus to tell our science-based nutrition story" and the introduction of more convenient beef products.

(Excerpt) Read more at dallasnews.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Extended News
KEYWORDS: atkinsdiet; beef; crisis; protein; tortillas; turass
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-8081-86 next last
To: SBprone
You need carbs to live. Complex carbs, such as whole grains and cooked vegetables, are your friends. They don't tweak you blood sugar and insulin levels and you won't get fat consuming them.

Almost that whole statement is factually wrong. You don't need carbs to live. There is no requirement for carbs. As far as your statement on complex carbs you need to take a look at the glycemic index.

61 posted on 06/02/2003 6:27:37 AM PDT by Nov3
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 59 | View Replies]

To: Nov3
I need carbs to live as I don't want to live in a world without chocolate chip cookies. I stick to Atkins very well until there is a plate of CCC's in front of me, then I become like a junky with coke.
62 posted on 06/02/2003 6:33:01 AM PDT by okkev68
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 61 | View Replies]

To: okkev68
I need carbs to live as I don't want to live in a world without chocolate chip cookies.

The stuff is pure POISON. Now a tray of warm croissants and a stick of soft butter . . . . . . . . . . . .

63 posted on 06/02/2003 6:37:28 AM PDT by Nov3
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 62 | View Replies]

To: Nov3
I went to 80-100 grams/day and slowly, steadily lost weight. I did add a lot of exercise, though. If I stop running I don't gain any weight at this carb level but I don't lose any either.
64 posted on 06/02/2003 6:37:46 AM PDT by ko_kyi
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 56 | View Replies]

To: ko_kyi
That is where I am now. Sometimes less rarely more.
65 posted on 06/02/2003 6:42:34 AM PDT by Nov3
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 64 | View Replies]

To: lelio
If the american bakers would start making *REAL* bread and not this white doughey cardboard, that would be a start.

The germans, russians and east europpeans all know how to make this black, chewey, nutricious and delicious whole wheat bread that is actually good for you...

66 posted on 06/02/2003 6:44:15 AM PDT by chilepepper (Clever argument cannot convince Reality -- Carl Jung)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: drdemars
"A low carb tortillia is on the market and my family uses it with no regrets. Only 3 carb grams each. "

Well, c'mon! What's the brand name??? Pleeeease!

And if anyone else out there knows of great, low-carb products (especially affordable ones), please send me specific name info. Thanks.

67 posted on 06/02/2003 6:51:19 AM PDT by NH Liberty
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: HELLRAISER II
Just curious but what kind of sweeteners can you use for iced tea ?

I gave up cokes and soda about 6 months ago but I've GOT to have my tea ... and sweet-n-low and equal are both VILE.

68 posted on 06/02/2003 6:56:23 AM PDT by Centurion2000 (We are crushing our enemies, seeing him driven before us and hearing the lamentations of the liberal)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: Centurion2000
SPLENDA
69 posted on 06/02/2003 6:59:15 AM PDT by Nov3
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 68 | View Replies]

To: lelio
"it does say 21g of carbs on it, but excluding all carbs that are good"

Huh?
70 posted on 06/02/2003 7:01:31 AM PDT by Lee'sGhost (Crom!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 22 | View Replies]

To: McBuff
Exactly which version are you adhering to? Atkins? Susan Sommers?

I need an easy breakfast food.

71 posted on 06/02/2003 7:03:11 AM PDT by Lee'sGhost (Crom!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 32 | View Replies]

To: NotQuiteCricket
The bread industry needs to remind people "it's making the staff of life, feeding Americans folic acid and doing more to prevent birth defects than the March of Dimes," Mr. Sosland added. "The industry knows it's making a wholesome product. It's frustrating."

They would do better to focus on producing sprouted-wheat and alternative super whole grain products that aren't made from enriched white flour and slathered up with partially hydrogenated oil. I switched to the Atkins diet and lost 25 lbs, and am now down to my ideal weight. I've introduced "good carbs" back into my diet in smaller measured quantities, including sprouted wheat bread, spelt bread, and amaranth and kamut pasta. The weight has not returned. Their best bet would be to approach the fast food companies about replacing those awful, gooey, white enriched buns that every burger comes on with something that has some actual nutritional value. Instead we get a tasteless gooey bun-mess that functions as a perfect insulin-provoking fattener, coupled with a heavily discounted combo-meal sugar drink and white potato fries. In addition to replacing the bun, cut the fies, offer bottled water with the combo for the same price as the sugar drink (most places now charge a premium, or offer no bottled water at all) and offer a side salad with sugar free olive oil based dressing

72 posted on 06/02/2003 7:07:53 AM PDT by Orbiting_Rosie's_Head
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Wolfie
Yeah, when all these newly thin people re-discover a burning desire to be fat....
73 posted on 06/02/2003 7:07:57 AM PDT by hobbes1 ( Hobbes1TheOmniscient® "I know everything so you don't have to" ;)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: Orbiting_Rosie's_Head
The Recipies in his cook book are fantastic...Had Chicken Breasts with lemon and capers last night......



And one of the Atkins Chocolate bars afterward....Unfrickinbelievable...!
74 posted on 06/02/2003 7:11:09 AM PDT by hobbes1 ( Hobbes1TheOmniscient® "I know everything so you don't have to" ;)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 72 | View Replies]

To: lelio
im not into milk either.. never was a big fan, but on the atkins diet i tried (heavy) cream.. and while i wouldnt sit down and drink a quart of it, it is pretty good.. MUCH better than milk..
75 posted on 06/02/2003 7:11:15 AM PDT by wafflehouse (the hell you say!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 22 | View Replies]

To: chilepepper
"The germans, russians and east europpeans all know how to make this black, chewey, nutricious and delicious whole wheat bread that is actually good for you..."

Americans make this sort of bread, too (this one's been eating it for years -- whole oat, pumpernickle, 12-grain, etc.). But those "nutritious" breads are still loaded with carbohydrates, which is simply not a good choice for people who are trying to lose weight.

And BTW, Europeans (both English and the continentals) eat far more white bread than Americans do. I lived in Europe for years, and always had a hard time finding decent whole-grain breads -- especially oat, my personal favorite. Nowadays, however, decent whole-grain breads can be found in England and Germany, but most of the continental countries are stuck on white flour for everything. Most Europeans still contentedly chomp on "French stick" type and other white flour variations, and also on white pastas. Whole grain pastas are almost impossible to find anywhere in continental Europe (again England fares a bit better). And in the few places they are found, they are practically unaffordable.

Whole Grains and Oat Power, Baybay!! YEAH!

76 posted on 06/02/2003 7:12:31 AM PDT by NH Liberty
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 66 | View Replies]

To: Maximum Leader
Go to T-Mag.com, and order their NO CARB Grow. all protein, and delicious, like a milkshake when made properly, I have 2 of the Vanilla every day....
77 posted on 06/02/2003 7:12:31 AM PDT by hobbes1 ( Hobbes1TheOmniscient® "I know everything so you don't have to" ;)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 47 | View Replies]

To: okkev68
right on.. its like my kryptonite..
78 posted on 06/02/2003 7:18:42 AM PDT by wafflehouse (the hell you say!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 62 | View Replies]

To: Centurion2000
Sorry I can't help you very much since all I drink is water, sugar free Country Time & diet soda's. I do know that there is a new sweetner on the market that is suppose to have great taste and is similar to sugar. I'll tell you what though, i'll look into it for you and see what I can dig up.
79 posted on 06/02/2003 7:33:02 AM PDT by HELLRAISER II
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 68 | View Replies]

Comment #80 Removed by Moderator


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-8081-86 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson