Carb-makers rejoice at demise of Atkins empire

LA Times ^ | 8/2/5 | Jerry Hirsc

[kaktuskid]

it was just another fad that would not work and then would fade out.

It's been in use since the 70's. The diet is going nowhere. It works, but the gimmicky processed foods they tried to sell were a horrible idea. Most people only heard about it when low-carb became mainstream, but Atkins had been preaching it (and selling his diet books) for decades.

Low carb was around before Atkins...the diet was actually introduced in the 1880s by an Englishman named Banting. What happened to Atkins is what often happens when a charismatic founder dies...e g Ray Kroc...the company he runs goes into decline.

[Larry Lucido]

That would be great, if you remove the bun. :-)

[BigSkyFreeper]

They actually have a low carb version of the Thickburger, the bun is replaced with a lettuce wrap.

[leadhead]

As most of us predicted here on this forum - it was just another fad that would not work and then would fade out.

The theory didn't go bankrupt. The overpriced food supplier did.

Been on the diet,it works and I never bought any Atkins food because it wasn't necessary to the diet.

[andyk]

Low carb was around before Atkins...the diet was actually introduced in the 1880s by an Englishman named Banting. What happened to Atkins is what often happens when a charismatic founder dies...e g Ray Kroc...the company he runs goes into decline.

Very true.

[OldFriend]

It was only the food products company that applied for re-organization.

Lots of mis-reporting here.

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

Yum, yum, I'm going for four barrels.

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

Yum, yum, I'm going for four barrels.

[Mr. Jeeves]

"It just proves that what Atkins was trying to do was just too extreme,"

Atkins was right on - Americans are just too sugar-addicted and lack the self-discipline to stick with the diet for the several months it tales to achieve real results.

[kharaku]

It must be the same idiots rejoicing who were the same idiots shoving carb heavy 'low fat' sugar loaded foods down everyone's throat. The Atkins diet is still going strong, but in a fair market the best products survive not the first ones. Pasta, potato, and bread makers head better get innovative, or a lot more of them (as have) are going to go belly up.

[Jaysun]

The problem with Atkins is that their products aren't necessary to meet the objectives of the diet. You can eat meat, salad, and sugar free jello and lose weight without ever purchasing an Atkins product.

[skinkinthegrass]

My "Twinkies", are safe NOW...Interbrand Bakerys, Inc. can now be bought back to health. (they also declared Bankruptcy)

[mcshot]

That is my experience as well.

mc

[TXBubba]

I bet the Kidney and Heart Associations are also rejoicing. The Atkins low carb diet sent many women to the hospital with kidney stones. The body has to have enough carbs to function properly.

[Diego1618]

High cholesteral in itself is not a danger to your health. I'm told that it is the "Ratio" of good to bad cholesteral that is important... and in my case after losing 55 lbs. my cholesteral went up...but the ratio improved tremendously. My Oncologist said "Whatever you're doing seems to be working. Keep it up".

Cancer free now four years and counting!

[SamAdams76]

I'm a big fan of the Atkins low-carb approach. In fact, I refer to it as "normal-carb" diet. It allowed me to lose over 100 pounds during 2003 and for the past two years, I've been maintaining a close to normal weight. Sure beats being obese during all those years I had a "high-carb" diet.

BTW, I skipped the induction phase which I think was totally unnecessary. I just dropped my carb intake to about 100 grams a day and did a five-mile walk every day.

Where I think the Atkins company went wrong was when they started introducing all those low-carb "candy bars" and other such junk.

When the Atkins Diet was associated with a healthy diet of meat, cheese, fish, nuts, olive oil, lamps, yogurt, and berries, it was good. But then when Atkins put their name on all those "low-carb" junk foods, they started losing a lot of credibility.

[SamAdams76]

This whole "cholesterol" thing is a myth when applied to low-carb eating. It's not how much cholesterol you consume but how your body processes cholesterol that matters. A healthy diet of natural foods with regular exercise will keep your cholesterol under control no matter how much cholesterol you take in.

Consider that even in the total lack of cholesterol in your diet, your body will simply manufacture its own cholesterol!

For years, I have had at least two eggs a day, lots of cheese, red meat and nuts. I will even eat a plate of cooked chicken livers! Yet my cholesterol is consistently in the 175 to 185 range. I also walk 5 miles per day.

[SamAdams76]

This whole "cholesterol" thing is a myth when applied to low-carb eating. It's not how much cholesterol you consume but how your body processes cholesterol that matters. A healthy diet of natural foods with regular exercise will keep your cholesterol under control no matter how much cholesterol you take in.

Consider that even in the total lack of cholesterol in your diet, your body will simply manufacture its own cholesterol!

For years, I have had at least two eggs a day, lots of cheese, red meat and nuts. I will even eat a plate of cooked chicken livers! Yet my cholesterol is consistently in the 175 to 185 range. I also walk 5 miles per day.

[Warren_Piece]

And Jared rejoiced...