Carb-makers rejoice at demise of Atkins empire

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

[SmithL]

Bankruptcy shows diet is 'too extreme' for U.S., baker says.

In Boise, staff members of the Idaho Potato Commission gave each other gleeful high-fives when they heard the news. In Houston, the folks at the U.S. Rice Producers' Association declared "good riddance." And fruit farmers in the Central Valley said they were "happy to see them go."

Across the United States, producers of carbohydrate-laden food exulted at the decision by Atkins Nutritionals Inc., the Ronkonkoma, N.Y.-based designer of the once popular low-carbohydrate weight-loss program, to file for bankruptcy protection.

The company said it planned to reorganize and focus mainly on selling nutrition bars and shakes. But analysts and nutritionists said Atkins' bankruptcy filing effectively signaled the demise of the low-carb lifestyle and an era when tens of millions of Americans embraced high-protein diets rich in meat and cheese while eschewing carbohydrates and sugars in grains, fruits and vegetables.

"It just proves that what Atkins was trying to do was just too extreme," said Jeffrey Yankellow, a South San Francisco baking instructor and winner of the World Cup of Baking in Paris in April. "Bread has survived as a nutritional food for thousands of years, and Atkins isn't going to kill it."

In court papers, the company indicated that it was a victim of fierce competition from large food companies such as Unilever, Kraft Foods Inc. and General Mills Inc., which in the past few years rolled out their own lines of low-carb food.

[SmithL]

Son of a biscuit-eater!

[Revolting cat!]

Gimme bread and spuds, dude!

[Atlas Sneezed]

I suppose that maybe Atkins had a hard time making money on people not eating as much corb-heavy food.

[Revolting cat!]

Mmmmmm, potatoes!

[Moose4]

Which sucks, because I lost 60 pounds and managed to get off my diabetes medication by switching to a low-carb diet. They do work for some people, although I was getting sick of them being touted as the One True Way of Dieting. There is no real One True Way, you gotta find what works for you, and Atkins works for me.

}:-)4

[BigSkyFreeper]

Hardee's 1400-calorie Thickburger

[Republican Wildcat]

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

[muawiyah]

These guys are trying to kill off all diabetics.

We must fight back.

[muawiyah]

BTW, all the carbs are in the bun, which is readily removed and thrown in the trash where it belongs. The meat, cheese, and toppings are other perfectly edible.

[yooper]

I never could reconcile myself with a diet devoid of bread, and especially beer!

That said, I personally know people who lost major amounts of weight on the Atkins diet; they swear by it. My own suspicions are that high protein diets may result in weight loss, but are nevertheless unhealthy. What good is it if you lose 45 pounds and gain a 200+ cholesteral level.

My guess is that Atkins may work best and be healthiest when you avoid egg yolks, fatty meats such as beef, and stick to chicken and pork.

[andyk]

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.

[BigSkyFreeper]

I don't order the "hamburger pattie" on the kiddie menu.

[andyk]

What good is it if you lose 45 pounds and gain a 200+ cholesteral level.

Atkins diet followers consistently show lower levels of bad cholesterol. Ingesting cholesterol does not increase blood serum levels of cholesterol.

[Riemann]

because I lost 60 pounds and managed to get off my diabetes medication by switching to a low-carb diet.
Me too, fasting glucose <123 now.

[beezdotcom]

I never could reconcile myself with a diet devoid of bread, and especially beer!

Roman Meal Carb Aware, and Rolling Rock Green Light. No need to be deprived....

[ez]

What good is it if you lose 45 pounds and gain a 200+ cholesteral level.

I lost 32 lbs last year, and after a carb-filled holiday season, another 22 lbs so far this year. And my cholesterol is perfectly normal as of July 5.

I let myself off the diet every second or third weekend and on vacations and keep my weight fairly stable now. Atkins works but should be practised in moderation like anything else.

[Arizona]

The diet works and can be followed without using the Atkins products which are way overpriced.