Interesting comment in an article on NY Times.com today regarding record high prices of beef. Here's a quote from the article...

"Demand for beef has surged with the industry's development of juicier cuts and the new popularity of the Atkins diet, which promotes high protein meals. Americans are eating 67 pounds of beef a year per capita now, 3 more pounds than a decade ago. "

Here's the link....

Beef Prices & Atkins