The funny thing on this is that if we could go back in time in Britain let's say, 300-400 years, after the Dark Ages and before the mass introduction of sugar, we would find the average well-off Briton eating a very Atkins-like diet (except for a relatively large quantity of homemade bread and potatoes), with a breakfast of bacon, herring, and eggs and butter on toast, and with a choice piece of meat at most every meal, along with potatoes and vegetables fried in suet or bacon fat...(at least in the relatively comfortable families, i.e. those with the longest life expectancies...).
I think it was Kyrasdad (Sp?) who made an absolutely great remark in pointing out that it is really unbelievable that dieteticians and doctors would condemn a diet of meat, vegetables, fish, dairy, nuts, and fruit...While enthusiastically endorsing weight-loss surgery! What gives??