health & science news
Wednesday, Feb 25, 2004

Low-carb diet craze could backfire, say experts



(CBC) - The low-carb craze has dominated the food market but doctors warn the high calories in the diet could backfire.

Unlike other diets that come and go, the Atkins and South Beach diets seem to have sparked a fundamental change in North American eating habits.

Sales of high-carb foods such as potatoes, bread and even orange juice are on the decline.

The fast-food industry is rushing to cash in with low-carb menu options. There's an estimated $25 million market for low-carb bread, beer and pasta.

University of Alberta cardiology resident Dr. Evan Lockwood worries about the "hype factor," where people do variations of the diet without the hard work or research.

"So they're not exercising, they're not doing anything else," said Lockwood. "They say 'I cut out eating white potatoes and rice and now I'm on a low-carb diet' and I don't think that's quite true."

Lockwood says he's done the work and research. Since starting on Atkins in September, he's lost 35 pounds by exercising more and eliminating not just carbs but greasy, fatty foods as well.

The Center for Science in the Public Interest in Washington worries the diet's true message will be missed in the barrage of low-carb hype.

"The food industry is always looking for an opportunity to sell any kind of food," said Bonnie Liebman of the centre. "If they can convince people that switching to a lower carb bread or cake or ice cream or cookie will make them stay slim, the food industry jumps right in."

Liebman said it could lead to more overweight people, if they assume they can walk into a restaurant and have a 1,000-calorie low-carb meal and not gain weight.

Despite the promise of quick weight loss on tasty food, doctors say exercise and sensible eating are still the best route to good health.

Hmmmm. I never read the part in the book where you don't exercise,cut out potatoes and white rice and lose weight? Think he read the book?

Why are we always worried about what STUPID people will do?
They do what they always do...half-assed attempts based on what they vaguely remember hearing on the news.
Still, cutting carbs should work better than stuffing down the cokes and twinkies...

Doctors warn the high calories in the diet could back fire? Wait a minute, I thought all the critics said that the only reason Atkins works is because it cuts calories!! It seems they want it both ways.

Some of us are worried about what stupid people do, because a group and a group's credibility is often judged by the stupid people in it, particularly when they are in large numbers.

If someone finds the cure for stupid people doing stupid things they'll be very rich!

I'm with Adkpam. Let them be stupid.