Same Old Atkins?
Atkins Reps Say Diet Has Not Been Changed, Despite Recent Reports
link to ABC article
N E W Y O R K, Jan. 20 — Dr. Stuart Trager, of the Atkins' diet group, says the low-carb diet plan has not made any recent modifications, despite a report that its followers are being encouraged to cut back on the beef.
Trager, the chairman of the Atkins Physicians Council, an advisory group of medical doctors that advises, among others, Atkins Nutritionals Inc., told ABCNEWS' Good Morning America that the Atkins diet plan offers the same guidelines as it did back in 1972, when Dr. Robert Atkins first introduced the plan.
"We're not changing our message. It's still a diet that lets people eat liberally," Trager said. "For years and years, Dr. Atkins has always talked about this being a balance of fats and proteins and a variety."
While a front-page story in Sunday's New York Times article reports that Colette Heimowitz, the director of research and education for Atkins Nutritionals, is telling health professionals in seminars around the country that only 20 percent of a dieter's calories should come from saturated fat, Trager says people have misinterpreted Heimowitz's instructions. He says, despite all the talk, the diet has not been modified at all.
"The number, 20 percent came about when we tried to calculate from our diet plans what we're actually recommending in terms of what you eat. The Atkins induction phase where 60 percent of your calories come from fat, 20 percent ends up being saturated fat," Trager said. "We're not changing our message. It's still a diet that let's people eat liberally."
A press statement released Tuesday by Atkins said: "Atkins has not changed. The basic tenets of the Atkins Nutritional Approach, consistent since 1972, are control the intake of refined carbohydrates (like sugar and white flour), eat a balance of fats (including saturated fat but not trans fats) and a balance of proteins including red meat. Saturated fat remains a valuable part of the Atkins Nutritional Approach."
Meanwhile, some doctors say they are not comfortable recommending the Atkins diet in its current design.
Dr. David L. Katz, of the Yale Prevention Research Center in Derby, Conn., has strongly steered his patients away from the Atkins diet.
"All major organizations involved in nutrition recommend a saturated fat intake maximally half of what Atkins is now recommending, namely 10 percent of calories," Katz said. "Most such groups and I share this view and recommend a total (regular) fat intake of approximately 20 to 25 percent of calories."
Katz says the threshold chosen by the Atkins camp is clearly excessive.
Dr. Joe Breault, of the Ochsner Clinic Foundation in New Orleans said that Atkins can work, but is best when a modified approach is used.
"My patients who keep to the Atkins diet with sensible modifications (limit saturated fats, portion size) and do exercise have great results in weight loss, cholesterol readings and health," Breault said. "I agree with (Atkins) that carbs are generally bad for you in the amounts and types Americans consume. Unfortunately, the issue is complex and hard to explain in a 15-minute visit," he said.
Meanwhile, Stuart says he believes the Atkins diet, without modifications, works best since most people don't like a lot of restrictions.
"We're finding that people don't like to be told what not to eat when it comes to foods that taste good," Trager said.
Re: Good Morning America Atkins program
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