Study: Carb-Counting Goes on After Diets

NEW YORK (AP) -- The low-carbohydrate dieting trend may have peaked, but consumers continue to watch their carbohydrate intake after going off the diets, according to a study published Wednesday.

The survey by Morgan Stanley analysts estimated that 13 percent of the U.S. population was on the Atkins, South Beach, or other low-carb diet in January. Participation has since trailed off to 11 percent.

The study surveyed 2,500 adults in late March and questioned focus groups. Its findings suggest the low-carb phenomenon could have lasting implications for food and beverage companies.

"Consumers' inclination to limit carb consumption persists even after they're no longer on the diet and many consumers continue to be interested in the potential health benefits of a low-carb lifestyle," the analysts said.

Experience with a low-carb diet appears to radically change many consumers' self-discipline, awareness of nutrition issues, and even taste preferences, according to the survey. This may mean high-carb categories with some nutritional value such as oatmeal or yogurt may recover as the number of active dieters decline, according to the analysts. However, other categories such as carbonated soft drinks and candy could remain hurt by the trend.

Food and beverage companies have rushed to market with reduced-carb versions of their products, but these companies may have to rethink some of these items, since some of them are seen as unhealthy by carb-watchers.

"Our consumer research indicates that new low-carb product introductions that have legitimate nutritional credentials may have staying power, whereas those in inherently indulgent categories are more likely to fail," said food analyst David Adelman.

Morgan Stanley beverage analyst William Pecoriello expects both regular and carbonated soft drinks could lose out to water as consumers lose their taste for sweet drinks. He expects the mid-calorie and reduced carb options that are on the way from beverage companies are unlikely to alter this shift.

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I'm relieved to hear that. It shows me that these people have adopted a new lifestyle rather than just "doing Atkins for a while to lose weight". I certainly am very aware of the carbs I eat daily.

I think this shows that people who have done diets before and gained back the weight are finally realizing they have to keep doing the diet!

I think I am learning that lesson this time around.

I think more importantly this points to the sustainability of low-carbing. My doctor told me that LC is not sustainable. Well, I'm here over two years later to tell her, "yes it is."

I do hope you're gloating a bit, Deb.

My craving for foods with fat and protein was what always made me yoyo upwards after losing weight from a lowfat diet. Eventually I just had to have those (and of course was still eating the carbs). I feel so much better now, this lifestyle is so much more sustainable and I feel great.

I think the trend has yet to peak. There are so many overweight and unhealthy people in the US alone, unless they are doing nothing to help themselves I suspect many will eventually turn to Atkins- and many of those will see great results!

I'm still trying to work out why it's 'not sustainable'. A low-fat diet was never sustainable for me because I'd always start needing meat and fat, too. I've been LCing for six months now, although the past three I've been in a holding pattern weight-wise, and I have no problems with continuing to eat like this, whereas I sure did with low-fat.