Low carb evolution
IS the low carb movement just a fad? Is it dying? Did the low carbohydrate diet kill the man who made it famous? Is the death of the company that started it all equal to the death of the movement? Is the science behind it weak?
On April 17th 2003, the modern father of the low carbohydrate movement, 71-year-old Dr Robert Atkins, died after being in a coma for 10 days. He had a fall on an icy sidewalk while walking to work. He was the uncrowned king of the modern “low carbohydrate movement”. He was controversial while alive, and sadly, even more after his death.
Some quarters pointed to his bloated body at death as a failure of his famous “meat and veggies” diet. But it was explained that he rapidly gained water weight while in coma as doctors pumped him with steroids to quell his swelling brain.
As recently as May 2004, some medical studies supported the low-carb approach, while others criticised it. Two articles in the May 2004 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine supported diets similar to the Atkins approach. Some studies reported that after a year, people on the low-carb diet had better triglyceride and HDL levels than those on a conventional low-fat diet, although weight loss was similar between the two groups.
Now the company that started it all is dying. As many of you would have read, Atkins Nutritionals Inc filed for bankruptcy court protection on July 31, 2005. It was again “bashing time” for the low carbohydrate movement. Surely the death of the company that spawned the low carbohydrate movement tells an ominous story, went the talk.
This is not about low carb diets failing – it is about a particular company failing. A failing company does not mean a failing industry. It is just like the death of the dotcoms ? it did not mean the end of the digital age. Did the death of so many computer companies signal the end of computers?
We need to be clear in defining the low carb science and the low carb business.
What really has happened here is that most of the key messages of the low carb diet have become mainstream. They are today a part of the modern lifestyle. It took the low carb diet movement to remind people how healthy vegetables and fruits are. It also reminded us how insidious the soda, potato chip, french fries, high sugar lifestyle have become.
Diet soda options have multiplied 10-fold. You can get pretty much anything minus the sugar these days. There is now a spectrum of choices for sugar-free candies. Low carb movement brought this to us. Eggs are back in fashion. Fish and fowl are on the increase.
About choices
Capitalism works because people buy what they can afford, choosing from products that meet their needs. It is great for the low carb movement that there are now a great number of choices when it comes to sugar-free syrup, sugar-free candy, sugar-free chocolate, even sugar-free jelly beans. None of those products existed a few years ago. It is thanks to Atkins and the other low carb gurus that people are finally becoming more healthy in what they eat. Indeed, the sales of the low carb books have actually increased and even more newer low carb books hit the shelves.
Studies are showing that 80% or more of US consumers now pay attention to what carbs they eat. They eat less white bread, more whole grain bread. They drink more diet soda, less sugar-filled soda. People who used to pump fruit juices into their kids now know that they have just as much sugar as sodas.
Sodas banned
In some schools in the US, sodas are being banned. Junk food sales are being banned – even though this impacts the school’s budget. Meals are being redone so that they have far more vegetables, and more whole grains. Sugary snacks are being reduced. All of that is the message of low carb movement.
The new USDA food pyramids tell the same story. They now promote healthy balanced meals, with whole grain instead of processed grain. They promote healthy vegetable consumption – and the potato chip does not count as a vegetable any more! They talk about healthy oils such as olive oil.
It is time for all of us to understand that our joint mission is to eat more healthily, to eat until we are full (not stuffed), and to promote healthy eating to those we love and live with.
Survey
Indeed, the low carb movement is here to stay. According to new consumer research conducted in June 2004 by The Natural Marketing Institute (NMI), based on a survey of 1,322 US households, more than one in five (21%) Americans are currently attempting to maintain or lose weight by managing their carbohydrate intake. “People definitely consider the low carb approach to be legitimate,” notes Steve French, NMI’s managing partner.
In reality, managing carbs is easily understood. In the case of weight loss, it has higher levels of success. There is also a wide array of new scientific research substantiating this approach.
Several studies show the consumer base for low carb products is maintaining healthy levels. Opinion Dynamics Corp’s (ODC) July consumer survey found no significant drop in the percentage of adults on a low carb diet over the last eight months. Since December, ODC reported that 11% to 12% of the US population is on a low carb diet. However, ODC did report a decline in the percentage of the public who say they are making an effort to restrict their carbs, but are not on a low carb diet (32% in April, 21% in July).
So, is the low carb movement dying? No! It is evolving. The science is gaining all the time. Welcome to healthy eating!
Source: Survey done by Opinion Dynamics Corporation, August 2005
References:
1. Yancy WS Jr et al. A low-carbohydrate, ketogenic diet versus a low-fat diet to treat obesity and hyperlipidemia: A randomized, controlled trial. Ann Intern Med 2004 May 18; 140:769-77.
2. Stern L et al. The effects of low-carbohydrate versus conventional weight loss diets in severely obese adults: One-year follow-up of a randomized trial. Ann Intern Med 2004 May 18; 140:778-85.
3. Willett WC. Reduced-carbohydrate diets: No roll in weight management? Ann Intern Med 2004 May 18; 140:836-7.
Rajen M. is a pharmacist with a doctorate in holistic medicine. Write to him at
starhealth@thestar.com.my The views expressed are those of the writer and readers are advised to always consult expert advice before undertaking any changes to their lifestyles. The views and opinions expressed in this column are solely that of the author’s. The Star does not give any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to such information. The Star disclaims all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.
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September 19th, 2005, 06:39 PM
Low Carb Just a Fad? 
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