| Subject: Askin' about Atkins: Healthy? |
Author:
Betty
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Date Posted: 13:34:41 06/22/04 Tue
In reply to:
Betty
's message, "Warnings about low-carb/Atkins diets" on 13:10:34 06/22/04 Tue
Askin' about Atkins
Low carb diets may be popular,
but are they healthy?
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By MARK A. SIEFERT
June 18, 2004
If you listen to the mass media, you'd think carbohydrates are more dangerous than plutonium.
In a nation coming to grips with its expanding waistline, the desire to lose weight is becoming an obsession, and the diet de jour is the "low carb" approach.
But many medical professional say cutting out carbohydrates and consuming just fat and protein may lead to serious health problems such as liver problems, gout and a condition called ketosis where the body begins to burn essential proteins when carbohydrates are not present.
"I think you'll find that most dieticians don't look favorably upon them," said Kathy Briggs, registered dietician with Oconomowoc Memorial Hospital, when talking about low-carb diets. "They eliminate entire categories of foods. The foods they eliminate - the grain products, the fruits and some vegetables - are foods that are well documented to have a lot of health benefits. In fact, I get research on a daily basis citing a here-to-fore unknown benefit for a vegetable of whole grain."
The most popular low-carb diets on the market is the Atkins Diet. Developed nearly 30 years ago by the late Dr. Robert C. Atkins, the basic concept is to cut out all carbohydrates (e.g. grains, fruits, vegetables, sugars) and eat a high-fat, high-protein diet to cause the body to burn more fat.
"The theory is that by reducing your carbohydrate intake, you're going to reduce the production of insulin, which will thereby reduce the craving for carbohydrates," Briggs said. "The other theory is that you tend to feel fuller when you eat these high-fat and high-protein foods."
This particular diet fad has prompted many restaurants to offer low carb foods on their menus. Subway, Schlotzsky's Deli and Arby's offer the option of "wraps," in which the bread is replaced with a low-carb piece of flat-bread similar to a tortilla. Burger King and Hardee's offer hamburgers that omit the bun and wrap the meat in lettuce.
Cousins Subs is bucking the trend of the low-carb restaurant meals with this week's introduction of three Ciabatta sandwiches, all made on a new full-flavored Italian bread.
Low-car diet manuals are also the rage. Online bookstore Amazon.com lists "The South Beach Diet" by Dr. Arthur Agatston, another low-carb diet manual, as No. 9 on its bestseller list.
"We have sold a little over 500 copies of 'The South Beach Diet,'" said Diana Cohen, owner of Books & Company in the Whitman Park Shopping Center. "It's been on the (New York Times) bestseller list for a little over a year."
Cohen said the bookstore has sold more than 400 copies of "Doctor Atkins' New Diet Revolution," the bible of the low-carb diet movement, since it first got them in.
In light of the possible health risks, what is the appeal behind low-carb diets?
"I think people are led to believe that they will lose weight quickly and that it will be a little less painful than other diets they may have tried," Briggs said. "They are led to believe that they can pretty much eat all they want as long as they stay away from carbohydrates."
Although Briggs said you can lose weight using low-carb diets, there are healthier alternatives that overweight people can use.
"There is no easy answer," Briggs said. "I know that sounds unglamorous but it's not rocket science. You still have to eat less and exercise more."
Briggs suggests that a healthier way to lose weight is to include a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables whole grains, "healthy fats" in moderation and lean sources of protein
"In other words, you have to cut back on the junk food." she said.
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