Official: Atkins diet can be deadly Jo Revill, health editor Sunday September 21, 2003 The Observer The first official warning about the dangers of the Atkins diet has been issued by the Government amid concern about the rising number of people opting for the high-fat, high-protein regime. The Food Standards Agency, which is responsible for all the Government's nutritional guidance, has published a statement alerting the public to the health risks of low-carbohydrate diets, including Atkins, claiming that they are linked to heart disease, cancer and even obesity. In the past two months senior nutritionists have held talks with the Department of Health about the slimming fad and were asked to investigate the full risks of the diet. But Ministers, who did not want to be accused of running a 'nanny state' by issuing the warning themselves, decided that it would be best if they were distanced from the advice, by letting it come from food experts. The dangers are clearly spelt out on the agency's website, without actually naming the Atkins diet, which has been tried by more than three million people in Britain. 'Cutting out starchy foods, or any food group, can be bad for your health because you could be missing out on a range of nutrients,' the statement says. 'This type of diet also tends to be unrealistic and dull, and not palatable enough to be tolerated for a long time.' It adds: 'High-fat diets are also associated with obesity, which is increasing in the UK. People who are obese are more likely to develop conditions such as diabetes and some cancers. Low-carb diets tend to be high in fat, too, and eating a diet that is high in fat could increase your chances of developing coronary heart disease.' The advice, compiled in a question-and-answer style by senior nutritionist Sam Church, states that rather than trying to avoid carbohydrates, it is better to base your meals on them so they make up one-third of your diet. But she does not include a warning about the possible risk of kidney or liver disease for anyone who spends a long time on the diet, possibly because of lack of reliable research to back such claims. Dr Atkins' Diet Revolution toppled Harry Potter and The Order of The Phoenix off the number one spot during the summer; it now stands at six the UK bestseller list, having sold more than half a million copies in the past year. Supermarkets report a surge in meat and cheese sales and a slump in pasta and rice. The price of eggs has risen by 9 per cent, bringing fears of a shortage because devotees of the diet are using the food as a way of ensuring their daily fix of protein. Some sandwich bars are also offering 'Atkins-friendly' meals, such as chicken and salad, to respond to demand and counteract the fall in sandwich sales, as bread is on the banned list. A spokeswoman for the Atkins company argued that research showed it was consumption of large amounts of carbohydrates with a high-glycemic index, such as white bread, white rice or white potatoes, which increased the risk of coronary heart disease. 'At all stages of Atkins, we encourage consumption of nutrient-dense foods including plenty of vegetables, with the introduction of fruits and wholegrains later in the programme as one approaches ideal weight,' she added.
I have noticed that a lot of people think that on Atkins it is nothing but fats and beef and cheese. I eat skinless chicken, eggs, nuts, fish and a lot of veggies. I also control my portions and do not use butter. If I ate all that fat and cheese every day, I would not lose weight.
I agree. Seems like nearly all of the criticism of the diet, and of all diets like it, is based on what the critic thinks the diet is rather than on what it actually is. But what is most encouraging to me is the level of attention which is being brought to bear on this issue in the media, particularly with regard to children and their sugar/starch diets. And thanks to whomever for bringing this thread back on-topic. It's worth following again.
one thing that always helped me, though I have yet to Do it, is Tony Robbins' phrase: "eat water-rich foods" ... meaning whenever I think of what I'm eating, it should mostly have water in it, meaning fruits and veggies, vs all the processed high-salt high-fat stuff you find in the middle aisles of the grocery store.. that's another tip, eg most of what you buy, should be from the edge of the grocery store (fresh produce etc) and not the middle aisles of the grocer, which has all the processed stuff.. easier said than done though.. the older i get, the tougher it is to motivate myself to exercise and eat right... though, drinking a lot of water every day, >100 oz, helps.. ken
Consider giving up your car. Unless it's something I can't fit in my backpack, I take my bicycle everywhere: the grocery store (though I have to go more often since I can't carry as much, which prompts more exercise, which is the whole point), the library, the malls, the parks. In the last six months, I doubt that I've put more than 20 miles on my car, and all to the good. I've been through treadmills and so forth, but I eventually tire of them because I never wind up anywhere. The bike gets me out and accomplishing something. Plus I get to feel superior to everybody who's polluting the air Using your bike to run errands is probably the simplest form of exercise there is other than walking (but most people aren't going to walk five miles just for a gallon of milk). And it's exercise with a purpose other than the exercise, which means that you're more likely to do it. Granted you may not be able to do it all the time, depending on where you live, but even in the worst climates, you ought to be able to use your bike six months out of the year.
lol guys, ... right dbp ... nice idea re biking... I live in honolulu, no excuse not to bike (except our reallly bad drivers here)... but, biking around the suburbs here, likely a good thing to do... appreciate it! agree re treadmill, even though mine's positioned with a great oceanfront view (and my wife's lost 15 lbs in 5 months). .. i find it hard to get excited about plodding along getting nowhere.. hmm where's a good place to buy a bike? walmart? sports authority? or a specialty bike shop? a decent 10speed should be good.. ken