The Deceitful Atkins Diet
June 16th 2006 03:49
The Atkins Diet - Low-carb Hogwash
The Atkins Nutritional Approach, popularly known as the Atkins diet or just Atkins, is the most marketed and well-known of the low-carbohydrate diets. Dr Robert Atkins, who developed this diet claimed that there are two main unrecognised factors about Western eating habits, arguing firstly that the main cause of obesity is eating refined carbohydrates particularly sugar, flour, and high-fructose corn syrups (which is an agreeable argument); and secondly, that saturated fat is overrated as a nutritional problem, and that only trans fats from sources such as hydrogenated oils need to be avoided – this is of course untrue.
As you are probably already aware, saturated fat is a very bad kind of fat like trans fat and contributes greatly to not just obesity but also Cardiovascular Disease (caused by fatty deposits that get lodged in the arteries from ingesting saturated fat).You may have read from my Fats blog, that the National Heart Foundation of Australia found a strong relationship between consuming saturated fats and Cardiovascular Disease. This evidence has been backed by many other studies throughout the world.
The entire theoretical framework of low carbohydrate diets, such as the Atkins and The Zone diets are based on the belief that insulin is the root of all evil and so to limit insulin release one needs to limit carbohydrate intake. What they overlook is that protein and fat-rich foods may induce substantial insulin secretion as well!
Both the American College of Nutrition (“Of all the bizarre diets that have been proposed in the last 50 years, this is the most dangerous to the public if followed for any length of time.") and the American Medical Association (“the Atkins diet as recommended poses a serious threat to health”) disapprove of the diet.
Ignoring all arguments for and against the Atkins diet and avoiding all bias and media influences, let’s just use common sense: We need carbohydrates for energy production in our bodies. We need to keep a balanced diet with natural right-off-the-tree foods like fruit and vegetables (which contain mostly carbohydrates). So where’s the sense in the Atkins diet?
References
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atkins_diet
http://www.atkinsexposed.org
The Atkins Nutritional Approach, popularly known as the Atkins diet or just Atkins, is the most marketed and well-known of the low-carbohydrate diets. Dr Robert Atkins, who developed this diet claimed that there are two main unrecognised factors about Western eating habits, arguing firstly that the main cause of obesity is eating refined carbohydrates particularly sugar, flour, and high-fructose corn syrups (which is an agreeable argument); and secondly, that saturated fat is overrated as a nutritional problem, and that only trans fats from sources such as hydrogenated oils need to be avoided – this is of course untrue.
As you are probably already aware, saturated fat is a very bad kind of fat like trans fat and contributes greatly to not just obesity but also Cardiovascular Disease (caused by fatty deposits that get lodged in the arteries from ingesting saturated fat).You may have read from my Fats blog, that the National Heart Foundation of Australia found a strong relationship between consuming saturated fats and Cardiovascular Disease. This evidence has been backed by many other studies throughout the world.
Feel like a nice crisp apple? Not allowed on the Atkins diet!
Both the American College of Nutrition (“Of all the bizarre diets that have been proposed in the last 50 years, this is the most dangerous to the public if followed for any length of time.") and the American Medical Association (“the Atkins diet as recommended poses a serious threat to health”) disapprove of the diet.
Ignoring all arguments for and against the Atkins diet and avoiding all bias and media influences, let’s just use common sense: We need carbohydrates for energy production in our bodies. We need to keep a balanced diet with natural right-off-the-tree foods like fruit and vegetables (which contain mostly carbohydrates). So where’s the sense in the Atkins diet?
References
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atkins_diet
http://www.atkinsexposed.org
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Comment by Bunbury
Comment by edward
Rocky's Running Diary
Still, this is clearly not the best diet option. The best diet option is a moderate carb, protein emphasised diet, with all low GI carbs (fruit excepted), whole grains, lean proteins, and decent amounts of mono and poly unsaturated fats. The closest commercial diet to this would be the CSIRO diet, although the sodium level is questionable.
Good report!
Comment by edward
Rocky's Running Diary
Comment by RachDegab
I just wish we didn't have to keep calling eating habits 'diets' - I mean the model I have is basically what Edward said as the 'best diet option'- life should just be about eating well and exercising, we shouldn't have to worry about 'diets' - just eat sensibly all the time and you'll be fine. People need to forget about all this media mumbo jumbo that promises 'Revolutionary Results' and just eat healthily - have a balanced diet.
I don't know much about the CSIRO diet - im very interested though, it's similar to Ed's 'best diet option' right? Whats wrong its sodium levels though?
And yes low GI is the best option - have at look at my GI post.
Comment by edward
Rocky's Running Diary
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