September 20, 2002:
-
- In The News:
Here's a Health News article wherein the reporter looks at the ramifications for
everything from our government's Food Pyramid, to the School Lunch Program when
the myth of the low-fat dogma can no longer hold up under the strain of its crumbling
lack of foundation. Check out Why Low-fat's In The Fire.
-
July 7, 2002:
-
- In The News:
Ever notice how once a "cat is out of the bag", the news simply cannot be
stopped? Scientists are waking up to the truth. You have to see
the latest dramatic article that appeared in the
New York Times today! Click here to read Gary Taubes' "What if it's all been a Big
Fat Lie?"
(If you don't currently have an account set up at the NYT website, it
will ask you to register before reading the story. Registering is fast, safe, and
free.)
The truth isn't going away, people.
-
April 29, 2002:
-
- In The News:
More Extremely Important News! For those of you thinking
that only adults need to look at their dietary problems with an eye toward ending
obesity, you'll want to see this! And if you're going to be having a baby soon, you'll
definitely want to see it.
This new report, called "Programmed Obesity Handed
Down To Next Generation" from International Science News illustrates that
newborns taking in high-carbohydrate formulas and infant foods may be set up for a
lifetime of obesity, as they are changed at a molecular level.
Here's a link to the original story at
International Science News. As always, if the article has
expired, our reprint can be found here.
The dangers of high carbohydrate diets continue to come to light...
-
April 24, 2002:
-
- In The News:
Okay, I consider this news to be HUGE. Apparently, so do many, many of
our readers. After my husband first called the news to my attention this morning,
my mailbox FILLED with our visitors who wrote to share this story as well. And the
news? Basically that heating carbohydrate rich foods causes them to contain
dangerously high levels of a carcinogen known as acrylamide.
The National Institutes of Health calls acrylamide "Reasonably Anticipated to be a
Human Carcinogen." It was concluded by the World Health Organization that "acrylamide
is a genotoxic carcinogen." In a long-term carcinogenicity study in rats exposed
via drinking-water, acrylamide induced scrotal, thyroid, and adrenal tumours in males,
and mammary, thyroid, and uterine tumours in females.
This article has appeared across a number of sources. Here's a link to the one
at
Yahoo. As always, if the article has expired, our reprint
can be found here.
Another reason low carb is healthy...
-
April 14, 2002:
-
- In The News:
One of our Canadian visitors sent us to a link to an editorial in the
Montreal Gazette. It strongly
recommends the Canadian government take steps to encourage Canadians to reduce
their sugar/refined carb intake, citing the many documented negative health
effects that result from a carb-heavy diet. Every time an article like this
appears, we progress a little more in setting things right. If the article
has expired, our reprint can be found here.
Thanks, Amanda, for bringing this to our attention!
-
April 7, 2002:
-
- In The News:
A visitor alerted us to an article from New
Scientist Magazine about the discovery that a diet filled with sugars and starches
causes vision problems (notably "short-sightedness" — what we call near-sightedness in
America.) The original article can be found here,
and if it's expired, we've reprinted it here.
But while we weren't surprised to see one more symptom of a carb-overloaded diet,
we were surprised at the total suppression of this news story in America.
We searched AP, Reuters, HealthScout, MSNBC Health News, etc... no U.S. outlets
carried the story. Yet it was picked up all over the rest of the world (we
found it on NineMSN (in Australia), The Guardian and the BBC News in England, and
elsewhere in Europe. This goes under "things that make you go Hmmmmmmmmmmm...."
-
June 26, 2001:
-
- In The Media:
In last night's editions of both NBC Nightly News, and ABC's 20/20 Downtown,
the issue of low-carbing was brought to light – powerfully, and with a strong positive
spin! After these programs aired, we received 137 e-mails telling us about
it and/or sending us to the information. So as always, we bring it to you now.
First up, NBC Nightly News' report Cutting Back on
Carbohydrates — Scientists back concept of glycemic index. Here's a transcript
of that report in case you weren't fortunate enough to see it for yourself.
Please note that this report is based on new research at Harvard University.
(We've included links to the video of the program.)
Then, check out this ABC News 20/20 Downtown report
on how R&B Legend Luther Vandross had phenomenal – and finally permanent – success
at weight loss and health through low-carbing. [Yes, they still felt obligated to
add one small paragraph noting that some dietitians still think low-carbing is
unhealthy, but they extensively quote an expert who feels the opposite.]
Two amazing reports as we see low-carbing coming into the mainstream as we always
said it would. This is, again, the paradigm shift we spoke of.
-
June 19, 2001:
-
- In The Media:
In today's Washington Post, a study done by
NHLBI (National Heart,
Lung, and Blood Institute) declare carbohydrates problematic for those at risk
of heart attacks and those wishing to get their cholesterol and triglycerides
levels in line. While they still declare that carbs can't make you fat (they really
need to hang on to that belief, don't they?), they now state that "the evidence
has accumulated to the point that" these recommendations and observations can no
longer be denied. Check it out — it's worth the read.
-
June 11, 2001:
-
- In The Media:
It's official: Obesity now tops smoking as a
major health risk. I suppose they'll just be recommending more
low-fat diets, right?
-
June 11, 2001:
-
- In The Media:
In a long overdue article about the dangers of
trans fats, a close look is taken at trans fatty acids' link to substantial
diabetes risk. We try to hammer this home every day here at LCL — DON'T use
hydrogenated oils or margarines. Read on...
-
April/May 2001:
-
- In The Media:
In the grand-daddy of all articles featured here, this
indepth report from SCIENCE MAGAZINE is a must-read.
Here's
the link at Science Magazine. (If it does not take you directly to the full
article, use this
link instead.) It's long — it prints out to 13-18 pages of text (depends on
your browser), but print it. Read it in bed if you have to! Just don't miss this
one. If you've ever wondered about the beginnings of the low-fat movement,
how and when it happened, who drove it, and what science (or lack thereof)
it was based on, this will answer all your questions. While they don't really
delve into the low-carb issue, their report often compares the effects of
dietary carbohydrates to dietary fat where cholesterol is concerned and offer
some real eye-openers.
Anne Boyd, who first alerted us to this article, had the following to say:
"The article is all the more significant because it appears in a highly
respected journal – Science Magazine, which is a peer-reviewed journal
published by the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
The article discusses the 50-year history behind the recommendation that we
all eat a low-fat diet, and how the recommendation grew out of politics and
is in fact not supported by good scientific evidence."
Out of thirteen lengthy and hard-hitting pages, we're a tad disappointed that
after they drove their point home over and over again, the last paragraph
is weak and waffles greatly. But don't let that distract you from this terrific
piece of journalism based on REAL research rather than repeating the traditional
dogmatic chant.
Our sincere thanks to the staff at Science Magazine for allowing us to present
this to you.
-
April 13, 2001:
-
- In The Media:
In a MoneyScope feature for ABC's 20/20,
reporter Arnold Diaz reports
that there's movement afoot to halt the claims of "low carb" by the FDA starting
with protein bars. This report — driven in large part by data from Center
for Science in the Public Interest (a group AVIDLY against low-carbing and
pushing hard for the USDA to recommend even MORE carbs and grains and get rid
of meat from the American Diet) — compares calories and fat content between things
like Pure Protein Bar and MetRx with sugar filled items like
Kellogg's Nutri-Grain and Candy Bars. Absurd of course.
Did you know the
FDA has already made both Atkins and Premier stop labeling their bars "low carb"
and they say they "...anticipate that all bars with "low carb" labels will be
off shelves within three to four months."?
They also cite Biochem's Ultimate Lo Carb Bar as containing "low carb"
claims on their labels, when the FDA states such a claim has never been approved
for use. They further attack bars like Atkins for separating glycerin from
the carb count when glycerin is legally a carb. Here's MY opinion on this — yes,
glycerin is legally a carb and should therefore be listed on the label
rather than ignored, HOWEVER, it should be separated from other carbs since
it does not raise blood sugar as other carbs do. It should be listed, but separate.
What they SHOULD go after are those companies who IGNORE the glycerin completely
without a word (it's a lie), and worse yet (much worse) are those that ignore
SUGAR ALCOHOLS (polyols – maltitol, lactitol, sorbitol, manitol, etc.) as
though they contain NO carbs. While it's true they
are in a class by themselves and contain less than other starches and sugars (as
much as three-fourths less), they cannot be discounted to ZERO simply to mislead
low-carbers. But I digress (it's hard for me not to go off on rants here sometimes.)
The thrust is, they are once again following the lead of a group that does NOT
represent the Public Interest, and are going after low-carb any way they can.
They seem to feel quite threatened by low-carb. Odd, isn't it? We were assured
low-carb was just another fad that would go away when people discovered it didn't
work, or when we dropped dead. Well, instead our numbers grow every day, we keep
losing weight, we keep getting healthier, and we're starting to look like a threat
to the status quo...
-
April 10, 2001:
-
- In The Media:
This article from HealthScout (titled "Go Against
Grains For Better Diet") looks at a study presented at the Federation of
American Societies for Experimental Biology in Orlando which basically said
"...carbohydrates are the culprits that increase blood sugar and trigger that
hungry feeling." This is no surprise to us, of course, but the fact that the
evidence continues to pile up is a very good thing indeed. Now, before you
get all excited, you should note that the upshot of their recommendation is that
we go from 60% carbs each day to 40%. A better start of course, but while healthier,
we all know it's not enough for most of us to reclaim our health and reduce our girth.
The reasons for this "compromise" in interpretation of the data are crystal
clear when one reads the final line of the news story — "The National Cattlemen's
Beef Association and Kraft Inc supported Layman's study." Something for everyone.
Allow more fat/protein in the form of meat for the Beef Association, but keep
the carbs for Kraft. Ah well...
-
April 2, 2001:
-
- In The Media:
As more and more media columnists (usually those who are science editors) find
holes in the low-fat theory and problems with the Food Pyramid, we'll be seeing
more and more articles like this one from
Michael Woods at The Toledo Blade. It takes a good look at how Pyramid
eating affects those with Syndrome X. Most of you who know me know that I believe
far more of the population reacts this way than such articles claim (hence this
country's rapidly increasing obesity rate.) But this article is yet another in
a string of evidence of public opinion shift. Read on...
-
February 27, 2001:
-
- In The Media:
Only 20 minutes after receiving the article mentioned below (don't miss it!),
we were sent to this article. Before
I go further, let me say, don't follow their advice, however, it is
a step in the right direction and proves that dieticians (this article is written
by one) are running a little scared when people are running to low-carb diets
against their advice. Their reaction is to take an "If you can't beat 'em, Join 'em"
approach. But what they want you to believe is a "healthy" low carb diet, is anything
but. It's neither low carb, nor healthy. Here's an example —
Look at their page of recommendations for Healthy Low Carb Dinner Ideas. First off, they suggest your
diet be comprised of 50% calories from carbohydrates. Since fat has twice the calories
of carbs/protein, this means they want you to eat about 65% of your food as carbs.
This is low carb? Second, you'll note their recommendations at the top of
the page include grocery deli pasta salad and skim milk. Then they recommend
white rice with your Chinese take-out. Their recommendations continue with scalloped
potatoes (made with trans-fat filled margarine), hash browns, baked potato, and
commercially processed Hamburger Helper. Ya kinda get the idea they don't get
low-carb. On their snack page one fares no better as they recommend saltines (with
low-fat cheese), tortilla chips, canned fruit cocktail, etc. They tell you to
"cut down on" sugared sodas etc. This is actually (if you hadn't guessed)
a low-cal, low-fat diet with some small reduction in processed carbs. All of
their ideas are based on the mistaken theory that low-carb diets leave you with
no energy because people need carbs for energy. So, as I said, DON'T follow this
plan if you want to low carb, but as with the reader that sent it to me, it is
interesting that we're seeing more and more of this effort. Thanks for sending
it, Robin!
-
February 27, 2001:
-
- In The Media:
First thing this morning we found this amazing article from the Washington
Post sent to us by an alert visitor. Titled, "There's More Than One Way to
Skim the Fat", it allows for the possibility that low-carbing may be a good
way to go to get cholesterol AND weight down, and get healthy. While they
don't go so far as to say it is the way, they do showcase
two great examples and treat the subject with respect (and nary a word
about how low-carbing will "kill you.") Great Article! Read it
here. Thanks for sending
it, Jan!
-
February 26, 2001:
-
- In The Media:
Kathy sent us a new article from the Boston Globe entitled, "A Stampede
For Steak." It details how steak is selling briskly across America
now and low-fat dishes are pretty much out. Low carbing is not
given much credit for this (it's amazing the plethora of other reasons
they give for speculation), but they mention in passing that people are
sick of low-fat, and have swung (too far, they say) the other way to
an "anticarb" fad. Ah well, however they chose to see it, we
know it means good things for US!
Read the article here.
-
February 21, 2001:
-
- In The Media:
We were sent an article from FOX News' Junk Science column this week
that is a real eye opener. While it does not deal with the low-carb
issue directly, the article does illustrate how money, politics,
and traditional dogma dictate what gets labeled "Heart Healthy." Read the
article here, but be prepared to walk away
shaking your head...
-
February 7, 2001:
-
- In The Media:
Today Kathy sends us this mini-article
titled,
"Is Butter Better?" It's an insightful comment
from a physician on why butter's a better bet than the trans-fats of margarine.
It speaks of low-carbing in a positive light — always a welcome sight!
-
February 6, 2001:
-
- In The Media:
The latest news story, forwarded to us by multiple visitors, is entitled
"Obese People Produce More Fat After Meal". Read the text
here.
Our news-scout, Kathy, summed it up
when she said, "...the investigators SUSPECTED that the way the body proceses
carbohydrates MIGHT have an effect on body weight. Duh."
And Anne Boyd's comment made me smile: "Quite a story in today's Reuters Health
news. The implications are probably clearer to you and me than to the person
writing the summary!" I think she's right.
-
December 28, 2000:
-
- In The Media:
A few weeks ago, our intrepid news scout — Kathy Dasher — had located a
HealthScout article of interest and sent us her commentary on it. Unfortunately
at the time, we could not locate the original article. This morning, we tracked
it down and have archived it here.
Here are Kathy's original comments:
Regarding: Eating More Sweets – Blame It On Stress! :
"Load the gun and shoot yourself in the foot.
This information is right on for low carb, however they just cannot bring themselves to
say the words, yet that is exactly how they're recommending we eat. A good snack
recommendation – CHICKEN SALAD! What?! Not an apple? Curiously missing
is the always recommended high fiber complex carbs. But then they goof by telling
us to check the AHA dietary guidelines. Bang, ouch.
I guess we must cheer when we do see mention of low carb even if they can't
call it that. At least word is getting out there in bits pieces. Maybe in a
decade or two low carb won't be such a dirty word in dieting..."
Thanks, Kathy...
-
October 23, 2000:
-
- In The Media:
Two new articles dealing with "recommendations to diabetics" are actually
frightening to me. The first, a review of the new recommendations from
the American Dietetic Association's (ADA) annual meeting will actually
be advising people to "consume no more than 20% of calories from protein",
while they further advise "a low-fat diet... to help a person respond to insulin."
We know what that leaves, don't we? Carbs, carbs and more carbs. In fact they
actually state that "grains and cereals might lower the risk of developing
diabetes." I am terrified to see what carnage this advice to even further
lower fat and heighten carb intake will cause in society. The article ends with
a chilling fact: "Type 2 diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the US."
Are they trying to make it the first? The full article is here.
But it doesn't end here. Kather Dasher sent us this article from HealthScout
that proclaims "Diabetics Can Eat Sugary Foods." Apparently since potatoes and
such rate higher on the glycemic index than white sugar, they reason it must be
fine for diabetics to still have sugar. Talk about "stop the insanity!"
Here's the article.
Now, let's look at what the last decade and a half of low-fat dieting has
done to America. Read the following two articles on the obesity reports
here and here.
Do you think the fact that even a can of Campbell's Soup now contains more
sugar per ounce than soda pop might have something to do with this?
Is it just adults? Nope. Type 2 Diabetes is now becoming an epidemic in children.
Read more about it here. You'll note of course
that sugar is never mentioned and it's blamed mostly on kids being too inactive.
No sense in adding my 2-cents here. You already know what I'd say...
-
October 7, 2000:
-
- In The Media:
Julie Westly has alerted the low-carb community about a report on low-carb
dieting this past Friday morning (October 6th) on NBC's TODAY SHOW. I did not
see the show myself, but have been deluged with mail about it, so I'd like to
repost Julie's message here.
It's a call-to-arms for all low-carbers whose health and lives have been
saved by following a LOW CARBOHYDRATE eating plan. This illustrates how
skewed the media is into reporting our way of eating as being a "High Protein/High
Fat/No Carbohydrate Diet." We all know this is untrue — we eat tons of
vegetables, fibers, the healthy fats and the non-starchy, non-over-processed
healthy grains. But they're sure we're eating 50 lbs of pork fat everyday as
our only sustenance. Please follow Julie's request and write to NBC.
Julie's post:
"Dr. Atkins has been there for us, and now he needs us. In case you
missed it, this morning NBC (Katie Couric) did a report on "high
protein diets" and how they are poison for your heart. The doctor she
interviewed had graphics of "before and after" heart valve flows of
patients who switched from 'low fat' to 'high protein' diets and the
decreased blood flow that resulted. She also briefly allowed (virtually
attacked) Dr. Atkins to speak on his "high protein – aka: meat, cheese, and
butter" (as she called it) diet. She asked him "Isn't the problem with your
diet that no studies have been done on its affect?"
Dr. Atkins was trying to explain that there was a huge difference between
high protein (high fat) and low carbohydrate [diets] and that what his diet
is about is lowering carbohydrates.
He further said that this group, and its 10 people who showed improvement
after stopping high protein, were non-other-than "cheaters", who were not
in fact doing low-carb at all! (The other doctor did not comment on this directly.)
Dr. Atkins also stated that, "Sure, if you are going to do high protein and not cut
the carbs you are going to have problems..."
But... he was cut off by their "fast talking" and again it was re-stated
that "his diet has no studies to prove it is safe."
Well, lets give NBC a "study", folks! Dr. Atkins needs us! Here is
the link to NBC Today show. Scroll down to the "email us" button and
tell your stories! Let them know what health benifits this way of life has
given you! Demand that Dr. Atkins get equal time to have his diet
"featured" (and reported fairly.)
Feel free to forward this plea to any groups you subscribe to and let's flood
them with "a study"! Dr. Atkins needs us! Go troops!"
-
October 6, 2000:
-
- In The Media:
And today, Kathy sends us another article as the anti-low-carb rhetoric
grows louder... Here's an excerpted article from CNN entitled,
"Heart experts' advice: Eat more fish in a balanced diet."
-
October 5, 2000:
-
- In The Media:
Kathy Dasher, one of my loyal news-scouts, has sent me this article from CBS News. Her commentary
with the story was so on-point, I will bow to her:
[After reading this report], "What amazes me is the statement, "Now
Knox is shaving off the pounds, but he will not shake diabetes."
Maybe not, but he can sure go a long way toward helping himself just by
shoving his cookies, sodas, and potatoes in the trash.
It is so discouraging that the answer to a big part of the problem is
going vastly unheard and unknown by millions... "Hey you have diabetes — too
bad for you. Here's some medication."
Why don't we ever see any studies on the World News showing the
positive side of low carb, and what this way of eating can do for diabetics?!
Isn't it "World News" worthy? It's too bad that we apparently don't have
enough prominent spokespersons in the low carb world to deliver much of a punch.
I'm afraid we're still "the latest FAD diet" that "everyone knows
will ruin your kidneys – a diet you could never stick to..."
-
September 24, 2000:
-
- In The Media:
Another report from HealthSCOUT
was sent to us by a loyal visitor detailing what we knew all along — nuts are
packed with healthy fats and stave off hunger, unlike carbohydrate-rich
snacks! How many times will these facts need to be "determined" before
America gets it?
-
September 22, 2000:
-
- In The Media:
A report from HealthSCOUT
was sent to us by a reader. It shows a team from the Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston
have found that insulin works in the brain, affecting appetite control, obesity and
reproductive fertility. Ask anyone with PCOS and they'll tell you they already knew
this, but it's nice to see more data backing things up. As always, of course, they
end the story with the usual, "in the future this may...." and tell you in the meantime
to continue to follow current guidelines.
-
August 23, 2000:
-
- In The Media:
A new report from the Associated Press
laments the latest study showing Diabetes
is escalating in America at an alarming rate. We who have done our homework on
the devastating effects of the increases in sugar in the SAD (standard American diet)
will not be surprised to hear this. But you'll note that the article (and the "experts")
make no mention of this and blame it all once again on the stresses of society,
fatty foods, and couch-potato syndrome. While I agree we could all use a little more
activity, it's more the potatoes, than the couch potato-hood, that have driven
America into greater obesity and earlier and more serious rates of diabetes. Until
they admit the cause, there's no hope for a cure.
-
August 7, 2000:
-
- In The Media:
This past week, this article was printed
by Cox News that looks at how overweight patients are treated at some
doctors' offices and how this keeps many obese and overweight patients
from getting proper care. I have mentioned it before, but this drives
home the point. Of course it's necessary to "overlook" the center of the
article where they talk of no diet (ie: "fad" diets as they like to label
low-carbing) working and that only calorie reduction is effective. But the
look at the ridicule and shame many patients — usually women — are put
through is worth the read.
-
August 3, 2000:
-
- In The Media:
One of our loyal visitors sent us this press release
from Loews Hotels. We are ecstatic to hear that they are now embracing the
low-carbohydrate way of life and are offering LC options on their restaurant
menus. The release is dated April of this year, but we're glad to have received
this great news, even if we didn't know right away... Read the press release and
give this company your business!
Also check out this LA Times story about the
impact of Low carb dieting on the Pork Rind industry.
-
August 1, 2000:
-
- In The Media:
Here's an article sent to us, first printed in Yahoo's health news and tips. It's
a Question/Answer interview with a nutritionist who is a fan of the Zone Diet and
a weight loss approach that looks at reducing carbs. There's a lot of interesting
dialogue here. Read on....
-
July 20, 2000:
-
- In The Media:
In a recent forwarded message to me, a visitor let me know that the Chiquita Banana company
is currently running a radio spot in which they target low-carb dieting. According to
the listener who is paraphrasing, the ad goes something like this:
Announcer: "And now, Dr. Faddiet is here to talk about the new diet craze that is
sweeping the nation."
Dr. Faddiet (in wacky german-esque voice): "Try my new amazing diet! You will lose
many, many pounds eating only fat and lard. Eat fat and lard and watch the pounds
drop off!"
Chiquita Banana Lady (with Spanish accent): "You mean no vegetables, or wonderful fruits
like Chiquita Bananas?!"
Dr. Faddiet: "No, eat fat and lard all the time and watch the pounds melt away!"
Chiquita Banana Lady: "Only a balanced diet will help you stay healthy.
Add Chiquita Bananas into your diet..." etc... etc...
Considering their slogan is "Chiquita banana, quite possibly, the world's perfect food",
I'd say they are feeling a bit threatened. But then the insulin hit of 25-30 grams
of high glycemic carbs in each banana may just be a bit of a threat to us all.
-
July 14, 2000:
-
- In The Media:
A visitor wrote to tell us that a recent issue of Self Magazine ran an
article overviewing a study that's determined more overweight and obese women are
likely to die from cervical and ovarian cancers (and other related problems) than
normal weight women. They speculated that this may be due to the fact that early
detection is less likely since these are the same group of women less likely to
seek help or regular visits from a physician. Hmmmmmm... Kind of makes me want to
smack my forehead and proclaim, "duh!" How many people that are already embarassed
about their weight (or self-concious about their bodies) want to keep the humiliation
to a maximum by regularly visiting the family doctor who parades you to a weigh-in,
announces it for the chart, and then proceeds to inform you that you are in desperate
need of weight loss?! Of course these are the very people not getting the
care they need. I wish there were some way of letting doctors know we have
looked in a mirror and do know we are bigger than we should be. I see little
need to try to shame a patient into losing. I think we all know that doesn't work.
I'll say this for my doctor (are you reading this, Dr. Ginn?), he has never
done that. I've weighed in maybe twice there in the last 10 years. He lets me
tell him of my progress now, and he has been proudly marking it on the chart. Of
course, now I wouldn't mind the weigh-in, but I might have let my health go to hell
had I felt embarassed to come in. Not all my previous doctors have been this way, and
some have felt the need to "let me know" — as though I might have never noticed and
they are just calling this to my attention. My recommendation now — if you have a doctor
that makes you feel uncomfortable, bite the bullet just once and let him know how you
feel and why you feel it. If he is understanding, you've succeeding in making the
relationship more healthy. If he's defensive or brushes you off, find another doctor.
Off soap box...
-
June 23, 2000:
-
- In The Media:
A visitor sent us this article from HealthSCOUT
this week detailing the
sugar-startling results of the latest CSFII report (that's the U.S. Department of
Agriculture's Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals.) That being
said, understand two things – first, the data is 4 years old (the most current
figures they have when they analyze the data) so we can expect sugar intake has
continued its rise even more, and second, they draw the conclusion
in the end that we should be eating more of the "safe" carbohydrates (the deluge
of bread and cereals the Food Pyramid recommends.) But at least the awareness of
America's addiction to sugar is beginning to be too obvious to ignore. Surprisingly,
the Sugar Association in Washington, D.C. does not take this report seriously.
-
June 17, 2000:
-
- In The Media:
NBC Nightly News did a piece last night in their "Fleecing of America" series
highlighting the practice of our government offering up $70 million in
our hard-earned tax dollars to keep the prices of sugar in this country
artificially high — more that twice as high as anywhere else in the world.
It keeps the wealthy sugar–pushers even more wealthy — to the tune of
$65 million a year directly into their pockets — much of which they use to political
advantage. Hence the powerful sugar-lobby, America's continued addiction to
sugar held in place by its addition to everything from crackers to canned soups,
and their ability to keep health warnings on sugar's effects absent from government
guidelines. Americans eating sugar pay twice - once in the additional tax burden
that could be going to health care and better schools, and once directly at the
supermarket purchasing the sugar/"drug." We who don't indulge still get hit with
the added tax, plus a bit in our food bill for even non-sugar products. Read the article
here.
-
June 15, 2000:
-
- In The Media:
One of our visitors sent me this article on a Harvard Medical School study that
draws the conclusion that the standard high-carb/low-fat diet heart patients are
prescribed actually increases their heart-attack risk. While their final recommendations
still draw us to a daily dose of way too many carbs, at least they are realizing that
they are not all created equally and that those from sugar, flour, potatoes and rice
pose a strong danger. It's a step in the right direction. Read the article
here...
And now for a step in the wrong direction, I direct you
to this article. A Harvard study done on teenage
girls in Boston determined that those who drink soda – particularly cola – are far
more likely to break a bone. So far so good, but I will bet that all you faithful sugar-free
low-carb readers out there know immediately that the reason is that the sugar in the
sodas leach calcium from your bones. But is this the conclusion they reach? No!
The word "sugar" is never mentioned. They speculate that perhaps it's the phosphoric
acid in cola causing it. Oh, please. So we have the National Soft Drink Association
saying the entire study is bunk (though a previous study of women soda-drinkers showed
the same bone-breaking results) and the Harvard School of Public Health arguing it's
just that the soda supplanted the calcium in milk they should be drinking instead.
Now, while I am a big fan of milk (I always loved it in my pre-low-carb days), we don't
need it for the calcium (nature intended it for baby calves afterall, not humans). We
can get plenty of calcium in other sources - from almonds to broccoli to cheese. It's the
sugar, folks. Why do they refuse to see this? (Color me frustrated.)
-
June 1, 2000:
-
- In The Media:
Here's a great article about the "problems" with the new dietary guidelines
especially as they relate to sugar. Be sure to read
this one!
-
May 31, 2000:
-
- In The Media:
Well it seems the newest nutrition guidelines (still very skewed) have sparked
enough controversy over low-carb vs low-fat that a "test" is being planned by
the government. It will basically be Atkins vs Ornish. I will reserve judgement
on how this will be properly implemented. The full article is
here.
And in a related story, did you realize that the food industry/sugar lobby
pressured the advisory panel to remove statements not in their best interests?
Here's an excerpt from the ABC News story.
-
May 19, 2000:
-
- In The Media:
An interesting article in this week's Business Wire spotlights
one physician's assertion that "low carbohydrate diets are correct
and the USDA Food Guide Pyramid is wrong." Hmm.. where have we heard
that before? Press definitely worth reading! The full article is
here.
-
May 16, 2000:
-
- In The Media:
As many of you may have heard, the federal government
has released its newest list of cancer-causing chemicals. Of note, saccharin has
been dropped from the list. Read the details
here. It's nice to see second hand smoke and smokeless
tobacco finally added to the list, but I have to ask — shouldn't Sugar be
on the list? (as it is the biggest cause of degenerative disease including
cancer.)
-
May 10, 2000:
-
- Site News:
Our restaurant reviews are getting tons of new
submissions and we thank you all! The database now includes entries for all
50 states! Let's keep it going!
-
May 3, 2000:
-
- In The Media:
One of our faithful visitors sent us this article about the Chicago Police force
losing weight on the Atkins Diet. It's wonderful to see the diet's proven
effectiveness on a large and public group as reported by the Chicago Sun-Times.
Read on!
-
April 24, 2000:
-
- In The Media:
Another somewhat delayed article as it was just sent to me, but it's really
worth reading and holding onto. At the Endocrine Society's 81st Annual Meeting
in Summer '99, the following report revealed that Diabetics improve their
health with a Very High-Fat, Low Carb Diet! Great article.
-
April 20, 2000:
-
- In The Media:
The New England Journal of Medicine's findings, reported by the Boston Globe
reveals that a High Fiber/Low Fat Diet doesn't cut the risk of cancer — especially
colon cancer — as nutritionists have told us for years. Read more about it
here.
-
April 1, 2000:
-
- In The Media:
Roper Polls, a long-standing polling organization, conducted online a
national survey of dieters’ experiences with low-carb and low-fat diets.
You can read the results here. The poll was released in January, but it was
sent to me only today. Sorry for the delay.
-
March 24, 2000:
-
- In The Media:
Newsday, this week, ran an article entitled Scientific Review of Atkins Center
Patient Records Confirm Atkins' Low-Carb Nutritional Theories. Interesting reading.
Here's the article.
-
March 23, 2000:
-
- In The Stores:
Follow-up to news of Diet Rite Cola (below): Yes, the other flavors
will contain the new formula as well. I've already located the Tangerine and
the White Grape. I was told as soon as "old stock" buys out, they'll all be
the new formula. Great!
-
March 20, 2000:
-
- In The Stores:
For those of us who would prefer to minimize the aspartame in our diets, it's
good news that Diet Rite Cola now contains sucralose instead of
aspartame. The downside? In my opinion it's still not as good as their Diet
RC because the Diet Rite is sweetened with a mixture of sucralose
and ace-k. No word yet on whether the Diet Rite flavors (tangerine,
white grape, raspberry, etc) will be following suit and changing their
formula as well.
-
February 20, 2000:
-
- In The Media:
Results of the study of the Atkins diet conducted at the Durham VA Medical Center in
North Carolina are in. Released two days ago to Reuters Health, a very positive look
toward the health benefits of the Atkins diet are revealed. Read about it
here.
-
February 1, 2000:
-
- In The Media:
I was watching television last night with my husband who gets a kick out of watching
the older game shows (on Game Show Network®).
Family Feud
was on and the question came
up, "100 people
surveyed ... Name a food that helps keep Americans fat."
Well, I
bet you guessed it got my attention. This was a show from the early 70's — before
the "low-fat" craze had hit America, so the answers were surely interesting.
Check it out here.
-
January 26, 2000:
-
- Site News:
We've gotten more letters than usual lately asking questions about
ketosis
and
test strips - what they are, how to use them, what they mean, etc. It became
obvious that this subject needed an explanatory page here at Low Carb Luxury, so
here it is. We've also realized as we're growing larger
(the site, not me — thanks to low-carbing!) that we're going to need a site map, so
that will be my next project.
-
January 24, 2000:
-
- Site News:
Well, our Book Store Page finally got too long
to allow for easy loading or item selection, so we split it up from a Main Menu
by Category. Now each area has its own page — Diet Plans, Cookbooks, Counters/Diaries,
and Out Of Print/Special Order — so you can quickly find what you're looking for.
Hope this helps!
-
January 9, 2000:
-
- Media News:
Wow. I could hardly believe my eyes last night when (while watching NBC) I saw the
much talked-about Monica Lewinsky Jenny Craig ad, and at the end of
the commercial was a bright screen saying "Ask about our new LOW CARB option!"
Sheesh! Talk about "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em!" !
Now, understand that this is as purely a marketing gimmick as you can get since if
you read the "fine print", these plans are NOT the LEAST BIT low-carb. They are
diets comprised of 50% Carbohydrates! (Their regular plan is 60% carbs,) so
this is a slight reduction, but their foods are still high in starches and sugars
and will offer none of the metabolic advantages of low-carbing. It's just a way
to include potential clients who have heard low-carbing is effective (which it IS!)
If you like, you can read more about it
here.
You'll see they toss in how "diet books" recommend 40% or less carbs and how this is
dangerous. Same old; same old. Of course, if they admit low-carbing is the way, what
happens to their "bottom line"? Shame, shame, shame....
-
January 4, 2000:
-
- Media News:
People Magazine's 25 Most Intriguing People of '99 was chosen
last week in their big end-of-year issue. And one of those chosen was
our own Dr. Robert C. Atkins. If you missed it, you can read the article
here. Of course they included the usual
ADA/low-fat scare statements, but all in all, a very neat thing to see.
Congrats, Doc A!
-
December 8, 1999:
-
- Media News:
ABC News' 20/20 this week offered up a segment dealing with low-carb
diets and how/why they work. It was a far more balanced and fair report than we
are used to getting. They illustrated what decades of low-fat/high-carb dieting has
done to this country and the fact that heart attacks are up 85%! While the
online report published at ABC News' site (reproduced here) is less complete and focuses more on specifics
like the ZONE Diet and "Syndrome X", it will still give you some additional
insight if you missed the program. Don't know what "Syndrome X" is? You can
read more about it here.
Site News:
Sorry I've been so "out of touch" with news, email and updates for the past two
weeks. As many of you know, we've been moving and getting settled in the new place.
With the holidays here, gifts to buy and wrap, company coming, a heavy end-of-year
workload, and tons more unpacking to do, I may still be a little more invisible
than usual. Thanks for your patience and for all the wonderful, encouraging, and
warm letters I get!
-
November 19, 1999:
-
- Media News:
I was sent this news story today that was released in Reuter's Health News yesterday.
This is actually a report from the North American Association for the Study of Obesity
that tries to convince us that their lengthy "testing" shows that sugar doesn't
affect obesity or make people fat. Obese people just eat too much. Wow.. cutting edge
reporting there, guys. I have to wonder the source of their FUNDING.. read
the article and see if you agree. Pardon my
French, but ... what a crock!
-
November 5, 1999:
-
- Site News:
Thanks to everyone for all the positive feedback we've gotten on the new
Thanksgiving Planning area. We'll be doing the
same for Christmas soon.
Andrea and Robert Mondello of Low
Carbohydrate Eating have written a reply to TIME Magazine in response to their
article on Low Carb Diets (the article is referenced in our October 26th News
entry below.) They've graciously agreed to let me link to their reply. Read it
here. They said pretty
much exactly what I was thinking!
-
October 31, 1999:
-
- Site News:
We have been receiving LOTS of letters asking about aspects of keeping holiday
meals - primarily Thanksgiving - safe and low-carb without being boring and
depressing. We've put together an entire 8-page area
for Low Carb Thanksgiving Planning. I hope
it will be of help to some of you. I had fun putting it together and it
made me update a lot of notes, plans and recipes myself! :)
The holiday season is upon us, folks. Time to be strong!
-
October 24, 1999:
-
- Media News:
I picked up an AP story today about Low Carbing that I thought you'd all
be interested in reading in case you miss it. It's called "Low-Carb Diets Are Back in Fashion".
-
October 21, 1999:
- LowCarb Food Product
News:
Beginning November 1, 1999 - DaVinci Gourmet Sugar-Free syrups will no longer
use NutraSweet (aspartame) and will begin using Splenda (sucralose) instead.
Great
news since I'd like to keep my aspartame intake as low as possible! And of
course — not only does Splenda taste better — it means we can start
using DaVinci Syrups to safely cook with.
Also, I received a product news update from Life
Services:
"Keep an eye out for our
fantastic Thanksgiving
Stuffing recipe that
is about to be
published in our November Life Services News and also coming out in November, our brand
new
KETATOES! Yes,
low carb authentic tasting potato mix that's delicious mashed, fried or as
potato pancakes! Also, in November we are introducing a terrific
treat: Keto Low Carb
Pudding (vanilla and
chocolate). Then in December, we're coming out with our low
carb Keto
Hot Cocoa (fortified
with glutamine, chromium, taurine and zinc) as well as low
carb Keto Chocolate
Cookie and
Brownie
Mix."
They also informed me they would soon be switching to Splenda as their
sweetener of
choice. It just keeps getting better and better, folks! See why I call
it "Low Carb Luxury"?
-
October 19, 1999:
-
- Media News:
We're going to try and reproduce some of the news articles wherever we are able
so they are here for your reference - especially where the articles are regional.
There were two in today's Dayton Daily News so we reprinted them for you.
First, there's a general article stemming from the statements made by
the ADA two days ago. Here's an article titled "Some Dieters Swear By It, But Others Question Safety
of Low-Carb Weight Loss". It's filled with plenty of the usual tired phrases and
untruths as you'll see. The second has more of a local slant as it's about one of
our local citizens. Check out "Local Judge Finds Success with Atkins Diet". This is
a more well-balanced article.
Have a news article in your local paper that would apply? Please
send it our way so we can share it
with all!!
Also today — Dr. Atkins appeared on NBC's "Later Today" and then on FOX News' Morning
Show. Both times the ADA threw an opposition factor at him. NBC gave him very little
time so the show had little value, but FOX News offered up a fair time segment. They
allowed viewer call-in (yes, I stayed on re-dial for 20 minutes but never got past the
busy signals!) Luckily there were some good calls and all were pro-Atkins. The final
caller pointed out much of what I wanted to say. The thing that drives me the most
nuts about these reports is their insistence that low-carbers eat nothing but
meat and cheese. The photos they showed during the talks were of people eating meat..
but always with buns, breads, potatoes.. I don't think the graphics department did their
homework very well.
Also today on Leeza, Colette Heimowitz (of the Atkins Center) was classy and
smart, but didn't get to say much. Luckily Suzanne Sommers had a lot of positive things
to say about low-carbing since her plan is so similar. It put an excellent spin on
the Way Of Life. Did anyone else notice the "Low-Fat" proponent while very thin, looked
a bit haggard as though she were ill?
Atkins also appeared in very short segments on the ABC and CBS nightly news reports
the previous night. They were very short segments filled with ADA dogma, but CBS gave
a bit more fairness to Atkins.
Site News:
We've added even more recipes! From a few new Thanksgiving offerings
to a new Ice Cream recipe and two superb French Onion Soups! Go check them out.
And if you have favorite recipes,
please share them!!
-
October 17, 1999:
-
- Media News:
Another
article published by the Associated Press declaring the Low-Carb
Diet Unhealthy. Sheesh! It's FILLED with mis-information as usual. And
as usual, they've chosen to show as an example a low-carber who eats massive,
inhuman quantities of meats and fats and no vegetables or nutrients. They want to
make it look as unhealthy as possible. The article (written by a dietician spouting
the same tired arguments that have been proven incorrect but persist with a
"the earth is flat" quality) even states that one is forbidden even a tossed salad
on our diet. How absurd. One need only look in our recipe section to see the large
quantity of foods we have for our diet. They haven't figured out a way to argue the
case FOR sugar, so they concentrate on "grains" (never mind that we eat large amounts
of soy, healthy fibers, tons of veggies and some fruits!) Heaven forbid we avoid
starchy white flour. She calls it "the staff of life." This is all in preparation for
the annual meeting of the American Dietetic Association in Atlanta this week. They always
include in their "warnings" that when a person goes back to eating "normally", the
weight comes back. Hmmm... when a person goes back to eating white flour and sugar
they gain weight. Now don't that beat all! Why, prey tell, would anyone WANT to go
back to feeling drugged, tired and fat? I would not go back to that life for anything.
Other news: This Tuesday (Oct. 19th), Colette Heimowitz (The Atkins Center's Director of
Nutrition) will be appearing on Leeza. Check times in your area. Also, this
month, the October 12th issue of Women's World Magazine will feature an
interview with Jackie Eberstein (of The Atkins Center).
-
October 7, 1999:
-
- Site News:
- We've added B.I.G. Brooklyn Egg Cream to our Product
Suggestions page, plus a page to give a little info and background on this
fabulous chocolate concoction. We have also added a section to
our Links area that showcases sites with Educational
and Nutritional Database information. These sites are great for on-the-fly
data on carb counts of specialty foods as you're cooking or shopping.
-
October 5, 1999:
-
- Site News:
- I decided we really needed a "News" page to document changes here at the
site as well as news in the world of low-carbohydrate dieting. So from now
on, check here first for additions to the site, or the latest scoops (no, I
won't mention new entries to my journal! [grin].)
We added a separate area today for Product Suggestions
instead of listing them on the "Tips" page as we had been. It was getting too
long and slow to load.
Last week we also added a new, non-commercial (no ads!) Guest Book so you can add
your comments more easily without having to wait for banners to load.
Media News:
In the News, Dr. Atkins appeared on ABC's 20/20 last night. While they gave
the normal "warnings" and nay-sayers, there was a much more positive approach to the
report and more open-minded reporting. It was good to see the change. Just a week ago
his appearance on NBC's Dateline was almost embarrassing - they treated the good
doctor so badly.
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