Barry explains that "back in the old days," carbohydrates weren’t perceived as evil as they are today. He notes the rapid increases in a variety of low-carbohydrate products that are now widely advertised such as beer, "denture adhesives, floor wax and even life insurance."
Barry also says in the days of his youth when people wanted to lose weight, they would simply switch to a low-calorie diet and eat "inedible" foods like celery and grapefruit. He claims Dr. Atkins’ amazing carbohydrate discovery led to people drastically cutting carbohydrates out of their diets and resorting to eating excess amounts of cheese, bacon, lard and pork rinds without hesitation.
Initially, as Barry points out in his article, Dr. Atkins was confronted by a lot of skepticism and sometimes moments of hostility. However, Atkins pressed on and followed his dream, which was "to help the human race by selling 427 million copies of his diet books." Barry says that although the Atkins diet continues to help millions of Americans lose weight, as a whole, we are heavier than ever.
Miami Herald March 28, 2004
This is a hilarious social commentary that really proves that low carb is now part of the culture. We finally made it if it is being satirized.
On a more serious note, I did have a great deal of respect for Dr. Atkins as he provided a huge jumpstart in society’s carbohydrate awareness by making the connection between obesity and insulin. Unfortunately, his theory fell short because he labeled all carbohydrates as bad. As most of you know, vegetable carbohydrates are very different from carbohydrates from grains and sugars and don’t need to be restricted as long as you’re eating the right types for your nutritional type.
Once you understand the concept of metabolic typing, it becomes obvious that certain people require up to two-thirds of their diet as vegetable carbohydrate, so these people are actually on a high carbohydrate, but no-grain, no-sugar diet.
The critical piece Dr. Atkins was missing from his puzzle was realizing that each person has a unique biochemistry, or metabolic type. You may find you lose weight early on with the Atkins’ diet however; ultimately it is a prescription for disaster mainly because heavier individuals may require a high-vegetable, no-grain, no-sugar diet along with low fat and protein intake, depending on their nutritional type.
Related Articles:
Bread Bashing at All-Time High Do Low-Carb Diets Work? What is Wrong With the Atkins Diet? Does Dr. Atkin's Diet Cause Kidney Stones and Osteoporosis? Atkins Diet Research Proves Grains Cause Weight Gain The Paleolithic Diet and Its Modern Implications
Bread Bashing at All-Time High
Do Low-Carb Diets Work?
What is Wrong With the Atkins Diet?
Does Dr. Atkin's Diet Cause Kidney Stones and Osteoporosis?
Atkins Diet Research Proves Grains Cause Weight Gain
The Paleolithic Diet and Its Modern Implications