Where did all the Low Carb Prodcuts Go???! HELP

[kelrivas]

I have been living a low carb lifestyle for many years. I struggle with low thyroid function and the low-carb, adequate protein WOE is the only way I can survive and not weigh a ton.

Recently I took a six-month hiatus from my WOE. I know bad choice, but I was angry at life in general and decided to take the usual self-destructive approach that included eating what ever I wanted, I felt that by God if I want to eat that chocolate cake I am going to do it and no one is going to stop me! Well six months later and 35 pounds more I have greatly regretted my decision and am back on the wagon, and happy to say feeling much better, and am getting back to where I belong. Not sure why I go through these little bouts but I am happy that I know the solution, getting back to the basics!

Anyway, when I got back to the proper WOE I went to the store and notice many of the low-carb products I was used to getting at the market are no longer available. All of the Low Carb Markets in town have went out of business, things like Hood Carb-Down has discounted some things in the line like their juices (I loved these!), and I can not seem to find Dream field pasta anywhere, and the few chocolate bars that did not have sugar-acohols have just vanished! I was so happy to see low carb products hit the market but it looks like it was just a passing phase. Yes I admit that most of the stuff was just pure junk, but there were truly some good things on the market and I am disappointed to see it take a serious dive.

What has happened? Can someone clue me into what is going on? I know Atkins is going bankrupt, but between South Beach, Power Protein and other low carb plans that have shown strong evidence that a low carb diet curbs diabetes, I would think there still would be plenty of market for low-carb products.

I have never really trusted the government, I know they have a new nutritional pyramid and they have come out and said that reducing carbs doesn’t work unless you reduce calories as well, but what else is new? They have been saying that for years and many of us who have lost substantial amounts of weight on this WOE know better.

I feel like the world has changed in six months and I am just finding out now. Can someone explain what is going on, I feel so lost. :help:

[Rocks]

You are not alone. If you go to the Hood Carb Countdown website, they have discontinued the yogurt line also (which was endorsed by Atkins). Things are disappearing from the store shelves at an alarming rate! I agree that it's sad, but there will always be meat, vegetables and nuts available....and that's really what it's all about. The convenience things made it easier, but just remember that it is still very possible to eat well (maybe even better) without them. :)

[kelrivas]

Sorry, which ever moderator felt they needed to move this, I didn't realize that there is actually a low carb product section, I am still learning my way around this wonderful site.

I thought that someone in the media and research section could explain what is going on in the media, it just seems like the acceptance that was beginning to grow for low-carbbing is now turning away from low carb support. Though I am used to it, I started low-carbbing years ago when it was not so popular, I loved eating my full-fat sirloins while friends of mine were snacking on rice cakes (YUK!). I was losing fast and they were miserable. I was really hoping that good research would be done to show the positive side to this WOE and that might spur other changes to help society defeat obesity and other illnesses associated with obesity.

Anyway I was hoping to spur a discussion of the change of attitude and its source, other than the usual low fat anti-meat crowd that has always been against the diet.

What is going on in society lately that is making low-carbbing so politically incorrect again? Is there something we can do collectively as a group to show society that this diet is not only safe, but also the best way to eat for life long health? What has to transpire before people in the medical world and government acknowledge the true facts of the success of this WOE???? A reduction in refined carbs and simple sugars has been proven to improve diabetes, decrease heart-disease, and cure obesity, what else do they want???!!!
:hyper:

[Galliard]

I don't know why LC is politically incorrect but I heard a great explanation elsewhere for why all the LC products are disappearing: they don't make any profit because low-carbers don't stuff themselves with the family-sized bag of chips followed by several sodas! When they used to make those LC Doritos, I could keep a bag around for a couple of weeks or more -- great for me, but no profit for the Dorito company! I loved the Hood LC orange juice, but I drank a teeny little 4 oz glass every once in a while rather than the 8 oz-plus glass of real OJ that I used to have every morning in my pre-low carb days.

PS: I'm sorry this got moved, too, because it's worth discussing in a broader forum.

[Nancy LC]

I think a lot of the low carb products were just bad. So those companies did poorly with them. But it was splashed all over the news media so much that the companies with GOOD low carb products decided to get out too. Bleah! Its a shame. I really liked some of the low carb buns and things I used to be able to get.

On the other hand, I bet business has really picked up for those low carb speciality stores!

[nawchem]

I never got into the LC products much except the chocolate! I've been shopping at Walmart lately and they are always out of the LC stuff so it is selling but their not keeping the stock up. There was only one bottle of diet rite at Super Walmart, my EAS shake none -they only had protein shakes made from soy, 2 bottles of catsup- I grabbed both of them. I couldn't find any LC protein bars that weren't made from soy.

I'm sure what is going on with this.

[kelrivas]

What I think it means is that we who adhere to a true low carb WOE are going to have to go back to the way it was before obtaining things at the store was so easy, live without and order more online. I agree that most of the products were junk. But some things, like a certain high fiber great tasting bagel I used to get from a specialty store no longer in business is really missed. The bagel had 6 carbs in the whole bagel and made with mostly oat products, which are so much easier on my system than wheat. I really have to have a bagel with lox every once in a while or I feel really deprived. With that bagel I could do a whole sandwich under 10 carbs and never even missed the other type of bagels. Guess I am going to have to learn how to make them. I have never had much luck with making low carb breads though, even with a bread machine, I am sure there is a trick and I just haven’t learned it.

I know it is all about money, but honestly the marketers really screwed up and did not consider their consumer very well. All those things with sugar-alcohols, all the junk with excessive amounts of soy (YUK) and not to mention the excessive high prices, set it up for failure before it even started. It messed it up for those of us who were hoping the availability in stores would make things simpler for those of us who live this way, and more importantly help society get a handle on the obesity epidemic that is spinning out of control.

I was very interested in the low carb potato that potato growers were making and a tortilla make from chicken. I bet both products will never hit the market now.

[Sue L]

I feel bad that the Hood orange was discontinued. I relied on that. I have tried the Dole light orange but it tastes awful. I know the Hood didn't exactly taste like juice but at least it tasted halfway decent, like Tang.
I feel like every time I read something they write about how "low carb is dead" as if saying it often will make me believe it. Just check the top 10 cookbooks at Amazon and see how dead it is- it is predominately low carb or low gi related books.
But when I wonder who is behind the almost maniacal pressure to kill low carb, I need only think about DC lobbyists who represent dairy and agriculture. They will not be satisfied until sugar coated cereal is all we eat. Just look at the brainwashing commercials on any kid's tv show.
My husband laughed, and said if he was paranoid and delusional, he might think some alien race was fattening us up for the kill. It might be far-fetched, but scarily emough, it is about the only thing that makes sense. If George Bush pulls off a mask and looks like a large green bug ready to eat me alive, I'll wish I had been paranoid and delusional. ;)

[wendiewill]

I work in the food world so have somewhat of an insider's view. It's not so much that manufacturers are getting away from "low carb" items as they are getting away from the "low carb" stigma. Whether we think it's bad or not, it's never good for business to be associated with a "dying" trend. You'll still continue to see introduction of items with less sugar and less blood sugar impact - they just won't be labeled "low carb" and will likely be more in line with South Beach, meaning they'll be lower in carbs, but not carb free. My company, for example, a major juice company, is focused heavily over the next year on "diet" items - all sweetened with Splenda, by the way. Real juice items with many less calories and carbs, but still the vitamins, benefits, etc. Keep your eyes peeled and be a good shopper. Some of the convenience factor is gone, but in the end the foods left and soon to come are likely healthier, less franken-food, and overall more wholesome. Turning back to whole foods is better for us anyway and the healthy sales of low carb cookbooks just tells me that consumers are looking for ways to take real food and make it good for them, without all the sugar and fillers we're used to using. That's a good thing in my book.

[Laydebleu]

Anyone know of a good low carb recipe for spaghetti sauce. I can not find any in the supermarket, tho I had seen them before, they are being discontinued the store said. I was hoping to try a new recipe but it calls for low carb spaghetti sauce and I have yet to learn how to make one...hehe.

[Rocks]

Hunts tomatoe sauce has 4 grams per 1/2 cup serving. I use it instead of ketchup right from the can, and for spagetthi sauce, I add basil, oregano and garlic. It's good stuff!

[cah]

I was very interested in the low carb potato that potato growers were making and a tortilla make from chicken. I bet both products will never hit the market now.

They have the low carb potato in stores here in Florida. Having some with dinner tonight. They are good, but are really only lower carb not low carb. The brand I have is Sunlite and they have 18 carbs 4 fiber per potato.

[kelrivas]

Ok so the whole potato has about 14 carbs once you minus the fiber. I wonder if you sliced it thin and soaked it in ice water to remove a lot of the starch overnight will reduce the count even more. This trick is listed in 500 Low Carb Recipes by Dana Carpenter as a way to reduce carbs in potatoes and make an occasional french fries snack. I have only tried it a few times; I love potatoes and try to stay away from them as much as possible so I do not get cravings for them.

Sounds like a product for maintenance though. At least some companies are trying, I am sure the potato, dairy, and grain producers hate our WOE and are the big contributors of anti-low carb diet propaganda, and are jubilant about the exit of many our the low carb products on the market.

[Rocks]

This trend has been good for the dairy industry...think cheese, cream, butter. The folks that we are upsetting are the ones with all the lobbyists in Washington. The food manufacturing giants are the most affected, followed by grower's of things like sugar, sugar beets, corn (corn syrup), oranges and citrus growers. I don't think grain producers have felt a blip on their screen over low carb.
Has anyone watched the commecial by General Mills, where they are sooooooo excited that the government has issued an updated food pyramid? It's hilarious. Folks are standing there holding a box of Cheeios and Lucky Charms, saying, "The Food Pyramid suggests I get more whole grains!" Yep, General Mills is getting pretty desperate. ;D

[kelrivas]

General Mills can keep their whole grains, I am not buying them...pound a whole grain to a pulp and form it into cute little shapes and you still get a processed food, and if its a wheat product high likely of it bringing on cravings...

I agree, they are desperate; I have ignored the new pyramid when I read that it still did not encourage enough protein or healthy fat consumption, and still pushing so much fluid milk, grains and fruits.

A link to the new pyramid is http://kidshealth.org/kid/stay_healthy/food/pyramid.html
It is mainly a discussion on how to feed your kids, but you can tell that carbohydrates take up over 75% of the diet and they are telling you flat out that you do not need to consume “as much” fat and protein as grains, fruit and dairy”. Listen to them and your children will consume 3 glasses of milk, 6 oz of grain products, and 1-½ cups of fruit a day! While they encourage whole grains I think it is a joke, you ever try to feed your child brown rice or whole wheat pasta??? Unless you start them on this stuff early and they can develop a taste for it they will dump it when you are not looking just like the cream spinach you tried to feed them when they were toddlers!

In comparison they only encourage 5 oz of meat for a 13 yr old boy! That is totally ridiculous! And I saw nowhere on that website about a discussion of healthy fats like olive oil, and the importance of them in our diet. And though the website does say to reduce sugar they fail to place any color on the pyramid that represents it, so families have no idea how much is too much, nor do they explain that grains, fruit, and fluid milk products have carbohydrates that become sugar once processed in the body, it is just amazing the lack of information about eating properly!

I have never figured out why someone with any understanding of biology would encourage an overweight person to consume 75% of their diet as Carbohydrates, when the stored fuel needed for energy is sitting there on their body needing to be used. One of the first thing you learn in basic biology is a carbohydrate is used in the body for energy...what a mess, the government is not getting this one right at all, AGAIN!

[noinwi]

As a "low income person" trying to follow the "low carb lifestyle", I find most LC ready made snacks and bars way to expensive to buy on a regular basis. Maybe that's why the companies haven't done so well. But lately, I've been seeing more and more products in the "regular" food sections of the grocery stores that are lower or low carb. They're not really calling them low carb foods or diet foods, but they may highlight the carb count on the labels. Also there are more drinks out there sweetened with splenda and are not called diet drinks, such as the sparkling waters that are becoming popular with everyone. Bob's Red Mill flours are adding more LC baking products making it easier to convert the recipes we grew up with, and Walden Farms has some great products. And the prices are starting to come down. I have been struggling with this WOE since the 70's and FINALLY food producers are "getting it" and are starting to make it easier to do.

[hinrgmike]

Although, I've followed this forum for a few years, I must say that I feel compelled to answer this thread. As one who is in marketing (brand) management at a manufacturer of ice cream, frozen novelties, and dairy products, I can say that there are really several factors at work here. One, there was a consumer "fad" that appeared last year where numerous people piled onto this diet segment only to abandon it. For retailers (e.g. Walmart, Safeway, etc.) and manufacturers, there is nothing worse than declining sales trends, regardess of what precipitated it. That, in part, has led retailers (a food manufacturer's direct customers) to discontinue low carb products. For retailers, they are obsessed with a term called "velocity" - they want to know how much $ ring is coming out of a specfic section of shelf space (e.g. think in terms of renting an apartment space for the highest dollar). As dollar sales declined and velocities slowed, retailers decided to get out of the low carb segment, excepting a few "convienience" items to sell to die hard consumers. As retailers discontinued product, manufacturer distribution declines, and with low carb products typically being fairly expensive to manufacture, the food industry has moved away from low carb. The "trend" now is to rebrand low carb products as reduced sugar, no sugar added, and whole grains products. In part, this reflects the fact that these terms are easier for the mass market consumer to relate to and incorporate into their diet. As an aside, I would honestly say that "die hard" low carbers - a segment that really has contracted significantly also - are truthfully not a segment that is easy to engage for a larger manufacturer. which is due to a confluence of "extraordinarily" picky consumers and the virtual impossibility for a manufacturer to meet ALL of the needs (e.g. low carb, no sugar alcohols, low glycemic/low sugar, no transfats, not processed wheat, etc, etc, etc.) - pretty much leaves you back at meat and veggies. Sure, one "die heart" will allow some transfat, and another may allow some sugar alcohols, and so forth, but it's hard to thread a profitable combination among the mish mash. As a very strong healtly (but realistic) conscious individual, I'm saddened by this - not for the die hearts who'll happily go back to preaching the virtues of eating only natural/unprocessed foods, but for the mass majority for who this untenable because of hectic schedules and other reasons who lose benefit of at least some improvement in their lifestyle. In any event, companies such as mine are not abandoning "lower" carb products, however, you will see less of them offered in the market by major retailers and you will also see companies such as mine rebranding products under No Sugar Added and other monikers moving forward in order to position the products as less "lifestyle extreme." I just wanted those interested in all of this to understand that there is a confulence of factors occuring here and not 1 or 2 simple scapegoats. Many things occur that add to the pressures that consumers would never be aware of. How many consumers realize that there has been a shortage of Splenda in the market for manufactureres this year and many manufacturers are having supplies rationed to them until the first part of next year? Just another "low carb" issue to deal with and one that causes ingredient pricing pressures for us. Your best efforts to retain what's left of low carb products is more effectively directed at retailers since they are the nexus between food companies and you, and it is they that are really driving what you see in on your shelves. Hope all of that was of some interest to some. Best Regards.

[kelrivas]

Thanks Mike for the thoughtful response and the information it explains a lot. I have been wondering though why there is a Splenda shortage? I mean has anyone explained this to you?

I do not understand, how something that is supposedly made from sugar, which heaven knows we have an abundance of, can suddenly become difficult to produce just because of the high demand. We have a high demand for water too in the US but we some how seem to keep up with it because we have plenty of supple. Are sugar byproducts so different? For example, I have never figured out why despite the demand for liquid Splenda it has never been produced here in the States and I always get a “well, it’s a shortage issue” answer from companies when I write them.

I personally believe it might be something else. I can't help but think that somehow maybe someone has been paid to “slow” the process down. Look at all the problems getting Stevia to the market, it was blocked from being sold as a food product, and had to be sold as a nutritional supplement instead. Could this possibly be a similar issue?

I wonder if this whole decline in low carb products is caused not just by lack of interest but by some in the food industry who stand to lose if a low carb lifestyle was more commonly accepted? I hear what you are saying about how the market is driven and how picky the low carb consumer is, but from my perspective (and I know I don’t have the inside scoop like you do) a lot of this looks politically and financially driven.

Think of all the companies that would stand to lose if more people permanently adopted this WOE? It would cause a serious change in the economic fabric of North America; potato, corn, and wheat companies would suffer, not to mention those who refine and “enrich” these products. For example just today I read an article that was in Women’s Day magazine this week that claims that excessive protein consumption promoted in a low carb diet leads to calcium loss and decreased weigh loss ability. You then go on to read the fine print ‘Presented courtesy of the American Dairy Farmers”. I see this all the time in women’s magazines and its maddening. Of course these big companies drive a lot of this, they don’t want us on low carb diets because it seriously decreases their revenues!

I believe as I stated before that had marketers known their consumer better from the beginning and been looking at making healthier low carb products not just cheap things filled with trans-fats and sugar alcohols, but with wholesome foods instead, I think low carb products would have done much better on the market. The low carb consumer is much like any health food consumer; they are picky, but not impossible to please, and as the market shows willing to spend a few extra dollars for good quality products. I spend close to 250 dollars a month online and in the grocery store for all the special products I use and I know I am not alone. There is a market out there to be had if someone will just do it right.

I do not think we are any more difficult to please than say the vegetarian or gluten-free consumer and look at all the products that are geared for those markets? I have been looking at the new “Sugar Free” products hitting the market and things such as the new South Beach Kraft products, while some are good, some are still loaded with carbohydrates and do not meet low-carb consumers needs. It is really sad.

Kellie

[hinrgmike]

for the current Splenda shortage. The first was that Tate & Lyle lost production of one processing factory this year - Splenda (sucralose) is chemically processed even though it begins as sugar. Compounding this, major beverage manufacturers have piled on after everyone else in formulating with sucralose and they consume an enourmous amount of what's on the market currently. So, Tate & Lyle has been rationing suppiles though the remainder of this year. With another plant coming on line the beginning of 2006, this problem should be alieviated. In the meantime, many manufacturers are keeping costs down and/or limiting their supply chain exposure by reformulating sucralose products to contain a mix of sucralose and Ace K. It can be hard for many to fathom the costs of some of the ingredients in low carb products but for manufacturers the rising costs of sucarlose, inulin, and various sugar alcohols is very real and can make or break even slim profitability on a given product.

As for some in the industry losing out because of a low carb 'threat", that may be true in some cases, but typically for value-added (processed) manufactures such as my company, it really only matters from a formulation time perspective. If everyone tomorrow decided they wanted every product to have carrot juice in it, and we were fairly confident this trend would persist for some time, we'd jump right in and offer that.

It can be hard to believe, but most manufacturers simply produce what consumers are buying, and what they tell companies they will buy in focus groups, surveys, and other research. Sad but true, consumers will often say they want to eat healthy food, and they may tell their friends and family that they do, but quite often when it is just them and a shopping basket, they make very indulgent choices, splurges, or whatever you want to call it. And the reality of marketing is that a consumer that eats indulgent foods will almost never cross over to try a "healthier" food alternative, however, a healthy eater will often cross over to indulge. When you really run the numbers of how people behave, you end up with a market like it is now and like it will be for some time to come.

I know many will not agree with this and I'm not thrilled that that is the way it is, but that is 99% of the time the order of what drives what in the marketplace. I have a hard enough time dealing with family members who oblige me by saying they eat healthy but I know they're fibbing.