Beef vs. bagels: Food companies take on Dr. Atkins

[doreen T]

Last Updated: 2003-03-17 11:00:10 -0400 (Reuters Health)

By Carey Gillam

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (Reuters) - It has been months since Tina Moore last bit into a bagel or a slice of toast.

"Protein is good. Carbs are bad," says 41-year-old Moore, who altered her diet five years ago in a bid to lose weight.

Moore, the owner of a hair salon, is one of the estimated 15 million-plus Americans seen as devoted followers of dieting guru Dr. Robert Atkins, who recommends eating protein for those who want to rid themselves of unwanted weight and keep the pounds off.

"Carbs and sugar ... they give you a quick high, then you get really low. You get tired and hungry," said Moore, who sees herself as a reformed "carbohydrate addict."

The hamburger patty is good, the hamburger bun bad, according to the teachings of Atkins, who has turned his philosophies into a dieting revolution, starting with his first book, "Dr. Atkins Diet Revolution," in 1972.

Atkins books--his latest, "Atkins for Life," was published this year--routinely top best-seller lists. Atkins companies have racked up millions of dollars in sales of specialty low-carb food products and carb-counting scales.

But the popularity of Atkins' eating advice, now appealing to another generation, is fraying the nerves of some food companies that rely on the consumer appetite for carbohydrate-laden foods, such as pastas and pizzas, cakes, cookies and cereals, to add heft to their own bottom lines.

They claim Atkins is falsely disparaging food groups that serve as a foundation for American eating. And that by teaching people to severely limit the use of flour-based products, Atkins is eating into sales of some bread and cereal products in the United States.

"Our industry has to do something, and soon. It is starting to become a mainstream belief that carbohydrates are bad," said Judi Adams, director of the Wheat Foods Council, a consortium of industry players that includes ConAgra, General Mills and Kellogg Co.

"This Atkins diet--or, I call it Fatkins diet--is going out unchallenged. People are starting to believe it," Adams said.

Part of the consortium's push will be in Washington, where federal health officials are starting talks on revisions to the nation's 11-year-old Food Guide Pyramid.

Wheat Foods will be actively involved in defending the grains, Adams said.

Currently, the pyramid puts bread, cereals, rice and pasta as the foundation for healthy eating, recommending six to 11 servings a day. But some are pushing for changes that would move grains off the foundation, and cut back servings.

SLIM PICKINS

There is limited funding for the anti-Atkins campaign, as most food companies spend their advertising dollars on product-specific programs to tout such things as new Berry-Burst Cheerios, recently released by General Mills.

So, with only a slender budget to try to counter the Atkins phenomenon, the Wheat Foods Council is aiming its "educational campaign" at nutritionists and the medical community.

The strategy is a direct attack on Atkins: Americans who follow the Atkins diet increase their risk of health problems that include cardiovascular disease, high cholesterol, kidney damage and some cancers, the Wheat Foods Council says.

Adding insult to injury, it claims that Atkins followers can also suffer headaches, constipation and bad breath.

The council says obesity is not specifically tied to carbohydrates but is caused by laziness and overeating.

"Healthful grain-based foods have become the scapegoat for weight gain, when overeating and underexercising are at issue," said Carol Pratt, a Kellogg nutrition and regulatory affairs expert and incoming chairwoman for Wheat Foods.

FEWER COOKIES AND CAKES

Consumer eating habits are hard to track, but the latest Consumer Expenditure Survey of the U.S. Department of Labor does indicate a possible shift away from grain-based foods.

According to the government survey, consumer spending in 2001 for ready-to-eat and cooked cereals, pasta, flour, flour mixes and bakery products dropped from the previous year even as consumer spending for meat, poultry, fish and eggs and other similar products increased for the third year in a row.

Moreover, the 0.2 percent decrease in spending came as the consumer price index for those foods grew 2.9 percent. And wheat consumption in the United States dropped 4 percent from 1997 to 2001, according to industry research.

"I'm very much concerned," said Mark Dirkes, spokesman for Interstate Bakeries, the nation's largest wholesale baker and the maker of Wonder Bread. "He (Atkins) has run a very effective campaign. That just can't be good for our industry."

CLEANING OUT THE CABINETS

Among Atkins' preachings: the elimination of "white flour-laden junk food" from kitchen cabinets, and research that Atkins says shows carbohydrates work to slow the body's burning of fat and make people feel hungrier faster.

And after decades of rejecting Atkins' theories, some new research, including work by Harvard University, has started lending credence to Atkins' ideas.

Colette Heimowitz, director of research at Atkins Health and Medical Information Services, says over-consumption of bread, cereal and baked products is partly to blame for obesity in America. Products made with white flour, sugars and hydrogenated oils are the worst.

Still, she says, Atkins is not looking to go to war with the food companies, and that even Atkins die-hards allow for an occasional doughnut or cookie.

"We teach people how to respect it and, on rare occasions, have it in moderation," she said. "We know people can't stay away from it forever."



http://www.reutershealth.com/archive/2003/03/17/eline/links/20030317elin016.html

[doreen T]

No comment, until we actually hear something NEW!

:rolleyes: http://www.stopstart.freeserve.co.uk/smilie/bangin.gif

Doreen

[catspaw]

Oh the wailing and gnashing of teeth when the carb peddlers start fearing for their profit margin! This one has such funny quotables in it I hardly know where to start!
"This Atkins diet--or, I call it Fatkins diet--is going out unchallenged. People are starting to believe it," Adams said.
Gee, anytime I mention I'm doing Atkins I get challenged right off the bat! The tides may be turning, but unchallenged???
The council says obesity is not specifically tied to carbohydrates but is caused by laziness and overeating.
That's why during marathon training when I was following the carb guidelines of 60% calories from carbs I was gaining weight. I was being lazy!
It is starting to become a mainstream belief that carbohydrates are bad
About time. Though...Are we a mainstream???
"He (Atkins) has run a very effective campaign. That just can't be good for our industry."
Hahahahahahaha It's only taken 30 plus years to get the campaign some momentum...

Thanks for the laugh, Doreen!

[gary]

Have to laugh at their ignorance of a major problem with eating their products. Just came back from company trip where we drove down and back from Philadelphia to Orlando. On the way back we ran into a traffic jam so we pulled off at the exit and had lunch. My boss and his family all had big plates with bread, grits, sandwiches and huge portions of french fries. I had a cheese and ham omelette and my wife's salad with blue cheese dressing. We got back in the van and took a detour around the accident - my boss insisted on driving. Shortly back on I95 he started getting sleepy and turned over the wheel to me. Well wouldn't you know it I had to drive through torrential downpours with hydroplaning and all. As I drove I looked in the mirror and everyone was totally conked out sleeping soundly. I was totally clear headed and not at all sleepy due to the LC meal. Before I did LC I used to have major problems with drowsyness after lunch. Thank goodness somebody in our crew was not drowsy! Plus the big danger - Type II diabetes. These companies promote Type II diabetes! :wave:

[lpioch]

They claim Atkins is falsely disparaging food groups that serve as a foundation for American eating. And that by teaching people to severely limit the use of flour-based products, Atkins is eating into sales of some bread and cereal products in the United States.

So, since certain foods are the foundation for American eating, then it must be healthy? (i.e...pizza, pasta, cereal, etc)

Oh ... wait ... I'm sorry. They directly said what they were unhappy about...Atkins is eating into their sales.

Good grief..
-- Loretta

[softmoon]

I wasnt sure which category to post this under...but was laughing all the way to the fridge as I grabbed a hunk of cheese and some broccoli...:thup: :D ;) .....

OVERLAND PARK, Kansas (Reuters) - It has been months since Tina Moore last bit into a bagel or a slice of toast.

..............


< administrator edit ... the article had been previously posted, so I've merged the two threads together to keep the discussion in one place. Thanks for posting :) Doreen >

[nikkil]

LOL :D :D :D What a great article to post--thank you!!

My key "beefs" ;) with this article

1/it's not just the wheat, it's the *refined* flour, transfat and sugar combined that's a real problem

2/obviously don't care at all about anybody's health, just their bottom line (profits). They are relying on our addictions to keep us buying their products and lining their pockets. These companies are just as bad as the tobacco companies!

3/My husband and kids eat cereal--have you seen the price of cereal lately??? They've gone up hugely. Maybe that's part of the reason sales are bad, no just people LCing

4/ LAZY??!?!?! Sure, I'm overweight, but I didn't get this way being lazy. I would love for the person who said this to try to do what I do. I have 3 sons and work 2 jobs (one of which is night shift, no less), do volunteer work at kids' school, busy social life, on top of being the main cook, housecleaner, etc at our home. Go to gym, millions of errands, taxiing kids all over hell's half-acre for sports, social stuff, etc. Gimme a break!
Isn't this meanspirited stereotype over with by now??

I wouldn't be surprised if many of the people who work in this business are LCing themselves, but couldn't ever admit that, now could they? This article is showing the true colours (like we didn't already know) of the people who make up the Food Guide (pyramid). Was it ever in OUR best interest, or in the best interests of the big companies, ie wheat producers??

In case you didn't guess, I'm kinda choked right now (but not on a bagel :D :D )

N.

[BluesRob]

No surprises here really. What does surprise me is that the meat industry aren't getting behind the low-carb message.

[cre8tivgrl]

You know... having been in advertising and marketing at one point I am really, REALLY suprised that none of these major manufacturers touting losses have jumped on the low-carb bandwagon. I know some have this product or that, but not one has actually offered a line of products yet. Who will be the first to develop a low-carb cereal that is sold in the cereal isle? Will it be low-carb Cherrios? Or low-carb Total?

Along those same lines... I am waiting for the first restaurant or fast food chain to offer and really advertise low-carb options that are on their menu.

Working in a restuarant, I see over 10 tables with at least one low-carb eater a day. 10 is a minimum and that doesn't include the ones that come in when I am not there or the ones that follow more liberal programs.

I'd like to see a real change, not just a scared PR person touting misinformation because she might get a pay cut or even a lay off because the American public isn't gorging on pizza anymore.

This change is good... I say change with the times or go away.

[Karrahs]

I also agree that one of my "beefs" with that article is that all overweight people are lazy. No, we are normal like the rest of you. I say it is that naturally thin person who can eat anything and never has to worry about it that is lazy. Obviously we are at least trying to get our lifes back in control!
:D

[Lessara]

If the bread company is losing money, why don't they make more products with whole wheat and grains or add protein breads to their product line. We do look for good food choices and isn't commercializm meant to feed the needs of the masses?
So we can't have white flour and sugar, there must be uses for splenda and whole grains, Don't you think?

[Karen]

Ha! No wonder they're worried! All that homeless Wonderbread...

http://jacksonville.bizjournals.com/kansascity/stories/2003/02/10/daily12.html

Interstate Bakeries Corp. lowered its earnings forecast for fiscal 2003 on Tuesday and said it will close about 100 nonperforming thrift stores to cut costs and improve efficiency.

Kansas City-based Interstate Bakeries (NYSE: IBC) is not disclosing the locations of the stores slated for closing, said Mark Dirkes, senior vice president of marketing. The stores are scattered throughout the country, he said, and a couple of Kansas City-area stores might be on the closing list.

The company will close some of the stores by the end of the quarter and the rest by year’s end, he said.

The stores pegged for closing are “very small” and typically have one employee each, Dirkes said. The company will lay off some of the employees and offer others jobs elsewhere in the company, he said.

The company’s stock closed Tuesday at $10.22, down $3.42, or more than 25 percent.

The company now expects earnings of 90 cents to 95 cents for its fiscal year, which ends May 31. This is down from its previous forecast of $1.30 a share, the company said in a written statement.

The lower forecast is due to the company’s expectation of a loss for its third quarter, which ends March 8.

Company CEO James Elsesser said in the statement that weaker than expected branded sales, especially in snack cakes; higher than expected product returns; and rising energy costs prompted the expected third-quarter loss and changed outlook.

“Our company is currently engaged in a process of change,” Elsesser said. “We have hired a national consulting firm to assist us in a complete review of our business model. We must become more efficient in the marketplace.”

Interstate Bakeries is the nation’s largest baker and distributor of fresh-baked bread and sweet goods. Its brands include Wonder, Hostess, Dolly Madison and Drake’s. The company has 61 bread and cake bakeries throughout the country.

The company ranks No. 3 on The Business Journal’s list of area public companies.

[gotbeer]

Feed all that extra grain to the COWS.

I'm happy to eat their tasteless carbs as long as our bovine friends process it into beef, cream and cheese first.

MORE COWS NOW! MORE COWS NOW! ;)

[Marieaa]

Originally posted by gary
Have to laugh at their ignorance of a major problem with eating their products. Just came back from company trip where we drove down and back from Philadelphia to Orlando. On the way back we ran into a traffic jam so we pulled off at the exit and had lunch. My boss and his family all had big plates with bread, grits, sandwiches and huge portions of french fries. I had a cheese and ham omelette and my wife's salad with blue cheese dressing. We got back in the van and took a detour around the accident - my boss insisted on driving. Shortly back on I95 he started getting sleepy and turned over the wheel to me. Well wouldn't you know it I had to drive through torrential downpours with hydroplaning and all. As I drove I looked in the mirror and everyone was totally conked out sleeping soundly. I was totally clear headed and not at all sleepy due to the LC meal. Before I did LC I used to have major problems with drowsyness after lunch. Thank goodness somebody in our crew was not drowsy! Plus the big danger - Type II diabetes. These companies promote Type II diabetes! :wave: So true, How many acidents from going to sleep on the road. From over eating,

[dennisp]

So Dr. Atkins program is "not good for business"!!!??

Maybe not for the "high carb" industry, but I bet the cattle ranchers, fishermen, chicken breeders and olive oil planters are loving it!!

As a former sugar addict, I will forever be in debt to the late Dr. Atkins - Going from a waist size of 50" to 38" in four months with a new wardrobe is my proof.

And my mother still doesn't believe I'm eating brocolli and califlower - with melted cheese of course!!!!!

Dennis :wave: :daze:

[BuffaloSue]

Originally posted by gotbeer
Feed all that extra grain to the COWS.

I'm happy to eat their tasteless carbs as long as our bovine friends process it into beef, cream and cheese first.

MORE COWS NOW! MORE COWS NOW! ;)

Beef, cream, and cheese from grass-fed cows is much healthier for us than from grain-fed cows. Grains seem to suck for cows, too.

MORE GRASS-FED COWS NOW! MORE GRASS-FED COWS NOW! :roll:

[gotbeer]

If chronic wasting disease (http://forum.lowcarber.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=105835) continues to spread, then cattle isolated in protective feedlots will be safer to eat than range-fed cattle exposed to the disease.

[ceobarb]

Tell me, just what do they feed cows and pigs to fatten them up to go to market??????? GRAINS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[captxray]

When we eat a cow, or its parts, that has been grain fed...we eat grain by-products! Worse, yet, we generally eat a cow that has been fed genetically altered CORN that is unfit for HUMAN consumption!!! Ever wonder why our pets have a greater % of cancer than humans? Look at the grain-based food they eat...which often is unfit for human consumption...as far as I'm concerned, though, all grain is unfit for human consumption...so are all dairy products...HUMANS are the only animals who eat/drink the milk of other animals...most humans are lacto-allergic by the age of four years, even if they aren't aware of it until they are fifty or sixty. Our ancestors before agriculture (only the last ten thousand or less years), never ate grains (they didn't exist) and probably didn't drink the milk of other animals (unless it was from the ocassional female mammoth they had just killed...certainly not a habitual thing). Phytates in grains are most-likely the cause of most, if not all, of our autoimmune diseases like MS, Lupus, Cancer, Obesity, Arthritis, ADHD, Schizophrenia, Asthma...the list goes on and on. Milk is now thought to be another culprit in this scenario...Realise, the jury is still out on this, but much evidence points in this direction. I, for one, sure feel a bunch better since going on LC. My mother, a chronic LFer, has high cholesterol and is on medication, recently had a heart attack, has bad asthma, arthritis...her food is tasteless...AND...she and my sister, who has never been able to control her weight...have the audacity to keep telling me that my "Diet" is dangerous! After two years, the best health in my life...you'd think they'd start to look at the facts...but...NO...THEY KNOW THEIR WAY IS BETTER. Who's being Pig-Headed, here?

[jedswife]

this is too funny. all of these food companies are really starting to hurt from the low carb craze. all i can say is it is about time. i hope they go right out of business (i know they wont really).

MY THINKEST THEY DO PROTEST TOO MUCH!!!!!
HA HA HA HA!

if they keep this up "NON Atkins Believers" will be converted to low carbers just because of all the negative press the high carb industry is stirring up. the high carb industry is doing themselves in as we speak. sit back, watch and laugh.

P>S. I hope dr. Atkins can see all of this going on. and i hope he's in heaven laughing at these fools.

[captxray]

Dr. Atkins, wherever you are...we hope you're smiling at the fools the carb producers are making of themselves...YOU'RE vindicated!

[lee]

It's wonderful to hear Atkins being vindicated so often, which is what the junk food providers are in an uproar about. The scientific facts and successful dieters are becoming overwhelming.

I do agree with Atkins that one should limit the amount of milk intake, even if not overweight, due to the sugar, but I want to make a note that milk gets a bad rap. Raw milk products are very good for you, and for some societies they are / have been a staple. What is not good for us is homogenation, pasteurization and the hormones and antibiotics given to the cows.

I only buy "organic" milk or cream, and non-homogenized when I can find it. Of course, pasteurization is required for mass production.

It disturbs me that even the fruit juices are being pasteurized. Ever notice the thick consistency of pasteurized orange juice, ex. Anyone know whether pasteurization kills all the enzymes - which are required for our digestion??

[captxray]

Pastuerization kills ALL the enzymes in anything it gets done to. Another thing...that is not the only reason milk and its by-products are bad for most people...like you said, the sugars in it...they cause more than weight loss. Lactose is a sugar and it is present in milk products, along with some bad lecthins...most people are allergic to it, even if they don't show the signs until much later in life...after it has done some (or a lot of) damage to the system. Pastuerization doesn't get rid of it, either. Milk is for babies ...and cow babies are the only animals who should be drinking cow milk...as well as baby goats for goat milk, etc. Humans start to show system compromises after about the age of three from Mother's (human) milk, even. Some of us are more resistant than others and last longer without getting lactose-or-other-nasty-things-from-milk-intolerant...that's how we have managed to survive as a species...we are, after all, OMNIVORES. Our systems are designed to be able to gleen as much as is available from our surroundings. A good thing, too. That is how we have managed in the last 5-10,000 years since agriculture came into being and milk and grain products became staples in most of the world. They helped us survive, as a species (because MANKIND, with the aid of the DOG, killed off the large animals they had used for staples for about a million years), but at a tremendous cost to our immune systems...the estimate by experts is that about 98% of us die from an autoimmune disease of some sort. That is what they mean when they say, "Natural Causes," like a heart attack, cancer, diabetes, obesity, lung failure, "his system just shut down because he was old," lupus, MS, rheumatoid arthritis...and on and on...