Area stores find dieters sticking with low carbs


By NOELLE PHILLIPS

Staff writer



Don’t count the low-carb craze out just yet.

At least not in Columbia, where everything from Heinz One Carb Ketchup to Michelob Ultra beer still find their places on grocery store shelves.

Brad Stinson, co-owner of OK Carbs food store on Harbison Boulevard, said he expects people to stick with the low-carb diets.

“There was a phase where everybody had to get ‘low-carb’ on their product,” Stinson said. “You may see that fall away. But for people for whom this is working, I think they will continue.”

Heidi Smith, a spokeswoman for Bi-Lo, said the grocer didn’t have any definitive evidence that low-carb food items were a falling fad.

However, the chain anticipates a shift toward packaging that highlights overall healthy eating rather than strictly low-carb, Smith said.

Stinson and three other investors opened their low-carb store nine months ago. All four have followed the Atkins-style diet. They keep up with scientific research on low-carb diets and can help people follow the program, he said.

Stinson admits the holidays are hard for any business focused on diet. OK Carbs’ distributors have told Stinson they expect low-carb sales to pick up after the New Year, he said.

“It’s hard to tell at this time of the year because people drop off their diets,” he said.

http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestat...ss/10464492.htm

"However, the chain anticipates a shift toward packaging that highlights overall healthy eating rather than strictly low-carb, Smith said."

That's what I look for! Those plastic trays with plastic wrap covering my meat.....the nice displays that hold all those fresh fruit and veggies.....that's all. Their displays scream healthy....too bad so many ignore them!