I'm pleased to see that some of us have replied to the BBC survey. I eventually succumbed myself, even though I don't do Atkins. I thought it might actually be educational for them
if I pointed out that there are many low carbers out there who don't actually follow the Atkins Diet. Let's broaden their minds!
Anyway, I thought it would be good if we could all post our emails here to get a flavour of what we have said, from a group point of view, to the BBC. It will be interesting to see if any of it is taken notice of!
Here's my email, anyway: (I'm already thinking of things I missed and should have said!
)
Dear Philip Hawkins
I would like to add my comments to your survey, although I need to point out that although I am a low-carber, I have never tried Atkins. It bothers me somewhat that in the media any low carbohydrate diet is always “Atkins”. That is akin to saying that all low fat diets are “Weight Watchers”. Atkins is simply the most well known version – there are many others, some of considerable standing, including the Schwarzbein Principle, Protein Power, the Carbohydrate Addicts Diet, the Zone, Dr Bernstein’s Diabetic Solution, Dr Charles Clark’s New Protein Diet, the South Beach Diet, William Banting’s “Letter on Corpulence” (published in 1864!) and the plan I follow, “Eat Fat Get Thin!” by Dr Barry Groves.
Thus, I answer the survey, substituting “low carb” for “Atkins” at each instance.
BBC1's Real Story Atkins Diet Survey
When did you first try the low carb Diet?
A: I started low carbing in April 2001. I was first interested in Protein Power, but after a month, I read “Eat Fat Get Thin” and have been following that plan ever since.
How long did you stay on it?
A: This is a misleading question, akin to “When did you stop beating your wife?”! The whole premise behind low carbing is that it is not a “diet” that you go on and come off. Low carbers call it a WoE (Way of Eating) precisely to avoid that connotation. Because it is such a nutritious and satisfying way to eat, you never need, or want, to “come off it”. I plan to eat this way for ever.
What was your weight BEFORE you tried the low carb Diet?
A: I weighed 12 stone 7 pounds when I started and I was a dress size 18.
What was your weight when you came off the low carb Diet?
A: As I said before, I have no intention of ever “coming off” low carbing.
If you lost weight on the diet, did it stay off when you came off the
diet?
A: I have lost weight whilst low carbing. If I was to stop low carbing, I would certainly regain weight because, like approx 80% of the population, my body does not process carbohydrates as efficiently as fats and proteins, which, as you will know, is called insulin resistance. I would simply convert all the excess carbohydrates to fat. But there is no need or desire or compunction to go back to “low fatting”; we need good fats, essential fats, and we also need amino acids, from proteins - there is no such thing as an “essential carbohydrate”.
If not, what weight did you go up to?
A: Not applicable – and never will be!
Have you tried the Atkins Diet again?
A: Does not compute, I’m afraid - See above.
If so, how many times?
A: Again see above.
What is your weight NOW?
A: 11 stone, a size 12/14 and still slowing shrinking!
Have you suffered any illness or health problems as a result of the
diet?
A: None at all – my health has vastly improved since I began low carbing. I sleep very soundly, wake refreshed in the morning (a revelation to me as I have never been a morning person!) my skin and joints have improved, I don’t get mood swings any more, I feel fitter, healthier and more relaxed than I have ever felt.
Would you try it again?
A: I will always be a low carber.
Did you read the Atkins book before embarking on the diet?
A: No – because I haven’t tried Atkins. I read “Eat Fat Get Thin!” and I have also read Protein Power, have done lots of research on the internet, write a recipe column for Carbhealth Magazine and am a Moderator for the online Yahoo group community “Low carb in the UK”.
Did you follow the guidance in the book?
A: Yes, I followed the guidance in “Eat Fat Get Thin!” I also read Barry Groves’ website, which is at
www.second-opinions.co.uk/eatfat.html which is an informative and comprehensive website about nutrition.
What are the positive things about the diet?
A: I really don’t know where to begin. This has changed my life completely. You can read my low carb “bio” on the Carbhealth website at:
http://www.e-clipse.com/magazine/profile-katy.htm
Do you have any negative comments about the diet?
A: Only that I awaiting the day when low carbing gets the mainstream recognition it deserves. It’s not easy being a committed low carber with very little support in the Real World.
Any other comments?
Only that I believe that a high carbohydrate diet is at the root of many of the modern diseases of civilization, including heart disease, diabetes and many cancers. Fat has got a bad name over the past 30-50 years, but all the research showing high fat diets are bad for you are done in the presence of a high carbohydrate diet, where carbohydrates make up approximately 50% of the diet of the subjects studied! This is to assume that consumption of a high carbohydrate diet is, by definition, innocuous. IMO this is flawed science and, even to my untrained scientific brain, obvious! Humans evolved over millions of years on a diet of protein and fat, carbohydrates were eaten sparingly – only what the hunters could “gather”, and then only in season. Grains and cereals were introduced only 5,000 years ago, which, evolutionarily speaking, is only yesterday! This is not enough time for human beings to have evolved the facility to process a high carbohydrate diet efficiently and this has particularly led to problems since low fat/high carbohydrate diets have come into “fashion” over the past 20-30 years. Please see Barry Groves’ website (above) for more comprehensive and more eloquent information.
I do hope that Real Story will give a balanced view of low carbing, and not resort to the banner headline type of presentation that we have seen on the likes of “Tonight with Trevor McDonald”. I hope that Real Story will begin the subject with an open mind, and thoroughly investigate by looking behind government recommendations and so called scientific results to the beginnings of the low fatting fad in the early 1950s.
Best regards
Katy Wheeler