Investigative Reports
IR: Dieting Wars
Monday , June 24 10:00 PM-11:00 PM

A look at the weight loss gurus who are battling it out for their share of the fat wallets of the overweight. Host Bill Kurtis examines the conflicting diet plans of Dr. Robert Atkins, Dr. Dean Ornish, and even actress Suzanne Somers. Plus, we get to the bottom of such "magic pills" as Leptin and Phen Fen. NR

This is the A & E Channel

Oh darn that looks like it'll be really interesting, is it a TV program? I would watch that for sure!
I wonder if it will be written up on the web at all?

Let us know what goes down Ok

Jenny I suspect it will be posted on their site...here is the link:


http://www.aande.com/

Bonnie

Neat as thanks a bunch.
I'll be sure to check it out after the show

Ugh, what a horrible show, but I didn't expect much in the first place. They made Atkins look horrible in the USDA debate, I'd really like to see the debate in its entirety. Anybody know where one can find a copy of the transcript?

Here is the low carb summery of the show.

They made it seem as if Atkins was a no carbohydrate program, and they didn't show anyone who was maintaining it. There was a guy eating greasy meat and he did have a veggie side dish but you couldn't really tell what was in it. No mention of the supplements and exercise Atkins recommends. Most common complaints are of constipation and bad breath.

The USDA debate (I know I've read a transcript somewhere...if it's the same one I'm thinking of.) talked about research projects and funding. Atkins pointed out that he didn't have any government funding to assist him, the other side said with so many books in print he should be able to fund his own and Atkins says research is coming soon. The other side says we've been waiting 30 years where is the proof? Most people do research he said and then wrote the book.

At the very end of the program they brought up Dr. Atkin's recent heart problems and insinuated that it was caused by his diet.

As an aside, I don't know much about Dean Ornish's plan but the way it was described sounds like a death wish--no fat, low protein, you can eat fish if you don't have heart disease? Sounds like a slow, painful death. Hasn't this guy heard about essential fatty acids? Those people that can stick to such an awful plan must lose a lot of lean muscle mass due to lack of protein. But perhaps he was equally misrepresented on the program.


Beth

The one statement that irked me the worst was when it was suggested "yes, all these diets work because you are lowering calories"...seems to me they tried to cram too many diet gurus into one show without focasing on folks who had actually been successful long term... guess it is more newsworthyif they can make these diets seem very controversial with exaggerated headlines catches a large viewer audience..

Bonnie

Well, I was mildly upset that I forgot to tape the show, but it's probably just as well. I get so angry when I see articles and shows which intentionally misrepresent the LC WOE! If they had any real evidence that LC isn't the healthy WOE it is, they'd make sure everyone knew it.

Elihnig, I have heard Dean Ornish describe his diet several times, and you are so right; it sounds like the way you'd make someone eat if you wanted to torture them! I can't believe that people actually think that a diet that starves the body of essential amino acids and fatty acids and leaves them weak and hungry can be the healthy alternative.

Karla

USDA Great Nutrition Debate transcript