Atkins Diet: Readers React

Updated 7:01 p.m. ET, May 3, 2000 -- Editor's note: Many weeks after we originally posted a Diet Detective column assessing the value of "Dr. Atkins' New Diet Revolution," the popularity of the diet and the loyalty of its users continue to generate e-mail feebdack.

In the column, writer Cynthia Battles concluded that the Atkins diet -- with its low-carb/no-dairy approach -- is gimmicky and of dubious effectiveness. Many readers said we had been overly skeptical, while a few said we hadn't been skeptical enough.

Misunderstood

Louise Parcellin of North Reading, Mass. doubted we knew what we were talking about. She wrote:

"I've lost 12 pounds on the Atkins Diet. I do not consume large amounts of protein on this diet, nor do I consume large amounts of fat. I eat lots of vegetables and try to stick to 4 ounces of protein at each meal.

"What I have done is eliminated flour and sugar from my diet. For anyone who is addicted to carbohydrates, flour and sugar are ingredients for disaster. I may not be an expert, but I've never heard of anyone dying from not eating flour or sugar. Would someone tell me what's so healthy about a bagel?

"It appears that the critics of this food plan are missing the point. The idea is not to load up on high-fat, high-protein foods -- these foods are allowed, but obviously consuming too much of them would not result in a weight loss. The point of the program is to eliminate sugar and flour -- the two ingredients that create food cravings in a lot of us and the two ingredients that contain absolutely no nutritional value. By eliminating them from my life, I can eat a healthy balanced diet, have no food cravings, experienced no energy 'highs' and 'lows' during the day and just feel better all over.

"This isn't brain surgery; it's very cut and dry and very simple. So why is it that so many people are misinterpreting this program?"

Atkins: Give It Time

"As a successful Atkins Dieter, I wish people would read beyond the first two weeks of the program. I have been on the diet since April, lost 30 pounds (my husband lost 40) and we are successfully on the maintenance portion of the diet. We are now able to enjoy limited amounts of carbs (yes, even a slice of bread -- wow!) and treat ourselves to a sinful dessert occasionally.

"This diet isn't for everyone, but it can work and you can keep off the weight. It's not a diet... it's a lifestyle.

"Thanks for your opinion and review,

"Sincerely,
"Laurie Fedje"
jfedje@attglobal.net
Coon Rapids, Minn.

'Never Felt Better'

"Dear 'Diet Detective,'

"On your commentary of the Atkins Diet, I wish critics, or 'investigators' like yourself, would get beyond the drastic carbohydrate decrease of the first two-week period. I have been on this food program for six months and I have lost a total of 40 pounds. Most of that came off in the first three months, and now I am on the program's maintenance diet. I am maintaining the weight loss, and I do not plan on gaining or losing any more weight. I have found my personal carbohydrate level, between 80 and 100 a day, and I am maintaining that weight. I exercise two to three times a week by playing racquetball and I chase my two kids all over creation. In other words, I have never felt better.

"In your commentary of this program, you make it sound like everyone who is on this diet is out for a quick fix, an easy answer. Well, get off your high horse. My wife and I have been working hard at this for siux months and we are doing this, not off the cuff, but methodically, and wisely. I would like to see critics of this diet take into consideration the fact that many people might actually take their health seriously and wisely make decisions that can do their body some real good. Maybe in your next 'investigation' you can talk to some educated people about how they are using the diet.

--"Jay Fedje"

'Felt Terrible The Whole Time'

"I tried the Atkins diet religiously for 2 1/2 months. I felt terrible the whole time. No energy, and I only lost eight pounds in that time. I have 70 to lose. This definitely did not work for me."

--"Lori Senef"

It's All About Ketosis

"I just read the article about Atkins and I was wondering....isn't the Atkins diet just a means to throw your body into ketosis to lose weight? That is what happens when you don't eat carbos. I was just wondering because it wasn't mentioned in the article...

--"Carolena ('Kat') :) " shenarra@yahoo.com

Definition of ketosis from http://women.webmd.com: "Ketone is a substance formed by the body during the breakdown of fats and fatty acids into carbon dioxide and water?Excessive amounts of ketones are formed when fat is used, instead of sugar, for providing energy. This condition, called ketosis, occurs during starvation and sometimes during high fevers when large amounts of heat energy are generated?. (From: The World Book Rush-Presbyterian St. Luke's Medical Center Medical Encyclopedia)."

What Do You Expect The Milkmen To Say?

"To: Diet Detective,

"Of course the American Dairy Association is going to promote milk for us adults. That is their job! But if you want the facts on milk and adults, check in with Norma Munson! She'll give you an earful! To quote Miss Munson in reference to adults and milk, 'The only thing milk is good for is to make baby calves fat.'

"Sincerely, M. M. Rooney"

Column Judged Too Quickly

"You obviously have not read the book. Induction, which is the strictest part of the diet and lasts two weeks, includes three salads a day or two salads and 1 cooked vegetable (serving). The OWL (ongoing weight loss) program allows many more vegetables and limited fruit.

"I have been on Atkins for one year, lost 70 pounds, increased my lean body mass by 28 pounds, lowered my cholesterol, and generally feel better.

"I would suggest the next time you want to review a book that you try reading it first.

"Thank you,
"Kara"

Lean Meat, Veggies -- What's The Problem?

"You missed the boat!! You should have read the entire book and talked to people who take it seriously.

"I have been on the diet for 11 months. I have taken off 30 pounds and maintained that loss. My triglyceride levels have dropped from 495 to 143. My good cholesteral is up and my bad is down, drastically.

"I took blood tests before and during my diet. I have hypothyroid, which means I have practically no metabolism. I take thyroid and was never able to lose the weight I gained from my medical problem until I started the Atkins Diet. My doctor, an internal medicine specialist, is aware that I am on it and is recommending me to stay on it for life! I asked him about all the rumors about this diet affecting your health and his reply was 'You're eating lean meat, healthy vegetables and fruit -- how could that be bad for you?'

"Read the induction chapter: This will explain what the diet is all about!

"Living Proof,
"John Gilyard
"Stillwater, Minn."

Low-Carb Diet Eases Diabetes, Fertility

"The one thing that is getting overlooked is the fact that for many people, this diet is more than just some way to lose weight -- it has become a necessary lifestyle change, whether you are talking about the Atkins diet or any of the other low-carb diets.

"People who are insulin-resistant (and I've heard that 25 percent of the population has IR) can't effectively metabolize carbos, so when they switch to a low-carb, high-protein diet, they become much healthier.

"Additionally, IR causes many other problems, including type 2 diabetes, obesity, and fertility problems. Take a peek at http://www.pcosupport.org for more information on the link between IR and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), a significant cause of fertility problems among women. From personal experience, I can tell you that by low-carbing for just a couple of weeks, I have seen significant improvement in my PCOS symptoms. For many other women, low-carbing has restored their ability to ovulate and even conceive children. The pcosupport page has links to personal pages, listservs, and chat rooms that contain such testimonials.

"http://www.ir-web.com has information about insulin resistance. Basically, IR is a condition in people whose cells don't respond appropriately to the insulin released, and their bodies in turn produce excess insulin in an effort to achieve the desired results. High insulin levels cause a load of other problems.

"I think the media has taken this Atkins diet and promoted it to being a big fad. You do a great disservice to those of us for whom this diet is a way of life. If you want to show this diet being beneficial, show the real medical reasons behind why it works. Show people for whom this diet has dramatically altered their lives. Just don't promote it as the latest diet craze. It trivializes our battle and our treatment options.

--"Denise Winkelman,
"St. Cloud, Minn."
denisew@netlinkcom.com

Click to read the original Diet Detective column on the Atkins diet.