Are low-carbohydrate diets healthy?

by Adena Miller
FOR THE POST

While numerous low-carbohydrate diets are saturating the market, and trickling in and out of some people’s daily lives, Dr. Atkins’ New Diet Revolution seems to be one of the diets currently in the spotlight.

"It’s been a very popular book," said Rich Purdy, co-owner of Little Professor Book Center, 65 S. Court St. "We’ve carried it since its publication in 1992, and in the last year and a half it has really taken off."

Dr. Atkins’ diet suggests dieters have a total intake of no more than 20 grams of carbohydrates a day for the first 14 days. Then after the 14-day period, a dieter can increase the carbohydrate intake depending on his or her maintenance level. The diet consists of pure proteins, pure fats (i.e., butter, olive oil, mayonnaise) and a combination of protein and fats. Meat, fish, eggs, cheese, salad and certain vegetables are the main foods recommended for the diet.

Richard Greenlee, an associate professor of social work at Ohio University, followed Atkins’ diet for eight months. He said it was a great way to lose weight fast.

"I lost 35 to 40 pounds in four months," Greenlee said. "It was a way for me to structure how I did things and helped me discipline what I ate."

Greenlee said he was limited to what he could eat and had to learn to eat differently. He said the diet was "pretty bland and boring" because he primarily ate meats and cheeses.

OU senior Jason Shultz said he successfully lost weight on the diet, but quit after about two months because he didn’t feel it was healthy.

"If it was easy, it couldn’t be the best way to do it," Shultz said.

Although some people do lose weight quickly on this diet, certain health concerns should be taken into consideration.

"I would never recommend this diet," said Melani Duffrin, a registered dietician and OU instructor of nutrition.

"The Atkins’ Diet restricts you to a limited amount of food, restricting the calorie intake, and limiting yourself to certain food groups, which isn’t healthy," she said.

Duffrin, who teaches Introduction to Nutrition, said she lectures about Dr. Atkins’ diet and what happens to your body when on a low carbohydrate diet.

According to ••Contemporary Nutrition-Issues and Insights 3rd edition•• by Gordon M. Wardlaw, when a person does not eat enough carbohydrates, an additional result is that fats don’t break down completely. Partial breakdown products of fats, called ketones, begin to form. This condition is known as ketosis, which disturbs the body’s normal acid-base balance and leads to health problems.

Duffrin said there are many risks to Atkins’ diet, in addition to ketosis.

"Whenever you leave out food groups, you are leaving out nutrients that go with these food groups," he said. "The diet also goes against the American Heart Association’s recommendations." Duffrin said there are many reasons why people are attracted to different diets.

"I think people are naturally interested in healthy living, and since it (Atkins’ diet) is on the mainstream media right now, people are going to have questions about it," she said.

"Consumers should be aware of how to recognize fad diets and realize that it’s not a long term solution," she said.

Duffrin also offered some advice for a healthy diet. "If you want a diet, follow a diet that offers variety, balance and moderation and that includes exercise."