Report: Atkins advises cutback on meat
Monday, January 19, 2004
Posted: 10:05 AM EST (1505 GMT)
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NEW YORK (Reuters) -- Promoters of the popular low-carbohydrate,
high-fat Atkins diet are saying that people should limit their
intake of saturated fat by cutting back on Atkins staples such as
meat, cheese and butter, The New York Times reported on Sunday.
Responding to criticism from scientists that Atkins could lead to
heart disease and other health problems, the director of research
and education for Atkins Nutritionals, Colette Heimowitz, is telling
health professionals that only 20 percent of a dieter's calories
should come from saturated fat, the paper said.
Beef, pork, lamb and butter were on the list of "foods you may
eat liberally" in diet founder Dr. Robert C. Atkins' plan. Atkins'
original 1972 book, "Dr. Atkins' Diet Revolution," was contrary to
the recommendations of most nutritional experts at the time. It has
become increasingly popular since the 1992 publication of his book,
"Dr. Atkins' New Diet Revolution."
Atkins, who died last year, always maintained that people should
eat other food besides red meat, but had trouble getting that
message out, the paper said.
The change comes as new low-carb diets are gaining in popularity,
with many calling for less saturated fats. The South Beach Diet is
one such plan and has sold millions of copies of its book since its
launch last year. The book is currently No. 1 on the New York Times
best-seller list.
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