A news story about low-carb mania and Krispy Kreme got me thinking.

[qb]

Krispy Kreme's value went down for the first time, and they're blaming it on low-carb mania. However, they have no plans for a low sugar donut yet.

I think the key is low SUGAR. Complex carbohydrates take time and energy to break down and digest, while sugar goes straight to your bloodstream (and hips, or wherever). I would like to see a study comparing a low-carb diet to one that is just low-sugar.

[LynzM]

1. You're right

Carbs aren't inherantly evil. You need some to fuel your body. But cutting refined sugar out of your diet is a great way to get healthier! South beach diet is actually a lot better in this regard than many others, if you're going that way. It weans you off of refined sugars by cutting all carbs, then slowly reintroducing those that are healthy, particularly high-fiber ones.

[MissMillie]

2. Fiber!!!!!

absolutely essential to gastro-intestinal health and heart health.

Don't go no-carb, go "right carb"

[Trajan]

5. South Beach is rational ...

GOOD carbs stick with ya and burn slow: BAD carbs spike insulin saturation .... and you get hungry faster ...

Im a fan of South Beach, just started last week, and already down 5 pounds and DIDNT go hungry ....

[StClone]

3. Donuts are refined cake flour

Not fiber rich complex carbs.

White flour is broken down rapidly into sugar as soon as the enzyme in saliva hits it. It is worse than sugar for producing cavities because it coats the teeth and gets stuck in your teeth whereas sugars go rapidly into solution and are swallowed.

White flour consumption is correlated with weight gain and blood sugar spikes, too.

[jpgray]

4. So far studies showing Atkins makes people healthier aren't complete

They only compare the Atkins folks to average people, NOT to people on a healthy, balanced diet--also the study doesn't last long enough to identify any number of serious problems. Really following Atkins (not just avoiding carbs) may make you healthier than the average American, but it is less healthy than a well-balanced diet. The latter avoids the refined foods that are so unhealthy as Atkins recognized while at the same time eliminating most saturated fats as well--can't beat that combination. :)

[tigerbeat]

6. the funniest part is.....

....the article i read quoted the krispy kreme spokesperson as saying something to the effect of: "we hope that the atkins fad will pass and people will returned to a more well-balanced diet"

please find me that "well-balanced diet" which includes doughy, sugar-caked discs of goo. i'll jump right on that bandwagon.