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CNN Live At Daybreak

What Are Benefits of Atkins Diet?

Aired January 08, 2003 - 06:27   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Anyway, we're going to talk to Lisa Drayer now because as you know, a lot of diets come and go, and the hot talk has been about the Atkins diet, which says you can lose weight while eating all of the meat, the eggs, the cheese and butter you want to.
But is it more beneficial than traditional low fat diets?

For that answer, who are you going to call?

Registered dietitian Lisa Drayer.

Good morning.

LISA DRAYER, NUTRITIONIST: Good morning, Carol.

Yes, the Atkins diet is all the buzz these days, especially because we've seen some positive research on this diet. Studies have shown that those who have followed this diet have experienced greater weight loss and greater improvements in cholesterol levels as compared to those who have followed a traditional low fat diet.

Now, when we're talking Atkins, we mean high fat and very low carbs. The amount of carbs that you would get in just one apple.

But there are some things to consider about some of the research. The most recent study was funded by Atkins himself. And if we look very closely, we see that the study was very small. It involved only 120 people. It was only for six months, not a very long time to measure long-term...

COSTELLO: Well, and who funded it?

DRAYER: Atkins actually funded the study himself. But here's the real interesting factor. Those who followed Atkins received omega 3 fatty acids. These are the beneficial fats found in fish that actually help to lower cholesterol and triglycerides levels. Gee, I wonder what worked, the supplements or the diet so.

COSTELLO: Yes, you never know.

Give us the low down on this diet, though. How does it work?

DRAYER: Absolutely. If we're considering low carb, there's a few things to know. The first thing is when it comes to weight loss, it's total calories that count, not carbohydrates per se. If we consume 500 fewer calories on a daily basis, we will lose one pound per week, whether those calories are from carbs, fat or protein. The reason why many lose on low carb is because they're consuming less than they were before. Now...

COSTELLO: So that doesn't mean a low carb or a high -- I guess a high carb diet is bad.

DRAYER: Exactly. In fact, in some cases it is appropriate to follow a reduced carbohydrate diet, for example, those with diabetes or insulin resistance, these individuals have trouble metabolizing large amounts of carbs. But here we're talking about 40 percent of the diet as carbohydrates, not the low level that we see on Atkins, which is only six percent, if you were consuming 1,200 calories. An important fact.

Also, if we're not consuming lean protein sources such as chicken and fish and consuming a lot of meat, this boosts saturated fat, which increases cholesterol levels. It can raise the risk for heart disease.

Finally, it can be very difficult to exercise when we're consuming so few carbs in the diet. Exercise is very important and carbs are the main fuel for the muscles.

COSTELLO: Yes, and I just can't imagine exercising after eating a big slab of meat.

DRAYER: Absolutely not. A lot of people feel very fatigued mentally and physically when they consume so little carbs. They don't have the energy to exercise.

COSTELLO: OK, I just have one thought on this.

DRAYER: Sure.

COSTELLO: I had a friend who went on the Atkins diet and she lost a lot of weight. I'm talking 50 pounds. But it's so difficult to maintain eating that way that, of course, she gained it back and more in a matter of months.

DRAYER: Absolutely, and that's the thing, when you add carbs back in the diet, you are going to add on the extra weight. And that's if you, you know, cannot tolerate -- most people cannot tolerate the diet. I mean did you hear what Dr. Atkins has for dessert?

COSTELLO: What?

DRAYER: Talking about, he has macadamia nut butter and heavy cream. Now, if, you know, I don't know about you, but I'd rather have brownies.

COSTELLO: Me, too.

DRAYER: It's just not realistic for the long-term.

COSTELLO: Shouldn't we just listen to that golden rule, eat in moderation, exercise three times a week and you're going to be just fine?

DRAYER: Absolutely. And this is not a moderate diet. It's just too strict to follow for the long-term.

COSTELLO: Lisa, thank you very much.

DRAYER: Thank you.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com







Aired January 8, 2003 - 06:27   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Anyway, we're going to talk to Lisa Drayer now because as you know, a lot of diets come and go, and the hot talk has been about the Atkins diet, which says you can lose weight while eating all of the meat, the eggs, the cheese and butter you want to.
But is it more beneficial than traditional low fat diets?

For that answer, who are you going to call?

Registered dietitian Lisa Drayer.

Good morning.

LISA DRAYER, NUTRITIONIST: Good morning, Carol.

Yes, the Atkins diet is all the buzz these days, especially because we've seen some positive research on this diet. Studies have shown that those who have followed this diet have experienced greater weight loss and greater improvements in cholesterol levels as compared to those who have followed a traditional low fat diet.

Now, when we're talking Atkins, we mean high fat and very low carbs. The amount of carbs that you would get in just one apple.

But there are some things to consider about some of the research. The most recent study was funded by Atkins himself. And if we look very closely, we see that the study was very small. It involved only 120 people. It was only for six months, not a very long time to measure long-term...

COSTELLO: Well, and who funded it?

DRAYER: Atkins actually funded the study himself. But here's the real interesting factor. Those who followed Atkins received omega 3 fatty acids. These are the beneficial fats found in fish that actually help to lower cholesterol and triglycerides levels. Gee, I wonder what worked, the supplements or the diet so.

COSTELLO: Yes, you never know.

Give us the low down on this diet, though. How does it work?

DRAYER: Absolutely. If we're considering low carb, there's a few things to know. The first thing is when it comes to weight loss, it's total calories that count, not carbohydrates per se. If we consume 500 fewer calories on a daily basis, we will lose one pound per week, whether those calories are from carbs, fat or protein. The reason why many lose on low carb is because they're consuming less than they were before. Now...

COSTELLO: So that doesn't mean a low carb or a high -- I guess a high carb diet is bad.

DRAYER: Exactly. In fact, in some cases it is appropriate to follow a reduced carbohydrate diet, for example, those with diabetes or insulin resistance, these individuals have trouble metabolizing large amounts of carbs. But here we're talking about 40 percent of the diet as carbohydrates, not the low level that we see on Atkins, which is only six percent, if you were consuming 1,200 calories. An important fact.

Also, if we're not consuming lean protein sources such as chicken and fish and consuming a lot of meat, this boosts saturated fat, which increases cholesterol levels. It can raise the risk for heart disease.

Finally, it can be very difficult to exercise when we're consuming so few carbs in the diet. Exercise is very important and carbs are the main fuel for the muscles.

COSTELLO: Yes, and I just can't imagine exercising after eating a big slab of meat.

DRAYER: Absolutely not. A lot of people feel very fatigued mentally and physically when they consume so little carbs. They don't have the energy to exercise.

COSTELLO: OK, I just have one thought on this.

DRAYER: Sure.

COSTELLO: I had a friend who went on the Atkins diet and she lost a lot of weight. I'm talking 50 pounds. But it's so difficult to maintain eating that way that, of course, she gained it back and more in a matter of months.

DRAYER: Absolutely, and that's the thing, when you add carbs back in the diet, you are going to add on the extra weight. And that's if you, you know, cannot tolerate -- most people cannot tolerate the diet. I mean did you hear what Dr. Atkins has for dessert?

COSTELLO: What?

DRAYER: Talking about, he has macadamia nut butter and heavy cream. Now, if, you know, I don't know about you, but I'd rather have brownies.

COSTELLO: Me, too.

DRAYER: It's just not realistic for the long-term.

COSTELLO: Shouldn't we just listen to that golden rule, eat in moderation, exercise three times a week and you're going to be just fine?

DRAYER: Absolutely. And this is not a moderate diet. It's just too strict to follow for the long-term.

COSTELLO: Lisa, thank you very much.

DRAYER: Thank you.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com