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NEWS RELEASE
April 15, 2004
For immediate release
Contact:
Christa Dickey
cdickey@acsm.org
LOW CARB APPEAL IS HIGH, RESULTS LIMITED
Nutritionist Says Lack of Food Variety Makes Low Carb Hard to
Follow
ORLANDO – Low carbohydrate diets can be hard to follow and have
mixed results both short and long term, says Melinda Manore, Ph.D., R.D.
The restriction of certain food groups can make the specialized diets
difficult because of the lack of food variety, even though the trend has
created awareness of the negative weight effects of eating too many
overly-processed carbohydrates, like those in some breads, cereals and
other food containing refined white flour.
In an address to health and fitness professionals today at the
American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Health & Fitness Summit
and Exposition, Manore said the average low carb dieter is on the plan
less than three months. Because you have to limit so much food,
particularly important foods like whole grains, fruits, and vegetables,
dieters tend to “cheat,” “modify,” or forego the
low-carb lifestyle.
"The high-protein, low carbohydrate diets brought a sensitivity to
our intake of processed carbohydrates, which is good,” said
Manore. “Yet eliminating so many foods with vitamins, minerals,
phytochemicals and other nutrients can have a negative impact on
one’s health in addition to significantly reducing meal options.
It doesn’t help a dieter to have so few options that they get
tired of eating the same thing over and over, and ultimately give
up.”
Manore pointed out recent consumer research, in which about 67
percent of consumers said they were moderate users of low-carb diets
(defined as “watching carbs”). Of that group, only five
percent indicated they were dedicated low-carb users. Most respondents
said they used the diet for short-term results; that is, rapid weight
loss. Unfortunately, Manore says, that weight loss is partially fluid
and is unlikely to stay off. In fact, people coming off the diet will
likely experience a small amount of weight gain as the body becomes
rehydrated.
Low carb diets appear to be safe and potentially effective for weight
loss in the short-term for those under the age of 50, but Manore
emphasized the data does not yet exist on potential health risks
associated with long-term use. The diet is generally not recommended for
active people because low carbohydrates intake can deprive the body of
extra energy or make people too fatigued to exercise.
Manore suggests friends or relatives of low-carb eaters be patient
and realize their diet restrictions are probably short-lived, lasting
from two to six weeks. “People who have lost weight the low-carb
way are true believers. Rather than criticize, talk with them about the
pros and cons of the diet. Promote balance by asking what they are
eating. Oftentimes, they prefer the diet because they don’t have
to think or count, they just avoid the ‘banned’
foods.”
ACSM’s Health & Fitness Summit & Exposition is going on
now at the Renaissance Orlando Resort at SeaWorld. For more information
on the event, or to speak with staff in the on-site press office, please
call 407-235-7247 (through Saturday, April 17).
The American College of Sports Medicine is the largest sports
medicine and exercise science organization in the world. More than
20,000 International, National and Regional members are dedicated to
promoting and integrating scientific research, education and practical
applications of sports medicine and exercise science to maintain and
enhance physical performance, fitness, health and quality of life.
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The American College of Sports Medicine gratefully
acknowledges the following Health & Fitness Summit & Exposition
sponsors: LifeFitness (Premier Sponsor), Gatorade Sports
Science Institute, Gatorade, Reebok (Educational Partner), Amino Vital,
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, EAS, Lippincott Williams
& Wilkins, BSDI, and SPRI Products, Inc.
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