Low-Carb Craze Winds Down
by Erin Macbeth

Atkins, South Beach, Weight Watchers, the Zone— these so-called “diet fads” have Americans loosing interest and gaining pounds. A new study tells you why.

Low-carb pasta, low-calorie ice cream, sugar-free candy—these are the ghosts of diets past. Over 300 low-carb products were introduced in 2004 alone, all catering to a niche audience that is quickly losing steam.

UNC-CH senior Erin Donohue is one of many students on campus who gave a low-carb diet a try.

“I tried the Atkins Diet last year,” she said, “and at first I liked it a lot, but then I ended up gaining weight.”

As the number of diet dropouts rises, a new study released this month says the diets are not working because people cannot stick with them. Nutritionist Jenny Favret says the problem is that the diets are too restrictive.

“I think initially people go on the diet and they see good results, again initially, but they find it very difficult to give up carbs permanently,” says Favret.

Now the lines at the Lenoir Hall pasta bar have returned to normal, as students wait for the next big diet fad to come along.

But if you are looking for a diet from all the diets, here is one to try: Kim Bailey’s “North Beach Diet” has recipes for donuts, Twinkies, fried foods and more, guaranteed to help you pack on the pounds instantly.