Pubs warned against 'Atkins-friendly' menus after FSA report
Publicans hoping to cash in on the popularity of the controversial Atkins diet should steer clear, after an official government statement slammed the low-carbohydrate food fad.
With reports claiming three million Brits are adopting the high-protein, high-fat eating programme, food-led pubs have been quick to market dishes as "Atkins-friendly". Many pubs have seen certain meals sell in large numbers because they are low in carbohydrates.
In Scottish & Newcastle's brand Henry's, for example, a duck and brie salad, put on the menu as part of the British Food Fortnight promotion, has been enormously successful.
Marketing manager Vicky Hope believes that this is due to the number of customers following the Atkins diet.
But now the government's Food Standards Agency (FSA) has issued a damning statement about low-carbohydrate eating regimes, claiming such a diet leads to heart disease, cancer and, ironically, obesity.
The statement, which does not name the Atkins diet but clearly refers to it and similar regimes, says: "Low carbohydrate diets have had a lot of publicity recently. This type of diet tends to be unrealistic and dull and not palatable enough to be tolerated for a long time."
The statement, in question and answer form on the FSA's website, adds that low-carb diets are often high in fat which increases the risk of coronary heart disease and obesity. In turn, obesity can lead to diabetes and some cancers.
It also mentions that the diet restricts the amount of fruit and vegetables dieters eat - which again increases the risk of heart disease and some cancers.
But a spokesperson for the US-based Atkins company claimed it was consumption of carbohydrates such as white bread and potatoes that led to heart disease.
The Atkins diet has been phenomenally successful in the UK, with sales of bread, pasta and rice falling while meat sales rise. The price of eggs, which are allowed on the eating plan, has risen by nine per cent as suppliers struggle to keep up with demand.
The flexibility of pubs' menus, and Atkins-friendly, traditional pub grub favourites such as steak or ham and eggs, means pubs have been reaping the rewards of the British love of the low-carb regime.
But with the government's damning statement warning customers of the dangers of high-protein eating plans, publicans would be better to avoid labelling meals as Atkins-friendly - while still cashing in on customers' demands for low-carb meals.
Pictured: Eggs and bacon are popular choices for Atkins dieters.
