Yates's Atkins move may have been hasty

Yates's new Atkins-friendly menu could be an ill-timed move for the high street pub chain.

Last week the pub brand announced it was to cash in on the craze for Dr Atkins's low-carbohydrate diet plan and offer a menu to cater for dieters.

Meals on the menu include the Yates's burger - chargrilled chicken breast topped with melted cheese and sandwiched between two 6oz burgers finished with sour cream and served with mushrooms.

The Yates's menu was designed to appeal to dieters who chose the plan because it allows unlimited amounts of meat, fish, eggs, cheese and butter.

But it is this liberal attitude to foods that are high in saturated fat that has earned Atkins criticism from medical experts, who believe it could increase the risk of heart disease, diabetes and kidney failure.

And now the company behind the Atkins diet is warning devotees of the fad, which is thought to be followed by as many as three million Brits, that they should limit the amount of calories they get from foods high in saturated fat.

That means red meat, cheese, butter and cream all need to be eaten in smaller amounts with more emphasis put on eating chicken and fish.

The company, Atkins Nutritionals, made the warning at recent health seminars in the US.

It comes after mounting criticism of the diet from health experts. The British Dietetic Association, the British Nutrition Foundation and the Food Standards Agency have all advised against low-carbohydrate diets because of the potential health risks. Instead they advocate balanced diets with five portions of fruit and vegetables every day.

Yates's was unavailable for comment.

Related articles:​

Yates's cashes in on fashionable Atkins (7 January 2004)