Thu, Jul-05-12, 18:53
|
Senior Member
Posts: 1,876
|
|
Plan: Generic low carb
Stats: 212/167/135
BF:
Progress: 58%
Location: Long Island, NY
|
|
Unbelievable correspondence with Dr. McDougall regarding Atkins....
I read Dr. McDougall's latest newsletter today. You can read it HERE.
I took issue with this statement:
Quote:
The original Atkins Diet is the ultimate in low-carb eating. This diet works by starving the human body of carbohydrates in order to induce a state of illness (ketosis), which can result in weight loss. People become too sick to eat too much.
In an attempt to remedy the obvious harms to human health caused by very low-carb eating, apologists (including the Atkins Nutritionals) have added fruits and non-starchy vegetables to their programs.
|
I foolishly thought that if I made this error (about fruits and non-starchy vegetables being a recent addition to the Atkins diet by the Atkins Nutritionals people) known to them, they would change the newsletter. (Yes, I also took issue with the nonsense about ketosis being a "state of illness" but I figured one battle at a time.)
This is the email I sent to Dr. McDougall:
Quote:
I clicked on the first link in your newsletter about the paleo diet and read this:
"The diet does allow for adding fruits, vegetables, and whole-grain foods after the two-week induction period."
However, your newsletter says this:
"In an attempt to remedy the obvious harms to human health caused by very low-carb eating, apologists (including the Atkins Nutritionals) have added fruits and non-starchy vegetables to their programs."
The information at the site linked is correct. Vegetables, fruits and whole grains have been a part of the Atkins diet since the first book, written several decades ago.
Did you not read the information provided at the site you linked to?
I'm sure that, in your desire to give your readers only accurate information, you will make the appropriate corrections to the newsletter ASAP.
|
(I should have made it clear that the newsletter was about the paleo diet, but the quote I was questioning was about Atkins. Unfortunately, I assumed he KNEW what his newsletter was about.)
Here is the email response I got:
Quote:
The Paleo Diet recommends against grains - are you angry about something?
|
Angry? Did my email sound angry?
Me:
Quote:
I'm sorry…you seem to have misunderstood. Regarding the Atkins diet, you said : "In an attempt to remedy the obvious harms to human health caused by very low-carb eating, apologists (including the Atkins Nutritionals) have added fruits and non-starchy vegetables to their programs."
However, the link you provided says this: "The diet does allow for adding fruits, vegetables, and whole-grain foods after the two-week induction period."
There is obviously some kind of misunderstanding here. Please explain.
(And I have to admit I am very confused by your question, "are you angry about something". No, I'm not angry about anything. I just did not understand the disconnect between the information in your newsletter and that of the link you provided.)
|
McDougall:
Quote:
The first link is to a webmd article about Atkins - showing you it is essentially a no carb diet.
The second link is to Atkins Nutritionals - showing how they (the company) changed the original Atkins diet by adding non-starchy fruits and vegetables, etc. An apology for feeding a diet of bacon, cheese, and pork chops.
The Paleo Diet forbids all grains, legumes, and potatoes.
|
Me:
Quote:
Yes, the first link is to a webmd article about Atkins. And it says "The diet does allow for adding fruits, vegetables, and whole-grain foods after the two-week induction period." (These are carbs. Proving it is not "essentially a no carb diet".)
I have provided that quote to you three times now. Please, please, just read the information at the link you provided.
The original Atkins diet, as evidenced by the link you provided includes non-starchy vegetables, fruits and whole grains. (These are carbs.)
I am not trying to be difficult. I just would really like you to read the link you provided.
I'm not talking about the paleo diet. I'm trying to point out to you that you have made a mistake regarding the Atkins diet.
Please re-read your newsletter. Then read all the information at the link you provided. (Meaning: Don't take my word for it!)
Then amend your newsletter to reflect the actual facts regarding the Atkins diet.
Thanks!
|
(I realize after re-reading this that I did not actually provide that quote three times. I guess it just felt like it.)
McDougall:
Quote:
You obviously do not understand the original Akins diet - again, you sound angry.
|
Me: (Attempting to NOT sound angry)
Quote:
Hi again! I wonder whom I'm talking to. Dr. McDougall? An employee? Whoever this is, Hello!
I feel like there's a big misunderstanding here. You don't seem to be responding to the emails I'm sending, lol. I apologize if I'm not making myself clear.
My understanding of the original Atkins diet comes solely from the link you provided. It says "The diet does allow for adding fruits, vegetables, and whole-grain foods after the two-week induction period."
That's all this correspondence is about. There's no anger about anything at all. Read the info regarding the Atkins diet at the link you provided and then amend the information in your newsletter. (Actually, you don't even have to click on your own link. I've given you the quote several times.)
|
McDougall:
Quote:
That's the apologists talking = "The diet does allow for adding fruits, vegetables, and whole-grain foods after the two-week induction period."
Not the original atkins diet:
Steak with Bearnaise sauce, eggs and bacon, cheddar cheese omelets -- don't hold the yolks, Roquefort dressing, and silky smooth avocado cream soup made with real cream? These rich foods are allowed as part of the controversial diet described in Dr. Atkins' New Diet Revolution, a phenomenal best seller, and several follow-up books, including the 2010 New Atkins for a New You.
Read the book: Dr. Atkins' New Diet Revolution
|
Me:
Quote:
Apologists? The quote I sent you is from the same source as the quote you just sent me…WebMD!
http://www.webmd.com/diet/atkins-diet-what-it-is
The original Atkins diet (not some kind of misinformation from "apologists") starts with "steak with Bernaise sauce, eggs and bacon, cheddar cheese omelets", but after two weeks it includes fruits, vegetables and whole grain foods.
If you want to have any kind of credibility, you have to provide people with accurate information.
I love the McDougall diet. Please don't let me down. Please be honest and factual in all your writings. There's no reason not to.
|
I admit, I do love the idea of the McDougall diet. However, the more I read of his writings, the more I wonder how much he is prevaricating.
Anyway, that was the last email I got from them. The whole thing is bizarre and very disturbing. I don't know if I should be posting this here, but I thought there might be others who are confused about all of this who would like to know the truth.
I'm very sorry to find that either Dr. McDougall or the person who answers his emails doesn't care for the truth at all. And I don't know why. I thought he was interested in helping people achieve better health. Now I think he either wants to sell books or he has an animal rights agenda.
Last edited by HappyLC : Thu, Jul-05-12 at 19:59.
|
|