Whos on a low-carb diet?
It depends on whom you ask, but the short answer is a lot of Americans. Shape Up America!, a non-profit health organization founded by former U.S. surgeon general C. Everett Koop, puts the figure at a quarter of the adult population, with 30% of women surveyed saying they are on or have tried a low-carb diet, compared with 19% of men. While 39% of low-carb dieters have tried Atkins, 41% followed their “own version.” How much do dieters know about low-carb regimens? Most low-carb dieters surveyed (60%) did not consult with their doctor before starting a diet, and few were aware of potential side effects. About 40% knew about possible fatigue and constipation, but only 7% knew of possible gallstones, 8% of hair loss, 20% of bone loss, 25% of increased cholesterol and 31% of bad breath. Most had difficulty identifying foods that are primarily carbohydrate. So what, exactly, is a carbohydrate? “The simplest definition is that a carbohydrate is all of our plant food,” explains Catherine Fit
