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ATKINS ATTITUDE

Low-Carb Cantankerousness

The definition doesn't appear in Webster's yet, but the irritability, mood swings and restlessness often associated with extreme low-carb dieting have become so famous that they've earned their own sobriquet.

Self magazine defines "Atkins Attitude" as "a biological (and attitudinal) response to a chronically low-carb diet, which is characterized by grouchiness, distractibility, even depression." So common is ketosis neurosis that it's even spawned a synonym that is an alliterative variation of South Beach (but rhymes with South Witch).

A new study from the MIT Clinical Research Center suggests the phenomenon may be more than anecdotal. According to study author and Director of Women's Health Judith Wurtman, low-carb dieting can cause serotonin levels to plummet, which in turn make your moods go south (as in bad, not beach). Other research has linked depression with low levels of the important B vitamin, folate, found in abundance in most fruits and vegetables, as well as fortified grain products, also scanted on low-carb diets.

These hormonal and emotional effects may help explain why such extreme low-carb regimes are so difficult to maintain in the long run. Serotonin deprivation can lead to carb cravings, setting unsuspecting dieters up for binges and rebounds.

Stay on an even keel with B-vitamin-rich foods such as asparagus, spinach, broccoli, bananas, cantaloupe and beans. Cut out processed carbs such as white rice, breads, pastries a   Continue...

"C IS FOR CHILDHOOD OBESITY..."

Cookie Monster Gets a Makeover

Sesame Street gets a standing ovation for recognizing that "C is for Cookie" sounds a bit off-key in the era of childhood obesity. Cookie Monster is getting a diet makeover. Instead of scarfing down platefuls of chocolate chip fat bombs, the shaggy blue Muppet now learns that "A Cookie is a Sometimes Food," per the song that accompanies his new diet plan.

Cookie's rep, Dr. Rosemarie Truglio, explained that the character is being taught moderation. The show will now promote "anytime foods" such as fruits and vegetables, along with a sprinkling of "sometimes foods" such as sugary snacks. This goes hand-in-hand with Sesame Street's current efforts to promote proper nutrition on the show, along with new characters such as talking carrots and eggplants.

Those who grew up (if not fat) with the show may balk at the change, but we applaud Sesame Street's efforts to encourage healthy eating and exercise. Millions of kids worldwide watch the show, giving producers an opportunity to do something to help curb the current obesity epidemic.

For his part, Cookie is taking the changes in stride. At the close of "A Cookie is a Sometimes Food," he asks hopefully, "Is sometimes now?"

100% FRUIT JUICE VINDICATED

Young Juice Drinkers Less Likely to be Fat

100% fruit juice does not contribute to childhood obesity, new research shows. The news will likely come as a great relief to parents who've been fed the notion that juice is just as fattening as soda or punch. Not so, according to a forthcoming Baylor College of Medicine study, which reviewed national data for roughly 3,600 kids aged 2-11 and found no increased odds of overweight among those who regularly consumed 100% fruit juice.

"Even among the children who consumed the most juice, we found no association at all with...being overweight," said Baylor Professor and study co-author Theresa Nicklas, DrPH, LN. Indeed, 2-3 yr olds who drank the most 100% juice were three times LESS likely to be overweight. Plus, junior juice drinkers generally had lower intakes of fats, sodium, added sugars and higher intakes of vitamin C, potassium, vitamin B6 and other important vitamins and minerals. With the majority of children at risk for nutrient deficiencies, and frequent soda consumption driving both obesity rates and rising blood pressure among the young, 100% juice may provide the nutrients needed to protect against hypertension and other ailments.

Moreover, given the alarming fact that Continue...