Do the Math - Low-Carb Fast Foods May Not Be the Healthiest Choice

http://abcnews.go.com/sections/GMA/L..._040121-1.html

Do the Math
Low-Carb Fast Foods May Not Be the Healthiest Choice

Jan. 21 - More than 30 years ago, the Atkins diet revolutionized the
$42 billion diet industry, and now it has arrived at a restaurant near you.

Fast-food chains like Subway and casual dining restaurants such as TGI
Fridays are serving up Atkins-approved meals. For the restaurants, the
popularity of the meals could translate into big bucks, while also allowing
loyal Atkins followers to stick to their diets.

And, in spite of recent controversy, Atkins advocates say that
counting the right carbohydrates is crucial to staying on the diet:

"Dr. Atkins was adamant in life about people controlling carbohydrates
to make better choices, to recognize that not all carbs affect the body the
same and to control the intake of the simple carbs, the refined flours and
sugars," said Dr. Stuart Trager, the chairman of the Atkins Physicians
Council, an advisory group of medical doctors that advises Atkins
Nutritionals Inc., among others.

But do these fast food options really live up to low-carb promise?

Calorie Watch

If you are counting calories, watching cholesterol, or following other
popular low-carb diets, like The South Beach Diet, these low-carb meals are
not your best bet, said Good Housekeeping Editor-in-Chief Ellen Levine.

"Sometimes you get more than you think you are going to get," said
Levine, pointing out that many of the meals are very high in fat. "You have
to watch out for the 'C' word - calories."

Working with another laboratory, the Good Housekeeping Institute
bought six meals from chains that sell low-carb meals. The lab analyzed each
for calories, fat, and carbohydrates. The results were mixed, with some
items varying from the nutritional information advertised by the
restaurants.

As Levine points out, the calorie content of the meals was variable
and may depend on the whim of the person preparing your meal.

"People make it - not robots," she said. "You don't have that kind of
control."

Here are the lab findings:

T.G.I. Friday's
From T.G.I. Friday's, the first Atkins-endorsed meal is a sizzling piece of
chicken with broccoli over onions and peppers with melted American and
Mexican cheeses. It sounds healthy, but it still ratchets up to almost 700
calories, 40 grams of fat and 15 grams of carbohydrates.

The second meal from T.G.I. Friday's is a sizzling New York strip steak with
blue cheese and a side of broccoli. It contains 684 calories, 36 grams of
fat and 15 grams of carbohydrates.

Here are full results:

T.G.I. Friday's Sizzling Chicken with Broccoli over Onions & Peppers with
Melted American and Mexican Cheeses

Weight: Friday's not available; our lab found 19.5 oz
Calories: Friday's not available; our lab found 696
Total Fat: Friday's not available; our lab found 40 grams
Total Carbohydrate: Friday's not available; our lab found 15 grams
Net Carbs: Friday's says 17 grams; our lab, unknown

T.G.I. Friday's Sizzling New York Strip Steak with Bleu Cheese and a Side
of Broccoli

Weight: Friday's not available; our lab found 16.5 oz
Calories: Friday's not available; our lab found 684
Total Fat: Friday's not available; our lab found 36 grams
Total Carbohydrate: Friday's, not available; our lab found 15 grams
Net Carbs: Friday's says 6 grams; our lab, unknown

T.G.I. Friday's issued the following statement on the lab's findings on its
Atkins-endorsed meals.

"Under the Atkins Nutritional Approach, the focus is on net carbohydrates,
which is the result of total carbohydrates minus dietary fiber and sugar
alcohol. These ingredients, although they qualify as carbohydrates, do not
affect blood sugar."

Subway
Subway, which also sells Atkins-endorsed sandwiches, says its Chicken Bacon
Ranch Wrap with Swiss Cheese has 19 total carbohydrate grams, but the Good
Housekeeping test found it had 27 grams of total carbohydrates. Levine
points out that different amounts of ingredients can result in different
carb and fat counts. She points out that in one of Subway's meals, the
serving was actually "a smaller portion than we expected."

Subway Chicken Bacon Ranch Wrap with Swiss Cheese: Wrap contains white
meat, chicken, bacon, red onion, green pepper, olives, shredded Swiss
cheese, ranch dressing)

Weight: Subway says 7.5 ounces; Lab found 8 ounces.
Calories: Subway says 480 calories; Lab found 484 calories
Total Fat: Subway says 27 grams; Lab found 21 grams
Total Carbohydrate: Subway says 19 grams; lab found 27 grams (difference is
equivalent of 2 teaspoons of sugar)

Subway: Turkey and Bacon Melt Wrap with Monterey-cheddar Cheese

Wrap contains turkey breast, bacon, red onions, green peppers, olives,
shredded Monterey-cheddar blend cheese and chipotle Southwest sauce.
Weight: Subway says 7 ounces; lab found 6 ounces
Calories: Subway says 430 calories; lab found 372 calories
Total Fat: Subway says 25 grams; lab found 17 grams
Total Carbohydrate: Subway says 22 grams; lab found 25 grams
Net Carbs: Subway says 10 grams; lab estimates 13 grams

When asked about the lab results, Subway issued the following statement:
"The test results provided by your lab did not include dietary fiber, making
it impossible to determine the net carb value," Subway said. "This is the
number [net carbs] that appears in our advertising and the one that is of
the greatest concern to consumers following an Atkins type approach. The
results from your limited sample test also indicated that the Chicken Bacon
Ranch Wrap was overweight compared to our standard formula. Unfortunately,
the lab report did not indicate the quantity or weights of the individual
ingredients of the wraps tested. This is significant as a variation to the
formula will alter the item's total and net carb counts."

Ruby Tuesday’s

Ruby Tuesday's has come up with some meals that are not Atkins-endorsed, but
are rather part of the restaurant chain's campaign of "Smart Eating."

The lab tried the Peppercorn Mushroom Sirloin steak, which consists of 10
ounces of top sirloin with sauteed mushrooms in Alfredo sauce, plus creamed
spinach and barbecue pork rinds as side dishes. The meal totaled 947
calories, and 57 grams of fat.

The second meal from Ruby Tuesday's was a Cajun Chicken Salad, with ranch
dressing, grilled Cajun chicken, tomatoes, cheese and toasted almonds,
bacon, blue cheese crumbles and vinaigrette dressing. The salad totaled 636
calories, with 46 grams of fat and 16 grams of carbohydrates.

Here are full results:

Ruby Tuesday's Peppercorn Mushroom Sirloin:

Weight: Ruby's, not available; our lab says 18 oz
Calories: Ruby's, not available our lab says 947 calories
Total Fat: Ruby's, not available; our lab says 57 grams
Total Carbohydrate: Ruby's, not available; our lab says 19 grams





Ruby Tuesday's Cajun Chicken Salad (with ranch dressing, grilled Cajun
chicken, tomatoes, cheese and toasted almonds, bacon, bleu cheese crumbles
and vinaigrette dressing)

Weight: Ruby's not available; our lab says 14.5 oz
Calories: Ruby's not available; our lab says 636
Total Fat: Ruby's not available; our lab says 46 grams
Total Carbohydrate: Ruby's not available; our lab says 16 grams
In a statement, Ruby Tuesday's did not dispute the findings.

"Lab findings on the nutritional composition of the entrees that Good
Housekeeping tested are comparable to findings from Ruby Tuesday's own
internal tests," the statement said. "As with any testing process, some
results may vary based on the specific portion size and the methodology of
the test."

--
Ken

"Rarely is the question asked: Is our children learning?"

- Bushisms, 2000

Ken Kubos wrote:
:: http://abcnews.go.com/sections/GMA/L..._040121-1.html
::
:: Do the Math
:: Low-Carb Fast Foods May Not Be the Healthiest Choice
::
:: Jan. 21 - More than 30 years ago, the Atkins diet
:: revolutionized the $42 billion diet industry, and now it has arrived
:: at a restaurant near you.
::
:: Fast-food chains like Subway and casual dining restaurants
:: such as TGI Fridays are serving up Atkins-approved meals. For the
:: restaurants, the popularity of the meals could translate into big
:: bucks, while also allowing loyal Atkins followers to stick to their
:: diets.

::
:: And, in spite of recent controversy, Atkins advocates say that
:: counting the right carbohydrates is crucial to staying on the diet:
::
:: "Dr. Atkins was adamant in life about people controlling
:: carbohydrates to make better choices, to recognize that not all
:: carbs affect the body the same and to control the intake of the
:: simple carbs, the refined flours and sugars," said Dr. Stuart
:: Trager, the chairman of the Atkins Physicians Council, an advisory
:: group of medical doctors that advises Atkins Nutritionals Inc.,
:: among others.
::
:: But do these fast food options really live up to low-carb
:: promise?
::
:: Calorie Watch

I do think these chains should provide calorie info, too.

::
:: If you are counting calories, watching cholesterol, or
:: following other popular low-carb diets, like The South Beach Diet,
:: these low-carb meals are not your best bet, said Good Housekeeping
:: Editor-in-Chief Ellen Levine.
::

I think Ellen is a moron after reading this.

:: "Sometimes you get more than you think you are going to get,"
:: said Levine, pointing out that many of the meals are very high in
:: fat. "You have to watch out for the 'C' word - calories."
::
:: Working with another laboratory, the Good Housekeeping
:: Institute bought six meals from chains that sell low-carb meals. The
:: lab analyzed each for calories, fat, and carbohydrates. The results
:: were mixed, with some items varying from the nutritional information
:: advertised by the restaurants.
::
:: As Levine points out, the calorie content of the meals was
:: variable and may depend on the whim of the person preparing your
:: meal.
::
:: "People make it - not robots," she said. "You don't have that
:: kind of control."
::
:: Here are the lab findings:
::
:: T.G.I. Friday's
:: From T.G.I. Friday's, the first Atkins-endorsed meal is a sizzling
:: piece of chicken with broccoli over onions and peppers with melted
:: American and Mexican cheeses. It sounds healthy, but it still
:: ratchets up to almost 700 calories, 40 grams of fat and 15 grams of
:: carbohydrates.
::

That works, for a meal. Don't know if fiber is subtacted for carb grams.

:: The second meal from T.G.I. Friday's is a sizzling New York strip
:: steak with blue cheese and a side of broccoli. It contains 684
:: calories, 36 grams of fat and 15 grams of carbohydrates.

That works, too, for a meal.


::
:: Here are full results:
::
:: T.G.I. Friday's Sizzling Chicken with Broccoli over Onions &
:: Peppers with Melted American and Mexican Cheeses
::
:: Weight: Friday's not available; our lab found 19.5 oz
:: Calories: Friday's not available; our lab found 696
:: Total Fat: Friday's not available; our lab found 40 grams
:: Total Carbohydrate: Friday's not available; our lab found 15 grams
:: Net Carbs: Friday's says 17 grams; our lab, unknown
::

This kind of info I'd like to be able to find on a website.

:: T.G.I. Friday's Sizzling New York Strip Steak with Bleu Cheese and
:: a Side of Broccoli
::
:: Weight: Friday's not available; our lab found 16.5 oz
:: Calories: Friday's not available; our lab found 684
:: Total Fat: Friday's not available; our lab found 36 grams
:: Total Carbohydrate: Friday's, not available; our lab found 15 grams
:: Net Carbs: Friday's says 6 grams; our lab, unknown
::
:: T.G.I. Friday's issued the following statement on the lab's findings
:: on its Atkins-endorsed meals.
::
:: "Under the Atkins Nutritional Approach, the focus is on net
:: carbohydrates, which is the result of total carbohydrates minus
:: dietary fiber and sugar alcohol. These ingredients, although they
:: qualify as carbohydrates, do not affect blood sugar."
::
:: Subway
:: Subway, which also sells Atkins-endorsed sandwiches, says its
:: Chicken Bacon Ranch Wrap with Swiss Cheese has 19 total carbohydrate
:: grams, but the Good Housekeeping test found it had 27 grams of total
:: carbohydrates. Levine points out that different amounts of
:: ingredients can result in different carb and fat counts. She points
:: out that in one of Subway's meals, the serving was actually "a
:: smaller portion than we expected."

Yeah, on stuff where the amount of food in variable, one is in no-man's
land.

::
:: Subway Chicken Bacon Ranch Wrap with Swiss Cheese: Wrap contains
:: white meat, chicken, bacon, red onion, green pepper, olives,
:: shredded Swiss cheese, ranch dressing)
::
:: Weight: Subway says 7.5 ounces; Lab found 8 ounces.
:: Calories: Subway says 480 calories; Lab found 484 calories
:: Total Fat: Subway says 27 grams; Lab found 21 grams
:: Total Carbohydrate: Subway says 19 grams; lab found 27 grams
:: (difference is equivalent of 2 teaspoons of sugar)
::

But is fiber accounted for?

:: Subway: Turkey and Bacon Melt Wrap with Monterey-cheddar Cheese
::
:: Wrap contains turkey breast, bacon, red onions, green peppers,
:: olives, shredded Monterey-cheddar blend cheese and chipotle
:: Southwest sauce. Weight: Subway says 7 ounces; lab found 6 ounces
:: Calories: Subway says 430 calories; lab found 372 calories
:: Total Fat: Subway says 25 grams; lab found 17 grams
:: Total Carbohydrate: Subway says 22 grams; lab found 25 grams
:: Net Carbs: Subway says 10 grams; lab estimates 13 grams
::
:: When asked about the lab results, Subway issued the following
:: statement: "The test results provided by your lab did not include
:: dietary fiber, making it impossible to determine the net carb
:: value," Subway said. "This is the number [net carbs] that appears in
:: our advertising and the one that is of the greatest concern to
:: consumers following an Atkins type approach. The results from your
:: limited sample test also indicated that the Chicken Bacon Ranch Wrap
:: was overweight compared to our standard formula. Unfortunately, the
:: lab report did not indicate the quantity or weights of the
:: individual ingredients of the wraps tested. This is significant as a
:: variation to the formula will alter the item's total and net carb
:: counts."

But how can customers account for this? A good reason to not eat this meal,
if you ask me.
::
:: Ruby Tuesday’s
::
:: Ruby Tuesday's has come up with some meals that are not
:: Atkins-endorsed, but are rather part of the restaurant chain's
:: campaign of "Smart Eating."
::
:: The lab tried the Peppercorn Mushroom Sirloin steak, which consists
:: of 10 ounces of top sirloin with sauteed mushrooms in Alfredo sauce,
:: plus creamed spinach and barbecue pork rinds as side dishes. The
:: meal totaled 947 calories, and 57 grams of fat.

To me, that's a lot, but it would still work into my program because very
frequently I eat half my daily calories at dinner, but after I get back from
the gym For smaller people, this meal will be a poor choice. funny
thing is, when I go to RT I get the LC Catch -- talapia -- which is very
good and low in cals.

::
:: The second meal from Ruby Tuesday's was a Cajun Chicken Salad, with
:: ranch dressing, grilled Cajun chicken, tomatoes, cheese and toasted
:: almonds, bacon, blue cheese crumbles and vinaigrette dressing. The
:: salad totaled 636 calories, with 46 grams of fat and 16 grams of
:: carbohydrates.
::

Works great!

:: Here are full results:
::
:: Ruby Tuesday's Peppercorn Mushroom Sirloin:
::
:: Weight: Ruby's, not available; our lab says 18 oz
:: Calories: Ruby's, not available our lab says 947 calories
:: Total Fat: Ruby's, not available; our lab says 57 grams
:: Total Carbohydrate: Ruby's, not available; our lab says 19 grams
::
::
::
::
::
:: Ruby Tuesday's Cajun Chicken Salad (with ranch dressing, grilled
:: Cajun chicken, tomatoes, cheese and toasted almonds, bacon, bleu
:: cheese crumbles and vinaigrette dressing)
::
:: Weight: Ruby's not available; our lab says 14.5 oz
:: Calories: Ruby's not available; our lab says 636
:: Total Fat: Ruby's not available; our lab says 46 grams
:: Total Carbohydrate: Ruby's not available; our lab says 16 grams
:: In a statement, Ruby Tuesday's did not dispute the findings.
::
:: "Lab findings on the nutritional composition of the entrees that Good
:: Housekeeping tested are comparable to findings from Ruby Tuesday's
:: own internal tests," the statement said. "As with any testing
:: process, some results may vary based on the specific portion size
:: and the methodology of the test."
::

On the whole, these items would work well for me. I'm glad to have some
independent verification. Now, if GHI would simply test pre-packed LC
products being sold in stores -- I'd be they'd find a lot more variation
there. That's where the real problems are, imo.

Ken Kubos wrote:

http://abcnews.go.com/sections/GMA/L..._040121-1.html
...
And, in spite of recent controversy, Atkins advocates say that
counting the right carbohydrates is crucial to staying on the diet:

After all, counting carbs has been a requirement to be on Atkins ever
since the process was published in 1972. Somehow the press has missed
simple basics like that.

As Levine points out, the calorie content of the meals was variable
and may depend on the whim of the person preparing your meal.

Right. All expected there. The fact is when folks cook for themselves
amounts are variable as well. So you need to be out of ketosis a week
before you decide you're really out of ketosis to take this variation
into account.

T.G.I. Friday's
From T.G.I. Friday's, the first Atkins-endorsed meal is a sizzling piece of
chicken with broccoli over onions and peppers with melted American and
Mexican cheeses. It sounds healthy, but it still ratchets up to almost 700
calories, 40 grams of fat and 15 grams of carbohydrates.

My daily calories 1800, carbs 50-100, protein 77-100, fat 100-140 per
running the numbers. Looks like the above item would make a great lunch.
Completely within my boundaries.

Weight: Subway says 7.5 ounces; Lab found 8 ounces.
Calories: Subway says 480 calories; Lab found 484 calories
Total Fat: Subway says 27 grams; Lab found 21 grams
Total Carbohydrate: Subway says 19 grams; lab found 27 grams (difference is
equivalent of 2 teaspoons of sugar)

Ah, so by these numbers I should add olive oil for Subway to be
good for me by my numbers.

Ruby Tuesday's Peppercorn Mushroom Sirloin:

Weight: Ruby's, not available; our lab says 18 oz
Calories: Ruby's, not available our lab says 947 calories
Total Fat: Ruby's, not available; our lab says 57 grams
Total Carbohydrate: Ruby's, not available; our lab says 19 grams

Per my numbers that one is a great dinner for me.

So their problem with this is what? They don't like fat because, uhm,
they've been programmed to dislike fat.

Doug Freyburger wrote:
:: Ken Kubos wrote:
:::
::: http://abcnews.go.com/sections/GMA/L..._040121-1.html
::: ...
::: And, in spite of recent controversy, Atkins advocates say that
::: counting the right carbohydrates is crucial to staying on the diet:
::
:: After all, counting carbs has been a requirement to be on Atkins ever
:: since the process was published in 1972. Somehow the press has
:: missed simple basics like that.
::
::: As Levine points out, the calorie content of the meals was
::: variable and may depend on the whim of the person preparing your
::: meal.
::
:: Right. All expected there. The fact is when folks cook for
:: themselves amounts are variable as well. So you need to be out of
:: ketosis a week before you decide you're really out of ketosis to
:: take this variation into account.
::
::: T.G.I. Friday's
::: From T.G.I. Friday's, the first Atkins-endorsed meal is a sizzling
::: piece of chicken with broccoli over onions and peppers with melted
::: American and Mexican cheeses. It sounds healthy, but it still
::: ratchets up to almost 700 calories, 40 grams of fat and 15 grams of
::: carbohydrates.
::
:: My daily calories 1800, carbs 50-100, protein 77-100, fat 100-140 per
:: running the numbers. Looks like the above item would make a great
:: lunch. Completely within my boundaries.
::
::: Weight: Subway says 7.5 ounces; Lab found 8 ounces.
::: Calories: Subway says 480 calories; Lab found 484 calories
::: Total Fat: Subway says 27 grams; Lab found 21 grams
::: Total Carbohydrate: Subway says 19 grams; lab found 27 grams
::: (difference is equivalent of 2 teaspoons of sugar)
::
:: Ah, so by these numbers I should add olive oil for Subway to be
:: good for me by my numbers.
::
::: Ruby Tuesday's Peppercorn Mushroom Sirloin:
:::
::: Weight: Ruby's, not available; our lab says 18 oz
::: Calories: Ruby's, not available our lab says 947 calories
::: Total Fat: Ruby's, not available; our lab says 57 grams
::: Total Carbohydrate: Ruby's, not available; our lab says 19 grams
::
:: Per my numbers that one is a great dinner for me.
::
:: So their problem with this is what? They don't like fat because,
:: uhm, they've been programmed to dislike fat.

Of course!