[podcast flashvars=”titles: ‘What kind of diet… (Ep. 34)'”]http://www.thelivinlowcarbshow.com/shownotes/wp-content/uploads/llvlcep34.mp3[/podcast]
Welcome to another fantastic episode of the Internet’s #1 low-carb podcast! In Episode 34 today, Jimmy discusses how the term “low-carb” has become so passe or even dare say it politically incorrect in the diet world in 2007–even among people who advocate low-carb diets!
Really, though, shouldn’t we call a spade a spade? Using euphemisms (even supposedly useful ones) does not help convince people of the health benefits they can enjoy by limiting carbs and increasing fats and proteins proportionally.
Listen RIGHT NOW to get the full story!
LINKS MENTIONED IN EPISODE 34
– Journal Of The American Medical Association study showing Atkins is best diet
– Eat Well Be Well goes out of business in 2007
Did you miss something Jimmy said? Click through the next link for a full transcript of Episode 34!
TRANSCRIPT:
Welcome back to “The Livin’ La Vida Low-Carb Show with Jimmy Moore” and Episode 34 is coming at you today. With all the media attention being placed on low-carb over the past week or so following the release of that study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association showing the Atkins diet outperformed its low-fat counterparts not only for weight loss but also improvements in health over a one-year period, I think it’s time to discuss why I have not and will not ever let go of my support for this amazing lifestyle change known as low-carb even when others have run away from using that specific term to describe this way of eating.
Let’s imagine for a moment that the term “low-carb” didn’t even exist. Here’s how my podcast show may sound: Welcome to the “Livin’ La Vida [BLANK] Show with Jimmy Moore” where we talk about all things related to [BLANK]. You know, I’ve found the [BLANK] lifestyle to be one of the easiest and best ways to keep the weight off permanently. Ever since I started my [BLANK] diet in January 2004, eating all the wonderful [BLANK] foods that are available to you when you are [BLANK]ing makes this way of eating far superior to any other weight loss plan out there. I know [BLANK] works because I lost over 180 pounds on it. I’m so glad I’m livin’ la vida [BLANK].
What’s wrong with this picture?!?!?! What the [BLANK] is going on? I have just demonstrated for you the current state of the industry and community formerly known as “low-carb” in the year 2007. It seems that everyone who used to champion anything and everything related to low-carb has jumped ship from using that term anymore. Some of the loudest voices in the wonderful world of low-carb no long want to be affiliated with that term either by choice or because they have been told by the people who hold the purse strings to icksnay the “low-carb” talk for good. Plus, you’ve got companies in the food industry shying away from using “low-carb” in their name or on the packaging and marketing of their products, although the product itself hasn’t changed a bit. One such example of this is Eat Well Be Well company who used to be called CarbSense/MiniCarb but changed their name to a more generic one last year about this time to supposedly be more all-inclusive of many healthy ways to eat. Guess what happened to that company in January 2007? It went belly-up because they abandoned the very market they were reaching when they first started all in an effort to branch out to a larger consumer base. Stupid marketing decisions like this can’t help but lead to more and more failures from once-booming low-carb companies.
Why are the biggest low-carb personalities and companies that made a name for themselves using the term “low-carb” all of a sudden sidestepping it completely and avoiding using it like it’s some kind of disease or something? Is it just a little bit strange to anyone else why this is happening when much of the success they have had can be attributed directly to their affiliation with “low-carb” in recent years? Inquiring minds want to know! Some people might be wondering, “Jimmy, what’s the big deal? I don’t care what we call it as long as I’m able to keep my weight under control and improve my health with this way of eating. Does it really matter that it has to be called ‘low-carb’?” In my opinion, the answer to that question is a loud and unequivocated YES! Absolutely it matters that we keep calling it “low-carb.”
Let’s examine for a moment five of the popular new terms being thrown out there to replace “low-carb”:
1. Low-glycemic index or glycemic load
I would venture to say that most people on the street don’t even know what the glycemic index is. For that matter, most people still don’t even know what the low-carb lifestyle is all about either. Low-GI or the glycemic load are a tricky concepts to explain to people and they are not as cut and dry as “low-carb.” I know these are phrases that a lot of companies are hedging their bets on right now, but I don’t see them sticking in the United States. According to the latest survey, although the trend has caught on somewhat in European nations, a whopping 93% of Americans don’t even look for GI information on the foods they buy here. This one’s not looking like a winner.
2. Diabetic-friendly
What if I’m not diabetic (and I’m not!)? How does this improve the term “low-carb” at all? Diabetics know that sugar-free, low-carb products are good choices for them, so why alienate the low-carb consumer by using a phrase with “diabetic” in it? I don’t get this one either. It’s a nice gesture since millions of Americans are diabetic, but another bust in the terminology of this lifestyle change we enjoy.
3. Controlled-carb
Actually, I have used this phrase myself because it does serve a good purpose when explaining what my healthy diet is all about. While I certainly ate “low-carb” (between 20-50g carbs daily) when I was losing weight, I transitioned to more of a “controlled-carb” approach (between 50-100g carbs daily) once I met my goal and wanted to maintain my weight. However, I am still eating “low-carb” foods compared to the 900-1000g carbs I used to eat on a daily basis before I started livin’ la vida low-carb.
4. Carb-restricted
Similar to “controlled-carb,” this phrase was no doubt created to remove any negative stigma from the “low” part of “low-carb.” The media and those who oppose this way of eating take that “low” and change it to “NO” so it reads “NO carb” which is absolutely silly. Nobody ever talks about eating ZERO carbs and yet that’s the common belief. But using the term “carb-restricted” attempts to change this perception and it’s a good attempt. I still don’t think people know what you are referring to with this phrase.
5. Nutrient-dense
I actually like this phrase because it insinuates that the foods you are eating are healthy and give you all the essential nutrients you body needs to live. That perfectly describes the kind of foods you can eat on the low-carb lifestyle. But is this phrase going to translate to the average person on the street? I’m afraid not.
So what do we need to call it then? Is there really a need to change the term “low-carb” at all? My 180+ pound weight loss was a God-given miracle in my life. I think you realize from these podcasts what an incredible difference it has made in my life. I am a new man because of it and nobody will ever be able to take this accomplishment away from me. But guess what? I DID IT ON LOW-CARB!!! How about three cheers for low-carb–LOW-CARB LOW-CARB LOW-CARB!!! I’m not ashamed to use that phrase one bit. While others have purposely backed away from using “low-carb,” I have actively embraced it with every ounce of resolve within me because it is the plan that made me skinny for the first time in my life and it is what will keep me fit and trim for the rest of my life. Why would I call it something different now? Perhaps I am being naive about my decision to use the term “low-carb,” but I don’t think so. If it weren’t for “low-carb” being a part of my life, had I not learned more about what “low-carb” living is all about, and if the principles of “low-carb” could not be communicated to the masses of overweight and obese people who need to understand what it is, then where would I be today? 400+ pounds, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, breathing problems, or quite possibly, six feet under! I don’t mean to sound morbid, but defining the term “low-carb” and helping others understand clearly what that actually means is why I created my “Livin’ La Vida Low-Carb” blog and this podcast show. For all those critics of the term “low-carb,” let me ask you something. If “low-carb” is no longer viable, then please explain to me why my blog which prominently uses the phrase “low-carb” in it continues to attract well over 100,000 pageviews per month and has grown by at least 25 percent every month since it started?! And how about this podcast show? Currently we are averaging over 3,000 listeners a week and growing stronger all the time. What could possibly be attracting so many people to a “low-carb” blog and podcast show if it isn’t the subject of “low-carb” itself? I believe it’s a bit too premature for us to be abandoning and sidestepping “low-carb” just because we think its use has run its course. People are still looking for information about “low-carb” and I’m happy to give it to them. Here at “The Livin’ La Vida Low-Carb Show with Jimmy Moore,” the term “low-carb” is NOT going to stop being used because I refuse to allow the media and the so-called health “experts” to erroneously redefine that cherished term to the people who want to know more about it. I stand proudly in defense of the term “low-carb” and will gladly share what it means to me in the presence of anyone who desires to learn more about what it is. And, best of all, I’ll be sure to give ’em the TRUTH about low-carb! Let others hem and haw about what to call “low-carb” for themselves. But as for me I will not run away from it–EVER!
That’s it for Episode 34 of “The Livin’ La Vida Low-Carb Show with Jimmy Moore.” Do you agree with me that now more than ever we should be embracing the term “low-carb” and actively sharing with others what this way of eating is really all about? Or do you think some of these other terms merit further consideration by the low-carb community to attract people who may otherwise be turned off to anything associated with “low-carb?” Share your comments with us by calling our listener comment line at (206) 203-4192 or by visiting our web site at TheLivinLowCarbShow.com. We look forward to hearing from you this week and invite you to come back on Monday as we keep talking about LOW-CARB. So, until next time, keep on livin’ la vida low-carb!