The plan I am following (a modified exchange plan) was very much inspired by WW Core and SouthBeach. Although I use an exchange plan, I try to make my choices according to Core list and South Beach principles (whole foods, not processed ones). And yet, I consider my plan low carb, because it IS low in comparison to the Standard American Diet. I have no problem calling it a low carb plan, though many VERY low carbers have a problem with my calling my plan low carb because it isn't low enough (to suit them).
Low carb is not synonymous with Atkins, and in fact it's a very subjective term. How "low" in carbs must a plan be to be considered low carb - the truth is it very much depends. The Zone and South Beach and WW Core are all often considered under the "low carb" umbrella (though "very" low carbers often argue they don't belong there). Controlled carb, or Carb restricted might be a better term, but the fact is that calling Core low or lower carb, is not completely inaccurate, but rather a matter of perspective. Low in comparison to what?
Too often when people think "low carb," they mean ridiculously low carb. They're not even thinking Atkins, but Atkins induction (which gives Atkins a much worse reputation than it probably deserves) or the crazy Mayo Clinic diet that was popular (and never advocated by the Mayo Clinic).
How low is low? How cold is cold? How warm is warm? How high is high? All such terms are subjective and depend upon what you are measuring against. If you're a person who has always eaten an extremely high, especially processed carb diet, Core can be just as intimidating as Atkins (and seem almost as extreme).
People often judge plans based on their impressions rather than fact. There are many Atkins followers (legitimately following OWL) whose daily diet can easily be identical to Core followers who face the same discrimination based on what people think they know about Atkins. When I was still working, I witnessed a Core follower and a South Beech follower nearly come to blows over whether their plans were similar or not (from an outsider's point of view, they were eating very similarly).
Ultimately, it's all a matter of perspective.
Last edited by kaplods; 08-02-2008 at 04:02 PM.
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nowits me asking not to be shot!) if only tthey realized they could have 2 sl. high fiber bread a day w/o hinderance.... i eat bread and dont count but only 2 and it has to be non white high fiber. oh well, sucks for them!
