[the_gastropod]

Where's the controversy? Virtually every nation's broad dietary recommendations are the same, and are largely unchanged over the last 100 years. There are individual studies about specific foods (like eggs, butters, trans fats, etc) that have some turbulence. But "Eat whole grains, legumes, vegetables, greens, and fruits. Limit meats, saturated fats, sugars, and processed foods." is pretty much only disputed by bro-science and a handful of carefully cherry-picked studies.

[theprotocol]

Most national dietary guidelines seem to be fairly high in carbs imho.

There is a huge debate currently, between government endorsed diets, plant-based, and keto, and each group is able to cite numerous studies that contradict the others'.

[the_gastropod]

> Most national dietary guidelines seem to be fairly high in carbs imho

Yes. I agree. I can't recall seeing any modern country's dietary guides suggest a low-carb / keto diet.

[theprotocol]

I also wanted to say in my last comment that most government endorsed diets only recommend limiting added sugar.

Also, much of that bro-science is now being promoted by many MDs and there's a good chance you'll see some of it become officially adopted in the coming years (and I say this as someone who sees this as a pendulum swing instead of adopting what we learned moderation).

[nightski]

Speaking of bro-science, added sugar is chemically equal to naturally occurring sugars and you can't discriminate against one with out the other (either it's healthy or it is not). Hint: It's not. That fruit may have vitamins, but they are basically embedded in a candy bar nutrition wise. Actually, it's worse than a candy bar because it lacks protein and fat which keep you satiated.

[the_gastropod]

Humans evolved to crave sugar for a reason. It's not bad for you. But, as with anything, too much is absolutely bad for you. Fruit has this really great built-in mechanism for stopping you from eating too much: fiber. Added sugar (or removed fiber, in e.g., juice) makes it easy to exceed the healthy amount.

[the_gastropod]

Yes. Dr. Atkins was singing this tune in 1989. Then after having several heart attacks, he died 14 years later of another heart attack.

[importantbrian]

So, even if this was true, the plural of anecdote is not data. His heart disease could have been the result of genetic factors or a number of other factors not related to his diet. There is also no guaranty he was taking his own advice. Dr. Atkins had one heart attack and it was caused by an infection. The thing that killed him was traumatic brain injury as the result of a fall.

[the_gastropod]

> A medical report issued by the New York medical examiner's office a year after his death showed that Atkins had a history of heart attack, congestive heart failure and hypertension.[10][12] His widow refused to allow an autopsy

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Atkins_(physician)

My point was mainly that there have been out-of-the-mainstream doctors advocating for this diet for 3 decades. They continue to be out-of-the-mainstream.