Hi Bill,
I guess this is what has struck me recently because I didn't realize this forum was a diet advocacy discussion group. I think the most I've advocated Atkins was years ago when Charlie asked about Xenical and I suggested he give it a try. I share what's worked for me but I really don't think that necessitates some balancing out lest Atkins might catch on or something?
I'm reminded on one discussion about the diet a year or so ago comparing Atkins to the traditional AHA diet and Atkins came out looking very good. One criticism was that the fish oils must have been responsible for the improvements in cholesterol. Well, if that's the case then, why doesn't the AHA advocate the fish oils? Atkins did, and while it's not prescribed as a must with the diet, he spent considerable time discussing the benefits of such supplements (and/or choices of protein/fat) in conjunction with his diet.
We're bombarded every day in the news about some new study on the effects of this or that on every thing. To drink, not to drink, is wine better than beer, too much protein, too little protein, good fats/bad fats and on and on and on.
My problem in this whole arena is that Dr. Atkins was unfairly criticized and demonized for his diet. I think that's most unfair, and I guess it just seems to me from your posts that you feel he was overweight thus his diet didn't work for him. For decades he was scoffed at as some sort of diet quack. The low carb boom is following that low fat boom from a couple of years ago and I'm fully aware of all the hype out there.
I think our bodies tell us what's right more than we know. If people are honest with themselves, they will find a diet that is healthy and works for them. Too many of us look for excuses to gorge on what we want. Anyone who chooses Atkins so they can pig out on bacon (I admit on occasion to eating just bacon for a meal
) and stuff themselves full of cheese is going to be doomed anyway. This is what bothers me about the hypers. They always show a plate with eggs, steak & bacon and brag about all you can eat on this diet. Truth is, anybody who actually did eat that way probably wouldn't lose weight no matter what. Those who eat till they are full and no more will succeed because fat is more filling in the long run and you simply eat less.
The biggest reason Atkins works for me I believe, is that I no longer crave sweets. That was always an issue for me. If you told me in my 20's that I could follow a diet virtually devoid of sugar and not feel deprived I would have laughed at you -- or insisted that I must eat sugarfree versions. Well, I no longer even want the sweets. I use Splenda or one of those diet shakes in my coffee cuz I like coffee a little sweet -- that's pretty much it. The other reason has nothing to do with Atkins itself, but rather that it does lend itself well to a snacking lifestyle. Pretty much I eat one meal and a snack all day long. From what I understand of all my dietary studies is that this actually elevates one's metabolism and sure keeps me from being hungry.
Oops .... there I went advocating again 
Evie 