Low carb diets fading in popularity, still recommended for health, weight loss

• By declaring low-carb menus a fading fad, the media may be doing a great disservice to the majority of Americans.
• Perhaps it's time to re-examine the real value of cutting back on carbs as an approach to weight loss and good health.
• As our nation continues its obesity battle, are we missing out on the principle - cutting simple carbs and eating a balance of the right carbs, lean proteins and monounsaturated or polyunsaturated fats?
• Obesity and diabetes are at epidemic levels in our country.
• It's the result of too many highly processed, high-carb foods; too many calories and lack of exercise.
• That snack wouldn't help her lose weight or change her eating habits.
• Worse, the American Diabetes Association states that Type II diabetes (which used to be called Adult Onset) is pandemic among school-age children.
• At a recent meeting of the Food and Nutrition Advisory Committee for the Miami-Dade County Schools, we discussed the educational and psychological costs that the ill and overweight students suffer.
• According to Penny Parham, administrative director at the Department of Food and Nutrition for the school system, studies show that students with these health problems can be poor achievers, not to speak of the cost in medical care and medicines for this affected population.
• The new government food guidelines are not an invitation to fill our plates with pasta.
• The government clearly recommends that Americans cut calories, carbs and fats.
• The American Dietetic Association says that a positive result from the low-carb craze is that it has brought attention to the differences between simple and healthier complex carbohydrates.
• Her latest books are "More Low-Carb Meals in Minutes" and "Mix "n Match Meals in Minutes for People with Diabetes," and the new "Low-Carb Meals in Minutes Recipe Card Deck."