Pasta, Bread Makers Fight Low-Carb Diets
Retailers Say Popular Diets Are Hurting Sales

Bread and pasta makers say low-carb diets have resulted in falling sales and a bad reputation for their products.
Morning Edition, October 27, 2003 · It's a tough time to be in the bread business. Bread sales -- and pasta sales for that matter -- are down, and many in the industry blame low-carbohydrate diets. Bakers and pasta makers are concerned that diets like Atkins, South Beach and the Zone are hurting sales and giving bread and pasta a bad name.
As NPR's Greg Allen reports, bread and pasta makers are fighting back. Some are responding to the trend by producing low-carb versions of their products. Others are preparing a public relations campaign that emphasizes that certain types of carbohydrates are an important source of energy -- and a central part of the nutritional guidelines that make up the USDA's food pyramid.
Related NPR Stories
- May 21, 2003Studies Suggest Atkins' Low-Carb Diet Works
- Aug. 26, 2003Low-Carb Diets Gain in Popularity
- April 17, 2003Dr. Robert Atkins Dies
- Nov. 19, 2002Duke University Study Finds Positive Weight Loss Results from Atkins Diet
Comments
Discussions for this story are now closed. Please see the Community FAQ for more information.