Carbohydrates are an important part of any healthy diet. According to the World Health Organization we should consume 50-55 percent of calories from carbohydrates. Carbs are simple forms of sugar molecules, which are linked together. They play significant role in providing the organism with energy. Hence long renunciation of carbohydrates in food can lead to the general weakening of the organism and immune system in particular.
Today most fast food industries express full approval for the low-carb craze. Among these are Burger King, Hardee's and Carl's Jr., which excluded bread from hamburgers last month. Following their example, TGI Friday's restaurant started offering bunless cheeseburgers too. The other two largest burger producers McDonald's and Wendy's have no plans to include burgers without buns on their menus for the time present. Many people predict bunless burgers will not enjoy wide popularity. Partially it is because of price: it will remain unchanged regardless the burger is with or without bun.
The low carb craze affected bakers most of all, as people are buying less and less bread. Some bakeries have already started making a low carb white bread and rolls.
One reason for the low carb craze is raising popularity for the low-carbohydrate Atkins diet, which suggests carbohydrates should be replaced with proteins and fats. Dr. Atkins sold about 10 million copies of his book "Dr. Atkins' New Diet Revolution", which is still considered to be the guidebook of millions. Atkins claimed that protein and fats satiate the appetite to a greater degree than carbohydrates, so that we consume less food. According to Atkins diet we should eat more meat, seafood, eggs, cheese, which are the sources of protein and olive, oils, sour cream, mayonnaise and butter, which are rich in fats. Carbohydrates are also accused of insulin release, which leads to fat storage.
Taking into consideration that America is now the leading nation among those suffering from obesity, it is not complicated to find the reason of low carb craze. About 25 million people are trying some type of a low-carb diet. Studies show that low-carb diets really help people lose weight faster. However they regain much of the weight by the end of one year after abandoning diet.
Many fast food restaurants began telling dieters how much fat and carbohydrates their foods contain. New posters are displayed in restaurants in New Jersey, New York and Connecticut, suggesting the customers they should leave out bun or cheese to reduce their intake of carbohydrates.
The situation is different on the continent. European countries slight low carb craze, claiming that Atkins diet will not result in their consumption more sausages and less potato. The Europeans consider the Mediterranean diet to be the best in the world, since they don't have so many obesity problems as Americans do. Only Britain with its junk food habits is turning gradually into a country of low carb fans. As of 2004 the amount of low carb products in Britain increased sharply from 5 to 159.