Atkin's Discrimination

[cac1128]

Couldn't resist posting this when I read it. I know it's been discussed before that people have run in to negative attitudes about the Atkins diet. I would have been furious if this happened to me!

No-Carb Eating Couple Booted From Buffet
Fri Apr 23,11:22 PM ET Add Strange News - AP to My Yahoo!

By CHRISTIE L. HILL, Associated Press Writer

SALT LAKE CITY - A couple on the Atkins Diet have a beef with a local restaurant after being booted from the buffet for eating too much meat.
Isabelle Leota, 29, and her husband Sui Amaama, 26, both on the no-carb diet, were dining Tuesday at a Chuck-A-Rama in the Salt Lake City suburb of Taylorsville when the manager cut them off because they'd eaten too much roast beef.

"It's so embarrassing actually," said Leota. "We went in to have dinner, we were under the impression Chuck-A-Rama was an all you can eat establishment."

Not so, said Jack Johanson, the restaurant chain's district manager.
"We've never claimed to be an all-you-can-eat establishment," said Johanson. "Our understanding is a buffet is just a style of eating."

The general manager was carving the meat, and became concerned about having enough for other patrons, Johanson said. So when Amaama went up for his 12th slice, the manager asked Amaama to stop.

Offended by the request, the couple argued with the manager, then asked for a refund. The manager refused, and when the couple refused to leave, he called police.

"I really feel like we were discriminated against, I feel like we were treated unfairly," said Leota.

The restaurant's roast beef is cooked overnight and takes between 12 and 14 hours to cook, Johanson said. Depending on the location, a Chuck-A-Rama may have only between one and five roasts each day.

But Johanson said the manager offered plenty of other buffet items for the couple to choose from.

The couple are finishing their second week of the Atkins Diet, which requires taking in little to no carbohydrates, and they eat at Chuck-A-Rama's $8.99 buffet at least twice a week because of its convenience.

"You can just go there and just eat meat," said Leota, a mother of two.

Johanson said there's no written policy for what patrons can or can't eat, or for the size of their portions. But the restaurant reserves the right to talk to patrons if they abuse the buffet — a rare occurrence, he said.

The couple said they won't return to the restaurant.
"I don't have any desire to go there ever again," said Leota.

[BJ]

Okay, but returning for the 12th serving?!

[Lexi's Omi]

I thot the same thing. 12 slices of beef for him!!! Wonder what kinda diet he's on?

[Jonathan]

Yet another perfect example of a story that gives atkins a a bum wrap. I'm cooking prime rib today myself, but the most I can have for supper is about 7 ounces considering the rest of my menu. oh well.

[Bmosbacker]

I agree--12 slices of Roast? This may be a classic case of individuals "doing Atkins" when they are utterly clueless--it is doubtful that they have read the entire book. I don't blame the manager for asking them to leave.

[Maryanne]

LOL. I cant believe one person on a diet would eat 12 slabs of roast beef. I would be so embarassed if i was told to leave a buffet because of that and i sure wouldnt take it to the press either.

[BJ]

I was at a cookout this afternoon and a lady asked a friend ( who is now doing Atkins too) couldn't she eat as many hotdogs as she liked since she's doing Atkins. She then went on to say she thought my friend should quit Atkins and go to WW. People really do assume so much about this WOE. I think it's probably the most misunderstood diet.

[bimmy]

it kinds reminds me of that episode of the Simpsons...

[cac1128]

I was thinking that 12 slices was a bit much at first to, but then I figured if the restaurant is going to make such a fuss, they probably serve those thin itty-bitty slices to try to save money. They did say most restaurants only have between 1 and 5 roasts a day... must not be very popular.

But speaking of 12 slices, is there such a thing as to much protein during the day? I read through chapters 1 - 11 Friday night and Dr. Atkins keeps mentioning that he tells people, if you're hungry, eat more. I have found on several different days that I am hungrier than others and eat more meat. I don't go over the 20carb limit, but eating so much meat makes me feel a bit piggy. porksmiley I've always had a big appetite (category B person), but I'm still a little brainwashed in thinking a plate of spaghetti is less fattening than a rack of ribs. Although the latter is more filling and satisfying and curbs my hunger better, I just can't get used to reaching for a hamburger patty or piece of steak instead of a bag of chips.

While my appetite is starting to diminish and I find myself more in control, I still wonder if I am overdoing it on the meat. Anyone know?

[pcbear]

:P Well If its anything like the buffets up our way, the roast beef is sliced so thin, that 12 slices that they ate probaly equaled 6 oz. which isn't so bad. I know Old Country Buffet is like that and their slice of beef is so thin and equals not much of anything.... Just had to put in my 2 cents.. lol
by the way Jonathan you look great in your new picture...Keep up the good work..

[NeverMan]

There is no excuse for any establishment to act that unprofessional. If you run out of beef, you run out and you deal with it. This manager was obviously some kind of jerk. I feel for the couple.

Yes, if you are hungry you are suppose to eat. That is the best thing about this WOE is that you don't have to do starvations.

I lost 35 lbs on Atkins for the 2 months I did it. I was in induction for the whole two months. I ate A LOT OF MEAT. I never had a problem losing weight.

I just ate veggies (limited amount) and meat (until I was full). Worked great. I once again stress: UNTIL I WAS FULL. Not, 6 ounces and then I stopped even if I was still hungry.

Also, I have to agree with the "thin slice theory" people. I have been to Old Country, Golden "Something" Buffet, and a couple of other buffets in my life and they all give you very tiny pieces of the real stuff. They hope you fill up on the cheap crap (carbs and fried foods). That is how they make their money, but part of their business should be lose some, win some and trust me, they are winning a lot more of them then they are losing.

[cac1128]

Thanks NeverMan!

[BradTheDog]

It is my opinion that even if what the manager did and the district manager said were in line with corporate policy the bad publicity will likely make the corporate heads come down upon the two of them. I am also in agreement that the slices of beef were probably so small they didn't amount to more than a pound of beef which isn't that much if it was the only thing you were eating there. However the article does shed some bad publicity on low carbers as well, we already have image problems enough and don't need to be portrayed as fat people who can't control ourselves. I do have a question on how man people were kicked out after their 12th serving if they also went up with a side of potatoes and gravy? Or did the manager only bother noticing that nothing else was on the plate.

[PattyC]

I remember a news story several years ago where this guy was challenging this all-you-can-eat establishment. He would actually park himself in front of the salad bar and eat straight from it.

I'm sure there are 2 sides to every story. This one could go either way. Neither side came out looking good.

[BradTheDog]

I remember a news story several years ago where this guy was challenging this all-you-can-eat establishment. He would actually park himself in front of the salad bar and eat straight from it.

I'm sure there are 2 sides to every story. This one could go either way. Neither side came out looking good.

I guess it all depends on where you go too and if you make a scene. My 4 years away from home at college always left me at golden corral on sunday from 8:00 in the morning till 8:00 in the evening with my superfast (by 1992 standards) laptop a few school books. Granted I didn't eat much at anyone time but no one ever bothered me in my little corner.