Have dieters had their fill of Atkins?

Dieters' love affair with the low-carbohydrate Atkins eating plan may be on the wane, with the growth in sales of specialist products slowing.

First-quarter sales of low-carb products in the U.S. were more than double those of the previous three months, but the second quarter increase was only 27 per cent.

Food manufacturers had rushed to turn out low-carb versions of everything from ketchup to crisps. But consumers complained about high prices and a lack of taste. At least three million Britons are thought to be following the controversial diet.