April 1, 2000
NEW YORK, Ny. -- In a surprising announcement, Calista Flockhart, the ultra-thin star of TV's Ally McBeal, publicly revealed the details of her diet.
Flockhart's extremely thin figure has led many to speculate that she has anorexia nervosa. Flockhart has repeatedly denied having the eating disorder. However, until today, she had otherwise not shared any details of her diet with the public.
At this afternoon's press conference, she made a clear and frank statement about her diet. "For the last five years," she announced to the hushed crowd, "I've been on the Atkins Diet."
The 'Atkins Diet' she refers to is a diet developed and refined by Dr. Peter Atkins over the last 20 years. Unlike many diets, which limit the amount of fat one can eat daily, the Atkins diet restricts carbohydrate intake, while placing no dietary limits on fat, protein, or even total calories. Although controversial, the diet is very popular. Atkins' book, Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution, has been a best-seller.
After the whispers and laughter from the crowd subsided, Flockhart continued her statement. "The fact is, I eat a full diet just like everyone else. But unlike most dieters, my diet is full of high-protein and high-fat foods. So I actually eat a fuller diet than most people.
"For example, for breakfast, I eat eggs a lot. I like to hard boil my egg, so I can easily cut it into seven slices. That way I have breakfast prepared for the whole week.
"For lunch, I often eat nuts. They're very convenient. When I get hungry during the afternoon, I just pop a pistachio or an almond into my mouth, and I feel satisfied.
"For dinner, I totally pig out. One of my favorite dinners is a thin slice of roast beef. Another favorite of mine is half a strip of bacon. Sometimes I feel guilty for eating so much. But with the Atkins Diet, I can eat until I'm full and not gain weight, as long as I stay away from those carbohydrates."
Despite being on the diet for years, Flockhart said she is still not quite down to her target weight. "I seem to be one of those people that just can't get those last thirty pounds off," she said. Nevertheless, Flockhart says she feels happy with her body and her diet. "A lot of people have accused me of being anorexic. Well, I'm here to say that, thanks to the Atkins Diet, I can be slim and healthy without being anorexic."