Michael Brockert tucks into a low-carb fry-up daily

Workers at the Greedy Pig cafe at the edge of Corby said the popularity of the Atkins diet has been great for business.

They said low-carbohydrate dieters, who are allowed to indulge in bacon, sausage and eggs fried in butter, have kept the chef busy.

Mary Sutherland, co-owner of the cafe, said: "I think it's been busier since the Atkins diet came out, because it's a man's diet - they love it. It's everything that they like."

Skipping the toast

Manager Sheena Loakes added: "You can tell they're on the Atkins diet, because they'll order mushrooms instead of beans or tomatoes, and they don't want any bread or toast."

Although they are able to eat many fatty breakfast foods usually off-limits to low-fat-style dieters, those who follow low-carbohydrate diets shun potatoes, muesli, muffins, toast, and most fruits except for berries.

Michael Brockert said he has lost 20 pounds while eating a huge fry-up breakfast at the cafe every day.

He said: "There's nothing better than an English breakfast.

"Of course we're used to it with the toast, but I'd much rather give up the bread and the toast and keep the bacon and the eggs rather than the other."

Interest in fried breakfasts has waned over the last several years, as the health-conscious began to avoid fry-ups because of cholesterol fears.