With the ever-increasing amount of new diet programs being introduced it’s hard to spot the real ones from the fake. Many fad diets promise miraculous results, but there are signs to look out for that can reveal a fad as opposed to a real diet.
Lose weight the right way
You may be looking for a fast way to lose weight and there’s no shortage of ‘fad diets’ around, but although they may provide short term results they are difficult to sustain and, ultimately, they deprive you of the essential nutrients that only balanced eating can provide.
The following is a list of 10 Questions that should be asked before starting a diet plan:
1. Does the diet emphasise or claim a quick fix and fast weight loss rather than realistic expectations and lifestyle change? – Slow, gradual weight loss increases the chance of weight loss success and of keeping weight off over the long term.
2. Does it promise success for everyone rather than tailoring its program to individual needs? No foods can undo the long-term effects of overeating and not exercising or melt away fat.
3. Does it require a severe calorie limitation and eliminate entire food groups, but recommends certain foods in large quantities and/or insists on eating specific food combinations?
4. Does the diet imply that weight can be lost and maintained without exercise and other lifestyle changes?
5. Does it rely heavily on meal substitutes?
6. Does it heavily rely on undocumented case histories, testimonials, and anecdotes but has no scientific research to back-up its claims.
7. Is there a list of authors’ or providers’ credentials?
8. Are there testimonials from people that you can contact?
9. Does it contradict what most trusted health professional groups advise?
10. Does it all sound TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE?
Fad diets can lead to health problems
Because they often cut out key foods, fad diets may cause the following symptoms:
- Weakness and fatigue
- Dehydration
- Nausea and headaches
- Constipation
- Inadequate vitamin and mineral intake.
Fad diets that severely restrict food groups or nutrients may also mean that you miss out on the protective health effects that a balanced eating plan provides.
Balanced eating is the answer
You can achieve a healthy body weight and maintain it, without having to cut out on any foods, because everything can be eaten – in moderation! This is what is meant by the term ‘balanced diet’. Combined with moderate physical activity, it will help make the positive changes to your life.
Hints and tips
- Consult your GP or physician before starting any diet plan.
- Don’t consider a diet for yourself until you have conducted thorough research and are -100% convinced by solid evidence.
- If you are not sure about any aspect of the diet, seek advice from a friend or family
- member who lost weight and maintained an ideal weight for at least a year.
