The truth about fad diets
Trying to lose weight can be frustrating and disheartening, because it doesn’t tend to happen quickly. It seems that the effort required to lose weight is far greater than the effort it took to put it on! Because of this frustration, many people turn to so-called “fad diets” for a quick weight loss solution.
Fad diets are popular because they promise quick and dramatic weight loss, often with minimal effort. Unfortunately, they rarely deliver their lofty claims. While it is possible to lose weight in the short-term on a fad diet, long-term success is very rare. Many of these diets are unhealthy, even dangerous, because they often deprive your body of the necessary nutrients it needs.
There are many incarnations of fad diets on the market today. And it seems like more and more are introduced all the time. Some of the more commonly known types of fad diets include:
Low-carb diets, such as Atkins or the Zone
Low-fat/high-carb diets, such as Pritikin
Food combining, such as Somersizing
Liquid diets, such as Slim-Fast
Diet pills, such as Dexatrim
There are so many people struggling with obesity, and desperate for a magic solution to lose the weight. Because of this, some diet companies can exploit this desperation, and often exaggerate or even falsify claims. Others just rely on the short-term outcomes of customers to persuade new customers to try the diet or product.
The biggest problem about fad diets is that they often do work, but only in the short-term. Not eating certain types of foods (carbohydrates, for example) will result in lower caloric intake. Unfortunately, you often only lose water weight rather than body fat. And because many of these diets do require you to eliminate or restrict certain types of foods, most people give up due to the deprivation and overwhelming cravings. Most end up gaining what weight they did lose back, and then some. It is a vicious cycle.
The only really healthy and effective way to lose weight permanently is by changing your eating habits and exercising regularly. Decreasing calories and increasing movement will guarantee a slimmer and healthier individual in the long term. But because this requires work and time, many people are just not willing to commit to the new lifestyle.
When considering one of the many fad diets out there, keep the following in mind:
• It is healthy to lose 1-2 pounds per week. Avoid diets that claim you will lose a lot more than that.
• You must exercise, not only to lose weight, but also to be healthy. Avoid fad diets that claim exercise is unnecessary.
• Losing weight takes time. Avoid fad diets that promise quicker than normal weight loss.
• It is vital that you eat a balanced diet that includes grains, fruits and vegetables, proteins, and dairy, as well one that is low in saturated fat, cholesterol, and sugar.
Quite simply, the best alternative for losing weight and changing your health and life is by doing it the old-fashioned way. By eating healthfully and exercising regularly, you will not injure your body or rob it of vital nutrition. Fad diets can not promise that.
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