Recognizing Fad Diets

Fad diets are diets that promote short-term weight loss usually with complete disregard to long-term weight maintenance. Fad diets often gain popularity and commercial success because they tend to offer a “quick fix” to your weight loss needs. However, these diets are usually unhelpful and can even cause health problems.

It’s Probably a Fad Diet If:

• The diet offers an extremely limited menu like only grapefruit or specialized cookies.
• The diet eliminates an entire nutrient or food group, such as carbohydrates.
• It promises a quick-fix or ultra-fast weight loss.
• It makes claims based solely on testimonials or a single study.
• The diet eliminates all fats.
• The promotions make the diet sound too good to be true, such as, “you can lose weight in your sleep.”
• There is no real explanation of the science behind the diet. The promotion may say that it is too complex to understand.

These diets can seem appealing at first, when in fact they can be harmful to your health. Since many fad diets cut out key nutrients and food groups, they can lead to:

• Dehydration
• Weakness and fatigue
• Constipation and digestive issues
• Headaches
• Nausea
• Vitamin and mineral deficiencies

Don’t Be Taken in by Fad Diet Claims of Dramatic Weight Loss

Your body needs certain fats, carbohydrates and numerous vitamins and minerals to thrive. The best way to nourish your body is by following a well-balanced and health conscious diet.

If you are overweight or struggling with obesity, fad diets should be avoided. Other options like medical weight loss offer the assistance of a doctor to help you through your weight loss journey. When it comes to weight loss, your health is what’s important. Don’t get tricked into a program that could further harm your body and leave you without sustainable results.