The pros and cons of fad diets

Posted 05 January 2009

It’s the New Year and most people have 'lose weight and shape up' on their resolution list

As you probably know there are lots of ways to do this.

There are a multitude of fad diets out there from the Lemonade diet to Cabbage Soup diet.

The 'Pro' for the fad diet is that you’ll lose a lot of weight - fast. The 'Con' is that it’s mostly water and then muscle tone.

Now the definition of 'fad' is 'a craze' it’s not something sustainable - which is the perfect description of fad diets. As the old saying goes, 'If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.' Face it; you’re never going to lose weight by just eating chocolate.

Many of these fad diets can be expensive as well, especially if you have to purchase special foods from the diet retailer (mixes and potions and special dinners).

They are also socially limiting. We’ve heard tale of one diet which required participants to bring their own food, to a wedding! Who wants to be that person?

Most importantly is of course, your health.

If you’re on a fad/very low calorie diet, after your initial drastic weight loss you’ll find that the thought of another glass of lemonade/special meal/replacement goo makes you want to vomit. Then when you slip up and eat some real food, your body, which has moved into starvation mode will hold onto every single calorie for dear life.

Worse, a just released study by Scottish researchers shows that fish put on a 'binge then diet' regime had a reduced lifespan of up to 25%. Obviously we are not fish, but they see the results translating to children and teenagers, this is due to the fact that their bodies are still maturing.

Another recent study by the non-profit group, Sense About Science, proves that any product that claims it 'eliminates toxins' is bunk. Your body naturally eliminates toxins. It’s your kidneys and liver’s job. If they are working correctly - they are working correctly. The only way to 'detoxify' is to not 'toxify' at all, and just live healthfully.

Superstar willpower

Very few people (Madonna, Gwyneth and Demi not withstanding) have the wherewithal to hang onto raw food, macrobiotic diets. You need to make changes that don’t require a personal chef or ironclad discipline. We are humans, we like food and we like variety, we like social interaction, heck, we like puddings!

Ah, now this makes sense!

Yes, you can have it all it just takes a little balance. The only 'diet' we can condone is really the 'Mediterranean diet' which really isn’t a diet at all, but rather a healthy way of eating. Fresh fruits and veg, whole grains fish, olive oil no processed junk foods, even the occasional glass of wine - all sustainable, healthy, delicious.

Don’t forget to burn some of it off. The best dessert of all is a half hour walk.

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again. They only way too healthfully and permanently is to make sustainable changes in your diet and exercise patterns.