Although the big push for fad diets has died down a little bit, it is still estimated that at least two-thirds of Americans are on some form of diet at any given time. Although research shows the importance of eating from all the major food groups, people are still confused about which sort of diet to follow, keeping the window open for more quacky solutions to pop up.
Decisions
In an attempt to help readers decide what makes a diet healthy and when it’s time to steer clear, I will talk about what makes a diet a’fad’ diet and these diets are something best to keep away from. Along the way, we’ll discover what each food group has to offer that may be beneficial to our health. Our bodies have been uniquely designed to make the most of the carbohydrates, proteins and fats that we eat. For the liver to do the best job it can for us, we really need all these nutrients, called macronutrients.
Detox diet
A ‘detoxifying’ diet should also have all these macronutrients! During the past twenty years there has been a dramatic increase in obesity in america. Currently, more than 64 percent of US adults are either overweight or obese, based on results from the 1999-2000 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). So, examine the facts: Two thirds of Americans are on some’diet’, yet we’re getting fatter and fatter. Would that perhaps indicate that the fad diets do not work? Let’s talk about it.
Fad Diet
A ‘fad diet’ is defined as something temporary. Therefore, it’s not surprising that these diets aren’t profitable. Let’s start by looking at how to recognize a fad diet.
- Promises a quick weight loss. This is excellent, in the short term, but how many readers have or know somebody who has followed these diets, only to regain the weight back, and more for additional bonus? When people lose weight very fast, they lose a whole lot of lean muscle tissue, and the weight that comes back will probably be more fat and less muscle, which makes it simpler and easier to regain weight every time they drop the last fad diet. A wholesome diet to follow is going to be one which will promote slow, progressive weight loss over a longer time period. It will have enough calories to support vigorous exercise, so you lose fat rather than muscle. Diets that are too low for your human body’s basic needs will lead to the body breaking down it’s protein stores (muscle) for the fuel it requires. Sort of defeats the entire purpose of the diet!
- Eliminates foods or food groups. The very first thing alerts us that a diet is a’fad’ is if a specific food, or whole food group, is considered off-limits. This is a fantastic time to discuss the low carb diets. What is it that’s made carbohydrates a lousy nutrient? When you look in other countries, where the consumption of carbohydrates is as large as 80 percent, and see that many of these nations aren’t suffering even near the obesity rates we’re in America, you need to wonder why they aren’t having the identical issue. So, can it actually be the carbohydrates? Probably not. But, perhaps it’s the sort of carbs. Many folks who choose to go on a few of the favorite low carbohydrate diets begin to eliminate plenty of food from their diets, such as all of the snack foods they were eating, especially at night. Gone are the chips, the biscuits, the crackers, the ice cream. Gone are around 300 to 1,000 calories each day! Anyone would drop weight if they cut out those many calories from their daily diet. Another issue with eliminating entire food groups, particularly on low carb diets, is they’re advocating eliminating or limiting the consumption of nutrient-rich vegetables and fruits. With all the significant research showing how beneficial these foods would be to preventing a variety of diseases, such as cancer and cardiovascular disease, it is amazing that anybody involved in health care would recommend this type of diet. Something to also notice, however, is that none of those fad diet books are written by anybody with a degree in nutrition. The medical community is confused, which explains why doctors will fall for some of the hype fad diet authors write. But let us talk a bit more about fruits, vegetables and starches: A diet high in animal protein and animal fat has been associated with various inflammation and disease states. A diet very high in protein puts a great load on our kidneys and may result in constipation, gout and bone loss due to calcium depletion from the high protein load. Combine that with decreased fiber from lack of whole grains and fiber-rich vegetables and fruit, and several people simply don’t feel well; they feel fatigued, lethargic and their immune system is depressed.
- Starts with a shock or follows a rigorous plan. When the diet says you’ve got to begin with a very restricted diet, or you could only eat certain foods on specific days, you know that it’s a fad diet. They justify it by saying you need to wash out the body, or just certain foods can help with the weight loss procedure. Any change in the way you currently eat will lead to changes on the scale. Not many people can stay on these diets long, so once they’re’away’ the diet, the weight reduction. The dieter learned nothing aside from the misinformation the writer provided them with. This may actually have far-reaching effects, as then the dieter is much more confused than ever and does not know what to think! Once someone learns what the qualities of a healthy diet include, they discover that their optimal calorie level is due to their own wants, and they have the ability to achieve their objectives, combining their eating plan with exercise. Not only do they begin to enjoy life , but appreciate food AND see weight loss! Although fad diet authors want you to believe their’miracle’ (and buy their goods ), there is actually no get-thin-quick solution that’s permanent. But what does constitute a nutritious diet? A nutritious diet is one that’s sufficient in calories to support healthful fat, low in animal fats and saturated fats, animal protein should be quite lean and sufficient enough to support a diet high in fruits and vegetables and whole grain starches. Any healthy diet can include foods which are just for pleasure, however. All foods really do fit, in moderation.
- Contradicts what experts say. Authors of low carb diets say that the carbs are what have made American’s fat. But they can not explain why other nations whose diets are extremely high in carbohydrates do not have the very same problems with obesity. You know it’s a fad diet once the writer says they have the’inside’ or’hidden’ facts about our diet or health. You also know it is a questionable novel when they say there’s a hidden agenda among caregivers or the authorities.
Consider this
If you had heart disease, you’d see a cardiologist who specializes in heart health. If your teeth had work, you’d see a dentist. However, a lot of people would purchase’diet’ books from those that aren’t educated in nutrition! People will purchase a diet book from someone who discovered what worked for them, or a film star or a doctor. In a number of these books, because the writer doesn’t understand nutrition, many facts are distorted or misrepresented.
It might not always be on purpose, but the point is these books are written by a person who does not understand nutrition and the science behind it, so they distort the facts, or they make them match the gimmick they’re attempting to sell.
- Does it guarantee fast weight loss?
- Does it remove any significant foods or food groups?
- Is there a rigorous plan that has to be followed for success?
- Does it contradict what nutrition experts and science has to say?
- Does it rely primarily on reviews and’before and after’ pictures too good to be true?
- Is there a gimmick?
If you answered yes to all or the majority of these questions, when you’ve stepped back, then walk away and find a better strategy. Isn’t now time to get real and make your weight loss plan permanent and realistic?