Fad Diets

Beware of Fad Diets!
By Tess Thompson

Marketing strategies based on complex studies and simplistic solutions are the best tools in the hands of marketers. This is because sifting reality from hype becomes extremely difficult in product solutions that are backed by complex incomprehensible researches.

Moreover, it is far easier to sell an idea based on what people want to hear. Most of the consumers do not want to hear facts that remind them of the maxim ‘no pain, no gain’. Fad diets and their easy acceptance is the unchallenged proof of this. It is no surprise, therefore, that natural weight loss remedies are less popular than fad diets that promise fast weight loss. A weight loss supplement is also easier to sell than promoting the idea of regular exercise, simply because people are reluctant to get up early and sweat it out.

A fad diet is defined as a diet that enjoys temporary popularity. It is temporary because after the initial euphoria caused due to marketing, the craze dies down. The decline in popularity is obviously because initial adopters find the diet to be ineffective. The goal of the marketer, however, is met since the promotions attract a vast majority of takers in a short time to cover costs and provide for profits. However, just because a diet is termed as a fad does not necessarily mean that it is a failure or ineffective.

The key, therefore, is to be able to distinguish a fad diet ineffective diet from an effective one. Beware of diets that:

* Promise a quick fix solution.
* Make claims that sound too good to be true.
* Make recommendations based on single or doubtful studies.
* Eliminate one or more of the five food groups.
* Claim that no exercise is required.
* Guarantees a great amount of weight loss.

Long term maintenance of weight is critical to good health. But this does not mean that you have to reduce your calorie intake, carbohydrates, proteins, fats or vitamins and minerals to less than the optimal level. High protein diets reduce calcium in the body, which can increase risk of osteoporosis. High fat content increases bad cholesterol increasing vulnerability to heart disease. Low carbohydrate diets carry the risk of metabolic changes like ketosis that can ultimately damage kidneys.

Healthy weight loss plans must include nutritional counseling, exercise, a permanent commitment to change in lifestyle from sedentary to active and avoidance of junk foods. Diets should strike a healthy balance between all groups instead of eliminating a particular group of foods. Nutritional counseling is necessary because changes have to be made considering an individual’s level of obesity and a preexisting disorder, allergy or disease. Achieving weight loss can ensure that you do not gain weight later can be achieved through a diet that is rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, fat free or low fat dairy products coupled with regular exercise. The mantra is to eat every thing but in moderation and rely only on fresh foods.

References:
http://diet.lovetoknow.com/wiki/What_Are_Fad_Diets
http://www.webterrace.com/fad/home.htm
http://www.everydiet.org/fad_diets.htm http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4584