Fad diets are sometimes difficult to identify in comparison to healthy or safe diets; Below is a list of criteria for you to better identify a Fad diet.
- Promises quick weight loss, often more than 3 pounds per week.
- Promotes methods too good to be true.
- Implies that weight can be lost without exercise or lifestyle changes.
- Uses scare tactics to promote the diet plan.
- Restricts or eliminates certain foods or food groups and prescribes an un-balanced, un-healthy diet plan resulting in major nutrient deficiencies such as vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber and protective phytonutrients.
- Rarely addresses portion size.
- Insists on consuming specific foods or combinations of foods with no scientific validity.
- Offers rigid menu plans that do not follow US dietary guidelines.
- Encourages the dieter to eat as much as he/she wants of a particular food while prescribing a daily caloric intake well below average requirements for a healthy adult.
Join the Wellness Revolution
Despite the poor success rate of all these popular diets and weight loss programs, they continue to grow in popularity among overweight Americans. More than 50% of the best selling diet books have been published since 1999. Why? People try a diet, it doesn’t work or only gives them short-term results, or it’s too hard to follow, and they give up. BUT they still want to lose that weight AND they jump on the next diet hitting the market (and promoted by celebrities). Silly? Maybe, but there’s no other options!
Yours in Optimal Health,
Dr. Mike
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Tags: diet, Fad diets, Sensible Weight Loss
I’ve been on almost all of these diets and I can tell you the results are short-term. Thanks for this article!
Comment by Michelene — January 4, 2010 @ 4:38 pm
Fad diets are just that — fads.
Comment by Jordan — January 4, 2010 @ 4:48 pm