Weight Loss Guru


Recognize Fad Diets

How to recognize a fad diet:

     To a professional fad diets are relatively easy to spot, but they can seem quite convincing to the ordinary person. Fad diets include these characteristics:

* They offer a quick solution to a long term problem.

* The author or promoter presents what appear to be scientifically valid explanations or references to support the dieting theory. The promoter may be tertiary educated, although frequently has no formal nutrition or dietetic qualifications.

* The theory behind the weight loss approach is often explained using scientific terminology that simplifies or expands upon the biochemical and physiological facts that provide the evidence to support the claims. However, the validity of the scientific support is often questionable. Most of the "evidence" for fad diets is based on anecdotal findings, theories and testimonials of short term results.

* The most prominent elements of fad diets are those of ritual and sacrifice. The ritual aspect is to always include, say, grapefruit daily but never add sugar to your beverage (sacrifice).

* These diets offer quick and painless weight loss while allowing consumption of favourite or tasty foods, but severely restrict certain other foods or food categories.

Why fad diets seem to "work":

     Fad diets often work in the short term because they are low kilojoule diets in disguise that is, energy intake as a result of the diet is lower than the person's requirements.

     This is the only way to lose weight - to consume less energy than the body needs. No magic ingredients, strange food combinations or pseudoscientific formulas will alter this metabolic fact.

Related Links

Quick Weight Loss
Fad Diets
Helping Kids Lose
Passive Weight Loss
Helpful hints for Fads
How to Lose Quickly
Tips On Dieting