fad diets

Question
Hey, I think I might have already asked this question, except the email address hasn't been working so I had to get another one.
I'm researching fad diets.  I was wondering if the incorrect information fad diets send proses a problem with dietitians in any way.  I have a couple of questions.  1- What would you say was the unhealthiest fad diet (Atkins, Southbeach, grapefruit...) and why?  2- Do most of these diets gain weight back right after usual food choices are maintained?  3- What is your opinion regarding fad diets for fast weight loss?
Since you are an RD, I also wanted to ask you another question. I'm a sophomore in college and I'm trying to decide if I really need to go to graduate school.  What is your advice?
Thank you so much!
Haley

Answer
Hi Haley,

It's difficult to single out one fad diet as being the "unhealthiest". Most fad diets do not encourage optimal nutrition. When evaluating any diet, the first thing to do is to see how balanced it is in terms of food choices (does it include all the food groups and allow a wide variety of foods?) The Atkins diet is very restrictive and high in animal products (which are high in saturated fats and contain no fibre) and allows very little fruit, vegetable, or grain consumption (all very important for good health). It's basically the opposite of current healthy eating recommendations!

People do often gain back weight after going off a diet, whether it is a fad diet or a more balanced but calorie-restrictive approach. This is why I encourage a non-diet approach to losing weight or maintaining a healthy weight. Learning to make lifestyle changes that can be maintained over the course of a lifetime is the most effective approach to healthy eating and weight loss/maintenance.

For more detailed analysis of a variety of fad diets, go to thedietchannel.com.

Regarding whether you should go to graduate school - it depends what your career goals are. Do you see yourself working in an academic or research area? If so, then graduate school will likely be very helpful. I would suggest contacting some people working in positions similar to what you think you will be doing, and ask them about their own academic backgrounds, and whether graduate school is a valuable asset when working in that type of area. Your academic advisor should also be able to help you work through this decision as well.

Hope that helps!

Karen
www.getfitwithkaren.com

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