Dishing up the truth about fad diets

Fad diets promise to ‘melt-away fat’ in a short space of time. However, the human metabolism has its own time frame for losing weight so any diet promising you otherwise, is taking you for a ride!

It is true that you will lose weight during those first five days, but it’s more than likely water you’re losing, guaranteeing that you'll pick up those kilos once the diet is over. Some fad diets can even adversely affect our health, causing more harm than good.

So how can you tell whether it’s a fad diet or a healthy eating plan?

Here are a few characteristics to look out for when trying to determine if a diet is an unrealistic weight-loss fad.

The diet promises lightning speed weight loss

Remember, it probably took a while for you to gain unwanted weight so it will take more or less that same time to lose it! A healthy diet will encourage you to aim to lose between 0,5kg to 1kg a week.

You should also bear in mind that before and after photos may not be the truth and anyone can write a testimonial stating that a particular diet works.

The diet includes pills and potions

Slimming aids, such as fat-burner pills, herbal teas, powders and enzymes, that have to be used in conjunction with these ‘fat-buster’ diets, are a sign that these diet companies are just making you spend extra money on their products.

Usually it’s just the diets themselves which are highly restrictive and unbalanced. Also be aware that some of these supplements may have added ephedrine, or diuretic or laxative properties.

The diet includes a lot of fine print

Always read the fine print. As soon as a diet states that there are any cautions or restrictions associated with its use, one should see the AVOID signals starting to flash.

Also a diet which needs to be followed strictly for two weeks at a time and not to be repeated in a six-month period should be a clear indication that this diet will be endangering your health. What would happen to the body if it was to be repeated?

A healthy diet should not lead to fainting, headaches, or be followed for a strict number of days. It should provide you with all the nutrients required so that you follow it for the rest of your life.

A good way to tell whether it’s a fad or not is to ask yourself the question, ‘Can the rest of my family follow this plan, adjusting the portion sizes for their age, gender and activity level, and still be healthy?'

The diet encourages unbalanced food intake

If the diet encourages you to eat a certain category of food for a specific period of time, it’s a fad!

Diets that cut out health food groups may lead to deficiencies of certain of vitamins, minerals, proteins and omega fatty acids.

Protein only diets carry a number of serious health risks like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, osteoporosis and kidney failure. Carbohydrates are the essential source of fuel and if you cannot make energy from carbs, the body turns it to fat and protein stores. So yes, you will be burning fat but at the same time you will be increasing ketone levels within the body which has far more serious side-effects if left to accumulate.

So what is the healthiest weight loss solution?

The most efficient weight loss strategy is a nutritionally balanced diet that includes the correct portion control of low fat, high-fibre foods that satisfy the body and don’t leave you with constant cravings.

It might not sound like the most exciting way to lose weight, but a healthy eating strategy and exercise will help you lose weight and maintain your weight loss in the long-run.

So remember, if a diet plan seems too good to be true, it probably is!

This article was supplied by Kezia Kent, a registered dietitian and nutritional consultant in a private practice in Illovo, Johannesburg. She is passionate about promoting health and good nutrition. Her main areas of interest include nutritional management of lifestyle diseases, food allergies, sports nutrition, digestive and gastrointestinal disorders.

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