What are ‘fad diets?’
A fad diet is one which becomes instantly popular but can quickly fall out of favour. They often make what sound like extravagant claims although many people report successful weight loss from following a fad diet.
Fad diets can include:
- Atkins Diet: an emphasis on consuming large amounts of protein and fewer carbohydrates.
- Cabbage Soup Diet: short term weight loss from consumption of cabbage soup
- 3 Day Diet: reduced calorie intake in 3 day periods
- Negative Calorie Diet: an emphasis on green vegetables as part of a lower calorie intake
- Acai Berry Diet: based upon the antioxidant Acai Berry
- Low Carb Diets: there are a whole range of diets which fit into this category, e.g. Atkins diet
- South Beach Diet: often considered to be a healthier version of the Atkins diet
- Zone Diet: based upon meal ratios (40% carbs, 30% protein and 30% fats)
There are many variations on these which are too numerous to mention.
Proponents of fad diets claim that people have successfully lost weight without it being detrimental to their health.
However, opponents state that there is no solid foundation to these claims and that claims are made from a marketing perspective than from scientific fact.
They argue that many of these diets involve cutting out vital food groups which can cause a deficiency in that area. For example, a diet which is based around eating large quantities of fruit and very little else can mean that you are missing out on vital nutrients which are essential for good health.
They may be good for short term weight loss but are not advisable in the long term. If you want to lose weight and keep that weight off then you will have to make some permanent changes to your diet and lifestyle.
So what changes can you make to help with weight loss?