What is a Fad Diet and Why Should I Care?
What is a Fad Diet?
Fad diets, also known as trendy diets, are diets that are popular for a time. They often promote quick results in weight loss or other health benefits. They are often considered a “quick fix.”
Examples of Some Fad Diets
- Atkins
- Slimfast
- Weight Watchers
- Gluten Free
- Paleo
- Jenny Craig
- The Zone Diet
- The South Beach Diet
- NutriSystem
- Special K
- Apple Cider Vinegar Diet
- Juicing
- Whole 30
- Keto
- Mediterranean Diet
The Dangers of Fad Diets
There are several “dangers” of fad diets; because they promise fast results and are thought of as a “quick fix” they are often not plausible to do for extended periods of time which can cause something called Yo-Yo Dieting.
What is Yo-Yo Dieting?
Yo-Yo dieting consists of dieting on and off to “lose weight fast” and then once the diet is over a person switches back to their old way of eating and typically gains the weight (or even more) back. The dangers of yo-yo dieting can be drastic, but one of the largest issues with this concept is that the body gets starved of certain nutrients while on the short-term diet and then it learns to hang on to fats and sugars once they are re-introduced to the body. Oftentimes yo-yo dieters will gain even more weight back once they stop their quick fix diet.
Some diets can even cause the body harm while attempting to shed fat fast. While others just simply don’t work at all.
It is important to do your research about how different nutrients work throughout the body and what a proper diet actually is; your diet should never be thought of as a 6 week thing…it’s a lifestyle change to include more vegetables, fruits, and lean meats.
Not All Fad Diets Are Bad
Not all fad diets are inherently bad….the thing to be careful with when it comes to the fad diets is two-fold: getting sucked in without doing your research, and yo-yo dieting which can cause lifelong weight issues.
Smart Dieting
Smart dieting isn’t a 4 or 5 week thing, it is a lifestyle change that includes healthier eating, smarter eating, and an increase in exercise.
Yes, all bodies are a little bit different and will need different diets to function at their best; but a good rule of thumb when it comes to a smart diet include lots of vegetables and fruit, lean meats, and water.
You should always consult with a doctor when planning to change your diet or increase exercise, they can better help you know what is best for your health.