Fad Diets - Research Paper Example

FAD DIETS Definition Study has revealed that we have more obese and overweight people in the world than never before. As a result many different number of new diets have been created fad, or otherwise. Unfortunately, many people trying to lose weight and keep it off, fail terribly. (Flynn, 2006 P15) Dr. Gandhi defines fad diet as any crash diet that is popular and is designed for quick weight loss without doctor’s supervision. Usually, dieters take in high proportions of a single category of food. The fad diet does not include all the nutrients necessary to sustain a healthy body while losing weight. (Dr.Gandhi, 1994 p90) In the words of Merriam Webster, a fad diet is a diet that is followed for a time with exaggerated zeal. Its popularity spreads fast and is widely used but just for a short time within which its popularity comes to an abrupt end. This is because the diet so religiously followed does not work and fails terribly. (Flynn, 2006 p224) Fad diets often fly in the face of sound medical and nutritional research. These diets fail to provide the nutrients needed by our bodies to function. The world health organization, the American heart association and the American dietetic association among other health organizations strongly oppose the use of fad diets because they put our health at risk. (Mariana, 2004 P7) Examples of fad diet 1. The grapefruit diet This is a diet that requires one to eat a grape fruit before every meal. It restricts caloric intake and is a 12-day diet plan. 2. The Artkins diet This is a diet that promotes low-carb bars and food products from Artkins. It restricts the intake of vegetables, whole grains, fruits and low-fat dairy products. 3. The Zone It is a complex diet that requires measuring, weighing and calculating of percentages of the amount of food groups consumed every day. 4. South beach diet It is a three phase diet in which the first phase involves restriction to intake of fruit, bread, pasta, potatoes and baked goods. The second phase requires the dieter to add good carbs back to the diet while the third stage involves eating anything in moderation. (Healing self and spirit, p5) UNHEALTHY FAD DIETS TO AVOID DIET TYPE SOME EXAMPLES 1.High carbohydrate and low fat Dr. Dean Omish eat more, weight less The pritkin principle The good carbohydrate revolution 2.Controlled carbohydrates Dr. Artkins’ new diet revolution Protein power Sugar busters The zone The carbohydrates addicts diet 3.Liquid diets Slim-fast Cambridge diet 4.Diet pills and herbal remedies Hydroxycut Dexatrin natural 5.Food combining Fit for life Suzanne somers’somersizing 6.Controlled portion sizes Dr Shapiro’s picture perfect weight loss Volumetric weight control plan 7. other Macrobiotic Mayo clinic diet The blood type diet (Mary Jo &Suzan, 2011 p65) HCG DIET Dr. A.T.W Simeons propagated the idea of HCG diet in 1950’s.Hcg stands for Human Chorionic Gonadotropin normally found in the urine of pregnant women. It can be used as an obese treatment. Dr Simeon suggested that it could be used for weight loss if taken with calorie diet that is very low. Initially, the HCG diet was available as HCG injection, but later was found in the forms of gels, drops, powder and pills.HCG has become popular over time due to its affectivity and hassle-freeness as it helps people loss one calorie per day if used with very low calorie diets. Dr. Simeon purports that the diet does not have side effects can be used by anyone above 16 years without doctor’s prescription and guarantees one to live a normal life with no trouble while at it. He further says that it gives the dieter a fresh and younger look. (www.hcgdietdrops.org) BABY FOOD DIET The latest weight loss trend in Hollywood is the baby food diet which has been created by Tracy Anderson. It is a fad promising to lose weight fast, curb cravings and allow eating on the run. Celebrities are rumoured to have lost weight with baby food hence making it quite popular. The plan is simple, typical baby food such as meats, pureed carrots and mashed bananas in tiny jars are used as substitutes to meals and calorie snacks. The plan comes with a number of variations; it involves replacing one or all meals of high calorie snacks with baby food. Experts say that although it may another fad, it may work if calories are kept on check. The plan has no specific guidelines and it requires the dieter to take 14 jars of baby food instead of meals throughout the day or swapping higher calorie food for baby food of whichever type. It is said to work by keeping one satisfied with smaller portions of food hence preventing overeating resulting to fewer calories and therefore weight loss. Baby food helps one lose weight if only the quantities and types are controlled. Baby food jars calories range from 15 to 100. Baby food enjoys several advantages such as being free from additives and preservatives; it is low in sugar, salt and fats and is fortified with a lot of nutrients. It also comes in varieties. However, it has its own demerits in that baby food is meant for babies whose calorie needs are not similar to those of overweight adults. It also lacks calcium, fibre and vitamin D which make it unhealthy for adults. Jeanne Gazzanigamoloo, the spokesman of American Dietetic Association predicts that the baby food diet is going to be tolerated for a short period by most adults. In any case, there are no guidelines to help dieters cut the weight, and the question is, are they going to eat baby food forever? (www.webmd.com) HEALTHY WAY TO LOSE WEIGHT The first and most important step in losing and maintaining the right weight is setting health goals which are helpful in health behaviour change. One should aim at loosing 10, percent of starting weight within the first 6 months by consuming 500-1000 fewer calories per day. Losing weight slowly is important for a long-term solution. Another way of losing weight in a healthy manner is by focusing on healthy behaviours rather than weight loss such as eating certain number of fruits and vegetables in a day or taking the stairs rather than the elevator. These are smart goals that help people achieve their goals successfully. It may also require change of lifestyle to reduce weight such as turning to new eating and activity habits that incorporate cognitive and behaviour modification. Healthy eating is also important in weight loss. It means looking for the nutritional components of food which includes everything (dietary fats, carbohydrate and fibre, proteins, vitamins and sugar) in the right proportions. (Kinetics, p111-114) CONCLUSION You need to be healthy to lose weight and not vice versa. Therefore, it is not wise for dieters to rush to fad diets without consulting doctors as these diets may end up being harmful to them rather than helping them to lose weight. Work Cited: Baby food diet review by Kathleen m Zelman retrieved on 5th may 2011 www.webmd .com Hcgdietdrops.org. Loose One Pound Of Weight Daily. (2011). Retrieved on 5th May 2011 www.hcgdietdrops.org Healing self and spirit, food portions for life, healing self and spirit ltd, p5 Human kinetics, health and wellness for life, human kinetics publishers,2009, p111-114 Johnny T Flynn, heavy lettuce-adventures of journeyman dieter, sunset avenue publisher, 2006 p224 Mariana Bozesan, diet for a new life, Sagera institute LLC, 2004 p7 Suzan F Ayers & Mary Jo Sariscsany, physical education for lifelong fitness, human kinetics 2011 p65 R.H Gandhi and A.R Gandhi, how to lose excess weight permanently, Jaico publishing house, 1994 p90 Read More