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Fad Diets: Why they work or don't work
By: Nancy T. Smith, MS, RD, CDE
| Question: Why do authors of fad diet books sell so many copies? Losing weight is not easy and millions of Americans are in search of a solution. But how do the fad diets work in the short run? |
Answer:
Most
fad diet books contain methods or "gimmicks" to
limit calories. The formula is very simple. When you eat fewer
calories than you burn, you lose weight. Several popular diet books
limit
calories simply by limiting the food choices. In the low carbohydrate
diets,
entire groups of foods are simply left out.
When evaluating weight loss methods, it is important to consider your
reasons for losing weight. Do you want to lose weight fast to fit into
that special occasion outfit, or are you trying to be healthier, perhaps
prevent diabetes or make it easier to control?
There are many methods to lose weight, but the most challenging part
seems to be keeping the weight off. Over and over again, studies indicate
that exercise is the most effective means of accomplishing this goal.
If you are trying to lose weight for your health, then consider the long-term implications of your eating habits. Start by identifying the problem areas in your eating habits and identify triggers to overeating. Common triggers include stress and watching TV. If you eat when you are stressed, work on finding more effective stress management tools. Consider walking or other exercise for stress relief. We all have different stress relievers and it is important to find one that you can do in-between vacations. Deep breathing, meditation or prayer can also help.
Snacking in front of the TV is a very common problem. When we eat while watching television, we are not paying attention to how much we are eating and we are not getting the satisfaction from the food. Try to separate eating from the television so that you are enjoying the food. At a minimum, you can also choose a healthier snack.
If good health is your main goal, then consider the types of foods that are associated with better health and make sure these are included when you are cutting back to lose weight. Plant based diets that include whole grains and lots of vegetables and fruits are associated with lower risks of heart disease, cancer and diabetes. Eating a minimum of 5 servings of fruits and vegetables daily improves health. Adequate fiber intake is important for digestive health. The MDdiets plan can help you make sure you don’t miss out on important nutrients while you are losing weight. Our nutritionally sound eating plan is healthy for the long term making weight management a natural side-effect.
Nancy Smith is a registered, licensed dietitian and a certified diabetes educator. She works with the Tallahassee Memorial Diabetes Center specializing in the education and management of diabetes and cholesterol problems.
 |
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