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Published: August 17, 2006
Magazines, television, and the movies are constantly bombarding the public with images of thin, attractive people. In a nation that contains one of the world's highest obesity rates as well as a celebrity crazed culture, it's hard to suppress the urge to be as thin and attractive as the celebrities we see and read about.
One industry that has benefited from the general public's weight insecurities is the weight loss or diet industry. Sales of fad diet books and products has skyrocketed over the past decade and new fad diets are continually popping up on the scene. However, these diets are not all they promise to be. Many only provide short term effects and most carry huge health risks. It's important to investigate and be well informed before endorsing a new fad diet.
Most fad diets promise rapid weight loss in a short period of time making them so attractive to people. The majority of fad diets involve a diet plan that omits certain foods or entire food groups. What most people don't recognize at first is that most fad diets are low calorie diets. The foods recommended by fad diets are mainly low calorie foods. As a result, the body tends to lose weight rapidly due to the decrease in calories consumed. However, most of the weight lost from low calorie diets is lean muscle or water weight, not body fat.
Not only are fad diets actually low calorie diets in disguise, but they are also imbalanced diets. Recognized fad diets such as the Atkins Diet, Cabbage Soup Diet, Grape Fruit Diet, Sugar Busters, etc., discourage the consumption of certain foods and instead encourage consuming only certain kinds of foods. Most fad diets are high in protein and fat and low in carbohydrates and fiber. The American Dietic Association, U.S. Surgeon General, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture recommend following a balanced diet that includes various types of food such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and low fat. The imbalanced diets recommended by fad diets are deficient in dietary fiber, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. Fad diets cause not only rapid weight loss but also loss of essential vitamins and nutrients.
Vitamin and nutrient deficiency caused by fad diets also leads to increase risk of major health problems. Imbalanced diets and vitamin deficiency can lead to muscle breakdown, nausea, dehydration, headaches, light-headedness, irritability, bad breath, and kidney problems. Continuation of an imbalanced diet can also lead to the body entering a fasting state called ketosis. When the body enters ketosis it begins to metabolize muscle tissue instead of fat. Lack of essential nutrients and vitamins can also increase the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease and cancer.
The important thing to keep in mind is that there is no short term solution to weight loss. In order to lose weight and maintain weight loss, long term changes need to be made and followed. All major health organizations and agencies recommend following a well balanced diet high in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean protein, and low in fat. They also agree successful weight loss must also include daily exercise. A diet is not considered healthy if it doesn't contain a variety of food, limits food choices, or promises weight loss of more than 1-2 lbs. per week. Permanent weight loss and health takes a strong will, dedication, and hard work. Fad diets may provide a short term solution, but are not worth the risk of long term health problems.
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Most fad diets promise rapid weight loss in a short period of time making them so attractive to people. The majority of fad diets involve a diet plan that omits certain foods or entire food groups. What most people don't recognize at first is that most fad diets are low calorie diets. The foods recommended by fad diets are mainly low calorie foods. As a result, the body tends to lose weight rapidly due to the decrease in calories consumed. However, most of the weight lost from low calorie diets is lean muscle or water weight, not body fat.
Not only are fad diets actually low calorie diets in disguise, but they are also imbalanced diets. Recognized fad diets such as the Atkins Diet, Cabbage Soup Diet, Grape Fruit Diet, Sugar Busters, etc., discourage the consumption of certain foods and instead encourage consuming only certain kinds of foods. Most fad diets are high in protein and fat and low in carbohydrates and fiber. The American Dietic Association, U.S. Surgeon General, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture recommend following a balanced diet that includes various types of food such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and low fat. The imbalanced diets recommended by fad diets are deficient in dietary fiber, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. Fad diets cause not only rapid weight loss but also loss of essential vitamins and nutrients.
Vitamin and nutrient deficiency caused by fad diets also leads to increase risk of major health problems. Imbalanced diets and vitamin deficiency can lead to muscle breakdown, nausea, dehydration, headaches, light-headedness, irritability, bad breath, and kidney problems. Continuation of an imbalanced diet can also lead to the body entering a fasting state called ketosis. When the body enters ketosis it begins to metabolize muscle tissue instead of fat. Lack of essential nutrients and vitamins can also increase the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease and cancer.
The important thing to keep in mind is that there is no short term solution to weight loss. In order to lose weight and maintain weight loss, long term changes need to be made and followed. All major health organizations and agencies recommend following a well balanced diet high in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean protein, and low in fat. They also agree successful weight loss must also include daily exercise. A diet is not considered healthy if it doesn't contain a variety of food, limits food choices, or promises weight loss of more than 1-2 lbs. per week. Permanent weight loss and health takes a strong will, dedication, and hard work. Fad diets may provide a short term solution, but are not worth the risk of long term health problems.
