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Focal Point: Fad Diets
by Carolyn Woodall
Fad diets work. Surprised? Don’t be. The key characteristic of most fad diets is that they limit your caloric intake. Unfortunately they also tend to be low in nutritional value and quite restrictive.
Fad diets appeal to the mainstream because they promise quick and easy weight loss. It is a quick fix solution, and one that rarely works in the long term. As a short term measure however fad diets can jump start a weight loss routine. Still, dieters should be aware that many fad diets can produce nutritional deficiencies with long term use.
Dr. Terrance Rose, a family physician for over 20 years agrees that fad diets work in the short term but he cautions that only a true lifestyle change with a well-balanced diet will produce healthy permanent results.
“Some fad diets can be harmful, but for the person who needs a quick fix, a reasonable fad diet will work in the short term. But then one has to get off it and get on a more balanced diet to continue losing the weight and keep off the weight,” Rose says.
Fad diets have gained much popularity due to the recent highlighting of obesity as a growing problem, particularly in North America. Obesity may be the result, but the real problem is the sedentary lifestyle many North Americans live, as everyday physical activity is slowly replaced by more inactive pastimes. Fad dieting has become the quick cure for this long-term concern.
Fad dieting will probably always play a role in our health conscious society, but the true key to weight loss and maintenance is healthy eating practices, balanced and exercise.
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