How to Spot a Fad Diet

/

What is a Fad Diet?

I’m sure you all have heard the slogans, “Lose 10 pounds in just one week” or “ Eat this to get fit”, thinking that you may have just found the answer you have been searching for! But, in reality, diets like these are often used to sell products, or could be harmful for the body. Today at MOGO, we will be sharing simple ways to determine if you are facing a fad diet, and what to do about it.

By definition, a fad diet is popular for a time, promises rapid weight loss, and is characterized by highly restrictive food choices. Using this definition, you can determine if the weight loss regimen you are seeing is dependable or not:

  • If it promises weight loss at an unhealthy rate, the diet could be dangerous for your health. And, the rapid weightless may not last long. In many cases, once people come off the fad diet, they gain the weight right back. So it is important to take healthy steps toward weight loss, steps advised by a Dietitian or the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

  • If the diet seems to be very restrictive, by cutting out entire food groups or advising very low caloric intake, this diet could be a fad diet. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics advises not to follow diets that limit specific foods, or give certain quantities to eat of other foods (Unless advised by your physician, celiac, lactose intolerant, etc.). In short, life is too complicated, and it is possible to be healthy without severe restriction, whether that be food groups or calories.

  • If diets promise a quick fix, promote certain programs or diet pills, or have advertisements layered around the website, it is very likely that this diet advice is focussed on making money or promoting a company, rather than on your own health

Diets and trying to be healthy is a very difficult topic. Each person’s body is so different, and because of this, there is no one right way to eat. So it is very important not to let yourself get sucked in by these quick fixes, consult a dietitian instead! They have experience in understanding what the body needs for healthy weight loss.

With Love,

Your Mogo Team