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The truth about FAD DIETS

By Helene Greyling
from René Smalberger Dietitians

Obesity and being overweight are on the increase worldwide,
but the obsession with thinness continues to be part of our
society. Many people fall into the trap of believing in fad diets.
They believe fad diets are a promise to quick weight loss, the
easy solution.

These fad diets usually seem to work in the short
term, but are they really safe, healthy, and do
they give long term results?

Most of these diets restrict or exclude a certain food group
e.g. The Atkins diet’ restrict carbohydrates; The X-diet, restricts
fat and The Blood group diet excludes certain food groups
depending on the person’s blood type.

Fad diets usually seem to work because the energy intake
is severely restricted. To lose weight you must consume
less energy than you require, BUT the body needs enough
energy – without enough energy your body cannot function
optimally. If you do not have enough energy, your body goes
into a starvation mode. The result: your metabolism slows
down and you lose water and lean muscle mass, NOT fat.
This kind of quick weight loss is impossible to maintain, and
as soon as you quit the fad diet, you start regaining all the
weight you initially lost, and often gain even more.

Eating healthily means balance, and not to exclude any type
of food. Excluding certain foods out of your diet can cause a
vitamin, mineral or nutrient deficiency.

So what must you do, if you need or want to lose weight?
Be prepared to change your lifestyle. PERMANENTLY. Follow
an energy-reduced, balanced eating plan, which includes all
the food groups, especially fiber-rich carbohydrates (fruit,
vegetables, whole-grain cereals and breads), lean meat and
low fat dairy products. Also include a small amount of fat as
margarine or oil. By combining such healthy eating with a
regular exercise program of 3 times a week for 30 minutes,
you will lose weight and keep it off and improve your health.

To help you plan an individualized meal plan, consult a
REGISTERED Dietitian. To find one in your area, you can visit
our website on www.adsa.org.za