Six Simple Guidelines to Pinpoint Fad Diets

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By Christopher R. Mohr, PhD, RD
First published at www.MohrResults.com, August 2007

Typing the word "diet" into a search engine brings up 5.5 million+ different websites. With all of this information at your fingertips and 100's of books lining the shelves at local bookstores, it's difficult to decipher nutrition truths from myths and hype. However, that doesn't mean you have to throw your arms up feeling defeated.

Unfortunately, many people prefer to try the quick fix fad diet instead of making the effort to lose weight through lifestyle changes that ultimately become healthy eating and exercise habits. The truth is that there is no quick fix; there is one way to achieve health, and that's through a sound diet and regular exercise program.
If you're a nutrition or fitness professional who works with others, it's an important job to stay abreast of all that's out there; clients will surely come to you with questions about a book they read, diet their friend tried, or pill they want to try. Fortunately, it is possible to spot a fad diet, program, infomercial or pill, without first buying into catchy commercials and the latest trends. The fact of the matter is that all programs, no matter what their individual "catch" may be, are strikingly similar.
As a general rule, stay away from diets or programs that promise any of the following:

1. Draw simple conclusions from complex medical research. Without seeing the entire study or understanding how to comb through the research, it is impossible to understand the conclusions. It is very easy to extrapolate individual components of a study to make it applicable to what is being promoted.
   
   
2. Promise permanent weight loss without exercise. While it is possible to lose weight without exercise, there will be large loss of lean body mass (muscle) weight in addition to fat. It is ideal to preserve as much lean body mass as possible during weight loss, even though it is inevitable to lose some. Research has also shown it is very difficult to maintain the weight loss without exercise.
   
   
3. Claim to produce rapid weight loss: It is recommended that individuals lose 1-2 pounds/week. If weight loss is occurring much more rapidly than this, it's a lot of water weight and lean body mass. Neither helps with permanent fat loss. Slow and steady, wins the race!
   
   
4. Requires the purchase of pills, potions, or other dietary supplements. Weight loss is very achievable with a slight decrease in calories and increase in physical activity. Instead of decreasing the size of your stomach, most pills, potions, and other dietary supplements will cause a decrease in the size of your wallet.
   
   
5. Eliminate an entire macronutrient or drastically limit any food group (e.g., low carbohydrate or low fat diets).  A balanced diet is the best and safest way to successfully lose weight and ultimately keep it off. Moderation and portion control is the key!
   
   
6. Offer testimonials from "health professionals". It is unfortunately hard to convince consumers that testimonials are typically paid advertisements; just because someone has a lab coat on does not make them a qualified individual. Seek the advice of a registered dietitian for a true health professional.

For more information about healthy eating and incorporating a variety of nutrients in the diet, check out:
Mohr Results - Is Your Grocery Store Making You Fat? DVD	Mohr Results - Is Your Kitchen Making You Fat? DVD!