Fad Diets

What is A Fad Diet? A fad diet is a weight loss program or aid that promises dramatic results! They typically do not focus on long term weight loss They are usually not very healthy

Ten Ways to Identify a Fad Diet... 1. The diet is based on drastically reducing calories/promises losing weight fast! 2. The diet is based on taking Drops, Pills, Powders or Herbs 3. The diet tells you, you can only eat specific foods or foods in certain combinations 4. The diet makes you completely cut out fat, sugars or carbohydrates 5. The diet has you skipping meals, or replaces meals with special drinks or food bars

Ten Ways To Identify a Fad Diet (cont.) 6. Shows before and after pictures 7. Has testimonials for product from “health experts” or clients 8. Usually costs a lot of money 9. Promises you can lose weight without giving up fatty foods or without exercising 10. Sounds too good to be true

Some examples of fad diets Controlled if any carbohydrates: - Dr. Atkin’s High Carbohydrate's/Low fat Dr Dean Ornish: Eat More Weigh Less Controlled Portion Size Dr. Shapiro’s Picture Perfect Weight Loss Liquid Diets Slim Fast Diet Pills or Herbal Supplements Hydroxycut Food Combining Suzanne Somers’: Somersizing

Can You Spot a Fad Diet? Take a look at your handout that describes different diets, circle the numbers of the ones you believe are fad diets