Fad Diets

What is a fad diet? Promotes weight loss by a means other than calorie restriction Pseudo-scientific (nutritional quackery), meaning no scientific proof that it works Short term solution to a long term problem (unhealthy lifestyle)

How do fad diets work? One of Three Possible Ways: Health effects of a food or food group are exaggerated, ex: the cure disease, and should be the main part of an individuals diet Foods are eliminated from a individuals diet because they are though to be harmful, ex: carbs Emphasis is placed on eating specific foods to express a particular lifestyle, ex: raw diet

Positives & Negatives of Fad Diets + lose weight fast + little work involved: quick fix + no working out required Negatives menu is repetitive menu lacks adequate nutrition short term solution leads to yo-yo dieting weight cycling may lead to obesity

Types of Fad Diets Atkins Diet South Beach Diet Cabbage Soup Diet Grapefruit Diet Macrobiotic Nutrisystem

Atkins Diet What is the Atkins Diet? Low carb diet, which eliminates refined carbs like sugar, flour and corn syrup How does it work? Body burns carbs first, if no carbs available insulin drops and body will burn fat instead (process is called ketosis) Why people like it Feel full and satisfied, eat a lot of protein and fat including steak and butter Negative Effects Aside from reasons listed on other slide, may increase cholesterol, coronary heart disease, cardiovascular disease, arrhythmia of the heart, osteoporosis and kidney stones

South Beach Diet What is the South Beach Diet? Developed by a cardiologist to reduce heart disease among his own patients Replace “bad carbs & bad fats” with “good carbs & good fats” How does it work? Eliminates trans-fats & saturated fats and replaces them with unsaturated fatty & Omega 3 Fatty Acids Eliminates most grains and processed carbs, replacing them with veggies, beans and whole grain Why people like it Variety of foods can be eaten, but the list is specific (only low fat cheeses, skim mozzarella) Negative Effects Difficult to sustain, no proof that the glycemic index (sugar index) on which the diet is based is linked to weight loss

Cabbage Soup or Grapefruit Diet What are these diets? Centred around a specific food, either the soup or grapefruit How do they work? Exclude all foods except soup or grapefruit Introduce other foods in waves, very ex Negative Effects Soup diet may cause excessive gas, and grapefruit diet may cause numerous canker sores

Macrobiotic Diet What is the Macrobiotic Diet? Macro comes from the greek word macro for “large” and bios for “life” How does it work? Eliminates all processed or refined food No caffeine, sugar, alcohol, honey, chocolate, refined flour, hot spices, drugs, preservatives, milk products Little meat, poultry, eggs and salt Cooking according to the time of year: Spring: light cooking, greens and light grains Summer: little cooking, mostly raw food Fall/Winter: root vegetables and heavier grains Why people like it The diet encompasses a lifestyle, that promotes health and longevity Negative Effects Vitamin deficiency, may be danger of malnutrition especially in children