Many of us think of diets as a means of losing weight, and the lure of rapid weight loss can often be too tempting to resist. Fad diets have become increasingly popular in recent years, as more and more people search for simple, swift ways to drop excess pounds. The trouble with plans like the Keto and Atkins diets is that they produce short-term results that can actually do more harm than good.
Fad diets are usually marketed as rapid solutions that don’t require you to exercise. They tend to involve cutting calorie intake drastically and eliminating specific food groups. While many people do lose weight quickly with these diets, the results are unsustainable, and this is why 95% of those who drop weight put it back on within 5 years. Fad diets can trigger emotions that are difficult to cope with, they can prevent you from getting the nutrients you need, and they can also be expensive. Concentrating on cutting out food or limiting how much you eat can also cause you to become obsessed with thinking about food or to crave dishes or snacks that you’re not allowed on your diet.
As you can see from the infographic below, there are alternatives. If you’re keen to change your diet, the aim should be to improve your health, not solely to lose a few extra pounds. Focus on nutritious foods and opt for a plan that is proven to offer health benefits, such as the Mediterranean diet. This menu encourages daily consumption of fruit, vegetables, healthy fats and oils and whole grains, and it urges people to cut down on processed foods that are high in salt and saturated fats. The DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet is similar, and it can be particularly beneficial for those at risk of high blood pressure.
If you’re tempted by a fad diet, take a look at this info-graphic first! Have you tried any fad diets that have worked? Did the weight stay off? Let me know in the comments below and thanks for reading!
Infographic Design By USC
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