Fads Flop
New Years is here, out with the old in with the new. The old accomplished or not so accomplished previous years goals are in the past and it is time for the birth of new goals. Sadly, the truth about many new year’s resolution is that statically 80% of them fail. Consistently year to year one of the most common new year’s resolutions people make is to “lose weight.” To achieve this goal, most people understand they need a workout plan and a diet plan. During this time of year many people get caught spending numerous amounts of dollars on unsustainable fad diets.
A fad diet is known as a trendy weight loss plan that promises fast, dramatic, and life changing results. The main problem of these “diets” is that they are unsustainable meaning, results with not be maintained throughout your life. Many people want to live a healthier lifestyle but expect immediate gratification and quick results. The truth is healthy habits are not created overnight and it is a slow process.
Most of the time a fad diet becomes immensely restrictive on a macronutrient group. Being restrictive does not teach consumers how to properly balance their diet throughout the rest of their life. Therefore, most of the time people who insert themselves of these diets gain the weight right back. As a quick nutrition educational review, below list the three macronutrients our diet contains and what they are important in our body for.
Carbohydrates - Main source of energy for your body and brain. This group is the gas the to your engine in your body!
Protein – Is known to help build and repairs muscle, but also provides structure to our cell membranes, bones, tendons, ligaments, hair, skin, and blood plasma. Proteins also contribute to many metabolic, hormonal, and enzymatic functions that are vital to our body.
Fat – Help insulates our bodies, protect our organs, and help transport fat-soluble vitamins throughout your body
Each macronutrient plays a vital role in keeping your body properly functioning. When you make the decision to put yourself on a fad diet, your body will be put through stress trying to find different stores to compensate for these losses of nutrients.
What most people do not know is the creation of these “mainstream” weight loss plans actually have clinical use for patients with certain conditions or diseases. The keto diet has been used across the world for patients with epilepsy. Did you know that atkins is a keto restrictive diet as well? Low-carb diets are successful for some clients who have diabetes and can not control their glycemic index. Gluten-free diets are used for people with celiac disease because their body cannot break down gluten. If you do not have any of these diseases of conditions you should not use one of these diets as a holy grail weight loss plan.
This blog may not have been exactly what you wanted to know. However, there is a bright side to this information! As you walk away from reading this week’s blog, I want you to understand that there is no need to spend numerous amounts of dollars on these weight loss plans that are unsustainable. Instead, with commitment and determination you can relearn how to manage your diet and still consume the food you love. After all, food is part of our culture and who wants to live the rest of their life depriving themselves from delicious treats.
