Why Fad Diets Don?t Work

Fad diets have been around for more than 50 years and no matter how many come and go, we are always intrigued and excited by the next one feeling almost sure this will be the one to work. And they do work...for a while and then we bounce around like yo-yo's going up and down in weight over the years.

Fad diets generally ask us to remove certain foods and often whole food groups from our diet. This most often results in a decrease in calories and ultimately weight loss. Although people lose weight on most fad diets, they tend to be too restrictive to follow over a long period of time. They aren't realistic in the real world and once we go on that trip out of town or life gets too busy we drop the fad diet and go right back to our old eating habits. Once we go back to their old eating habits, we regain the weight and often gain even more than where we started. This is followed by feelings of guilt, and shame that we couldn't stay on "the diet", which can and does greatly affect peoples' self-esteem and the way they view themselves and their relationship with food.

The secret to lifelong weight loss is looking at the old eating habits. After all, this is where we keep gaining weight in the first place! By making small, practical changes in our old eating habits we can achieve weight loss and have the knowledge and tools to keep that weight off for a lifetime. How can you be on an effective weight loss program if they don't tell you how you were gaining weight in the first place? Everyone has different eating habits. Some people eat foods that aren't the right balance, some get caught into the high calorie land of frequent restaurant eating, while others are emotional or stress eaters.

Learn about yourself and where your eating habits are out of balance. People who have achieved long-term weight loss did just that along with making small changes to their lifestyle. Don't let another fad diet lure you in to the constant yo-yo effect. Empower yourself with knowledge and make small changes that will last a lifetime.

© Meri Raffetto, 2005

Meri Raffetto is a Registered Dietitian and a recognized professional in the area of nutrition and wellness. She is the owner of Real Living Nutrition Services providing interactive online weight management programs. Sign up for her free monthly nutrition newsletter at http://www.reallivingnutrition.com.

---

A Diet Deficiency Today is a Clinical Event Tomorrow

For those of us that understand nutrition and it's importance... Read More

Clues for Fibromyalgia Relief

Fibromyalgia is a chronic and potentially life-altering disorder with symptoms... Read More

The Most Effective Treatments for Acid Reflux Disease

Acid reflux disease, or GERD, is a common compliant of... Read More

Food We Take Determines Our Character

When you take your food next time, take care of... Read More

A Heart Healthy Diet Makeover

Heart Disease remains the number one cause of death in... Read More

Garlic - Join Me And I´ll Show You Why Garlic Can Save Your Life

Are you worried yet about your health? Are you anxious... Read More

Chocolate Splendor: Food For The Gods; Bodybuilding Nutrition

A fictional overheard conversation at a Thelma's Fine Dining.Hi, I'm... Read More

Policosinol and Cholesterol Reduction

The word cholesterol has become synonymous with poor health. Indeed,... Read More

Beauty Foods That Will Keep You Young and Healthy

You've heard that old saying: True beauty comes from within.... Read More

Magnesium 101

Magnesium is an important mineral that serves numerous essential functions... Read More

How to Grow Sprouts

Sprouts not only taste good, but they are also a... Read More

Got Sprouts?

They're not only good for you, but they taste good,... Read More

Sugar Consumption Itself Has Become a Disease

Looking into statistics, we can see the average American consumes... Read More

Inflammation Pain Eased with Glyconutrients

Every person on earth has experienced pain at one time... Read More

Is Dr. Arthur Agatston Fearing the Loss of Popularity of South Beach Diet?

Dr. Arthur Agatston, the cardiologist who developed South Beach Diet... Read More

Post Workout Nutrition: Secrets to a Hard, Lean Body

As you've probably heard before, your post-workout meal may very... Read More

Gift Basket Idea for Senior Citizens

Evidence for the importance of fruit and vegetable intake to... Read More

The Ins and Outs of Proper Nutrition

Secretly we all want just a few things in life,... Read More

Learn the Basics of a Successful Low Cholesterol Diet

Understanding What a Low Cholesterol Diet isBasically, in order to... Read More

How Does Glucosamine Chondroitin Help Your Body?

Glucosamine is readily produced in the human body and is... Read More

Use Food and Focus to Gain Tons of Energy for Summer

While there are many effective ways to get more energy... Read More

The Wonderful Benefits of the Mediterranean Diet

The Mediterranean Diet is now recognized as one of the... Read More

Sleep for Joy

Better sleep = better metabolism. I have been saying it... Read More

Beware of Eating Too Much Protein

The typical American diet already provides plenty of protein and... Read More

You Can Have Healthy Skin

With new research, new products and new skin protection advice... Read More