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#4 – Contradicts what experts say. Authors of low carb diets say that
carbohydrates are what have made American’s fat. But they can’t explain why other countries whose diets are very high in carbohydrates don’t have same problems with obesity. You know it’s a fad diet when author says they have ‘inside’ or ‘hidden’ truth about our health or diets. You also know it’s a questionable publication when they say there is a hidden agenda among health professionals or government.
But why is America getting fatter and fatter? America is a country of grab-and-go: The faster, better. Families seldom sit down to meals, together. There are fewer physical fitness programs in school and many of school food choices are fast foods. People and entire families eat 2-3 of their daily meals from a drive-through or a restaurant, most of which provide very few of foods high in nutrients and low in calories. Restaurants add extra fats to their dishes to enhance taste, so a meal you could make at home without added fats could have up to 60% of it’s calories coming from fat to make it taste better! Plus, serving sizes are much larger than they were 20 years ago, so most of time size of meals could actually feed us for 2 to 3 meals, instead of one! However, many people still feel they must clean their plate rather than let food ‘go to waste’. They really should say, “go to waist”!!
As you read this, think back to last week. How often did you sit down at home and eat a home-cooked meal? Do you eat breakfast, lunch and dinner each day? How often do you exercise vigorously? In Europe, meals are much smaller and people walk a great deal more than in America. In some neighborhoods, it’s actually impossible to walk to work, even if you live very close! Our road systems are no longer built for riding bikes or walking to work. You take your life into your hands, either from passing traffic or crime.
#5 – Relies on testimonials rather than scientific research The fact that Jane lost pounds in a week because she just ate cabbage soup does not mean it’s safe, effective, or that it will work for you! What if you don’t LIKE cabbage?
An example of testimonials, combined with research to back it up, is National Weight Control Registry. In order to join Registry, a person has to have lost pounds and have kept it off for a year. Currently consisting of over 4500 individuals, Registry was founded in 1993 as a longitudinal prospective study. Currently, there have been six studies resulting out of Registry. For more information on Registry, along with how most of Registry members have in common, here is website: http://www.nwcr.ws/.
#6 – Has a gimmick. The problem with diet plans that have some type of gimmick, is people can’t stay on them and they don’t learn how to eat for long-term. It’s no secret that all books must have something to ‘catch’ reader. However, hidden among all hype are books that really DO offer safe and effective solutions to weight loss. A book written by a registered dietitian (RD) is a guarantee that material is accurate and safe. An RD is someone whose education, training and experience all revolve around science and practice of nutrition; these truly ARE nutrition experts.
Consider this: If you had heart disease, you would see a cardiologist who specializes in heart health. If your teeth needed work, you would see a dentist. However, many people will buy ‘diet’ books from people who are not educated in nutrition! People will buy a diet book from a person who found what worked for them, or a movie star or a physician. In many of these books, because author does not understand nutrition, many facts are distorted or misrepresented. It may not always be on purpose, but point is these books are written by someone who really does not know nutrition and science behind it, so either they distort facts, or they make them fit gimmick they are trying to sell.
So, next time a friend mentions this great new diet they’re on, or you see a new book that offers ‘miracle’ weight loss or something that ‘health professionals don’t really want you to know’, take a step back and ask yourself these questions: 1-Does it promise fast weight loss? 2-Does it eliminate any major foods or food groups? 3-Is there a strict plan that must be followed for success? 4-Does it contradict what nutrition experts and science has to say? 5-Does it rely primarily on testimonials and ‘before and after’ pictures too good to be true? 6-Is there a gimmick?
If you answered yes to all or most of these questions, after you have stepped back, walk away and find a better plan. Isn’t today time to get real and make your weight loss plan permanent and realistic?
Marjorie Geiser is a registered dietitian, certified personal trainer and life coach. Marjorie has been the owner of a successful small business, MEG Fitness, since 1996, and now helps other nutrition professionals start up their own private practice. To learn more about the services Margie offers, go to her website at www.megfit.com or email her at margie@megfit.com.
