Know About Fad Diet

KNOW ABOUT FAD DIETS:

A Fad diet is a plan for weight loss which assures quick result but is not preferable for long term weight reduction as they are unhealthy due to very restrictive and limited food choices. It is a quick and easy way to lose weight but the people who are using fad diets regain their weight within few years as this is very difficult to maintain and maximum people are unable to sustain very strict diet for a long term. It is also very expensive.

Diet Type:

• Controlled carbohydrate diet e.g. Atkin diet, Zone diet
• High carbohydrate/Low-fat diet e.g. The complex carbohydrate
• Controlled portion sizes e.g. Volumetric weight control plan
• Food combining e.g. fit for life
• Liquid diets e.g. Cambridge diet, Slim fast diet
• Diet pills/Herbal remedies e.g. Dexatrim natural, Hydroxycut
• Others e.g. Blood type diet, Macrobiotics diet, Nutrisystem diet, Weight watchers diet
• Crash diets like grapefruit diet, cabbage soup diet, 3-Day diet, lemonade diet, HCG diet etc.

Different types of FAD diet:

• Raw Food Diet: Including more vegetables fruits and sprouts along with avoiding junk foods. Avoid cooking and heating as it destroys and reduces many vital nutrients of the food.
• Alkaline Diets: Restrict meat, dairy, sweets, caffeine, alcohol, artificial and processed foods and include more fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds.
• South-Beach Diet: This diet includes lean protein, low-fat dairy products, and complex carbohydrates in reduced amount vegetables and fruits. Eating before hunger arrives.
• Weight Watchers: Eat a balanced diet in moderation and eat what you like. The diet includes point system about our eating choices and allows restriction by the local get together but it is very difficult to keep a record and watch by weight watchers.
• Mediterranean Diet: Diets rich in sea foods, nuts and legumes, fruits and vegetables, whole grains and olive oil as well as red wine in moderation.
  Zone Diet: Including protein in lieu of carbohydrate in every meal or snacks. Calories should be in a ratio of 30% protein, 30% fat, and 40% carbohydrate.
  Cambridge Diet: Weight loss plan by applying commercial liquid products or powders as a meal replacement.
• Atkins Diet: Including lean protein with reduced fat and complex carbohydrates. Avoid refined flour and sugar.
• Paleo Diet: Including fish, lean meats, fruits, non-starchy vegetables and nuts with regular exercise while avoiding starchy vegetables, dairy foods, grains and processed foods.
• Volumetrics Diet: Weight Reduction by taking less calorie and high fibre foods. The food which contains more water and adds bulk to our diet viz. fruits and vegetables.
• Nutri-system Diet: Meals with fixed calories per day based on our age and sex.
• Macrobiotic diet: Taking whole foods instead of processed foods. Meals consist of whole grains, fruits ,and vegetables.

Causes of popularity of FAD Diets:

• Nowadays in our busy schedule, we don’t have enough time for exercise and it is very difficult for everyone to plan a long term healthy and balanced diet. But we are very conscious about weight and weight related disease. So we prefer to lose weight in a quick and easy way and thus we switch for FAD diets due to its high level of promises of reducing weight.
• Healthy way of losing weight:
• Eat breakfast properly and avoid skipping the meal.
• Avoid trans fat and saturated fat with limited sodium intake.
• Prefer low-fat diet with inclusion of PUFA and MUFA rich vegetable oil.
• Restrict sugar intake as these are the rich in calories and low in nutrients.
• Avoid beverages, caffeinated drinks, and alcohol.
• Avoid fried and junk foods.
• Plan a fixed diet with proper portion size.
• Regular exercise, with more physical work in respect of calorie intake.

FAD diets are not healthy and effective on a long term basis for weight loss. So it is better to consult a dietician and change our lifestyle and do regular exercise rather than going for a quick and easy way of weight loss by choosing FAD diets.