The Truth About Fad Diets and Weight-Loss Supplements

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When you turn on your TV or scroll through social media feeds, you’re likely to see an advertisement for a quick fix supplement or diet plan to promise quick weight loss.

“Magic Diet Pill”
“Lose 30 pounds in 30 Days”
“Rapid Weight Loss”
“5 Day Tea Detox”
“Melt Away Fat”
“7 Day Cleanse”

The weight-loss industry brings in billions of dollars every year from Americans who buy into diet plans, pills, apps, books, and gimmicks that are not successful in helping people lose weight and keep it off the healthy way.


The simple truth is that these quick-fixes are typically fasting and starvation-type diets that may result in rapid weight loss, but the decrease in pounds is mostly from water and muscle loss, and is gained back just as fast as it’s lost.
This temporary success results in a recurring cycle that starts by emptying your wallet for the top dollar products that promise weight loss. Some weight loss is achieved but the diet is nearly impossible to maintain, creating a yo-yo effect when the weight is gained back. Self-esteem issues and feelings of failure set in, and another quick fix diet is sought and the cycle begins again.



Fad diets are not typically based on scientific evidence and rely on testimonials and personal stories. No herbal remedies or supplements can increase your body’s ability to burn fat, and the FDA does not test the success rate of weight-loss supplements before they are on the market. Many people think “I’ll just stick with this diet until I lose the weight, and then I’ll start eating healthy.” But these highly restricted diets, quick fix pills, and detoxes can be detrimental to your physical, mental, and emotional health, and many people never get the success they hope for when they buy into this diet culture.



So what is the key to success in weight loss and reaching your New Year’s Resolution? Committing to lifestyle and behavioral changes and accepting a weight loss journey that is slow but ultimately successful. Your wallet and waistline will be glad you did!





-E.L


Duyff, R. L. (2017).The Complete Food and Nutrition Guide (5th ed.). New York, NY: Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.


Comments

  1. SPFebruary 21, 2020 at 12:12 PM

    I agree that fad diets can create yo-yo effect that eventually would become a cycle of success and failing. I think a lot of people fell into fad diets because it sounds more attractive than science-based evidence. This is a great post!

    ReplyDelete

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