Should I Try a Fad Diet?

Lots of people look at fad diets as a quick answer for weight loss. You've seen the many ads on the internet and in magazines that say that you can lose lots of weight in only a few days time. These ads are very enticing!

Is this type of weight loss really possible? Yes, but... in many instances the weight loss from a fad diet is temporary and usually due to loss of water weight. The body is made up of a large percentage of water so as soon as the body rehydrates itself, the weight that was lost so quickly will go back on just as quickly.

There are also reasons why a fad diet is not good for you.

1. Many times a fad diet will tell you to focus on a single food type and avoid all others. This means you miss out on all the nutritients your body needs. For good health you need a more balanced diet approach.

Quite often these fad diets will even tell you to take vitamins and supplements to make up for all the nutritional deficiencies you experience while on the fad diet. However, your body may not be able to absorb all the nutrients from the recommended supplements. Plus, many of the foods that help you absorb nutrients are banned on fad diets.

2. Fad diets are usually so restrictive or unappetizing that after a short time you begin having overwhelming cravings for other foods. This leads to binging on the wrong foods and stopping the diet. This quitting can also wreak havoc on your self esteem as you beat yourself up for not having enough willpower to stick to the diet.

3. Fad diets are temporary solutions to weight issues. Even if you do follow through to the end with a fad diet you have not made permanent healthy changes in the way you handle food. Fad dieters tend to be yo-yo dieters who gain and lose the same pounds (and maybe some extra) again and again.

No matter what you see in the media about quick weight loss diets, realize that these diets will never work as a long term solution. Weight loss done correctly will be a lifestyle change; one that you can live with. Combine eating a sensible amount of a variety of healthy foods with regular exercise and you're going to be the winner at losing!