Fad Diets And Fat Loss Scams - How To Identify Them

With the rise in various fat loss supplements and fad diets, there is only one formula that continues to proves to result in effective and efficient fat loss. And that is EXERCISE!!! Proper nutrition and exercise is your best chance of burning off fat and keeping it off.

I've been in the fitness industry a long time, and have seen countless individuals try crazy low carb diets, ridiculous fat loss pills, liposuction, sauna belts, liquid cleansing programs, and the list goes on. But the result is always the same. They lose a little bit of weight, but they gain it right back. The reason is because they did nothing to boost their metabolic rate. The only that works is proper nutrition and exercise.

Think about it. If all those fad diets and fat loss supplements worked, then we'd have a lean society. But why is that obesity in North America is higher than it's ever been?

Here are some ways to identify fad diets and fat loss scams:

1. The promise dramatic, rapid weight loss. Weight loss should be gradual and not exceed 2 pounds per week.
2. They promote diets that are nutritionally unbalanced or extremely low in calories. Diets should provide:
• A reasonable number of calories (not fewer than 1200 calories per day)
• Enough, but not too much, protein
• Enough, but not too much fat (between 20 and 30 % of daily energy intake from fat)
• Enough carbohydrate to spare protein and prevent ketosis (at least 100 grams per day) and 20-30 grams of fiber from food sources
• At least 1 liter of water daily
3. They use liquid formulas rather than foods. Foods should accommodate a person’s ethnic background, taste preferences, and financial means.
4. They attempt to make clients dependent upon special foods or devices. Programs should teach clients how to make good choices from the conventional food supply
5. They fail to encourage permanent, realistic lifestyle changes. Programs should provide physical activity plans that involve spending at least 300 calories a day and behavior-modification strategies that help to correct poor eating habits.
6. They misrepresent salespeople as “counselors” supposedly qualified to give guidance in nutrition and/or general health. Even in adequately trained, such “counselors” would still be objectionable because of the obvious conflict of interest that exists when providers profit directly from products they recommend and sell.
7. They collect large sums of money at the start or require that clients sigh contract fros expensive, long-term programs. Programs should be reasonably priced and run on a pay-as-you-go basis.
8. They fail to inform clients of the risks associated with weight loss in general or the specific program being promoted. They should provide information about dropout rates, the long-term success of their clients, and possible side-effects.
9. They promote unproven or spurious weight-loss aids such as human chorionic gonadotropin hormone (HCG), starch blockers, diuretics, sauna belts, body wraps, passive exercise, ear stapling, acupuncture, electric muscle-stimulating (EMS) devices, spirulina, amino acid supplements (e.g. arginine, ornithine), glucomannan, methylcellulose (a “bulking agent”), “unique” ingredients, and so forth.
10. They fail to provide for weight maintenance after the program ends.