How You Can Avoid Fad Diets
A diet that is written only to be followed for a short time is called categorized as one of the fad diets. Fad diets are also diets that quickly become wildly popular, last for a short time, then become a footnote in popular culture. Examples include the grapefruit diet, the South Beach diet, and Jenny Craig.
Fad diets are a subcategory of food fads. Any time one particular food suddenly becomes a superstar, that’s a food fad. Common aspects of these fads include:
- Some elements of the food are said to have miraculous properties.
- Many other foods are completely eliminated from the diet, because they are thought to have negative properties.
The Atkins diet displays the characteristics of one of these fad diets. In this diet carbohydrates are the Keystone element that is negative and therefore to be avoided. Low carbohydrates are extremely desirous in Atkins, because then the body enters a super fat burning condition. This diet even included short phases, followed by sustained phases. But Dr. Atkins did intend that people could eat this way for the rest of their lives.
As with many have diets, Atkins popularity was extreme and short-lived. For a number of years the Atkins diet was everywhere, and everyone seemed to be following it . People from Hollywood actors to politicians were all on the Atkins diet. When Dr. Atkins died to superstardom of his diet died with him.
There are many risks associated with fad diets. The Subway diet made popular in television commercials wasn’t exempt. It was based on the legend of Jared, a young man who’d lost nearly 250 pounds in only a year by eating Subway sandwiches, baked chips, and diet soda. Jared’s diet was severe — going down to 900 calories a day from over 10,000. Such an extreme level of caloric intake cuts and rapid weight loss is unhealthy. The diet did include many positive aspects such as exercise, like walking.
Approach fad diets with caution. You’re better off learning how to eat well on an everyday basis and maintaining a program of rigorous exercise.
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