Fad Diet Pitfalls
In
general, diets that eliminate certain foods contradict a basic principle of
Canada’s Food Guide to Healthy Eating, which is to eat a variety of foods from
each food group every day. The effects
of most of these fad diets are short-lived.
They can also do damage to our health, to our self-esteem, and to our
wallets.
Fad
diets typically promise more than they can realistically deliver. Before deciding to try a program, the
following points should be considered.
(The validity of the program should be questioned if the answer is
"no" to any of these queries):
· Does the program recommend that you talk with your doctor first?
· Has a registered dietitian designed the program or is there one available to talk to you?
· Does the program use the Body Mass Index (BMI) to help you set healthy and realistic goal weights?
· Is the recommended weight loss no more than two pounds per week?
· Is the program based on Canada’s Food Guide with a selection of foods from all of the food groups?
· Does the program provide at least 1,200 Calories (5,000 kilojoules) per day for women and 1,500 Calories (6,500 kilojoules) per day for men?
·
Does the
program allow for personal eating styles as well as individual nutritional
needs?
· Does the program encourage regular enjoyable physical activity, which is suited to your lifestyle and your physical condition?
· Do you have the option of not buying special products, special foods, supplements, or treatments that are considered a part of the program?
· Are magical claims or high-pressure sales people involved in any part of the program?