Fad Diets: Friend or Foe?

Fad diets, it seems, go in and out of style like high fashion. One minute, a certain type of diet is declared the silver bullet for weight loss; a year later, the diet is forgotten as a new weight loss plan takes its place. With all these fad diets, as well as diet aids like diet pills, the diet patch, and ephedra, it's often confusing to separate fact from fiction.

Be Warned: The Weight Loss Industry is Rife With Quackery

The weight loss industry, like any other industry, is a money-making business. That is not to say that many of these methods don't work. However, it's important to keep in mind that often, much of the 'hype' surrounding a particular diet or product is actually the result of a well-calibrated marketing plan.

Just because a diet claims to be backed by "scientific research" doesn't mean that it is! Here's a rundown of some fad diets from the last two decades, and how they stack up

1. The Cabbage Soup Diet: One of the most famous fad diets, the Cabbage Soup Diet allowed participants to drink lots of water and eat nothing but large quantities of - you guessed it - cabbage soup, a soup which has a very low nutritional value. Additionally, you eat certain types of vegetables. People generally lose a few pounds with this diet, but because they don't get much nutritional value from the food, it's not a realistic diet for long-term, sustained weight loss. However, if you're looking to lose a quick few pounds for that high school reunion, it could be the way to go.
2. The South Beach Diet: The South Beach Diet is one of the most popular diets in recent years. This diet is divided into 3 phases, with each phase lasting for two weeks. The weight loss plan is based on establishing a healthy balance between carbohydrates (carbs) and fats - "good" carbs and fats, to be specific. Dr. Agatson, the diet's creator, believes that decreasing "bad" carbs leads to a better metabolism, which promotes weight loss. The diet has been successful for many people, although - as with any weight loss plan - lasting effects can only be sustained through exercise and healthy eating.
3. The Atkins Diet: The equally popular Atkins Diet, created by the late Dr. Atkins, states that the overconsumption of carbs - not fat - is what makes people overweight. To remedy this, the diet proposes a high protein food plan. The diet has 4 stages; induction, ongoing weight loss, pre-maintenance and maintenance. This is definitely a diet for carnivores - many of the meals include hamburgers, steaks, and bacon. Although many have lost weight from Atkins, its long-term health effects are still being debated, and many doctors believe that, while the plan might lead to weight loss, it will also increase cholesterol and blood pressure levels.
4. Diet Supplements: Supplements that contain ephedra are extremely controversial, as they have been linked to several deaths. And in April of 2004, the Federal Drug Administration issued a ruling that forbade the selling of diet supplements containing ephedra. The ingredient is said to pose "unacceptable health risks," according to Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson. Despite this ruling, there are still companies who market ephedra on the Internet. This is illegal; if you come across any products that contain this, avoid them completely, and look for products specifically marked ephedra-free.

Common sense is probably the best judge of whether a fad diet is sensible or not. It also depends on what your goal is. If you're interested in dropping a few pounds for your high school reunion, then a quick fix may be all you need. If, however, your goal is long term health and weight loss, the cabbage soup diet isn't going to work. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.