Download What`s the Skinny on Fad Diets?

WHAT’S THE
SKINNY ON FAD
DIETS?
Presented by Viterbo University Dietetic Interns:
Courtney Butler
Morgan Padilla
WHAT IS A FAD DIET?
 A short term, quick fix diet that “promises” rapid results
 The “Red Flags”:
 Rapid weight loss
 Food limitations
 Rigid menus
 No exercise
 Expensive
1. RAPID WEIGHT LOSS
 The most common claim
 Often very low calorie
 Rapid weight loss can result in loss of muscle, bone, and water
 Not sustainable long term
 INSTEAD…
 Healthy weight loss ½ - 2 pounds per week
 Slow, steady weight loss is more likely to last than dramatic weight changes
2. QUANTITIES AND LIMITATIONS
 Allows unlimited consumption of certain foods
 Examples: grapefruit, cabbage soup
 Eliminates whole categories of nutritious foods
 Carbohydrates – include fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
 Fat – includes protein sources and some cooking oils
 INSTEAD…
 Enjoy a variety of healthy, nutrient-dense foods
3. RIGID MENUS
 Following a specific meal plan can be overwhelming and may
not work for you
 No individualization
 Not easily sustainable long term
 INSTEAD…
 Make small changes to your existing habits
4. NO EXERCISE
 Exercise is important for cardiovascular, bone, and muscle
health
 INSTEAD…
 Combine healthy eating habits with physical activity
 Be physically active for 30-60 minutes most days of the week
5. EXPENSIVE
 Require or push purchasing expensive components
 Unsustainable long term
 Sometimes endorsed by celebrities and medical talk shows
 May include false medical jargon
 INSTEAD…
 Be a skeptic!
THE DIET CYCLE
SUCCESSFUL WEIGHT LOSS INVOLVES
 Consuming a balanced diet
 Watching portion sizes
 Staying hydrated
 Limiting sugary foods
 Being physically active
GAME TIME: RAISE YOUR RED FLAG
 For each scenario raise your red flag if you think it applies
to the following examples:
RAISE YOUR RED FLAG
 “Lose 30 pounds in 30 days by following our easy 30-day
diet plan developed by Dr. Quick Fix”
 Rapid weight loss
 Rigid menus
 No exercise
RAISE YOUR RED FLAG
 “During the beginning of the diet, you are only allowed to
eat 30 grams of carbohydrates each day from foods like
fruits and other non-starchy vegetables. See the list of
acceptable foods, and eat only those and you’ll lose your
first 15 pounds in one week”
 Rapid weight loss
 Food limitations
 Rigid menus
 No exercise
RAISE YOUR RED FLAG
 “To lose weight, the calories must be exactly broken down
into 40% from protein, 40% from fat, and 20% from
carbohydrates”
 Food limitations
 Rigid menus
 No exercise
RAISE YOUR RED FLAG
 “Hi, I am a supermodel, so I am an expert on dieting. All you
have to do is drink my specially formulated “Hollywood
Potion” every day, three times a day, and you can lose
weight as easily as I can”
 No exercise
 Expensive
RAISE YOUR RED FLAG
 “Your blood type determines your diet, supplements, and personality
because it is the key to your body’s entire immune system. If you follow
the specific eating plan and take our specially formulated supplement
combinations for your blood type, while avoiding the foods that are
toxic to your blood type, you will lose weight quickly and easily”
 Rapid weight loss
 Expensive
 No exercise
 Rigid menus
 Food limitations
RAISE YOUR RED FLAG
 “Aim for a healthy weight. Choose a variety of foods every
day and moderate your intake of fat and sugar. Choose at
least five servings of fruits and vegetables every day. Be
physically active most days”
 NONE!
REFERENCES
 Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. (2014, February). Staying away from
fad diets. Retrieved February 2015, from
http://www.eatright.org/resource/health/weight-loss/fad-diets/stayingaway-from-fad-diets
 Texas Department of State Health Services. (2010, April 1). Fad diets.
Retrieved February 2015, from
http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=15657
QUESTIONS?
 If you’d like to speak to us individually, we will be available after the
presentation.