Low carb, the 5:2 diet, detox, etc. Which diet will work for me?
Fad diets... do they work?
Low carb, the 5:2 diet, detox, cabbage soup ... there is no shortage of novelty diet programmes promising to help you lose weight fast.
But do they work?
Some promise fast, sometimes dramatic weight loss, only for the pounds to creep back on afterwards. Worryingly too, some fad diets are based on questionable science or no research at all, prescribing eating practices that are unhealthy and could make you ill.
Five reasons to avoid fad diets
Here are five reasons why following the latest novelty diet may not be a good way to lose weight.
1. Some diets can make you ill
Many diets, like crash diets, are designed to dramatically reducing the number of calories you consume.
"Crash diets make you feel very unwell and unable to function properly," says dietician Ursula Arens. "Because they are nutritionally unbalanced, crash diets can lead to long-term poor health."
2. Excluding foods can be dangerous
Some diets recommend cutting out a certain food group altogether, such as meat, fish and wheat or dairy products. Cutting out certain food groups altogether could prevent you getting the important nutrients and vitamins that your body needs to function healthily.
3. Low carb diets can be high in fat
Some diets are very low in carbohydrates (pasta, bread and rice), which are an important source of energy. By cutting these from your diet you could be left feeling tired and drained and prone to illness. Low carbohydrate diets have other side effects too such as bad breath, headaches and constipation.
They also allow you to eat foods high in saturated fat, such as butter, cheese and meat – too much saturated fat can raise your cholesterol and increase your risk of heart disease and stroke.
4. Detox diets don't work
Detox diets are meant to remove or flush out toxins that build up in our bodies, usually by eating high quantities of one specific food. However, there is no evidence that toxins build up in our bodies.
5. Fad ideas
Some diets make farfetched claims. Often there is little or no evidence to back up these claims, and it can be difficult to keep to in the long term.
"If followed over long periods, these diets can be very unbalanced and bad for your health," says Arens. "You may lose weight in the short term, but it's much better to lose weight gradually and to be healthy."
The NHS choices website is worth a read as well as it helps to explain the differences between the many fad diets around.
How to lose weight the healthy way
People put on weight when the amount of calories consumed exceeds the amount of calories burnt through normal everyday activities and exercise. The Hairy Bikers Diet Club call this the ‘Energy Equation’ and it’s one of the main factors that just ‘clicked’ with them to help them change their lifestyle and eating patterns.
Whether you are hoping to lose weight or simply eat more healthily, the MFR 3 diets fuelled by the Hairy Bikers Diet Club will provide you with the personalised information and resources you need to meet your goals.
MFR 3 diets Real Food No Fads is ideal for anyone who wants to eat the food they normally enjoy, with just a few healthy adjustments (like not cooking with butter). We′ve tailored all our diets to make sure your personal food preferences and lifestyle are taken into consideration.
With our diet plans, we′re confident you′ll see a healthy difference fast.
Remember... Summer bodies are made in Spring!