How to Detect a Fad Diet Scam

It's easy to detect a fad diet scam once you know what to look for. Despite the fact that we all want to lose weight quickly, losing weight takes time and effort. Permanent weight-loss requires exercise and lifestyle changes. It comes down to the eating less and moving more. Any program that tells you can lose weight without dieting or exercising is just trying to sell you something. You don't need to buy special foods, omit food groups, take diet pills or avoid exercise in order to lose weight.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• A common sense approach to weight loss
• Access to fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains
• The willingness to exercise postings with the week

1. Consider the exercise requirement. A weight loss program that promises results without having to exercise is a fad diet. You may be able to temporarily lose weight by cutting back on the calories you eat each day, but to keep the weight off you will need to exercise. (Not to mention that cardiovascular exercise is extremely important for heart health.)
2. Understand the nutritional basis of a diet. A weight loss program that doesn't require you to change your habits is a fad diet. Diet pills alone will not reduce the amount of fat in your body and keep it off long term. You can't expect the calories to melt off of your body. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
3. Consider the results a diet promises. Any weight loss program that makes outrageous claims is a fad diet. If a program claims you can lose 20 pounds in 10 days, it is a fad diet. There is no quick fix for long-term weight loss.
4. Weight the cost of a diet plan. A program that requires you to buy special diet foods, drinks, vitamins or supplements is a fad diet. These programs are out to make money and they are not effective ways to lose weight and maintain your weight loss. Prepared meals may take the guesswork out of it for you, but they often contain more sodium and don't contain any fresh foods.
5. Look at the balance of a diet. Any weight loss program that requires you to omit food groups, like carbs, is a fad diet. A healthy diet consists of high-quality carbs, fruits and vegetables and lean proteins. For a lifestyle plan to work you will be able to eat everything in moderation.

Tips & Warnings

• Adopt a positive attitude about lifestyle changes to successfully lose weight.
• Beware of any weight loss program that asks you to keep less than 1200 calories per day.
• Check with your doctor before starting any weight loss program to be sure it is safe for you.
• Use caution with herbal diet supplements that claim to be safe and have not been approved by the FDA.