How to Compare Fad Diets

Some fad diets are effective for losing weight.

You want to lose weight. Weight loss is an issue that plagues many Americans. According to The Center for Disease Control, in 2007-2008 34 percent of adults were overweight, but not to the point of obesity, and 34 percent of adults were overweight and considered obese. If a traditional diet -- counting calories and exercising -- were an easy answer, fad diets wouldn't be necessary. But losing weight is difficult and takes time to see results. Fad diets tend to shed pounds quickly. The difficulty is in knowing which fad diets produce good results without negatively affecting your health.

Things You'll Need

• Diet plans
• Comparison chart

Instructions

Comparing diets

1. 

   Fad diets are based on a regimen.

   Divide fad diets into four basic categories: 1: Starvation -- you consume very few calories and often use an appetite suppressant. 2: Low carbohydrate -- you count the number of carbohydrates you consume and try to keep the number as close to none as possible. 3: Point counting -- all foods are assigned a number on a point system and you need to eat a specific number of points per meal and a specific number of points per day. 4: Supplement-assisted diets -- consist of diet pills, herbal supplements or metabolism boosters. Each type of diet works in a different way, but all aim to produce the same results. Of the diet plans you are interested in, divide them up on your chart based on category.

2. 

   Since what you eat will determine weight loss, diets are differentiated by the types of foods they allow you to consume.

   List the foods each diet plan specifically outlines that you are allowed to eat using your chart.

3. 

   Each diet will make a claim about how quickly weight can be lost using its method.

   Include the rate at which you should be able to lose weight if you follow it properly using your chart. Each diet plan outlines this rate; some fad diets often offer very quick results.

4. 

   Decide which diet is the best fit for you.

   List any health or safety warning that come with each diet on your chart. Some supplements may not be suitable for people with pre-existing health conditions.

5. 

   Some fad diets result in fast weight loss.

   You can now compare the diets based on the rate at which you can expect to lose weight, the foods you are supposed to consume and the possible dangers that each diet poses to your health.

Tips & Warnings

• Fad diets are often short-term solutions that are not sustainable for long periods of time or do not result in substantial weight loss. Exercise is usually recommended to complement any diet program and will boost results by utilizing more calories and creating muscle mass, which in turn burns calories faster.

• Many fad diets can actually have negative health implications. Starvation is not healthy for your body. Ensure you know what is in any supplements you take. Ensure that you are not putting your body -- and specifically your heart -- under too much stress as you strive to lose weight.

References

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Obesity and Overweight
• Every Diet: Fad Diets