WomenCare WNY » Ask Us Anything » Are All Diet Plans Lies?

Are All Diet Plans Lies?

Question:

"Are all diet plans lies?  I've been burned so many times."

Answer:

With the tsunami of nutrition information in the media, it can be overwhelming to tell what is fact or fiction. Currently, the CDC reports 1/3 of American adults are obese. This fuels the fire for the marketing of countless diet plans available. So many people are concerned about their weight, but not quite sure how to achieve weight loss. More importantly, how can you successfully maintain weight loss? People are desperate to change old habits and lose weight at any cost.

Signs of a Fad Diet Plan

There are several pitfalls to avoid when selecting a diet plan. If you can say "yes" to any of the following questions, the diet plan you are considering is probably a fad diet.

• Is the plan too restrictive? Do they eliminate entire food groups or specific macronutrients like carbohydrate, protein or fat?
• Is the plan a quick fix? Does it promise that “magic bullet,” which will produce a quick weight loss in a short period of time?
• Will the plan be labor intensive and require a great deal of prep work? Does it require many ingredients for its meal preparation? Or does it come already pre-packaged with limited education of how to cook and shop once you stop purchasing these products?
• Is the diet plan too costly?
• Is the diet boring and monotonous?

Most of these fad diets focus on the quick fix rather than a healthy lifestyle change.

Instead of falling for yet another ‘diet plan,’ try a healthy eating style.

What is a Healthy Eating Style?

Healthy eating is based on three important elements:

• Balance
• Variety
• Proportion

Balance refers to eating foods from all of the food groups. Variety is selecting a wide array of foods within each group. Proportion is being aware of the appropriate portions eaten from each of the food groups.

The USDA’s website www.ChooseMyPlate.gov is a useful tool to help make these healthy food choices.

• Choose My Plate – 10 Tips to a Great Plate

Make Simple Changes for Healthier Eating

It is a fact that simple changes go along way towards making a big difference and help you reach your healthy lifestyle goal. Here are some examples:

• Do not skip meals.
• Eat breakfast.
• Use smaller luncheon plates, bowls and glasses to control portions.
• Select more fresh vegetables and fruit. They should represent half of your plate.
• Limit processed and packaged foods. Fresh whole foods are always the best!
• Go for a walk, bike ride or something that involves fun physical activity at least 150 minutes per week.

Remember, your health is like an investment in your future, just like your 401K!

Related Services

• Bariatric Surgery (Weight Loss Surgery)
• Diabetes Management
• Digestive Disorders

• LIFESTEPS© Weight Management Program

• Nutrition Counseling

Related Questions

• If I eat more food than my body needs, where do the excess calories go? Dr. Joseph Caruana and Registered Dietitian Amy Julicher respond.
• What are the health benefits of eating olive oil? Registered Dietitian Deborah Richter responds.
• What foods should I eat during my pregnancy? Registered Dietitian Deborah Richter responds.
• Is it possible to take too many vitamins and supplements? Registered Dietitian Deborah Richter responds.
• What are some bagged lunches that are both healthy and filling? Registered Dietitian Amy Julicher responds.
• How much coffee is too much? Registered Dietitian Deborah Richter responds.
• How can I reduce bloating? Registered Dietitian Deborah Richter responds.
• Do vegetarians get enough protein in their diets? Registered Dietitian Deborah Richter responds.
• Are there any health concerns or side effects in drinking diet soda? Regjstered Dietitian Jennifer Turesky responds.