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Ditch the fad diets   |03 February 2023

There is so much information on the internet nowadays that it can be very confusing to know which sources are credible and who you should trust with health-related information.  

Many influencers and celebrities also promote an array of health products, supplements and diet trends and swear by them that it’s convincing to think that if you try it out you will end up looking exactly like them.

But don’t be fooled by what you see in the pictures as many are photo-shopped and edited and is not a true reflection of how some of these people actually look like.  

One thing to be mindful of however is the plethora of misinformation and false claims that also exists and this is why it is important to get your information from a credible source to avoid any adverse health impacts.

 

What is a fad diet?

As the name suggests it is a diet that offers no great health or nutritional benefits. It generally promises a quick fix in terms of rapid weight loss, is restrictive and difficult to stick with in the long-term.

Fad diets lack a robust scientific basis but is rather supported by testimonies from famous individuals or popular figures who entice you to try out the diet. Most times specific foods or food groups are eliminated and sometimes there are expensive products or supplements that make up the bulk of these diets.

Because of how restrictive fad diets are, initially there is rapid weight loss but this is mainly loss of muscle (lean tissue) and water rather than fat. For many people however such diets are difficult to sustain and they end up gaining even more weight than when they started.

This sets off a cycle of weight loss and weight gain depending on how many times a person follows these kinds of diets. It is not a sustainable diet to follow as it does not resolve existing issues a person has with their eating behaviours and habits.

 

Fad diets and diet trends to steer clear of:

Calorie counting

The aim is to count the amount of calories you are eating in order to restrict your calorie intake. Unfortunately, in doing so you have to weigh and measure out every single thing that you eat. This can be a burden and unrealistic after some time.

It can also lead to an obsession with food and cause a disordered eating pattern. Severe calorie restrictions below 1000 calories can have detrimental effects on your metabolism and bodily functions.

 

Diets that eliminate an entire food group

No food group should be eliminated as they contain essential nutrients that our body needs to function optimally. The constant avoidance and fear of eating certain foods can also be stressful and removes the enjoyment from eating.

In particular, if it’s a food that you love then you might find yourself obsessing about it and feeling guilty because you crave it. The constant craving and denial of that particular food is more harmful than eating the food itself as it can have adverse impacts on your brain and affect your mental health.

 

Detox diets or programmes

These promise to get rid of all toxins in your body as though your body didn’t have its own way of doing this. Instead of spending a lot of money buying products or programme online that don’t work and can in fact be harmful trust your body to do what it’s been designed to do.

We detox daily via different systems and organs in our body which remove toxins and waste in the form of faeces, urine, sweat and breadth. In a nutshell therefore we do not need to follow any special detox programme to get rid of waste products as claimed.

 

Adverse impacts of fad diets

The constant focus on removing certain foods or certain food groups may lead to nutrient deficiencies. It may also create a negative relationship with food, a general fear of eating and may lead to eating disorders or disordered eating patterns. It can also affect our body’s natural internal cues for hunger and fullness especially if these are continuously ignored.

While many of us need to revisit the types of food we are eating in terms of quality and amount, we can easily do that without compromising our health or the foods we love.

It is a matter of choosing to eat healthy and nourishing foods most times. These are foods that are tasty, that you enjoy, that have a cultural link and make you feel good. It is not a ‘diet’ but rather a way of eating which is sustainable and easy to live with and it is not restrictive and dull.

The term ‘diet’ often signifies that there is a start and end date but healthy eating is choosing to eat healthy and diverse foods every day.

 

Choose healthy eating

We have been preaching about this throughout the past year and we will continue to do so until you jump on the bandwagon to better health.

Choosing to eat healthy, whole, fresh and minimally processed foods is not a trend or special diet, it is a lifestyle choice that you are making for yourself. You are choosing to prioritise your health and reduce your risk of many of the ailments in our society today caused by poor food choices.

What does a healthy diet look like? It is basically a diversity of foods such as wholegrains, fruits, vegetables, fish, lentils, beans, nuts, seeds, yoghurt and eggs. Remember, as long as you are eating healthy most times, there is also room for that special treat once in a while.

 

Thank you for joining us this week on our Eat for Our Health page. Look us up on social media - eat for our health Seychelles on Facebook.

Please get in touch by emailing eat4ourhealth@gmail.com and let us know how you’re doing with these ideas, or better still, let us know how we can help you.

 

Yours in health

The E4OH team

 

 

 

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