Away with the Fad!
A recent News poll survey suggested that 42% of women aged 18-24 are hoping to lose weight in the New Year.
With this at the forefront of many minds at this time of the year, it would be near impossible to ignore the
abundance of advertisements promoting how you can lose 5 kilos in one week or how a celebrity lost weight by
a seemingly-simple diet solution. It’s on TV and endorsed by celebrities so it has to work, right? Well it may
work, but at what cost?
Whilst weight loss is a great New Year’s resolution, and many are successful in their plight, many advertised
diets are considered ‘fad’ and may cause more damage than good. Don’t fall victim to the promise of excessive
weight loss in a matter of days or weeks at the cost of your health. Get smart to the fad promises and ensure
you get healthy and happy for the long haul.
A fad weight-loss diet is any diet that promises fast weight loss without a scientific basis. These diets often
eliminate entire food groups and, as a result, do not provide a wide range of important nutrients.
When we lose weight very quickly (i.e. fad diets), the initial weight loss is mostly water and lean muscle mass.
This is not desirable weight loss, as gradually over time the breaking down of muscle leads to a reduced
metabolic rate. This means that when you stop the diet, it is much easier for the body to gain fat than it was
prior to going on the diet. Put simply, going on a ‘fad’ diet can cause you to gain more weight in the long-term.
Whether it’s a Lemon Detox Diet, Acid and Alkaline Diet or the Six
Weeks to OMG diet, anything that claims a quick fix is a fad diet. Other
quick giveaways of a fad diet include:
► Promises a quick fix
► Promotes 'magic' foods or combinations of foods
► Implies that food can change body chemistry
► Excludes or severely restricts food groups or nutrients, such as
carbohydrates
► Has rigid rules that focus on weight loss
► Makes claims based on a single study or testimonials only
Being healthy takes time. Everyone is looking for a miracle pill or diet that is the answer. Whilst some diets will
work better (or faster) for some people than others, there is one diet that does work: a wholesome, nutritious,
balanced diet. It will take time but it does work.
Avoid fad diets this year. Follow a wholesome, nutritious, balanced diet that is sustainable and a lifestyle choice
that you can live with for the rest of your life!
As well as focusing on diet change, your EAP can assist you with behaviour change and support strategies.
 Your EAP is here to help
Remember the EAP offers support through confidential face-to-face, telephone, video and online counselling for individuals
and coaching and advice for managers. For support, advice or to make an appointment just call your EAP provider, Davidson
Trahaire Corpsych (DTC), on 1300 360 364.