South Pasadena Weight Loss Doctors Talks about "Fad" Diets

My doctor wants me to lose some weight. Why is he/she so concerned?

Excess body weight has been linked to many health problems, including high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, gallbladder disease, arthritis, sleep apnea, and some cancers. Not everyone who is overweight or obese gets health problems, but being overweight or obeseincreases your chances of having one of these conditions. Your doctor wants to keep you healthy, which is why he/she has suggested that you lose weight. Healthy weight loss leads to resolution of these problems.

South Pasadena Weight Loss Doctors Says:
There are so many different diets available. How do I know which is the best one?

There is no "best" diet. Every time you turn around there seems to be another “diet of the day”. Despite the popularity of different types of diets, nutrition experts recommend that for safe, effective weight loss you follow good nutrition guidelines that are suggested by the Food Guide Pyramid (www.mypyramid.gov) and the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (www.healthierus.gov). These guidelines include eating foods from all the food groups (meat and meat substitutes, fruits, vegetables, grains, and dairy foods), eating small portions of all food, using lean meats and lean dairy foods in your diet, eating plenty of whole grains, and exercising.  Weight loss the healthy way is usually slow and steady and those who lose weight this way are often more successful at maintaining weight loss.

South Pasadena Weight Loss Doctors Says:
What is a "fad" diet?

There is no specific definition of a "fad" diet. However most experts agree that any diet that does not meet basic guidelines for good health could be considered a "fad" diet.  A diet that is popular for a while before it fades away is also considered a "fad".  Many "fad" diets hook you in with a "new" concept (that is often an old diet re-packaged), promising quick weight loss with little effort. A good example of a "fad" diet is the Cabbage Soup diet that was popular in the late 1990’s.

While some "fad" diets may help someone get started on weight loss, they are not recommended. There are lots of concerns with fad diets. One problem is that they usually tell you to avoid some foods completely. When you do that you may be missing out on important nutrients that your body needs for good health. Also, many fad diets require preparing special foods (cabbage soup, for example) or require complicated grocery lists. They may not allow you to eat out, or tell you to only eat at certain times of the day, or may sell you vitamins to make up for the nutrients you are missing by following their "fad" diet.  As a result of such strict rules, many “fad” diets are not very practical for most people.

Another problem with fad diets is they don’t give you the tools you need to help change your eating and exercise behaviors permanently. Anyone can stick to a fad diet for a few weeks and lose some weight, but most people go back to their old eating habits once they get tired of dieting.

South Pasadena Weight Loss Doctors Says:
Many patients have been told to try a low-carbohydrate diet. Which is the best one to try?

All low-carb diets fall into the category of "fad" diets. Any diet that touts itself as "low carb" is not the best way for you to lose weight because, especially in the early stages of the diet, carbohydrate is cut back to an unsafe level. Your body needs enough carbohydrates for your brain and other organs to work correctly. While we don’t know about the long-term consequences of low-carb diets, we do know that those who follow them are often tired and have side effects like constipation. There are several low-carb-type diets available and more are sure to come along in the future which will promote weight loss. None of them have the balance of foods and nutrients that your body needs for good health over a lifetime.

The diet I am following was developed by a doctor and is backed by a hospital. Doesn’t that mean it is safe?

Not necessarily!  Be careful!  In this age of the internet, anyone can circulate a diet plan and say it is written by a doctor or backed by a hospital.  Unless thediet is follows good nutrition guidelines based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (www.healthierus.gov) and/or the Food Guide Pyramid (www.mypyramid.gov) it may not be safe even if it has a doctor’s name or a hospital associated with it.

South Pasadena Weight Loss Doctors Says:
What are some guidelines for deciding if a diet is a "fad" diet?

Ask yourself these questions to see if your diet meets criteria for safe and healthy weight loss. If you answer yes to these questions than the diet is not a "fad"

• Is there a registered dietitian involved in the diet?
• Does it promise slow weight loss of 1-2 pounds weekly?
• Does it allow you to eat foods from all the food groups (fruits, vegetables, breads and cereals, meat and meat substitutes, and dairy foods?)
• Does it encourage permanent behavior change and exercise?

Ask yourself these questions. If you answer yes to these questions than this "fad" diet is not the best way to lose weight and keep it off.

• Does it promise quick weight loss of 4 or more pounds weekly?
• Does it tell you to never eat certain foods, ever?
• Does it suggest that you buy supplements to make up for what the diet is missing?

For more information about Los Angeles' premier Medical Weight Management Center near South Pasadena, please contact Valens Medical and come in for a One-on-One consultation with one of our specialist doctors.

www.valensmedical.com