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June is Men’s Health Awareness Month
Young Men’s Health - Fad Diets vs. Healthy Behaviors
Fad diets are marketed as quick ways to lose weight. The most popular fads tend to change from year to year, but the promises they make don’t. Diets such as the ketogenic diet, the whole 30, the paleo diet, juice cleanses and even intermittent fasting are all fads.
Some people will lose weight while following a fad diet, but most fad diets are impossible to stick to for long. This means that once you stop following the diet, you’ll probably gain back the weight you lost. Some people actually gain back more weight than they started with.
Fad diets don’t usually provide enough vitamins and minerals, such as iron, calcium and vitamin D. Iron is important for red cells in your blood and calcium and vitamin D are important for healthy bones.
You can spot a fad diet by asking yourself a few simple questions:
- Does this diet make some foods completely off-limits?
- Does this diet promise that I will lose an unrealistic amount of weight in a short amount of time? For example: “ten pounds in one week”.
- Does the diet refer to foods as “good” or “bad”?
- Do I have to buy certain foods for this diet at a special store?
- Does the diet claim I can lose weight without exercising?
- Is this plan temporary?
If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you’ve probably spotted a fad diet. Advertising that promotes these diets is often very convincing. These ads may draw you in and make you believe that it’s super easy to follow the diet and lose weight.
It’s not safe for teenagers to take “diet pills.” Over the counter supplements are especially not safe for weight loss because they are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Stay healthy by having positive health behaviors. This includes finding meaningful and fun movement, eating a varied diet, drinking water, getting enough sleep and having a healthy relationship with our body.
An easy way to make sure that a diet is healthy and right for you, is to see if it includes the following:
- A balance of healthy foods from all food groups (whole grains, fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, dairy, and healthy dietary fats)
- Regular exercise or physical activity
- You feel comfortably full and satisfied.
- Flexibility to fit your schedule
- Foods you can find in restaurants or at social events
Remember to eat a variety of foods from all the food groups. Follow your hunger and fullness cues and eat fruits and vegetables from all the colors of the rainbow to get important nutrients for your body. Eat things you enjoy! If you have questions about whether or not a diet is healthy, talk with your health care provider, who might refer you to see a registered dietitian.
To access the full article on the difference between fad diets and health behaviors, click here.
