Dietitians say fad diets no cure for that extra flab
Source: Agencies |
January 9, 2010, Saturday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
Take care before you choose a diet to shift all that extra flab put on over Christmas and New Year.
The British Dietetic Association says there are many fad diets offering miracle weight loss, but says losing weight while on one of them is simply due to eating fewer calories.
"It may not sound the most exciting way to lose weight but healthy eating, activity and long-term behavior change not only works but helps you maintain weight loss too," said Rachel Cooke, registered dietitian at St Martin's Hospital in Bath and BDA spokeswoman.
The BDA has produced a list of the "worst fad diets to avoid this New Year" including such regimes as the maple syrup, blood group, warrior, peanut butter and banana and the cabbage/fat-burning soup diets.
It said some regimes, such as the cabbage soup diet were based on "pseudo science" and could result in nutritional deficiencies.
"Firstly, no food can burn fat; only physical activity can do that," the BDA said of the cabbage soup diet in which the adherent exists largely on home-made cabbage soup.
The BDA also blasted the myth of the detox diet, saying that the human body was a complex organism more than capable of detoxing itself.
"The liver works to rid the body of everyday toxins so a 'special diet' is not necessary," the BDA said.
The professional body for British dietitians also took aim at two famous diet plans.
It said the Atkins diet contravened "evidence-based healthy eating messages" and that the Zone Diet went against Britain's Food Standard Agency recommendations.
Atkins (www.atkins.com) said: "It is clear from the report that the author is not familiar with the new 'Atkins Nutritional Approach.' This diet is not a fad but offers a long-term healthy eating plan with reduced levels of refined carbohydrates and sugars, and encourages the consumption of lean protein, high fibre, fruit and vegetables."
The Zone Diet (www.ZoneDiet.com) responded: "The Zone Diet has in fact the same guidelines as the newest dietary guidelines for treating obesity, type 2 diabetes, and pre-diabetes from the Joslin Diabetes Research Center affiliated with Harvard Medical School."
The British Dietetic Association says there are many fad diets offering miracle weight loss, but says losing weight while on one of them is simply due to eating fewer calories.
"It may not sound the most exciting way to lose weight but healthy eating, activity and long-term behavior change not only works but helps you maintain weight loss too," said Rachel Cooke, registered dietitian at St Martin's Hospital in Bath and BDA spokeswoman.
The BDA has produced a list of the "worst fad diets to avoid this New Year" including such regimes as the maple syrup, blood group, warrior, peanut butter and banana and the cabbage/fat-burning soup diets.
It said some regimes, such as the cabbage soup diet were based on "pseudo science" and could result in nutritional deficiencies.
"Firstly, no food can burn fat; only physical activity can do that," the BDA said of the cabbage soup diet in which the adherent exists largely on home-made cabbage soup.
The BDA also blasted the myth of the detox diet, saying that the human body was a complex organism more than capable of detoxing itself.
"The liver works to rid the body of everyday toxins so a 'special diet' is not necessary," the BDA said.
The professional body for British dietitians also took aim at two famous diet plans.
It said the Atkins diet contravened "evidence-based healthy eating messages" and that the Zone Diet went against Britain's Food Standard Agency recommendations.
Atkins (www.atkins.com) said: "It is clear from the report that the author is not familiar with the new 'Atkins Nutritional Approach.' This diet is not a fad but offers a long-term healthy eating plan with reduced levels of refined carbohydrates and sugars, and encourages the consumption of lean protein, high fibre, fruit and vegetables."
The Zone Diet (www.ZoneDiet.com) responded: "The Zone Diet has in fact the same guidelines as the newest dietary guidelines for treating obesity, type 2 diabetes, and pre-diabetes from the Joslin Diabetes Research Center affiliated with Harvard Medical School."
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