A gimmicky diet promising amazing results might work in the short term, but it’s a bad idea both long term and health-wise. Here is how you can spot them — so you can avoid them and choose a better direction.
The new calendar year is often a time when people embark on health and weight loss journeys. The “New Year, New You” messaging and advertisements are abundant, and diet and weight loss program promotions are in full force.
We all know that a lot of these diets and weight loss programs are not helpful to our body, especially in the long term, but how can we tell which ones are safe and sound? The list below will help you to determine which diets and programs (or general strategies) may be harmful to your body (and your mind). This empowerment will save you money, frustration, disappointment, and potentially negative health consequences.
Here are the top red flags to look out for in order to avoid a diet or program that can be damaging to your health and unrealistic for long term weight loss maintenance.
- Eliminating a food group. Our bodies are complex and require a variety of food. The different food groups (such as grains, fruits, vegetables and protein) work together in order to provide the nutrition necessary to function at an optimal level. When a food group (or macronutrient – such as carbohydrates, protein, or fat) is eliminated, that often results in the body being deprived of nutrients that it needs.
- Having a restricted food list. All foods fit into a healthy lifestyle, even when there is a goal of weight loss. If a plan labels foods as “bad” or “forbidden,” and you are considered a “cheater” if you eat them, that is not only unrealistic for the long-term, but it also has a terrible effect on our mindset.
- Inadequate amounts promoted. Food is the fuel for our body. It is essential that we provide our body with adequate amounts of that fuel – hydration, vitamins, minerals, calories, and nutrients. We need to nourish our body with what it requires as opposed to depriving our body of what it needs in order to function optimally.
- Requirement of products. Under no circumstances should someone be convinced that they need to buy a product in order to be successful with weight loss or achieving a generally healthy lifestyle. Bars, shakes, and pre-packaged foods may sometimes be helpful, although they are definitely not a necessity.
- A rigid set of rules with little flexibility. Life is busy and unpredictable; we need to be flexible day-to-day in order to live a happy and healthy life. Inflexibility with our eating can interfere with our quality of life. Consistency and predictability are helpful but don’t always happen: traffic, extra homework, a simcha, a kid’s birthday party, a work event, or a fundraising dinner are a few examples of things that may cause a deviation in routine. You do not need to stress out about what will be served at a meal or event, but rather go with the flow in a flexible and well-rounded way.
Now that you have this list handy, feel free to make the educated and empowered choice… and don’t be afraid to speak up if you see others falling into the trap of a fad diet; they (and their wallets) will thank you one day.
Disclaimer: The information relayed is not meant to be used as Medical Nutrition Therapy or to contradict a medically prescribed diet. Please consult with your physician if you have specific questions regarding your specific health.
So optavia is out ? ????
Thank you for your comment! I like to educate and empower, and then leave the final decision making to the individual. 😉
Great advice!
Thank you, Maya T! I appreciate your feedback!
What do you say to The Fast Metabolism Diet
would love to know the same…. fast metabolism diet seems to be only one that actually works…. and it has diverse range of foods…
Tova and h,
Thank you so much for your questions! I would recommend that you refer to each of the red flag items; if a particular diet or program has even one of the red flags (throughout the whole diet or during a phase of the diet), then I would not recommend it. Kol hakavod for your curiosity and open-mindedness!
If you would like to discuss further, please do not hesitate to email me.
Best,
Esti
I didn’t lose anyting remarkable on the FMD and it was really hard to do all the food prep and stuff. i think i lost a total of 4 pounds on the 4 weeks i was on it and i had 20+ lbs to lose. really disappointing and really hard.
I just did the FMD. I actually found it was the only diet that worked for me.
I lost beautiful and so did my family members that did it the same time.
Amazing article! Thank you Esti for spreading such important messages!!!
Thank you for your kind words, Shira! It is my absolute pleasure, and I intend to continue. Stay tuned. 🙂
Tysm Esti!! Such an important article that we all can learn things from! Thank you for being so caring!
Tysm Esti!! Such an important message that we can all learn from! Thamk u for being so caring!!
Hi Cheli,
You are so welcome! Thank you for your kind words! I absolutely love helping women in this way, and feel so strongly that we need to hear clear, credible and inspiring nutrition information instead of being bombarded with a lot of other opinions that are out there (often restrictive and negative).
Optavia & LifeMD have partnered. Optavia is a wonderful program as written here in Betweencarpools.
One of my patients in FL has a coach at Optavia Medifast in TX that has given her a link to see a doctor at LifeMD to work with a doctor for GLP-1 review and access. Optavia and LifeMD partnership seems to have started. I looked it up and LifeMD has a GLP-1 weight management program with potential medications like Wegovy and Ozempic. Therefore, Optavia & LifeMD are offering a combined Nutrition and Habits of Health with medical advice from Doctors at LifeMD. Dr. DSNGR