Why fad diets don’t work
Saturday 07 January 2012
Lots of us dream of a fresh start with our healthy eating and exercise regime in January, and fad diets which promise fast results can be tempting. But quick-fixes could in fact, lead to you actually putting on weight…
When you’re struggling to fit into your favourite jeans, and want results yesterday, the latest fad diet can seem the answer, but a recent study has found that these “trendy” weight-loss techniques are very likely to end in failure.
According to a recent study by Hovis Wholemeal bread, the average crash diet lasts just 15 days with 35 per cent of women admitting that they ended up putting on more weight than they lost. In fact, the women questioned put on an average of 4.7lbs post diet.
Plans such as the cabbage soup diet, Atkins diet and Dukan diet have become increasingly popular for their quick results. The Dukan diet was made famous by the Middleton family who are rumoured to have followed it on the run-up to the Royal wedding. It involves cutting out various food groups, especially carbohydrates and loading up on protein-rich foods. However, 48 per cent of women questioned in the Hovis study said their failed dieting attempts came from trying to cut out food groups, such as all savoury snacks or bread.
The study also revealed that the majority of those on a fad diet notice the pounds piling back on just 22 days after their diets end, while only one in five women successfully reach their target weight.
Olympic cyclist Victoria Pendleton commented on the study saying: “It’s worrying to think that women put pressure on themselves to lose weight quickly and then suffer emotional repercussions if they give up or don't see the desired results.
“The secret to a healthy lifestyle is not crash diets.”
In November, the British Dietetic Association issued its annual list of the five worst celebrity diets to avoid in the New Year and named the Dukan Diet as the worst plan to follow, revealing that the weight loss plan has “absolutely no solid science behind it at all.”
Hovis has now launched a Facebook campaign called 'Stop snacking, start moving' to help women diet successfully, while Closer Diets have launched their new 4 week Total Body Blast plan for January which promises that, if followed properly, you will drop a dress size in a month. With its meal plans, support for dieters from experts and amazing recipes, Closer Diets provides all you ever need to lose weight for life.
Closer Diets works on the promise that you will never go hungry, you can still have treats and your family can enjoy the same food as you too. Closer Diets promote a healthy weight loss of 2lbs per week to ensure you move at a steady and realistic pace with the weight staying off. If you’re interested, head over to www.closerdiets.com now.