Fad Diets
- Kirsten
- Jul 20, 2017
- 3 min read
Like every year, a new year means new fads and miracle weightloss diets. I'm sure you're thinking of one you've tried from a previous year, or maybe you're even on one now... Sadly, many of this diets are nothing more than FADS and have the possibility to cause more damage to your health or weightloss journey.
According to the DAA a fad diet is "any diet that promises fast weight loss or radically improved health, without a scientific basis". These diets often eliminate entire food groups, do not provide a wide range of important nutrients, and may only provide short-term results as they are difficult to abide by. Yes, eat healthy and sustain a positive eating habit for you and your family, but do your research before 'dieting'. There's too much falsified nutrition claims on the internet these days. Soon dirt from a cows paddock will be the next big thing since Kale...
Although some diets, such as the Mediterranean diet, have proven health benefits, the best diet to follow is one that you and your family enjoy, can stick to long-term, is budget friendly, and ticks all of your nutrient needs. My suggestion is, rather than seeking an instant fix in your household, look for small changes you can make in your diet that will lead to greater health results, like eating more fruit and veggies and cooking at home more often. That been said, it is important to consult with your local health professional (dietitian, GP, or Tertiary qualified Nutritionist) if you are having issues surrounding meal planning or dieting, or need further guidance on healthy eating habits. The Australian Government website also has free, accessible nutritional advice and information: https://www.eatforhealth.gov.au/
The Paleo Diet
I'm sure you're thinking "Paleo? Oh no not that Pete Evans craze...". Yes, this diet has definitely had some media hype.
But what is it?
The Paleo diet was created to copy the way our ancestors ate. It seems to be a sustainable diet for some people, particularly 'meat lovers'. There are many miracle claims circulating the internet about the Paleo diet including, it will lead to weight loss, minimise or even prevent the risk of chronic disease, and optimise health and wellbeing. It is another diet that includes high amounts of protein and low carbs. It also highlights non-starchy fruits and vegetables, and promotes moderate to high consumption of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats (not sure about different types of fats? Click here). The Paleo diet in particular, vilifies wholegrains and dismisses the concept that wholegrains are a rich source of fibre. In other words, if the cavemen or our hunter-gather ancestors didn’t eat it or have access to it, neither should we. Many people do Paleo wrong and fail to level out their protein-heavy meals with fresh fruit and vegetables. This is commonly due to the restrictive nature of this diet, and the lack of knowledge and understanding of the people undertaking it, who drastically cut core food groups out of their diet.
Foods that the Paleo diet includes are:
Meat, poultry, eggs, fish, moderate amounts of green tea, non-starchy fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds, and healthy oils.
Foods that the Paleo diet eliminates are:
Coffee, Grains, legumes, dairy, refined sugar, potatoes, processed food, salt and refined vegetable oils.
The Mediterranean Diet
The Mediterranean Diet follows the traditional foods consumed by Mediterranean people (e.g. Greeks, Italians, and French) and is predominantly plant-based. It has been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease and lower cholesterol, and is associated with reduced incidences of cancer, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease. It promotes healthy fats as well as lots of fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains, some fish and very little red meat. Added sugar, refined grains, trans fats, processed meats, refined oils, highly processed foods are all eliminated in this diet. According to experts this diet scored top marks for being sustainable, healthy, and well-researched to prove it lowers cholesterol and has anti-inflammatory effects.
Links relating to the Mediterranean diet:
The Whole30 Diet
The Whole30 diet is hardcore program that is designed to be followed for 30 days with no interruptions. It claims that it will rid your body of any food, skin or seasonal allergies by eliminating foods that cause inflammation and cravings. It is basically a strict 'cleanse', but many say it is based on poorly done research, and its restrictions make it hard to follow if you follow a plant-based diet.
Foods that you eat include: Moderate portions of meat, seafood, eggs, vegetables, some fruit, natural fats, herbs, spices and seasoning (Coffee and tea allowed).
Foods that you eliminate: Real and added sugar, alcohol, grains, legumes, dairy and soy.
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