Fad Diets History
Since the Stone Age has come to an end, and people started to make their living in other way than hunting, the weight loss concept came more and more into actuality, as sedentary persons got fatter and fatter until becoming obese and discovering that their health and normal body functions are suffering because of the additional pounds gained from the lack of physical activity.
Yes, being fat wasn't a sufficient reason for going to a doctor, therefore the pioneers of weight loss started to try various combinations of foods while observing their effect on the body weight. This is how very popular diets appeared, without ever being scientifically proven to do what they claimed. For example, the Grapefruit diet was based on the thought that grapefruits contain and enzyme which helps burning fats in the body, if the fruit was regularly consumed after each meal. No scientists were able to prove that, although there are studies which haven't ended yet, so the challenge stays open in this case.
These diets which weren't based on hard scientific evidence were called generically Fad Diets. Amongst the most known such diets there are: the Atkins diet, the South Beach Diet or the Cabbage soup diet.
Why would people rely on hazardous actions in order to lose weight? Well, this is not the only domain in which the human race acts without thinking too much on the consequences. Maybe it's because we are social creatures, and we tend to share experience with our peers, while trusting in the experience others share with us. If my best friend is telling me about a diet which made her lose 20 pounds in two weeks, you can be sure I'll ask for all details and I'll try it myself. Or if I need to participate to a wedding, and I cannot fit in my best evening dress, I'd try to seek out a way to lose 10 pounds in 3 days without any health concerns. All I need is my short-term silhouette, so I can look great in my gorgeous dress, which I paid $3000 for and I wore it only once.
However, people start slowly to realize that fast weight loss is not healthy and that on long term the results are even worse than back in time, when they started the race against their extra pounds. Doctors play a major role here, as they can accomplish the difficult task of explaining anxious overweight persons that the should be seeking for steady, long term weight loss which lasts and which does not affect their organs.
While more and more of us will shift from our granny's advice and move towards methods of losing weight which are endorsed by science, there will always be a good part of the population which will continue to rely on the word-of-mouth power, thus becoming easy victims of quick weight loss myths such as fad diets.
Yes, being fat wasn't a sufficient reason for going to a doctor, therefore the pioneers of weight loss started to try various combinations of foods while observing their effect on the body weight. This is how very popular diets appeared, without ever being scientifically proven to do what they claimed. For example, the Grapefruit diet was based on the thought that grapefruits contain and enzyme which helps burning fats in the body, if the fruit was regularly consumed after each meal. No scientists were able to prove that, although there are studies which haven't ended yet, so the challenge stays open in this case.
These diets which weren't based on hard scientific evidence were called generically Fad Diets. Amongst the most known such diets there are: the Atkins diet, the South Beach Diet or the Cabbage soup diet.
Why would people rely on hazardous actions in order to lose weight? Well, this is not the only domain in which the human race acts without thinking too much on the consequences. Maybe it's because we are social creatures, and we tend to share experience with our peers, while trusting in the experience others share with us. If my best friend is telling me about a diet which made her lose 20 pounds in two weeks, you can be sure I'll ask for all details and I'll try it myself. Or if I need to participate to a wedding, and I cannot fit in my best evening dress, I'd try to seek out a way to lose 10 pounds in 3 days without any health concerns. All I need is my short-term silhouette, so I can look great in my gorgeous dress, which I paid $3000 for and I wore it only once.
However, people start slowly to realize that fast weight loss is not healthy and that on long term the results are even worse than back in time, when they started the race against their extra pounds. Doctors play a major role here, as they can accomplish the difficult task of explaining anxious overweight persons that the should be seeking for steady, long term weight loss which lasts and which does not affect their organs.
While more and more of us will shift from our granny's advice and move towards methods of losing weight which are endorsed by science, there will always be a good part of the population which will continue to rely on the word-of-mouth power, thus becoming easy victims of quick weight loss myths such as fad diets.
Nutritionists are against such drastic weight loss measures, because they perceive them as very dangerous for the overall health of the body. If we only think that grapefruits are very acid and that their consumption may cause gastritis, we get the full picture of how much harm we can do to ourselves by acting in such irresponsible manner.You cannot imagine how harmful metabolic disorders can be. You can shatter your health for good, and you'll have to bear the consequences for the whole rest of your life. Isn't it a shame to pay for 40 years a mistake which you did when you were 20 and willing to be liked by your peers?
While more and more of us will shift from our granny's advice and move towards methods of losing weight which are endorsed by science (like fitness workouts, there will always be a good part of the population which will continue to rely on the word-of-mouth power, thus becoming easy victims of quick weight loss myths such as fad diets. If you don't like diets and you are the sworn enemy of workouts, gym and any sport in general, you'd better learn how to detox your body, in order to avoid all unpleasant symptoms and consequences of all those toxins that can so easily accumulate if we are not careful with our lifestyle.The fad diets attraction can be very strong, especially for overweight people who have already tried lots of methods of losing weight, without long-term successes. Such people are convinced that the next diet they are going to try is the best one, and that they would get their wanted silhouette, the body line they dream of. Whatever you may decide to do for your weight, don't forget that your weight loss muse and your best friend can be the dietitian. Specialists know better what essential nutrients our body needs to function seamlessly, so why not ask for their advice?
If you are still convinced by the power of fad diets and you are sure they would help you get rid of your extra pounds, you might be interested in watching this video, where Dr. Steven Knope, author of the new book Concierge Medicine,discusses why fad diets don't work and the lack of research to support their "breakthrough".
If you are still convinced by the power of fad diets and you are sure they would help you get rid of your extra pounds, you might be interested in watching this video, where Dr. Steven Knope, author of the new book Concierge Medicine,discusses why fad diets don't work and the lack of research to support their "breakthrough".
Why Fad Diets Don't Work
This is the video of Dr. Knope