Fad Diets Debunked – Is Your Diet Really Working?

From the Keto diet to the Paleo diet to going vegan, there is never a shortage of the newest and trendiest diets to jump on board, in hope of shedding some pounds. But how effective and sustainable are these diets really? Don’t be surprised, but here are some popular diets deemed by the professionals as no more than the latest fad.

Green tea

When it comes to a drink with many health benefits, green tea is definitely one of the first few names that springs to mind. Rich in antioxidants, green tea is believed to aid the breakdown of fats and speed up metabolism. Some even suggest to replace plain water with green tea entirely to maximise its weight loss effect. While certain research studies found the consumption of green tea to have a positive impact on weight loss, these results are usually unlikely to be of clinical importance. Coupled with the fact that studies as such usually use green tea doses that contain a much higher amount of caffeine, it is uncertain whether green tea really aids weight loss.

Weight loss shakes

Another widely popular diet beverage is weight loss shakes that many use to substitute meals. These liquid meal replacements consist of key nutrients we need in our diet, blended to become a convenient green smoothie. Many opt for these weight loss shakes as they are healthy, low in calories and supposedly provide a good detox for our system. However, nutritionists believe that these smoothies only provide short-term weight loss results. Weight loss shakes are not a long-term solution as they are usually not sustainable and do not offer dietary essentials such as fibre. On top of that, weight loss shakes are also associated with adverse effects such as slowed metabolism and increased hunger due to decreased satiety.

Intermittent fasting

Next up on the list is one of the more popular diets these days – intermittent fasting. Common intermittent fasting methods involve daily 16-hour fasts or whole-day fasts that take place around twice a week. Fasting is said to not only aid weight loss but also provide several health benefits. Intermittent fasting’s effectiveness is however debatable. Some concerns surrounding this form of diet include an increased tendency to binge and other health problems such as heartburn and gastric pain. Also, the amount of weight loss fasting can lead to is questionable as most studies are not long-term or solid enough to support this claim. Rather than fasting for weight loss, most nutritionists suggest adopting a well-balanced diet that consists of good food choices instead.

Intermittent fasting

When all sorts of diets have been exhausted, it is no wonder that unconventional weight loss methods such as acupuncture are gaining popularity. A needle-based therapy with a long history in traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture is said to alleviate stress, relieve pain and tackle health problems through the stimulation of body chemicals and the flow of vital energy. Interestingly, there have been claims that acupuncture can help with weight loss by suppressing appetite, boosting metabolism, and reducing stress. There is however not enough evidence to support the claim that weight loss is a direct result of acupuncture. Doctors suggest that acupuncture can at most be used to compliment solid weight loss methods like a balanced diet and regular exercise.

It is easy to jump on the bandwagon and expect instant results from the latest weight loss trends, but they often prove themselves to be short-lived and even lead to rebounds despite initial results. If you are seeking a sustainable and well-planned solution that can garner long-lasting results, let the professional team at dorra help you. Speak to our health specialists today to find out how you can lose weight the healthy way.