February 2000 February 2000
Diets Are Not the Answer
Americans spend more than $30 billion each year in the weight-loss industry-- we’re buying the latest book, ordering the newest supplement or trying out the latest new exercise device. Or, it could be we’re just doing the same old thing all over AGAIN—re-reading the use-to-be latest diet book, drinking those liquid meals in a can, re-enrolling in the same weight-loss program you’ve been in for years, or digging out that exercise equipment you hate to use. Sound familiar?
Vera Massey Nichols, nicholsv@missouri.eduIt’s no wonder we’re drawn into weight- loss efforts over and over again. The lure of quick, easy weight loss is hard to resist:
"You can eat all of your favorite high fat foods and still lose weight."
"If you use this new revolutionary piece of exercise equipment for just 10 minutes a day, you’ll loose six inches off your hips in only 30 days!"
"Our product can melt your body fat away while you sleep!"
"Once you learn how to re-set your genetic code, the pounds will fall off."
We’ve all heard the expression; "There are two sides to every coin." Well the truth is there are two sides to weight- loss promotions—the fabulous claims and the other side:
The authors of many diet best sellers have never published their results in a medical journal. For example, many authors have sold millions of books and make claims like, "I’ve treated thousands of patients." However, those same authors have never published an article in a scientific journal—where their claims for success would have to be evaluated by experts and researchers.
Most low-carbohydrate diets can lead to ketosis. When your carbohydrate intake is low; your body will break down both fat and protein. This breakdown process produces glucose for your brain and releases waste products called keytones into your blood stream. Fatigue, dizziness, irritability, headaches, insomnia, and foul-smelling breath are just a few of the side effects of a high level of keytones in the body. Individuals with kidney problems or gout should be especially cautious of following a low-carbohydrate diet.
There are no magic foods or supplements. To date there are no miracle foods or pills that burn or melt away fat. And there is absolutely NOTHING that will melt fat away while you sleep. There aren’t any super foods that can magically change your genetic code either.
Eating the "wrong" combinations of food does not cause them to turn to fat or produce toxins in the body. There is no scientific evidence that combining or eating certain foods at certain times of the day will help in weight loss efforts.
Dieting encourages binge eating. Countless studies have shown that the rebound effect of restrictive eating (dieting) is overeating.
The foods you’re more likely to overeat are the very ones you were forbidden to eat when you were on "the diet." Dieters are also more preoccupied with food—particularly the "forbidden" foods.
Following rigid meal plans and limiting food choices can be an overwhelming and unpleasant task. When it comes to healthful eating, you need a realistic and flexible eating style that allows you to enjoy a wide variety of foods. Balance, variety and moderation are the keys to healthful and pleasurable eating.
So what’s the bottom line?
DIETING DOESN’T GUARANTEE WEIGHT LOSS, BETTER HEALTH OR
MAKING PEOPLE ANY HAPPIER. In fact, dieting typically has the exact opposite effect on people!
The time has come for us to stop focusing on weight loss and move away from dieting efforts. Instead, we should shift our focus to adopting a non-diet approach to support a healthy lifestyle and body.
The non-diet approach is based on common sense and supported by increasing scientific evidence. This approach helps people of all shapes and sizes achieve healthier bodies and feel good about themselves. The goal becomes adopting a health-promoting lifestyle that can be maintained indefinitely rather than short term like "dieting."
The non-diet approach promotes:
- Active living
- Eating well
- Appreciating yourself and others
If you are interested in learning more about this approach to living in a healthy body, call or e-mail either Lynda Zimmerman or myself, Vera Massey Nichols. We also want you to be aware that a new program series, A New You: Living in a Healthy Body, will be offered throughout the region this year. This program (four 2-hour sessions) will provide an opportunity for you to gain new attitudes, and learn new information and skills for living a healthier life.
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