How to Avoid the Risks of Fad Diets and Still Lose Weight

Fad diets make big promises, but fall short on long-term results. Avoiding fad diets is the best way to lose weight and keep it off.

At Legacy Pain and Regenerative Medicine, our chiropractic physician, Dr. Trace Alexander, is certified in clinical nutrition and understands the lure of fad diets and the risks that come with them. When it comes to weight loss, we have more success with personalized plans that focus on creating long-term lifestyle changes, not quick-fix diets and fast weight loss. 

How can you avoid the risks of fad diets and still lose weight? Let us tell you.

Spotting fad diets

A fad is a trend many people follow enthusiastically for a short period of time and then lose interest. Based on that definition, most diets are fad diets. 

How can you spot a fad diet? Any diet that promises fast results or has rigid rules is a fad diet. Below are some common elements of fad diets:

• List of good and bad foods
• Omits entire food groups
• Requires eating foods in specific combinations
• Has a rigid menu and limited food choices
• No need to exercise

Any diet that claims to be the final solution to all of your weight problems is a fad diet. No single diet or weight-loss plan works for all people.

Risks of fad diets

When you make the decision that it’s time to get healthy and lose weight, you want to drop those unwanted pounds as quickly as possible. We get it — fast weight loss keeps you motivated. 

That’s part of the strong attraction to a fad diet. You may lose a lot of weight fast following these trendy plans, but you’re losing mostly muscle, water, and bone, not fat. Loss of muscle makes you feel weak and tired, making it harder to keep the weight off.

Fad diets that cut out major food groups may cause other health issues like headaches, constipation, and nutritional deficiencies.

To recap, risks of fad diets include: muscle loss, weight regain, health problems, and nutritional deficiencies. 

Better ways to lose weight

Fad diets sound so good, making them hard to resist. But these popular diet plans with big promises aren’t the key to long-term weight management. 

There are tried and true ways to lose weight that actually work: Eating a balanced diet filled with nutrient-rich foods you enjoy, getting regular exercise, and creating healthier habits. 

Dr. Alexander takes a comprehensive and personalized approach to weight loss, creating a plan that takes your food likes, lifestyle habits, and health needs into consideration. Our plans include a customized nutrition program, workout routine, lifestyle counseling, and pharmaceutical-grade supplements.

Are you having a hard time reaching your weight goals despite trying every diet out there? Then it’s time for a more personalized approach to weight loss. Let us help you reach your goals and then maintain your weight and healthy habits. 

We have offices in Plano and Addison, Texas. Give us a call at the location that’s most convenient to you or book your weight-loss consultation online today.