FORGET fad diets, starvation plans and special powders if you want to achieve your New Year’s weight-loss resolution, according to experts.
Nutrition and dietetics manager at South West Healthcare, Susan Baudinette, warned south-west residents looking for an easy method to shed unwanted Christmas kilos to be wary of any diet promising quick and dramatic results.
She said fad dieting could hinder or reverse weight- loss efforts.
“What people are looking to achieve is to lose weight permanently and most don’t achieve that,” Mrs Baudinette told The Standard.
“Sometimes they put on even more weight, which can be difficult.”
Her comments come as the Dieticians Association of Australia (DAA) slams detox and cleansing diets in the lead-up to Healthy Weight Week (January 22-29), saying nothing can beat a balanced diet and exercise.
More than 50 of Australia’s nutrition experts voted on the top three weight-loss fads to be avoided this year, with the lemon detox diet the worst of nine.
The blood type and acid alkaline diets were also widely criticised.
But with their glossy pictures, “real life” experiences and convincing promises there is little wonder fad diets are so popular.
“Quite a few offer quick results, which is appealing to everyone,” Mrs Baudinette said. “Sometimes the concept of a balanced diet is a bit boring.
“Healthy weight loss is half a kilo to a kilo per week, so it’s relatively slow.”
Mrs Baudinette supported the DAA’s view that balance was the key to health and weight loss.
“(Don’t) skip meals, cut down on serving sizes ... watching what you eat and combining that with some sort of exercise as well,” she said.
Mrs Baudinette recommends SWH’s Appetite For Change programs, which offer guidance, healthy eating advice and exercise tips.