Fad diets just do not work, expert says; exercise and healthy eating are the only proven weight loss practices

• One of the only proven ways for healthy, long-term weight loss is healthy eating and exercise.
• This has led several people to turn to fad diets, said Jessica Arnold, a certified dietitian and graduate student, in a presentation Monday on fad diets.
• It appeals to many people looking for a short-term fix rather then making long-term changes in their eating habits.
• According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, fad diets also become popular because many work for a short time.
• However, most people are not able to keep up with the demands of a diet that strictly limits their food choices or requires them to eat the same foods over and over again.
• These diets should be used with caution, as they may result in significant health problems.
• With high-protein diets, weight is lost primarily through water loss and decreased appetite.
• Fewer carbohydrates in the body leads to less water retention, while protein causes the body to feel more full.
• Diet pills appeal to people wanting to lose weight without changing their diet or exercise.
• Weight loss with diet pills is caused by a change in hormone levels as well as caffeine, which causes decreaseappetite.
• The idea with these diets, such as SlimFast and protein shakes, is that substituting liquid for a meal causes weight loss.
• The reason for this is decreased caloric intake.
• However, there is often an inadequate nutrient intake.
• The grapefruit diet or the cabbage soup diet are diets which require strict food choices.
• Many people lose weight because of limited calories, but most people quickly grow tired of eating a specific food ever day and quit these diets.
• When looking for a proper weight loss plan, there are warning signs which can help reveal a fad diet, Arnold said.