Atkins. South Beach. Cookie. Dukan.
What do these four things have in common? They all fall under the category of popular diets, otherwise known as “fad diets,” whose goal is to help achieve dramatic weight loss using extreme measures. Do they actually work? Well, that’s a question most people want to know when deciding which diet will work best for them, and if they should be starting one in the first place.
A study conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health provides insight and empirical evidence for one of the most popular questions nutritionists face. The study tested approximately 800 participants participating in four different types of diets based on popular ones, such as Atkins and the Mediterranean Diet, resulting in four general categories: low fat, high protein, low fat, average protein, high fat, average protein, and high fat, high protein. Each of the diets was paired with group nutrition counseling and exercise. By the end of 6 months, the participants had an average weight loss of 12 pounds, and by the end of 2 years, after regaining some of the weight, the weight loss results were similar across the boards: ranging from approximately 7-9 lbs.
In addition to showing that there isn’t really proof that one “fad diet” is superior than another, “the study also found that the more group counseling sessions participants attended, the more weight they lost, and the less weight they regained. This supports the idea that behavioral, psychological, and social factors are probably far more important for weight loss than the mix of nutrients in a diet.”
What’s the message of this study? No one diet is proven more successful than the other. If you’re going to go on a diet, your diet should be one that will appeal to your taste buds and be easy for you to follow. However, like the conclusions of the study have shown, one of the most effective ways to lose weight is to consult a dietician or nutritionist. A dietician is someone who has completed a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) at an accredited institution and has taken an exam to become a Registered Dietician (RD). Studies have shown that a significant factor in achieving real, long-lasting weight loss is through nutritional counseling.
Though fad diets prove successful in achieving instant weight loss, as shown through this study, most participants gain their weight back almost immediately after concluding their diet. The reason? Most people’s weight problems not only stem from poor eating habits, but are also a result of psychological and behavioral factors, such as addiction and use of food as a coping mechanism. Meeting with a dietician throughout the weight loss process allows participants to talk out any subconscious issues they may have that are contributing to poor eating habits, as well as provide support and guidance in planning out their diets. This is done through a process called motivational interviewing, an approach used by dieticians to create an autonomous environment with their clients, increasing motivation in developing healthy habits, and helping clients resolve any ambivalence about healthy eating in general. A dietician will also work with his or her client to create a meal plan that is tailored to their likes and dislikes and is practical for them to follow.
Bottom line: Fad diets aren’t always the answer. If you’re looking for a quick, immediate solution for weight loss, these diets may help you lose the weight temporarily. If you are in fact looking to one of these diets for a quick fix, one isn’t necessarily better than the other, so just choose one that you feel you can easily follow. However, if you are looking for a more long-term, permanent weight loss solution, your best bet is to meet with a dietician. The autonomous, comfortable environment allows clients to ask any questions and work with the dietician to create a meal plan that will appeal to them and will be easy to consistently follow.
Weight loss is not something that happens by simply adding and restricting foods from your diet. Weight loss is a process that involves serious evaluation of behaviors and psychological reasons behind overeating. Consulting with a dietician can help you resolve these issues, and allow you to not only lose weight, but change your lifestyle to one that promotes health and longevity, rather than cycles of weight-loss and weight gain.
http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/best-weight-loss-diet/