fad, /fad/ (noun)
An intense and widely shared enthusiasm for something, especially one that is short-lived and without basis in the object's qualities; a craze. - Merriam-Webster
synonyms
craze, fashion, latest, rage, sensation, style, trend
What is a FAD Diet?
A FAD diet is any dietary or nutrition concept that promises specific results to those who implement it into their own lives. Generally, the promised results seem too good to be true and focus on exciting or trendy aspects of health that are hot topics of conversation in the news, entertainment, and internet realms.
Unfortunately, these FAD diets aren’t always as effective or as healthy as they claim to be. They frequently promote the partial or total removal of certain whole foods and food groups that are known to build and sustain life and health. In addition; they may not be sustainable long-term and the health-promoting claims may not be supported by research and data from the scientific and medical communities.
Tell-Tale Signs of a Potential FAD Diet
It claims quick weight loss of more than 1-2 pounds per week. A quick loss usually means a quick regain.
Suggests diet pills, miracle foods, or foods that “melt the fat away” without exercising.
Suggests special food combinations and quantities, or, eliminating some altogether.
Inflexible and highly limited food menus.
Based on “studies” that promote their agenda and/or company.
Recommends the purchase of a certain product to help increase the chances of success.
Examples of Fad Diets
Juice Cleanse
Emphasizes giving up most food groups for a period of time to help promote weight loss and detoxification while mostly consuming liquids, juices, etc.
Carnivore
Emphasizes a high protein diet from primarily animal meat sources while excluding most other food groups.
Paleo
Also known as the “ancestral hunter-gatherer diet” - emphasizes whole foods, lean protein, vegetables, fruits, nuts, and seeds, while discouraging processed foods, sugar, dairy, and grains.
Intermittent Fasting
Emphasizes cycling your body between periods of fasting and eating and is often used for weight loss because it makes calorie restriction relatively easy.
Dietary, Health, or Sports Supplements
Non-FDA regulated products that aim to promote specific results or satisfy a specific nutrient deficiency.
Takeaways
Of course this doesn't mean that all FAD diets are inherently bad! I often tell my Health Coaching clients that they should aim to test and experiment with all kinds of options. However, I will occasionally clarify that "if someone or something ever suggests that there's only one true way to operate, I'd suggest trying to distance myself from it". Plenty of diets, FAD or not, can encourage progress towards a person's goals. It only gets off track when the person decides to continuously follow that strategy without stopping to reflect on the WHY (why did this diet work better for me?) and the WHEN (when is the best time to follow this diet and for how long?).
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