Weight Loss
Popular Diets May Prove Unhealthy
By
Sep 20, 2005, 22:08

(NUI) - Everywhere you turn, there is a diet guru waiting to share his secret of weight-loss success. Eat as much soup as you want, but little else. Don't eat proteins with starches. White vegetables are out, but bacon is OK. Eat fruit on day one, but avoid it on day two.

Most people know someone who has attempted one or more of the so-called "fad diets" that claim you can lose weight in a short amount of time. But are these diets safe?

Many medical experts say no. They say that not only are these diets confusing and difficult to follow, they deprive your body of necessary nutrients. In the end, the dieter gains disappointment, some poor eating habits and, eventually, a few more pounds than he started with.

Another popular way to lose weight is the use of special supplements. Many of these "miracle" weight-loss pills include the herb ephedra, which has been linked to more than 150 deaths.

Ephedra helps you burn fat while you sleep by speeding up your metabolism. But it can also speed up your heartbeat and result in multiple complications or even death. These problems have led to recent government restrictions on the sale of ephedra-containing supplements.

In spite of these popular diet strategies claiming fast weight loss with little effort, the healthy way to lose weight remains simple: exercise and eat the right foods in the right amounts. Dieting this way will ensure that you get the nutrients you need.

One healthy way to modify your eating and still get what you need is through the Medifast weight management program. The program helps you lose the weight, keep it off and change your lifestyle through its variety of meal replacement products.

Meals include shakes, bars, soups, crackers and oatmeal. They are heart healthy and contain soy protein. Medifast is not a fad diet; it has been recommended by more than 15,000 doctors nationwide.

In addition to weight manage-ment, Medifast's programs and products span over a wellness spectrum to include products for diabetes, arthritis, menopause, coronary health and sports nutrition.

To learn more, log on to www.medifastdiet.com or call 1-866-4-MEDIFAST.

© Copyright by EveningsNews.com