5 WAYS TO SPOT A FAD DIET

Lots of today's popular diets take advantage of our desire to drop weight quickly. Unfortunately, though, "quick-fix" diets don't work.

Here are 5 clues that a diet may be more about empty promises than real results:

1.The diet is based on drastically cutting back calories. Starvation-type diets that require the body to fast often promise quick results. But our bodies simply aren't designed to drop pounds quickly. In fact, doctors say it's nearly impossible for a healthy, normally active person to lose more than 2 to 3 pounds per week of actual fat, even on a starvation diet.

Here's the trick that very low-calorie diets rely on: The body's natural reaction to near-starvation is to dump water. So most, if not all, of the weight lost on quick-weight-loss diets is not fat — it's just water. And the body sucks this lost water back up like a sponge once a person starts eating normally again.

2. The diet is based on taking special pills, powders, or herbs. These are usually just gimmicks — and the only thing they slim down is your wallet.

Many diet pills contain laxatives or diuretics that force a person's body to eliminate more water. Just like restricted-calorie diets, the weight lost with these supplements is mostly water, not fat.

Other supplements claim that their ingredients speed up metabolism; suppress appetite; or block the absorption of fat, sugars, or carbohydrates. For most diet supplements, there's no reliable scientific research to back up their claims. And doctors consider diet supplements risky for teens because not much is known about how the ingredients affect the growing body.

3. The diet tells you to eat only specific foods or foods in certain combinations. There's no reliable scientific proof that combining certain foods works. And limiting the foods you eat means you might not get all the nutrition you need.

4. The diet makes you completely cut out fat, sugar, or carbs. Depriving our bodies of needed food groups is a bad idea (especially when they're still growing). It's better to eat smaller portions in well-rounded meals (meals that contain servings of protein, grains, fruits, and veggies). When your body gets the right balance of nutrition, it's less likely to send you willpower-busting cravings! Eating smaller portions also helps you set good eating habits that will help you keep the weight off.

5. The diet requires you to skip meals or replace meals with special drinks or food bars. As with diets that ban certain food groups, skipping or substituting meals can mean you don't get the nutrition needed to support healthy development. Plus, you miss out on the enjoyment of sharing a satisfying meal with friends or family.

LETS LOOK AT A BUNCH OF DIETS AND SEE IF WE CAN FIGURE OUT WHICH ONES ARE FAD DIETS, AND

WHICH ONES ARE JUST GOOD FOOD CHOICES!

The Cabbage Soup Diet and Recipe Recipe:

The cabbage soup can be eaten at any time you feel hungry during the day, and you can eat as much as you wish as often as you like.Ingredients:

•1 Green Pepper •1 Large Can Diced Tomatoes •6 Stalks Celery •1 Large Onion - Chopped •1-2 Cubes of Bouillon (if desired) •1 head cabbage. A nice, big green one. •48 oz. of V-8 Juice (low sodium works best) •4 cups of water •1 teaspoon of olive oil (no more) •1/2 teaspoon hot sauce

Cut vegetables into small pieces. Saute the onion in the olive oil for two minutes, then add the celery and peppers and saute for 4 minutes more. Then cover with the water and V-8 juice. If you want the bouillon add it now. Add the hot sauce and tomatoes.

Bring the whole mixture (which now includes everything but the cabbage) to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and continue cooking until vegetables are tender (about 30 minutes to an hour depending on how large you cut the celery).

Core the cabbage (take the stem out of it). Shred the cabbage and then add the cabbage and cook for another 10 minutes. Adding the cabbage near the end preserves some of its nutritional content and keeps your kitchen from smelling like a latrine.

During the Cabbage Soup Diet you can eat as much of this soup as you want, whenever you want it. Eat it all day and night if you want.

Diet Plan: Day One: Fruit: Eat all of the fruit you want (EXCEPT BANANAS). Eat only your soup and the fruit for the first day. For drinks- unsweetened teas, cranberry juice and water.Day Two:Vegetables: Eat until you are stuffed will all fresh, raw or cooked vegetables of your choice. Try to eat leafy green vegetables and stay away from dry beans, peas and corn. Eat all the vegetables you want along with your soup. At dinner, reward yourself with a big baked potato with butter. Do not eat fruit today. Day Three:Mix Days One and Two: Eat all the soup, fruits (but not bananas) and vegetables you want. NO BAKED POTATO.Day Four:Bananas and Skim Milk: Eat as many as eight bananas and drink as many glasses of skim milk as you would like on this day, along with your soup. This day is supposed to lessen your desire for sweets.Day Five:Beef And Tomatos: Ten to twenty ounces of beef and up to six fresh tomtoes. Drink at least 6 to 8 glasses of water this day to wash the uric acid from your body. Eat your soup at least once this day. You may eat broiled or baked chicken instead of beef (but absolutely no skin-on chicken). If you prefer, you can substitute broiled fish for the beef one one of the beef days (but not both).Day Six: Beef and Vegetables. Eat to your heart's content of beef and vegetables this day. You can even have 2 or 3 steaks if you like, with leafy green vegetables. NO BAKED POTATO. Eat your soup at least once.Day Seven:Brown rice, unsweetened fruit juices and vegetables: Again STUFF,STUFF,STUFF yourself. Be sure to eat your soup at least once this day.

Atkins Says - "Carbohydrates are Bad"

What to do:The Atikins diet plan is a low carbohydrate method. The avoidance of carbohydrates in your diet is structured to keep your body from adding weight. The method includes eating less than 20 grams of carbohydrates per day.

Free Meats and Cheeses:The following meats and cheeses have no carbohydrates. Using the atkins diet plan you may eat as much of the following items as you wish.

Meat Fish Fowl Shellfish Eggs CheeseBeef Tuna Chicken Oysters Scrambled Aged & Fresh

Pork Salmon Turkey Mussels Fried Cow & Goat

Lamb Sole Duck Clams Poached Cream Cheese

Bacon Trout Goose Squid Soft Boiled Cottage Cheese

Veal Flounder Cornish Hen Shrimp Hard Boiled Swiss

Ham Sardines Quail Lobster Deviled Cheddar

Venison Herring Pheasant Crab

Not Bad Vegetables:A serving of these salad vegetables has 10% or less of your daily carbohydrate limit. Therefor you can eat up to three cups of these without worry.

•Lettuce •Escarole •Arugula •Endive •Radicchio •Chicory •Sorrel •Mache •Bock Choy •Chives •Parsley •Cucumber •Radishes •Fennel •Peppers •Celery •Jicama •Alfalfa Sprouts •Mushrooms •Olives

These foods are high in carbohydrates and should be avoided:•Breads •Cereals •Grains •Sugars •Candy •Pasta •Rice •Anything with Flour •Non-diet soda •Juice •Fruit •Potato (potatoe if your name is Dan Quayle) •Chips •Alcohol •Beer

Rules of the road:•Drink at least 4 glasses of water or diet soda per day. •You can add the following to your foods:

•herbs •salt •pepper •lemon •vinegar •Worcestershire •soy sauce •mustard & ketchup

SCARSDALE DIET

DAY 1 BREAKFASTcoffee or tea with sugar substitute & 1/2 grapefruitLUNCHany amount of lean beef, chicken or fish + tomato salad + coffee or teaDINNERbroiled fish + tomato and lettuce salad + grapefruit or melon

DAY 2 BREAKFASTcoffee or tea with sugar substitute & 1/2 grapefruitLUNCHany amount of fruit salad + coffeeDINNERhamburger (without bread) and all the cooked vegetables you desire

DAY 3 BREAKFASTcoffee or tea with sugar substitute & 1/2 grapefruitLUNCHtuna salad + grapefruit or melonDINNER2 lean pork chops + mixed green salad + coffee

DAY 4 BREAKFASTcoffee or tea with sugar substitute & 1/2 grapefruitLUNCH2 eggs + cottage cheese + 3 oz. squash + 1 toast + coffeeDINNERchicken ( grilled or broiled w/o skin ) + spinach or green pepper + coffeeDAY 5 BREAKFASTcoffee or tea with sugar substitute & 1/2 grapefruitLUNCHall the dry cheese you want + spinach + 1 toastDINNERbroiled fish + cooked veggies or green salad + 1 toastDAY 6 BREAKFASTcoffee or tea with sugar substitute & 1/2 grapefruitLUNCHfruit salad (as much as you want) + 1 coffeeDINNERbroiled chicken w/o skin + tomato and lettuce salad + grapefruit or melon + coffeeDAY 7 BREAKFASTcoffee or tea with sugar substitute & 1/2 grapefruitLUNCHcold or hot chicken + tomato & lettuce salad + grapefruit or melon + coffeeDINNERlean beef + mixed salad + coffee

Grapefruit / Fruit Juice

The Promise:In 2 1/2 months you should lose 52 pounds. The Rules:

•You must drink eight 8oz. glasses of water daily (64 oz. total per day). •At any meal you may eat until you are full. •You must eat the minimum listed at each meal. (yep, this diet list the minimum you should eat). •You cannot eliminate anything from the diet. Especially the bacon at breakfast and the salads. You must eat the bacon and salads. These combinations of food burn the fat, omitting one part of the combination will cause the whole thing not to work. •The grapefruit or fruit juice is important because it acts as a catalyst that starts the burning process. Don't add or reduce the amount of grapefruit or juice. •Cut down on coffee, it affects the insulin balance that hinders the burning process. Try to limit to 1 cup at meal time. •Don't eat between meals. If you eat the suggested foods you will not get hungry. •You can fry food in butter and use butter generously on vegetables. •Do not eat desserts, breads, and white vegetables or sweet potatoes. •You may double or triple helpings of meat, salad or vegetables. •Eat until you are stuffed. The more you eat the more weight you will lose.

•Stay on the diet 12 days, then stop the diet for 2 days and repeat.

Diet Plan: Breakfast:

•Either 1/2 grapefruit OR 8 oz. juice (unsweetened) •2 eggs any style •2 slices of bacon

Lunch:•Either 1/2 grapefruit OR 8 oz. juice (unsweetened) •Salad with any dressing •Meat any style and any amount.

Dinner:•Either 1/2 grapefruit OR 8 oz. juice (unsweetened) •Salad with any dressing OR a red or green vegetable cooked in butter or spices. •Meat or even Fish any style cooked any way. •Coffee or Tea (1 cup)

Bedtime Snack:•8oz. glass of tomato juice or 8 oz cup of skim milk

Three Phases The South Beach Diet begins with a somewhat restricted two-week induction phase — generally producing weight loss of 8 to 13 pounds. In this phase most carbohydrates (such as rice, pasta, and breads) must be avoided. There are three meals a day and snacks — eating until your hunger is satisfied. Meats, shellfish, chicken, turkey, and fish are all on the menu – along with nuts, cheese (fat-free), eggs, salads, and vegetables.There are two subsequent phases that include specific meal plans and recipes. The second phase reintroduces some of the foods avoided in Phase 1 – but only sparingly. In this phase weight loss should be in the region of 1-2 pounds per week.The third phase is about living the lifestyle more than a phase – its about eating healthy foods, and maintaining weight.

South Beach Diet Phase 1

BreakfastTomato juice, 6 ozScrambled eggs with fresh herbs and mushroomsCanadian bacon, 2 slicesDecaf coffee or decaf tea with fat-free milk and sugar substitute

SnackPart-skim mozzarella cheese stick

LunchChicken Caesar salad (no croutons)Prepared Caesar dressing, 2 Tbsp

SnackLow-fat cottage cheese (½ cup) with ½ cup chopped tomatoes and cucumbers

DinnerMahi mahiOven-Roasted VegetablesArugula saladLow-sugar prepared dressing

DessertLemon Peel Ricotta Creme

Phase 2

BreakfastBerry smoothie (8 oz Dannon Light ‘n Fit fruit-flavored yogurt, ½ cup berries, ½ cup crushed ice, blended)Decaf coffee or decaf tea with fat-free milk and sugar substitute

Snack1 hard-boiled egg

LunchLemon Couscous ChickenTomato and cucumber slices

SnackDannon Light ‘n Fit yogurt, 4 oz

DinnerMeat LoafSteamed asparagusMushrooms sautéed in olive oilSliced Bermuda onion and tomato with drizzled olive oil

DessertSliced cantaloupe with 2 Tbsp ricotta cheese

Phase 3

Breakfast½ grapefruitTex-Mex eggs (2 eggs scrambled with shredded Monterey Jack cheese and salsa)Whole grain toast, 1 sliceDecaf coffee or decaf tea with fat-free milk and sugar substituteLunchRoast Beef WrapNectarineDinnerGrilled salmon with tomato salsaTossed salad (mixed greens, cucumbers, green bell peppers, cherry tomatoes)Olive oil and vinegar to taste or 2 Tbsp low-sugar prepared dressingDessertChocolate-Dipped Apricots

The Grapefruit Diet is a weight loss diet built solely around the humble grapefruit.12 days on – 2 days off

Breakfast1/2 Grapefruit or 4 oz. Grapefruit Juice (unsweetened)2 Eggs (any style)2 Slices BaconLunch1/2 Grapefruit or 4 oz. Grapefruit Juice (unsweetened)Meat (any style, any amount)Salad (any kind of dressing)Dinner1/2 Grapefruit or 4 oz. Grapefruit Juice (unsweetened)Meat (any style, any amount) (fish may be substituted for meat)Vegetables (any green, yellow, or red vegetables cooked in butter or any seasoning)Bed Time Snack 1 glass tomato juice or 1 glass Skim milkVegetables AllowedRed onions, green onions, bell peppers, radishes, cucumbers, broccoli, spinach, lettuce, cabbage, carrots, peas.Vegetables to AvoidWhite onions, potatoes, celery.

Instructions1.At any meal you may eat until you are full – until you can’t eat any more.

2.Don’t eliminate anything from the diet, especially don’t skip bacon at

breakfast or omit salads. It is the combination of foods that burn fat.

3.The grapefruit is important because it acts as a catalyst that starts the

burning process.

4.Cut down on caffeine- it affects the insulin balance that hinders the burning

process. Try to limit to 1 cup per meal at mealtime.

5.Don’t eat between meals. If you eat the combination of food suggested you

will not be hungry.

6.Note that the diet completely eliminates sugar and starches, which are

lipids and form fat. Fat doesn’t form fat; it helps burn it. You can fry food in

butter and use butter generously on vegetables.

7.Do not eat desserts, bread, and white vegetables or sweet potatoes. You

may double or triple helpings of meat, salad, or vegetables. Eat until you are

stuffed. The more you eat of the proper combination of food, the more you

lose.

The Zone Diet was created by Dr. Barry Sears. At the heart of the Zone Diet is its nutrient ratios. The Zone Diet follows a formula of 40% carbs, 30% protein, and 30% fats (sometimes called 40:30:30). This must be followed at every meal.

40 30 30

The Zone Diet plan is all about ‘meal ratios’. It can be considered ‘low carb’, due to the fact that the average person consumes about 50-60% carbohydrates in their diet. The good thing about the Zone diet is that it encourages a combination of all the nutrients in each meal – and it stresses the risks of processed carbohydrates (white pastas and breads etc).

Lemonade DietThe lemonade diet is a detoxification program written by the late Stanley Burroughs. The diet – called the “The Master Cleanser” was written in the 1940s and continues to be popular to this day. The current version was published in 1976 and is simply a 50 page booklet outlining the diet.

The Master Cleanser

Detox diets such as the lemonade diet are not for the faint-hearted. They are difficult to follow – typically because we are so addicted to food. People experience varying degrees of success as their body begins to flush itself of toxins – but the first few days are hardest. Some only use the lemonade diet for 4-5 days, while others take it out to 2 weeks.

People report an enormous number of health benefits – relief of arthritic symptoms, infections, pain, gout, and many more.

A typical herbal detox will do the following:•Dissolves and eliminates toxins that have formed in any part of the body •Cleanse kidneys and digestive system •Purifies the glands and cells •Eliminate waste and hardened material in joints and muscles •Relieves pressure and irritation in nerves, arteries and blood vessels

Lemonade Diet Sample•60 oz spring water per day (spread over 6 10 oz glasses)

•12 tablespoons Organic Grade B Maple Syrup (or 2 tbsp. per glass) •12 tablespoons freshly squeezed organic lemon juice (or 2 tbsp. per glass)

•a little over half a teaspoon of cayenne pepper (or 1/10 tsp. per glass) or to taste The only other foods consumed is a laxative tea (”Smooth Move”) twice a day, and a saline (sea salt) wash. The laxative may be required due to the lack of fiber in the diet that may lead to constipation.

Breaking the FastThis must be done gently, by easing your way back into solid food. Vegetable soup is a good starter, and fruits and vegetables shouldn’t be started until the second day out of the juice fast.

Candida DietCandida is a group of toxic yeast-like microorganisms (Candida albicans being the most common), that live among many other organisms in the human mouth, throat, intestines and genital/urinary tract. Under normal circumstances yeast live in 80% of the human population all the time with no harmful effects, as they are in balance with other bacteria.

Candidiasis

When the natural flora in the intestinal/digestive tract fail to control the candida yeast population, "overgrowth" occurs.Overgrowth is uncontrolled multiplication of yeast cells, resulting in various symptoms commonly termed Candidiasis or just Candida. Candidiasis affects a wide variety of organ systems. Common examples of candida infection are vaginitis; vulvar rash; oral thrush; conjunctivitis; athlete’s foot, ringworm, jock itch, diaper rash, muscle and joint pain, canker sores, sore throat, tingling sensations, kidney and bladder infections, infections of the nail, rectum, and other skin folds, effects in the gastrointestinal tract (constipation, diarrhea, colitis, abdominal pain, gas, distension, and heartburn), depression and even diabetes.

In immunocompetent persons (those whose immune system is functioning normally), any warm, moist part of the body exposed to the environment is susceptible to infection. This infection is mostly superficial, and proper treatment leads to full recovery. In immunocompromised persons (those whose immune system has been impaired by disease or treatment), more serious systemic illnesses may occur.

Causes of CandidaPoor diet, an out-of-balance intestinal bacterial environment, and weakened immunity can all give rise to candida. Overuse of antibiotics destroys the natural flora in the intestines that keep the candida cells in check. Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, AIDS patients, infants, diabetics and others with weakened immune systems are more susceptible to an infection of candida (candidiasis). Corticosteroids and oral contraceptives also upset the balance of intestinal flora. Yeast cells mutate, requiring ever higher dosages of Nystatin (the anti-fungal drug), so that the yeast is strengthened and the immune system further weakened.

Candida Diet PlanReversing candida

1.DetoxThe first aim of your Candida cleanse is to cleanse the system of the toxic byproducts of Candida. Fasting, colon cleansing, wheatgrass, fresh vegetable juices, plenty of water, detox herbs, exercise, and anything else that extracts toxins. 2.Reduce the yeast population in your system

Candida treatment must bring yeast cells back into balance. Use anti-microbial herbs and phytochemicals in formulas from your natural or health food store that include a combination of these powerful herbs, 15 days on then 5 days off, repeating as long as needed. The 5 day break discourages mutating yeast from multiplying and developing immunity to the herbs.

3.Inoculate yourself with probiotics

Probiotic bacteria favorably alter the intestinal microflora balance, inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria, promote good digestion, boost immune function, and increase resistance to infection. People with flourishing intestinal colonies of beneficial bacteria are better equipped to fight the growth of disease-causing bacteria. Lactobacilli and bifidobacteria, along with acidophilus (found in yogurt), maintain a healthy balance of intestinal flora by producing organic compounds (lactic acid, hydrogen peroxide, and acetic acid) that increase the acidity of the intestine and inhibit the reproduction of many harmful bacteria. Probiotic bacteria also produce substances called bacteriocins, which act as natural antibiotics to kill undesirable microorganisms.

4. Improve your diet

A diet to eliminate Candida is a long-term lifestyle – and in fact diet is your best defence against candida. Yeast loves sugar and simple carbohydrates; if you keep feeding yeast cells they will multiply, and even the best anti-microbial herbs won’t keep them in check. Eat a disciplined diet for at least 3 months, then When your symptoms disappear, you can expand your diet. But don’t revert to old habits, or the candida symptoms will quickly return.

Keeping Candida in CheckFoods to AvoidAged cheeses, alcohol, chocolate, dried fruits, fresh fruits, fermented foods, mushrooms, vinegar, glutenous foods (wheat, rye, oats, barley), all sugars, honeys and syrups (that includes any ‘ose’, like lactose, sucrose etc), and foods that contain yeast or mold (breads, muffins, cakes, baked goods, cheese, dried fruits, melons, peanuts – although nutritional and brewer’s yeasts are not harmful, as they do not colonize in the intestines).

Foods to EatVegetables (including plenty of raw garlic), protein foods (beef, chicken, eggs, fish), live yogurt cultures (both dairy and non-dairy,) FOS*, whey, acidophilus, green algae (such as spirulina and chlorella), nuts, seeds and oils, and non-glutenous grains (like millet, rice, rice bran and oat bran).