What do Kim Kardashian, Suzanne Sommers, Rebel Wilson, Jane Fonda, Megan Fox, Christie Brinkley, Jessica Biel, Kathy Ireland, and Kirstie Alley have in common? They are connected to weight loss programs. And a lot of people have been drawn to them because they want to have bodies like theirs. Also, they are highly liked, so many are drawn to want what they like.
But what is their nutritional training? What is their medical training? Is their information nutritionally sound? Or is it a sales pitch?
Nutrition experts Annette B. Nattow and Jo-Ann Heslin (authors of the book Get Skinny the Smart Way) state that consumers should be leery of celebrity-inspired diet books. They point out that such books are often based upon nutritional fiction – and though their diets may result in short-term weight loss, they can be far from healthy in the long run. So you might consider passing up the celebrity diet books and opting for those written by nutritional experts instead.
However, celebrities are not the only ones pushing fad diets.
Have you heard of the “Grapefruit Diet”? It recommends eating a grapefruit before every meal. Have you heard of the “Cabbage Soup Diet”? You get to eat all the cabbage soup that you can handle. Or there is a diet that tells you to eat all the eggs that you can, one for only eating raw foods, and one for fasting every other day – among others. These could be dangerous. And when you quit the diet, your body has to face major readjustments.
Other diets require only certain foods, leaving out the variety that our bodies need. And some promote candy, shakes, and other things that may have vitamins but also have artificial sweeteners and other artificial ingredients.
Diets are big business. As long as America has a problem with weight, you can be sure that there will be many who are looking to make a buck. It is up to you to look between the lines and determine what is best for you. There is not a short-cut to it. It takes time, patience, and determination. But you can do it.
You may want to check out Nattow and Heslin’s book for yourself.
You also may want to check out the numerous cookbooks that we provide by clicking this link. Some recipes are definitely lower in calories, but moderation is definitely a must.