CHOOSING A COMMERCIAL DIET PROGRAM

Choosing the right weight loss program can be difficult. New programs continue to attract consumers with claims to promote "quick" weight loss with little effort. Unfortunately, many diet programs lack the necessary data to support their claims of lasting weight loss. Most commercial weight loss programs only provide a short-term answer to the problem of being overweight.

Many people become quickly dissatisfied with the restrictive diets that most commercial diet programs offer. Some of these programs provide very low calorie diets (1000 to 800 calories per day) and require weigh-ins. Others require clients to purchase their pre-packaged low-fat meals that can be very expensive. Pre-packaged meals are appealing because the difficult choice about what to eat is avoided. However, in the long run, maintaining weight loss may be difficult because meal-planning skills for a long-lasting change are not taught.

Other diets such as liquid meal replacement plans may be harmful because over time they can cause nutritional deficiencies. Also, due to the unrealistic expectations associated with these products, consumers are often left with only a sense of guilt and failure. It is difficult to stick with these programs and lose weight.

Studies show that fad diets usually result in the regaining of weight lost and, in many cases, more weight was regained than was originally lost. Exercise should be a necessary part of any weight loss program and is critical in keeping weight off.

To evaluate whether a commercial diet program offers a safe and healthy way to lose weight, ask the following questions:

Does the diet exclude any of the major food groups?
Does the diet exclude any certain foods that may be "bad?"
Is a "quick fix" promised versus a gradual weight loss?
Is a diet of less than 1200 calories per day recommended?
Does the program exclude behavior modification and exercise components?

If the answer is yes to any of the above questions, then the diet program probably is not a healthy choice. Remember, gradual changes in eating behaviors include:

the intake of a variety of foods and
daily exercise

These steps will result in a slow healthy weight loss of one pound per week. Ask for advice from your healthcare provider before choosing a commercial weight loss program.

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

HIL File WEIG5281.rf2 VRS# 6911 Data Version 7.0