Popular Fad Diets

Fad diets are defined as diets that become popular for a brief time period, after which their popularity fades away. This may be because of intelligent advertising gimmicks, or because they have been endorsed by celebrities. In terms of providing short term weight loss, a fad diet is perhaps the best option you have. However, fad diets cannot provide long term weight loss, and some of them are usually considered detrimental to health. The reason these diets become 'fad' diets are because of their short term results, after which people seem to lose interest and give up on them. Again, the effectiveness of a fad diet can be determined only by someone who has attempted it, and who has been successful at achieving results. Here, we provide you with a list of some of the most popular fad diets, along with details of what the diet entails.

List of Popular Fad Diets

Fad diets usually require you to consume foods of just one particular food group, and avoid others. For instance, some require you to give up carbohydrates completely and focus on consuming foods from other nutrient groups. On the other hand, some focus on the consumption of only protein-rich foods with other nutrient groups being supplemented in very limited quantities. The diets that have made as some of the popular fad diets have been mentioned in this fad diet list.

The Cabbage Soup Diet
The cabbage soup diet is based on the theory that cabbage has a fat-burning ability, and upon consuming cabbage soup along with certain other foods for one week, you can lose up to 10 pounds. It is a diet that is fiber rich, and low-fat and low-carb. You are permitted to have as much soup as you want, which helps in detoxifying the body. Keeping yourself hydrated with lots of water is essential while on this diet. It should be followed only for 7 days.

The Acai Berry Diet
The acai berry diet was first popularized by Dr. Perricone on the Oprah Winfrey show, when he described the powerful antioxidant properties of this berry. Further, when Oprah mentioned that she herself has been benefiting from the consumption of this wonder berry, the diet became more popular. The diet simply requires consuming acai berries, along with other products meant for colon cleansing when you are on any weight loss plan. It is a natural appetite suppressor and helps in increasing the body's metabolism, thereby enabling weight loss.

The Zone Diet
The zone diet was recently among the most popular fad diets. However, in today's day and time, only a select few resort to it though it has been endorsed by celebrities like Jennifer Aniston. Here, you are asked to consume foods that contain nutrients in appropriate measure, i.e. carbohydrates at 40%, fats at 30%, and proteins at 30%. The diet is meant to be a low-carb diet. As long as you remain within the prescribed limits, you are permitted to eat exactly what you feel like.

The South Beach Diet
With all the negative aspects associated with fad diets, the south beach diet has emerged as one of those that actually works, as it enables healthy weight loss in a short time period. You are asked to consume healthy fats and carbohydrates that help you to lose weight. This diet was initially designed for those suffering from heart disease. However, it was soon noticed that this diet enabled a good amount of weight loss. By simply asking you to refrain from the consumption of refined carbohydrates and foods high in sugar content, this diet not only enables weight loss, but also in reducing cardiac problems such as high cholesterol levels.

The Special K Diet
You've all probably heard of the special K challenge, that tells you that you can lose up to 6 pounds in 2 weeks, along with a visibly smaller waist. Introduced by the Kellogg company, the special K diet entails consuming the special K cereal (with skimmed milk) as one complete meal, twice a day. You are allowed to have one full meal, which should be in the form of grilled or steamed food. Since many may find this diet a little boring, there are a variety of special K products that will help you stick to this diet. The consumption of fruits, vegetables and low-fat yogurt is promoted in this diet.

The Atkins Diet
The Atkins diet is by far one of the most popular fad diets, and definitely can be mentioned as one of the fad diets that work. A lot of people have been known to benefit from it, and continue doing so. This is a low-carb, low-fat diet, which functions on the theory that the body burns carbohydrates as well as fats to provide for a source of energy. It is when you stop the intake of these nutrients that the body begins burning the stored resources, and results in weight loss. However, when you refrain from the intake of these two, you ought to increase the intake of protein as it provides the necessary strength to the body for survival. This diet will not help you lose weight quickly, but over time.

The Lemonade Diet
The lemonade diet is essentially a liquid detox diet, where you are asked to survive solely on lemonade to eventually suppress your appetite. The lemonade is prepared with ingredients such as water, lemon juice, red pepper, and maple syrup. You are asked not to have plain water, but only lemonade to quench your thirst. It is definitely a crash diet that helps detoxify the body and aids some weight loss, but does not help in the long run.

With all said and done about fad diets and their effectiveness, you must keep in mind that any diet will work for you if you give it some time. Most of the aforementioned fad diets are designed with the belief that they can induce healthy eating habits in you, which will then transform your appetite and lifestyle. Getting a good amount of physical activity in the form of exercise is also essential, and once you get into this rhythm, you are sure to lead a healthy life ahead. In any case, before resorting to any diet, you must consult your doctor or nutritionist, as your nutritional requirements may vary from those of others, and any excess or deficiency of a particular nutrient can affect your body in a negative way.