This is a guest post by Boston University Graduate Student Samantha Gulewich.
There's probably a good chance you're curious to read what we have to say about trendy diets. For starters, there have been many different types of diets offered to date, including those with detoxifying and weight loss claims, those with a Mediterranean origin, those that are low in carbohydrates, high in fat, or high in protein, and many more. Fad diets have been shown to come and go as their popularity fluctuates. Because it is impossible to account for individual needs when adopting any diet, the adoption of many diet trends can often be painful and unsustainable; resulting in the rise and fall of one size fits all diet trends.
When you’re seeking out a fad diet, a good question to ask yourself is “why am I seeking out this diet?”. There are many reasons why someone would want to seek out one. These reasons can range from health benefits, to body image, to even trying to seek control over something during a period of high stress or uncertainty. Since there isn't a single dietary pattern that works for everyone, following recommendations blindly can have detrimental effects on health.
A healthy and successful outcome needs to start with a healthy and sustainable goal. In order to reach some goals it often happens that people will follow diets even when it doesn’t make them feel good. Sometimes, whether consciously or unconsciously, at the expense of their health. For example, when following the ketogenic diet, it is common to experience several unpleasant side effects; exhaustion, nausea, and gastrointestinal pain are just a few possible reactions. Additionally, the keto diet can negatively impact lipid levels in instances where the diet is observed without careful attention to the types of fats consumed.1 Another recent fad is intermittent fasting. Intermittent fasting can also be associated with a number of common, mild short-term adverse effects, including dehydration, headaches, lethargy, and digestive problems. Without particular attention to individual needs, advantages gained (if any) through the adoption of a fad diet such as keto or intermittent fasting, may come at the price of long term health. Everyone’s nutritional and health needs are different, so diet changes should be based on what your individual health goals are (and that could even mean eating more).
Although many diet trends are known to cause negative health effects: why do people keep coming back to fad diets?
There are many factors that contribute to the persistence and popularity of diet trends. The culture of comparison and hype that permeates social media is one powerful influence. Other contributing factors may be the diet's depiction of weight loss as a guarantee, the dream of rapid, almost overnight transformation that is evidenced by a certain celebrity spokesperson, or the sense that you're doing what's best for your health. It is important to understand that for certain individuals, these diets may be advantageous and healthful, but it's crucial to consider what suits you personally. Weighing the pros and cons with a dietician is always beneficial because formulating a customized meal plan can be complicated. While there isn't an established procedure that must be followed, the maximum benefit is achieved through collecting as much information as possible and tailoring it to individual needs. Healthful eating and living doesn’t have to be complicated or involve following a fad diet; the best diet for anyone should be simple, sustainable and drama free.
Ultimately, one must keep in mind that fad diets are just that—fads—because nobody can maintain a restrictive diet for long. Diets come and go because people keep searching for a silver bullet that doesn’t exist. If you are among one of the many who are considering adopting the latest diet craze, you may want to consider these questions:
Why am I seeking out a fad diet?
Why does this particular fad diet appeal to me?
What is it that I'm hoping to achieve through dieting?
Does following a particular diet help me achieve my health goals?
Where did I obtain my information regarding this particular fad diet?
Once you've given these questions some serious thought, it should become clearer why fad diets are so popular and why it's always more beneficial to take the road less traveled when it comes to your health.
References:
Tahreem A, Rakha A, Rabail R, et al. FAD diets: Facts and fiction. Frontiers in Nutrition. 2022;9. doi:10.3389/fnut.2022.960922
Bostock ECS, Kirkby KC, Taylor BV, Hawrelak JA. Consumer reports of “Keto Flu” associated with the ketogenic diet. Front Nutr. (2020) 7:20. 10.3389/fnut.2020.00020
Londre R. Intermittent fasting: Fad or valid weight-loss solution? Mayo Clinic Health System. June 17, 2022. Accessed December 2, 2023. https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/intermittent-fasting-fad-or-solution#:~:text=Intermittent%20fasting%20can%20have%20unpleasant,go%20away%20within%20a%20month.
