Fad diets like the cabbage soup diet or South Beach are common and may provide short-term weight loss but eventually the weight returns.
“Diets should offer a balanced eating and exercise approach, promise gradual results over rapid success, and provide the ability to sustain your goal weight once you reach it,” said Caroline Lazur, registered dietitian at the Metabolic & Weight Loss Center at Capital Health Medical Center – Hopewell.
At the Center, Lazur coaches patients on strategies for mindful eating and realistic goal-setting as the keys to reaching their goal weight and staying there. If you are researching diets, Lazur warns against:
- Exclusive diets: Eating only certain foods for the rest of your life is unrealistic and unhealthy.
- Diets that require special foods: These are usually expensive and limit your options, which will eventually lead you to stray.
- Specially prepared meals: If you are not used to cooking, research healthy options for eating out or look for healthy, easy-to-make recipes.
- No exercise: Successful diets should incorporate exercise to help you toward your goal.
Visit capitalhealth.org/weightloss for information about the Capital Health Metabolic & Weight Loss Center.