One Extreme to Another
There’s a lot of talk this week about “crash diets” highlighted in a TV programme, which followed individuals on a variety of crash, or extreme, very low calories diets. Traditional weight loss programmes aim to reduce total daily calorie intake by about 600 calories, while maintaining a nutritionally balanced diet. Extreme diets either try and reduce intake by around 1400 calories, every day, like Lighter-Life or the Cambridge Diet, or polarise the food groups allowed such as the Atkins or Dukan diet (high protein).
Traditional diets aim for a steady rate of weight loss. Extreme diets aim for rapid weight loss. Now, although rapid weight loss might at first seem attractive, it’s not generally ideal. A high protein diet may well put users at increased risk of kidney problems, muscle wasting and lack of energy and any diet which excludes any particular food group is unlikely to lead to sustainable long term diet choices. And so often people switch from one extreme diet to another in a desperate attempt to keep the weight off as they struggle to adjust back to real life.
Virtually any diet programme will tell you that their track record proves they help people lose weight. Often these claims can’t be substantiated. I’ve just this week been working on a TV project which exposes the hazards of weight loss pills – what you see isn’t always what you get. But enough of that, we can return to it later. When it comes to choosing a weight loss programme, when examining any claims for weight loss, don’t just look at what they say they can achieve now, look at what they can achieve years from now. Because the secret of weight management in my experience isn’t weight loss. It’s weight maintenance. Long term. And on this subject the Department of Health’s guidance has it absolutely right. The best way to lose weight is gradually, one or two pounds a week, with a low calorie approach (600 calorie daily reduction). And do this while maintaining a healthy nutritionally balanced and, really importantly, enjoyable diet. If you can achieve this, while increasing your physical activity, then, in my experience, you will lose weight. Do it for long enough and you’ll not only feel better, you’ll look better, and your health will be better too. Now, that is extreme. Extremely possible.
Dr Ian Campbell
One Extreme to Another
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By Dr Ian Campbell January 2011
There’s a lot of talk this week about “crash diets” highlighted in a TV programme, which followed individuals on a variety of crash, or extreme, very low calories diets. Traditional weight loss programmes aim to reduce total daily calorie intake by about 600 calories, while maintaining a nutritionally balanced diet. Extreme diets either try and reduce intake by around 1400 calories, every day, like Lighter-Life or the Cambridge Diet, or polarise the food groups allowed such as the Atkins or Dukan diet (high protein).
Traditional diets aim for a steady rate of weight loss. Extreme diets aim for rapid weight loss. Now, although rapid weight loss might at first seem attractive, it’s not generally ideal. A high protein diet may well put users at increased risk of kidney problems, muscle wasting and lack of energy and any diet which excludes any particular food group is unlikely to lead to sustainable long term diet choices. And so often people switch from one extreme diet to another in a desperate attempt to keep the weight off as they struggle to adjust back to real life.
Virtually any diet programme will tell you that their track record proves they help people lose weight. Often these claims can’t be substantiated. I’ve just this week been working on a TV project which exposes the hazards of weight loss pills – what you see isn’t always what you get. But enough of that, we can return to it later. When it comes to choosing a weight loss programme, when examining any claims for weight loss, don’t just look at what they say they can achieve now, look at what they can achieve years from now. Because the secret of weight management in my experience isn’t weight loss. It’s weight maintenance. Long term. And on this subject the Department of Health’s guidance has it absolutely right. The best way to lose weight is gradually, one or two pounds a week, with a low calorie approach (600 calorie daily reduction). And do this while maintaining a healthy nutritionally balanced and, really importantly, enjoyable diet. If you can achieve this, while increasing your physical activity, then, in my experience, you will lose weight. Do it for long enough and you’ll not only feel better, you’ll look better, and your health will be better too. Now, that is extreme. Extremely possible.
Tags: crash diet, food groups, healthy diet, keeping it off, losing weight