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I’ve been asked by several people to weigh in on the latest contentious crazes of the health, fitness and diet world, so today, I bring you my reactions to two largely publicized dieting fads.
The Twinkie Diet - Far be it from me to criticize the work of a professor of nutrition, but I find this study to be incredibly problematic. For those of you who are not familiar with the story, here is a recap. ( Link )
Lets start with the simple facts that make this study hard to swallow. Mark Haub, though a nutrition professor, was eating 2600 calories a day, and weighed 210 lbs – with no mention of a healthy exercise regimen. I expect there was none, considering his ‘overweight’ BMI classification and lack of mention. Through a diet of twinkies, brownies, doritos and corn pops, Haub lost 27 lbs, and 30 points of LDL (bad cholesterol.)
This information is incredibly ambivalent. Haub lost weight, yet decreasing your calories from 2600 to 1800 a day, regardless of what you’re eating, is guaranteed to grant you an initial weight loss at his original size. And with the loss of weight comes the loss of bad cholesterol, as a result of less fat in your arteries. Moreover, Haub has failed to consider the long term effects of such a diet. Initial weightloss is always more rapid than continual weightloss, because bodies are being deprived of their normal amount of fuel. However, over time, the body adjusts and we reach a plateau stage. What would happen to Haub when he attempted to follow his sugar-packed diet long term? He’d too hit a plateau, and eventually begin to gain weight back. Eventually this sugar intake would catch up with him.
Taco Bell Diet: All I really have to say to make my point here is this: If you are a regular taco bell eater that is indulging in excess cheese, sour cream and sauce… and then you remove those for lighter ‘al fresca’ contents, yes, you will see a difference. That does not mean it is a sufficient diet for healthy living, it is still taco bell. Unhealthy food will still catch up with you on the long run, and you will face the same problem as someone continually eating twinkies.
I also want to point out that this is not just a problem with the Twinkie, or junk food diet. This lack of foresight or long term conditioning is what makes all diet-fads problematic. Reduced calories can only help you for so long; if you really want to improve, and continue improving, you have to plan for long term health and exercise commitments. (Read my post, ‘Calories are not the Enemy’ for more information on the danger of reduced calories).
So do these diets really change or revolutionize the truth about health and dieting? Absolutely not. The tried and true is healthy, whole, and natural foods, combined with a regular exercise routine will lead you to your best body. Not a gimmick, not a special groundbreaking diet plan, just plain, old fashioned discipline and hard work ( Have you seen Jared lately? ). And isn’t that the way it should be? There is nothing that gives a greater sense of accomplishment than doing right by yourself. Don’t miss out: make the right choices today! Readers, I’d love to hear your thoughts on the junk food diets, or any other wacky diet fads you’ve come across. Have you ever tried any? What has worked for you?
The Spokesmodel search stats have been updated, and I am moving up in the top 10. Please keep voting!!
I’ve been asked by several people to weigh in on the latest contentious crazes of the health, fitness and diet world, so today, I bring you my reactions to two largely publicized dieting fads.
The Twinkie Diet - Far be it from me to criticize the work of a professor of nutrition, but I find this study to be incredibly problematic. For those of you who are not familiar with the story, here is a recap. ( Link )
Lets start with the simple facts that make this study hard to swallow. Mark Haub, though a nutrition professor, was eating 2600 calories a day, and weighed 210 lbs – with no mention of a healthy exercise regimen. I expect there was none, considering his ‘overweight’ BMI classification and lack of mention. Through a diet of twinkies, brownies, doritos and corn pops, Haub lost 27 lbs, and 30 points of LDL (bad cholesterol.)
This information is incredibly ambivalent. Haub lost weight, yet decreasing your calories from 2600 to 1800 a day, regardless of what you’re eating, is guaranteed to grant you an initial weight loss at his original size. And with the loss of weight comes the loss of bad cholesterol, as a result of less fat in your arteries. Moreover, Haub has failed to consider the long term effects of such a diet. Initial weightloss is always more rapid than continual weightloss, because bodies are being deprived of their normal amount of fuel. However, over time, the body adjusts and we reach a plateau stage. What would happen to Haub when he attempted to follow his sugar-packed diet long term? He’d too hit a plateau, and eventually begin to gain weight back. Eventually this sugar intake would catch up with him.
I also want to point out that this is not just a problem with the Twinkie, or junk food diet. This lack of foresight or long term conditioning is what makes all diet-fads problematic. Reduced calories can only help you for so long; if you really want to improve, and continue improving, you have to plan for long term health and exercise commitments. (Read my post, ‘Calories are not the Enemy’ for more information on the danger of reduced calories).
So do these diets really change or revolutionize the truth about health and dieting? Absolutely not. The tried and true is healthy, whole, and natural foods, combined with a regular exercise routine will lead you to your best body. Not a gimmick, not a special groundbreaking diet plan, just plain, old fashioned discipline and hard work ( Have you seen Jared lately? ). And isn’t that the way it should be? There is nothing that gives a greater sense of accomplishment than doing right by yourself. Don’t miss out: make the right choices today! Readers, I’d love to hear your thoughts on the junk food diets, or any other wacky diet fads you’ve come across. Have you ever tried any? What has worked for you?