Now Playing: Newsweek Online
Topic: Health & Science
Ain't we all been there? Well, most of us who scare the hell out of our bathroom scales when they see us coming?
Excerpt: Read the entire article at Newsweek online
The Astrology Diet
In "Zodiaction: Fat-Burning Fitness Tailored to Your Personal Star Quality," trainer Ellen Barrett and astrologer Barrie Dolnick promote an exercise and eating plan based on the 12 astrological signs. Scorpios are "fiery" and need "cooling foods," says Barrett. "It sounds fun, but there's no scientific backing for it," says the ADA's Andrea Giancoli.The Blood-Type Diet
In "Eat Right 4 Your Type," Peter D'Adamo, a naturopathic doctor, argues that people should eat according to their blood type. A type A, he eats lots of fish and avoids processed meats. "There's no evidence that different people with different blood types need different diets," says Willett. So what's the appeal? People "think it's more personal than other diets," says Giancoli.
Single-Food Diets
Grapefruit. Cabbage Soup. Pineapple. Single-food diets are perennial favorites. "They keep coming back," says Giancoli, who admits she tried single-food diets—including her own popcorn diet—before becoming a registered dietitian and trying (gasp!) a balanced diet and moderate quantities. Eliminating complete food groups can lead to nutrient deficiencies. The body needs protein, for example, to build and repair muscles.The Maple-Syrup Diet
Sounds yummy, but this draconian plan doesn't allow pancakes. Instead, it asks dieters to drink a concoction of 2 tablespoons of maple syrup, 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, a pinch of cayenne pepper and a cup of water. The diet seems new because Beyoncé said she used it to slim down for "Dreamgirls." But it actually took off in 1976, when Stanley Burroughs wrote "The Master Cleanser." "The really critical thing for weight control is to find something we can live with for the rest of our lives," says Willett. "That would not be maple syrup." The ADA's Susan Moores worries that the diet can interfere with the body's balance of sodium, potassium and fluids. It's particularly detrimental, she says, for kids, teens, pregnant women and nursing moms.Detox Diets
"For some reason, people think our bodies are full of all kinds of toxins," says dietitian Tara Gidus. Some detox diets, including "21 Pounds in 21 Days," call for "cleansing" with colonics. Translation: enemas. The problem with using them to clear the colon of waste: "it's not really waste at all," says Northwestern University gastroenterologist Alan Buchman. "What people describe as 'toxins' include the normal metabolic products of digestion and the normal bacteria that produce vitamin K and folic acid—and other substances that keep the colon healthy.
