Losing weight requires burning more calories than you consume. However, somehow this simple process has spawned numerous fads, including ludicrous “wonder” diets, each with claims for an easy fix for shedding pounds. Eating healthy meals and exercising on a regular basis are the keys to staying in shape, but many people choose short-term fad diets in hopes of a quick fix. Here are some of the worst.
The Hollywood Diet
The Hollywood Diet was created by Sunset Health Products in 1997 and consists of two different juice concoctions—the Hollywood 48-Hour Miracle Diet and the Hollywood 24-Hour Miracle Diet. Fasting on these juices for either a 24 hour or 48 hour period will result in the loss of 5 pounds in 24 hours and 10 pounds in 48 hours. Amazing! So what exactly is in these miracle juices? The ingredients range from water and fructose to a variety of fruit juices including: pineapple, orange, lemon, prune, apple, and white grape. You’ll also find extracts of bilberry, green tea, and grape seed along with ginkgo biloba and a few preservatives!
The Cabbage Soup Diet
The Cabbage Soup Diet has been around since the 1980’s, but its origin is still unknown. The diet lasts seven days in which you are allowed to eat as much cabbage soup as you want along with a few select foods which vary depending on the day. These foods include: fresh fruits, a baked potato, skim milk, beef, tomatoes, and brown rice. Being mostly liquid, the cabbage soup is low in calories and is meant to curb any hunger pains that may arise throughout the day. The diet instructions are very strict, for example on day one you are not allowed any bananas, but on day four you can eat as many as eight of them, and no matter how much you love that cabbage soup you must stop eating it after day seven.
The Master Cleanse
The Master Cleanse was created by Stanley Burroughs in 1941 and has recently resurfaced with much popularity. The diet is a liquid fast lasting anywhere from 10 to 15 days. During this time span you are instructed to drink a juice mixture of lemon juice, water, maple syrup, and cayenne pepper. You are allowed to drink two 1-liter bottles of this juice a day along with as much water as you like, but you are not allowed to eat. Whenever you feel hungry, drink the juice. At the end of each day you will enjoy a glass of warm salt water in order to trigger a bowel movement before bedtime. Sounds wonderful, right?
The South Beach Diet
The South Beach Diet was created in the early 90’s by Doctor Arthur Agatston. The diet is made up of three phases. Phase one lasts two weeks and helps eliminate the need for sugar and refined starches. During this phase you will eat lean proteins, vegetables, low-fat dairy products, and foods containing unsaturated fats. You get two snacks a day and a dessert. Phase two sets you up for long-term weight loss. You’ll continue to eat everything you ate in phase one, plus carbs such as, brown rice, whole wheat pasta, and whole wheat bread. Once you reach phase three you will have reached your ideal weight and now need to focus on maintaining it. You’ll continue to eat everything from phase one and two, plus a little extra.
The Atkins Diet
The Atkins Diet was developed in the 70’s by the late Doctor Robert Atkins. The diet focuses on cutting out carbs so that your body will begin to burn stored body fat instead of glucose. Similar to the South Beach Diet, the Atkins Diet works in phases. During phase one the goal is to jump-start weight loss by eating only 20 grams of carbs a day. The majority of these carbs will come from vegetables. Phase two focuses on ongoing weight loss. You’ll count your carbs and mainly eat proteins and natural fats. In phase three you’ll work to lose a final 10 pounds and begin eating whole food carbs. The final phase four is all about maintaining your new weight and way of eating.
The Hollywood Cookie Diet
The Hollywood Cookie Diet is fairly new and was created by Jamie Kabler and Larry Turner. The diet is simple. Eat a total of four cookies per day: one for breakfast, one for lunch, and two to be eaten as snacks. Dinner is the only meal you will eat and it needs to be light and sensible. With 150 calories, 5 grams of protein, 25 grams of carbohydrates, 8 grams of sugar, and 4 grams of fiber, the cookies will help you to reduce your calorie intake and drop the pounds. They come in three flavors: oatmeal, chocolate chip, and lemon.
The Apple Cider Vinegar Diet
The consumption of vinegar was first promoted as a weight loss technique in the 1820’s by Lord Byron. Apple cider vinegar is made of fermented apples, which makes it highly acidic. The diet consists of taking one to three tablespoons of apple cider vinegar before each meal. Apple cider vinegar is believed to burn fat and when taken before a moderate meal it is believed to help you lose weight. If anything, it’s supposed to help suppress one’s appetite.
The Zone Diet
The Zone Diet was created by Doctor Barry Sears in 1995. The diet focuses on balancing the amount of carbs and proteins you eat and instructs that you eat a ratio of 40 percent carbs, 30 percent, proteins, and 30 percent fats. Within each group there are certain foods to eat and certain foods to avoid. For example, in terms of proteins, fish and turkey would be acceptable, whereas red meat would not. The diet also says you should never go more than 4 to 5 hours without eating. By keeping your intake to the allotted amount within each group your insulin levels will remain in check so that your body will not store excess fat.
The Grapefruit Diet
The Grapefruit diet was developed in the 1930’s and has been going strong ever since. Grapefruits are believed to burn fat when eaten with protein, thus when you are on the Grapefruit Diet you will eat grapefruit with every meal. Each meal needs to include some form of protein and half a grapefruit to go with it. You should not consume more than 1,000 calories a day and you need to drink plenty of water with each meal.
The Three Day Diet
The Three Day Diet came about in 1985 and outlines a strict menu that must be followed for exactly three days in order to lose as much as 10 pounds. Here’s a look at what dieters must eat on day one. Breakfast consists of a cup of black coffee or tea with 1-2 packets of Sweet & Low or Equal along with half a grapefruit and one piece of toast with 1 tablespoon peanut butter. For lunch you will eat ½ a cup of tuna, one piece of toast, and another cup of coffee. Dinner is 3 ounces of lean meat or chicken, 1 cup green beans, 1 cup carrots, 1 apple, and 1 cup of vanilla ice cream. The menu changes for days 2 and three, but you can always count on the coffee or tea. It’s important that you eat everything on the menu whether you are hungry or not.
The Chicken Soup Diet
The Chicken Soup Diet is another one that has been around for a long time. The diet lasts for seven days and the only meal you are allowed to eat other than breakfast is chicken soup. Your breakfast options change each day and include choices such as vanilla yogurt and fruit, Total cereal, and a bagel.
The Best Life Diet
The Best Life Diet was created by Bob Greene and was made famous by Oprah. The diet works in phases with the first lasting a maximum of four weeks and focusing on changing old eating habits and increasing your activity level. The second is a minimum of four weeks and analyzes physical and emotional hunger, while removing six problem foods from your diet. By the third phase you should eliminate the rest of the bad foods from your diet and continue to add healthy ones. You will also be introduced to “anything goes calories,” which allow you to enjoy your favorite foods in moderation.
The Volumetrics Eating Plan
The Volumetrics Eating Plan was developed by Barbara Rolls. This diet works by helping you to find foods that you like to eat a lot of while still losing weight. The idea is to evaluate foods based on their energy density. Energy density is the number of calories in a specified amount of food. Eating lower-density foods, such as non-starchy vegetables, non-fat milk, and broth-based soups, will allow you to eat more without consuming as many calories. The plan provides three weeks worth of eating plans and suggests you write down everything you eat.
