Diet is often a scary word because it usually means deprivation. People pile on the pounds only to lurch into yet another diet. Food fads, yo-yo diets, supplements and pills seem the answer.

People diet for two reasons, to lose weight or to improve overall health – or both. A balanced diet refers to intake of appropriate types and adequate amounts of foods and drinks to supply nutrition and energy for the maintenance of body cells, organs and tissues and to support normal growth and development.

A fad diet is a weight loss plan or aid that promises dramatic results. These diets don’t usually offer long term success and they are usually not very healthy. Though many people say this type of diet doesn’t work, it is very popular to most dieters. This is because people are often willing to try anything that promises to help them lose weight because they want to look better or feel better or because they are worried about getting weight related diseases. Many people prefer to try the quick fix of a fad diet instead of making the effort to lose weight through long term changes in their eating and exercise habits.

Many fad diets do work for a short time. In many instances, this is because when you stop eating some types of food or eat special combinations of foods; you are getting fewer calories that you normally would. It is, however, likely that much of the weight you lose is from water and lean muscle not body fat. Further, most people are not able to keep up with the demands of a diet that strictly limits their food choices or requires them to eat the same foods over and over again. People who use fad diets usually end up gaining back any weight that they lost.

Although you may lose weight at first, you won’t keep it off. Most fad diets are very low in carbohydrates and in calories causing fluid loss from the body which indicates a loss of weight on the scale. Once the body gets dehydrated with water, the weight will come right back on. Furthermore, they are often unhealthy and encourage bizarre eating habits.

Avoid fad diets and fad dieting as much as possible. Instead, eat a balanced diet that includes foods from all food groups. Eating a balanced calorie-controlled diet is not only more appealing but also more likely to help you develop the sort of good eating habits that lead to permanent weight loss.